Category: Theater

Meet WalkUpArts and odysseus tied to the masT

Screen Shot 2018-07-09 at 9.19.47 AM.png
Tell us about you. 
WalkUpArts is a theatre company founded in 2014. We are dedicated to exploring the audience-artist relationship through multi-disciplinary, intimate, and communal experiences and creating a space for people to make eye contact in. The core WalkUpArts team is Audrey Frischman, Matt Engle, Stefanie Harris, and myself, Philip Santos Schaffer. For odysseus tied to the masT, we are working with Sarah Stites (director) and Andres Santiago Pina (performer). We also have a team that has been working on all five shows, including Taylor Riccio (set), Jorge Olivo (sound), Christopher Cancel-Pomales (light), Maureen Freedman (costume), and Anna Woodruff (dramaturg). Our stage manager is Dan Kelly. I’m a theatre artist, and the writer of the five plays in this series. I am interested in creating theatrical events in which the audience’s participation is a vital part of the success of the production. I recently graduated with my MFA in Dramaturgy from Columbia University, and outside of WalkUpArts, I am the incoming Literary and Community Manager of Pipeline Theatre Company and an Artistic Associate, Associate Archivist, and Ensemble Member with The Living Theatre.
Tell us about your current project? 
odysseus tied to the masT is the fifth play in SMALL PLAYS FOR GIANTS – a five play series of highly interactive solo performances for intimate audiences, which we have been producing between February and July of this year. Odysseus is determined to hear the sirens’ song. But first, he needs the audience’s help to ensure he won’t jump to his death. odysseus tied to the masT is a play about the drive for immortality and the desire to control our own legacies. Can the blood-soaked Odysseus survive the experience of absolute beauty, and if he does, will he finally feel clean enough to return home? In the words of the director, “It’s like an Instagram Live story about what Odysseus is thinking before he listens to the sirens! It’s also like the “Blow winds!” monologue from Lear! It’s also like a Drake video (well, things to aspire to…)!”
Where are you performing your show and why is it a good fit for your production? 
3 of the 5 plays in SMALL PLAYS FOR GIANTS, including odysseus, have been or will be performed at The Tank (the other two tour to audience members’ bathtubs and closets). The Tank has been an ideal space for us to work in for this series. The folks at The Tank have always been incredibly welcoming, and have worked with us to make sure we are able to bring our plays to life in all the ways we envision. It’s exciting to be in the building, there’s a constant buzz and energy, and it’s thrilling to be a part of it all. I also have to mention that the design team for this series is absolutely doing an amazing job in transforming the theatre and world of the play with each performance we do. For this one, they’ve completely upended the “normal” layout and set-up of the theatre, and created a vivid and wonderful world for the audience to step in to. I’m really excited for enter into what they have created.
What’s next for you? 
This is the last play in SMALL PLAYS FOR GIANTS, and closes out our season. Our next step is to talk about the past five months, figure out what worked, and make our next plans. We’ve always got projects in the works, and at any time any one of them may spring up and become the next big thing, but we haven’t committed to anything just yet. Personally, I’m excited to have time to focus on some writing projects that I’ve had to put on hold as I focused on editing and producing the past few months. I’ve had a nice research and gestation period (which is to say, I read books that may be influential on the train and before I fall asleep), and I feel ready to begin putting that into action.
What is the name of the last show you saw? 
Outside of WalkUpArts, I’m also a part of Pipeline Theatre Company, and I saw five play readings that came out of the PlayLab, at the Jefferson Market Library. These plays came out of a year of development with Pipeline, and it was really exciting to see completed drafts of plays I’ve been seeing bits and pieces of all year!
Any advice for your peers?
My peers have taught me a whole lot of what I “know,” so I’m not sure what I have to teach them back. I will say this – a lot of my best projects have started off as my worst ideas. The WalkUpArts tagline is “Follow your what-ifs,” and I think this mentality has brought us far. We try to jump on the dream, and sometimes it works in ways that none of us can initially imagine. Certainly doing five plays over the course of six months seemed to be an impossible task when we first started talking about it. But here we are, about to open the last play in the series. And it’s definitely been exhausting, but also one of the best experiences of my life.

Show Information:

Dates: July 14, 2018, 9:30 p.m. July 17, 2018, 7 p.m. July 19, 2018, 9:30 p.m. July 23, 2018, 7 p.m.
Venue: The Tank 312 West 36th Street / First Floor / New York, NY 10018
Tickets: All tickets are $12.00
https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/3510311 Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/walkuparts/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/walkuparts/ Website: http://www.walkuparts.com
by Categories: Beyond Broadway, Openings, Theater Leave a comment

Festival Lineup Announced for Speak Up, Rise Up

Festival Lineup Announced for
Speak Up, Rise Up
Second Annual Storytelling Festival to Play The Tank, August 6 – 12
Speak Up, Rise Up, is pleased to announce their festival lineup which features a diverse group of over 100 artists featuring a wide range of ethnicities and races with the majority of the performers being women.
Now in its second year, Speak Up, Rise Up will present a diverse range of topics on The Tanks two stages with multiple shows running in the evening and on the weekend. Playing August 6 – 12, Speak Up, Rise Up, aims to amplify the voices of communities and people we don’t often hear from.
The festival will present over 40 shows with a wide range of topics and performers including WNYC’s Nancy Podcast, 15 year-old storyteller Maeve Press, comic/storyteller Josh Johnson whose credits include The Tonight Show and comedy specials with Comedy Central and Netflix, Drae Campbell’s Tell and Bobby Hankinson’s  KWEENDON, both shows feature evenings of Queer Storytelling, Average Women with Average Rage featuring Leah Bonnema, Ophira Eisenberg, and Negin Farsad, Sydnee Washington’s solo show, Death of a Bottle Girl, OutsideIn – a storytelling show that focuses on the prison system, Shalewa Sharpe’s solo show Don’t Reach in the Bag, and Comedy Central and HBO comic Aparna Nancherla, among many other talented performers.
Spotify is the lead sponsor of this years Speak Up, Rise Up Festival.
2018 Lineup
 
Monday, August 6 
Main Stage @ 6:30 pm
NYC Veterans Alliance – Community Showcase
The NYC Veterans Alliance achieves community wellness and access to services for all veterans in New York City and beyond, regardless of service era or discharge status. We empower veterans, families, and civilian allies to connect as a community, advocate for improved policies, and advance as civic leaders. The showcase will feature Veteran’s sharing their stories onstage.
Side Stage @ 7:00 pm
Tell, Queer Storytelling Show – Storytelling
Curated & hosted by Drae Campbell
TELL is a queer storytelling show featuring a line-up of queer folks telling their own stories on their own terms. The storytellers include Danielle Earle,
Azure D. Osborne-Lee, David Reyes, Sara Jane Stoner, and Foxy Squire.
Main Stage @ 8:00 pm
Average Women with Average Rage – Storytelling
Written & performed by Leah Bonnema, Ophira Eisenberg, and Negin Farsad.
Three of New York City’s best comics blend personal stories with political commentary as they attempt to dismantle the patriarchy in one 60-minute show. (You know women, such overachievers…)
Side Stage @ 9:00 pm
I’m Just Fine – Solo show
Written & performed by Nina Mozes
A stand-up style solo show that asks you to laugh at my pain. Pain is a personal and private experience, but it is also universal. So, let’s talk about it. And joke about it. Because when we laugh, nothing hurts.
Main Stage @ 9:30 pm
Calvin Cato Has Daddy Issues – Solo show
Written & performed by Calvin Cato
Watch Calvin S. Cato work out his daddy issues in real time as he tells a tale of unfortunate hookups, misleading mentors, and a formative moment with his dad that will change his life.
Tuesday, August 7 
Side Stage @ 7:00 pm
It’s nice to feel wanted – Solo show
Written & performed by Sammie James
Comedian Sammie explores some of the more awkward and in some cases traumatic experiences. Bad dates, bad relationships, health issues, and uncomfortable conversations, are all in there and yeah, some silly jokes about animals and movies will be there too.
Main Stage @ 8:00 pm
WNYC’s Nancy Podcast live show – Storytelling/Podcast
With Tobin Low and Kathy Tu
Nancy is a critically-acclaimed podcast featuring queer stories and conversations, and hosted by two best friends, neither of whom are named Nancy. It’s a podcast about how we define ourselves, and the journey it takes to get there.
Main Stage @ 9:30 pm
Faith No More – Solo show
Written and performed by Matthew Dicks
A boy whose faith in God is absolute finds himself suddenly lost after his faith in a higher power is tragically stripped away. As he becomes a man, he struggles for the return of his faith as the universe attempts to kill him (literally) at seemingly every turn.
Wednesday, July 8
Main Stage @ 6:00 pm
No One Left Behind – Community Showcase
No One Left Behind helps America’s Wartime Allies with Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs) resettle safely in the United States. They bridge the gap that exists between current State Department and NGO refugee relief programs, and provide assistance with housing, employment and cultural adaptation. They treat their clients as the heroic veterans they are.
Side Stage @ 7:00 pm
Woody’s Order! Concert Version – Solo show
Written & performed by Ann Talman
How can you live your own destiny if you’re “Woody’s Order!”, and have been told since birth that your destiny is to be thy brother’s keeper? A screening of the documentary with excerpts of the play introduces Ann, Woody, Mom, Dad, Elizabeth Taylor, and special souls who helped Ann come to grips with what real destiny means.
Main Stage @ 8:00 pm
Late Night Talkers – Variety Show
Hosted & curated by Chelsea Davison
Writers and performers from late night TV share stand-up and stories in a show you don’t have to stay up late for. LINEUP: Chelsea Davison (The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon), Alingon Mitra (Conan), Aaron Jackson (The Opposition w/ Jordan Klepper), Alison Leiby (The President Show).Late Night Talkers
Side Stage @ 9:00 pm
Come Fly with me! Let’s fly away! – Storytelling
Curated & hosted by Tarik Daniels
They say you shouldn’t run away from your problems but sometimes your problems are due to horrible people or a terrible place. All storytellers will tell a tale about running away from what they knew wasn’t good for them. They all escaped to have a brighter, more beautiful life.
Main Stage @ 9:30
You Got Left – Solo show
Written & performed by Andrew Collin
When Andrew Collin was 24, he made over $250,000 in one deal. He was working in Florida real estate during the wild days of the early 2000s. But when the recession hit, Andrew found himself scrambling to find the next big score. You’ll laugh and shake your head along with this tale of fancy cars, bottle service and paper bags full of cash.
Thursday, July 9
Main Stage @ 6:30 pm
Center for Popular Democracy – Community Showcase
The Center for Popular Democracy works to create equity, opportunity and a dynamic democracy in partnership with high-impact base-building organizations, organizing alliances, and progressive unions. CPD strengthens our collective capacity to envision and win an innovative pro-worker, pro-immigrant, racial and economic justice agenda.
Side Stage @ 7:00 pm
The Sound of MUltiple SensItivities to Chemicals – Solo show
Written & performed by Jacqueline Peters
Jackie was an extroverted gal until a mold exposure left her sick, hypersensitive to chemicals, and spending way too much time home alone with just her imagination for company. Join her as she escapes into the things that comfort her: singing, laughing, the Sound of Music, and being the center of attention
Main Stage @ 8:00 pm
Aparna Nancherla – Stand-up/Storytelling
Written & performed by Aparna Nancherla
Catch Aparna Nancherla before she goes on her Fall tour. Aparna’s credits include a comedy special with Netflix, performing on Two Dope Queens on HBO and was the voice of Hollyhock on the most recent season of Bojack Horseman. Other acting credits include Crashing, Master of None, Love, and Inside Amy Schumer. Aparna was also named one of “The 50 Funniest People Right Now” by Rolling Stone. She also co-hosted the 2018 Women’s March Rally in NYC.
Side Stage @ 9:00 pm
SELFISH JUSTICE – Two 30-minute Stories
Written & performed by Courtney Antonioli & Lindsay Hoffman
Lindsay Hoffman’s aggressive leap into real responsibility. She builds the Teen Center with the help of her friends in her hometown of Clawson, Michigan. A place where teens can be themselves, create art, find themselves, and have a team of dedicated people there to help them through the process of growing up. Join her through bouts with the city council, superiors, parents and schools. She and the community fight to keep one of the greatest achievements of her life alive and untouched.
Courtney Antonioli asks, why can you MagicBand turkey legs, but not tampons in the women’s restrooms in Disney World?  When will society embrace periods as valid experience that needs to be recognized?  What happens when women stop accepting the menstruation as their “burden” and start to hold men and companies accountable? This happens.
Main Stage 9:30 pm
DON’T REACH IN THE BAG – Solo show
Written & performed by Shalewa Sharpe
A young woman applies for a job at an adult video store because she figures the dress code will be lax. Such naivete. Shalewa Sharpe presents a show about growing and showing, inspired by her six-year stint at a porn store.
Friday, July 10
Side Stage @ 7:00 pm
Our True Voice Now: stories of resistance from New Jersey – Storytelling
Hosted & curated by Angel Ling
Four suburban Jersey women share heartfelt, personal stories of what it has meant to be “woke” since November 2016. How are we likely/unlikely political organizers and leaders, at this moment in our American history? We will share stories of success, pitfalls, and of personal becoming. Stories by Rachel Barry, Lisa Ferraro, Rachel Goldstein, and Angel Ling.
Main Stage @ 8:00 pm
I’m Choking (and other excuses to leave a party) – Solo show
Written & performed by Josh Johnson
Whether it was the wedding of someone we don’t like, or the housewarming of someone we don’t know, we’ve all been at that point at a party where we ask ourselves… what am I doing here? What Josh answer those questions for himself, and maybe for you too. From hilarious surprises to accidental deaths he’ll cover all the reasons you’d want to leave a party, and the reasons you might want to stay.
Main Stage @ 9:30 pm
College Sucks! – Solo show
Written & performed by Anita Flores
Turns out, college isn’t like the movies. This show illustrates the comedic high and lows of what it’s like to attend 4 different colleges. From a small, overpriced private school to a “party school” to NYU, one thing’s for sure: Sallie Mae is a bitch. This is one woman’s journey finding a place to belong.
Saturday, July 11
Main Stage @ 12:00 pm
Stage the Change – Storytelling
Written & performed by Stage the Change Players (A troupe of high school students from Long Island)
Stage the Change is an organization dedicated to enabling high school students to use their voices to make a difference in the world. Through creativity and mentoring these students began to create a body of work that expresses their ideas and approaches issues of race, social justice, gender and sexual equality, bullying and a variety of other social and emotional issues that influence their lives.
Side Stage @ 1:00 pm
The ‘Hoodwink – Solo show
Written & performed by Melanee Murray-Hunt
Albie Davis is a singer with a heart of soul.  But the world doesn’t seem to be ready for Albie’s blend of outspoken word, creative freedom and righteous take on pop culture, hip-hop and hair weaves.
Main Stage @ 2:00 pm
MASHUP- Stories Into Song – Storytelling
Hosted & curated by Jude Treder-Wolff
Great stories have words, ideas and an emotional energy which create a kind of music. In this show some of New York’s finest storytellers perform, followed by an original song co-written by writer/performer and singer/songwriter Jude Treder-Wolff and composer Wells Hanley which was inspired by their story. Storytellers include Robin Bady, Richard Cardillo, Michele Carlo, and Vernon Payne.
Side Stage @ 3:00 pm
That’s Not How It Happened – Solo show
Written & performed by Colleen Hindsley
Colleen began her journey in storytelling a few years ago after the deaths of her parents, two larger-than-life figures who raised her and five older siblings in and around their Irish pub. It was a childhood spent listening to the wild stories of the characters there – Colleen’s parents being the most important of them all.
Main Stage @ 4:00 pm
Lil’ Mama – Solo show
Written & performed by Emily Reese
The only child in a town of six residents, Reese, was raised by her bear hunter father, Zeus, and her artist mother, Mary Jo. Reese takes us on a memorable trip through pivotal moments in her life. Her story is sure to be unlike any you’ve heard before. ​
Main Stage @ 6:00 pm
Women of Color for Progress – Community Showcase
Women of Color for Progress (WCP) is a multi-strategy political organization founded by women of color for women of color. WCP empowers women of color to excel, lead, represent, and be heard. Ultimately, WCP hopes to not only elect women of color into public office but also create a pipeline of women of color political leaders.
Side Stage @ 5:00 pm
Trampoline – Solo show
Written & performed by Christina Blacken
Christina Blacken is a storyteller, performer, and founder of TheNewQuo.com, a platform + consultancy with 1M social media impressions to date that teaches storytelling for change. Her stories showcase the subtle ways we other one another through our beliefs and are inspired by her experience growing up as an extreme minority in Utah. As a Utah native & NYC resident for the past 9 years, she knows far more uses for jello than she’d like to admit.
Side Stage @ 7:00 pm
Singleling – Storytelling/Podcast
Vanessa Valerio
Singleling is a podcast and live series show that showcases love and dating stories from regular people around the world and the best comedians and storytellers in the country.
Main Stage @ 8:00 pm
Death of a Bottle Girl – Solo show
Written & performed by Sydnee Washington
After a decade of working in NYC nightlife, Sydnee decided to hang up her cocktail dress forever. Reminiscent of “MTV Diaries” meets “20/20”, this hilariously authentic solo show exposes the ups & downs of the fast life as a bottle waitress.
Side Stage @ 9:00 pm
You Roar, I Roar – Storytelling
Hosted & curated by Becca Beberaggi
You Roar, I Roar is a storytelling show featuring women of color, queer and trans performers from NYC. The show is inspired by the #METOO movement and #timesup movement. Women and survivors are finally having their voices heard. We are roaring like never before! Storytellers include Zubaira Ahmed, Michelle Carlo, Andrea Coleman, And Veronica Garza, and Sammie James.
Main Stage @ 10:00 pm
KWEENDOM – Storytelling
Hosted & curated by Bobby Hankinson
KWEENDOM is a long-running comedy and storytelling showcase featuring some of New York City’s most beloved LGBTQ writers and performers. With a fervent commitment to diversity, KWEENDOM has provided space for underrepresented performers to share their stories for nearly three years.
 
Sunday, July 12
Main Stage @ 12:00 pm
Town of Islip Anti-bias Ambassadors – Community Showcase
The Town of Islip (Suffolk County, NY) sponsors an Anti-bias Ambassadors Program for youth which encompasses approximately ten school districts. Students from participating schools attend leadership conferences where they hear speakers who have endured racism and bigotry. As their final project this year at Sayville High School, they held a story slam featuring six students who performed for English classes over the course of two consecutive 40 minute periods.
Side Stage @ 1:00 pm
Dis(is)Respect with Maeve
Written & performed by Maeve Press
With a combination of observational comedy, unpredictable, honest and saucy storytelling and good old-fashioned rebellion, Dis(is)Respect is fifteen-year-old Maeve Press’ invitation to look deeper, remember when, embrace ourselves in all of our warped craziness and confusion and slap some DAMN RESPECT and a little LOVE into our lives.
Side Stage @ 2:00 pm
Cheating Death: Magic, Memoirs & Mortality
Created & performed by Nelson Lugo – Storytelling & Magic
A personal examination of one magician’s life – or more specifically – his many brushes with death.
Main Stage @ 4:00 pm
No, We Won’t Shut Up! – Storytelling
Curated by Robin Bady
There’s still a whole lot wrong in the world today and these women have something to say about it.  And you can’t stop them, because their time is NOW!  With issues ranging from white privilege to wage theft to racism to gentrification to sexual harassment by the police, these women share their personal—and ultimately inspiring – stories. Storytellers include Robin Bady, Michele Carlo, Nicole Ferarro, Dawn Frasier, and Angel Yau.
Side Stage @ 5:00 pm
OutsideIn – Storytelling
Curated & hosted by Nisse Greenberg
The boundaries that bind us and separate us have come into question. In this storytelling discussion we will tell stories of what it feels like to be inside and outside these boundaries – whether literal, as in the bars of the jail cell, or figurative, as in the alienation of immigration. The storytelling discussion/panel includes Juan Franco, Tazmin Uddin, and Michael Majok Kuch.
Main Stage @ 6:00 pm
The Dean’s Choice – Solo show
Written & performed by Thomas Conroy
My scholarship award was my first association with the dean of my undergraduate college at a state university in Ohio. It did not come without strings attached. It is 30 years later, and I speak for the first time … about the encounters, about the lies, about the murder, and about coming out in Ohio in the late 80s.
Side Stage @ 7:00 pm
Now You’re Talking!” Presents The Baby Boom Meets #MeToo – A Reckoning – Storytelling
Hosted & curated by Tracey Segerra
The #metoo movement is powerful and palpable. But how are the women over 50 who came of age during the Women’s Liberation movement handling this paradigm shift? Four women face their pasts and reckon with the future of sexual harassment via deeply personal stories. Storytellers include Renee Joshua-Porter, Tracy Rowland, and Julie Threlkeld.
Main Stage @ 8:00 pm
Serpent’s Tooth – Storytelling
Written & performed by Gianmarco Soresi
“How sharper than a serpent’s tooth it is to have a thankless child!” New York’s best storytellers air their dirty laundry, share some f*cked up family secrets, and don’t ask for their parents’ permission. Come for a night that would make King Lear feel lucky.
All performances take place at The Tank, 312 West 36th Street (between 8th & 9th avenues), 4th Floor, New York, New York 10018. Subways: 1, 2, 3, 7, A, C, E, N, R, Q, W to 34th Street. Tickets are $17 in advance, $20 at the door and are available at www.speakupriseup.com
About Speak Up, Rise Up
The first Speak Up, Rise Up festival was held in August 2017 at the off-Broadway venue, the Connelly Theater on the Lower East Side. Over the course of a week, over 100 people took the stage. The shows highlighted diversity in subject matter including stories about immigration, LGBTQ rights, and stories from the incarcerated. The line-up featured a diverse mix of performers with the majority of them being female and people of color.
Speak Up, Rise Up’s mission is to create a network of stories, sharing, and workshops to elevate disenfranchised communities’ stories via personal storytelling. Through live events, workshops, and connection to local community groups to tie people to community actions. Providing a space for people to develop, express, and share their stories that we don’t get to hear from. The festival offers storytelling workshops to various community groups in preparation of the next live festival.
Asher Novek (Founder/Producer) is a community organizer, tech designer, media producer, storyteller, storytelling coach, and occasional wedding officiant. He is involved in local political and community organizing and newly minted President of the Central Brooklyn Independent Democratic Club. Asher also serves as a steering committee member of Get Organized Brooklyn and is passionate about community engagement in local issues and working with communities to amplify their voices.
As a storyteller, Asher has performed and produced comedy and storytelling for the last 5 years including the monthly storytelling show he produces, So What Happened Was, in Park Slope. Asher also co-hosts and co-produces the podcast, the Whole Story, and has been featured on the Risk! podcast, Yum’s the Word, and the Bady House Concert Series. He has also led storytelling workshops with the Moth, the Field Innovation Team, Civic Hall, SVA, and recently began 1 on 1 coaching.
by Categories: TheaterTags: , , , Leave a comment

Meet Lauren Maul & Apologies From Men

CaptureName: Lauren Maul

What is your current project? Apologies From Men– it’s a concert and an audio and visual album.

Where are you performing your show and why is it a good fit for your production?

I’ll be performing the concert at the Peoples Improv Theater on their lovely Striker Mainstage. The energy there is always positive and I’ve had fun producing other shows in that space. Also, there’s a piano, a projector, and lots of room for me and my friends to make music and dance around- just what I need for this concert.

What’s next for you?

I like to take little creative breaks and let the ideas come to me- but in the meantime, I’ll be getting back to my regular seasonal shows “Dudes Being Dudes Being Dudes” (a stand-up showcase where ladies and LGBTQ folks dress up as straight dudes and perform comedy) and “Bitchcraft” which is a variety show at Sid Gold’s Request room that I co-produce with the amazing Selena Coppock.

What is the name of the last show you saw?

Technically, it’s not the most recent show I saw but it’s the first one that popped in my mind because it was super memorable: “90210! The Musical!” I laughed the entire time- and still laugh about it when I think about it.

Any advice for your peers?

People told me many times to “focus on one thing”, like “just music” or “just filmmaking”- but that’s silly. My advice is, have lots of passions and follow the ones that call to you.

Want More?

Website: http://www.laurenmaul.org/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/maulface/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheConnieHowe

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laurenmaul/

Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/user6362368

Lauren Maul is a Creator/Producer/Writer/Composer/Artist/Filmmaker/Teacher/​Good Witch living in Brooklyn with a husband, a dog, and a gang of cats.

Show Information:

When: March 9th at 9:30pm
Where: The Peoples Improv Theater (The Striker Mainstage)
Tickets: https://thepit-nyc.com/event/2018-03-09-apologies-from-men-the-concert

by Categories: Beyond Broadway, TBB Interviews, TheaterTags: , , Leave a comment

Meet Jamie Aderski & Cry Baby: My (Reluctant) Journey Into Motherhood

Name: Jamie Aderski

What is your current project?

Cry Baby: My (Reluctant) Journey Into Motherhood

Where are you performing your show and why is it a good fit for your production?

I am performing my 50 minute solo show on the Mainstage at The Peoples Improv Theater. It’s a large stage, but comfortable with a lot of character. (And there’s a bar there. No brainer!)

What’s next for you?

Currently, I am working on a book proposal based on my show.

What is the name of the last show you saw?

Show Up! By Peter Michael Marino. He is brilliantly hilarious, and makes a show up on the spot off of prompts he gives the audience. He’s currently touring around with it, go see it if you can!

Any advice for your peers?

Keep a notebook next to your bed. If a thought wakes you up, write it down. That’s when I’m most open, my brain is unpacking itself, and I’ve gotten my best ideas that way including this show. Know your audience, but don’t get so lost trying to make everyone love you that you don’t take risks or make it exciting for yourself night after night. Be truthful. It’s not always easy, but the more honest you are, the deeper the connection with the audience will be (and the more laughs you’ll get, seriously.) Lastly, set it and forget it. Ron Popeil, creator of the Showtime Rotisserie said that, and it applies not only to poultry cookers but to life. Set it and forget it, y’all.

Want More?

Website: JamieAderski.com

Facebook: facebook.com/AderskiIsACryBaby/

Twitter: @jamieaderski

Instagram: @jaderski

You Tube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCC1SzXfW5Ll3QicZXA2DANA

Jamie is an actress, comedian, and writer, originally from South Jersey. She studied at The Peoples Improv Theater, Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre, and Annoyance Theatre (NYC). She is a graduate of the Maggie Flanigan Studio conservatory program for acting (NYC), and graduated summa cum laude with a BS in psychology from Fordham University. Inspired by real things and imaginary things in her head, Jamie is the writer and performer of character pieces. Her solo show, “I Just Disappear,” was showcased in the SOLOCOM Festival in NYC and the Boston Comedy Arts Festival. Jamie’s newest one woman show “Cry Baby: My (Reluctant) Journey Into Motherhood,” has been featured in Time Out NY (Critics’ Pick), The New York Times, Parade, AFAR, Comedy Cake, Broadway World, and more. Jamie has been featured in sketches for Comedy Central, UCB Comedy, and Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. She’s created content for sites such as Elite Daily, Well Rounded, and Parents. Her latest video “What Pregnancy is Really REALLY Like” has garnered over 840k views and growing. She has also appeared in several national commercials, and in print ads with babies and stuff. Jamie is also faculty member at The Peoples Improv Theater, teaching improv, which she loves! Visit Jamie’s site for more.

Show Information

When: 12/16 @7pm; 12/23 @7pm; 12/30 @7pm

Where: The Peoples Improv Theater, 123 East 24th Street, NY, NY

Tickets: https://thepit-nyc.com/event/2017-12-16-cry-baby-my-reluctant-journey-into-motherhood

by Categories: NYC Theatre, TBB Interviews, TheaterTags: , , , , Leave a comment

Meet Selena Coppock & Seen Better Days

SBD-Final-Front.jpgName: Selena Coppock

What is your current project?

This week I released my debut standup comedy album, SEEN BETTER DAYS (Little Lamb Recordings) and it spent two days as #1 on iTunes in the comedy category! It’s been a long time coming and I’m very proud of it. I recorded it at The Duplex in late July and then went through a few rounds of mixing and it’s finally here. I’m a standup comedian with around 12 years of standup experience under my belt and SEEN BETTER DAYS is an assortment of my favorite jokes and stories—everything from mocking the wedding industrial complex to a story about a bar fight at a Guns N Roses cover band concert to strange one liners about feminism and Bob Seger. 

Where are you performing your show and why is it a good fit for your production?

I perform live in NYC regularly (anywhere they will have me) but the show that I am most proud of is the live variety show that I co-produce and co-host with my brilliant friend Lauren Maul.  Our show is called BITCHCRAFT and it’s a mix of music, standup, storytelling, sequins, and an occasional dance number. Our next show is Wednesday January 10th and the show happens at Sid Gold’s Request Room (26th Street by 7th Avenue) which is a beautiful, vintage-style piano karaoke bar. They have a delicious menu, amazing drinks, a beautiful showroom, and a grand piano.

What’s next for you?

Lots of live shows in New York City as the year wraps up and as we launch into 2018. I’m hoping to share my new album with lots of people and I dream of a day when strangers will scream my punch line at me on the street.

What is the name of the last show you saw?

Dave Chapelle and Erika Badu at Radio City back in August with my ex-boyfriend. The show was absolutely amazing, the company was not.

Any advice for your peers?

I’m a real sucker for inspirational quotes and one of my favorites is “eyes on your own paper.” In comedy and acting it is so easy to want to compare yourself to your peers and try to measure yourself and figure out if you are “enough” and you are! Just focus on YOUR journey and YOUR work and try not to be affected by what other people are doing or their timeline of progress.  That said, if you DO find yourself comparing yourself to other people or feeling down, remember my personal mantra, “be gentle with your sweet self.”

Want More?

Website: http://www.selenacoppock.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/12318807601/

Twitter: @selenacoppock

Instagram: @selenacoppock

You Tube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCed3zfqcFc73_lOKwcQjENw

Selena Coppock is a standup comedian, writer, author, and storyteller based in NYC.  She has been called a “dark horse audiences never see coming” by The Village Voice and an “impressive young talent” by the New York Times. Bustle called her one of the 8 Funniest Feminists on Twitter and TheFrisky ranked her one of the 25 Funniest Feminists on Twitter. She is the creator of @NYTVows, the parody Twitter and Instagram account that lampoons the New York Times Wedding section.

Selena was recently seen in the Amazon Prime sitcom RED OAKS and has been seen on Bravo, Lifetime, VH1, CollegeHumor.com, RooftopComedy.com, and elsewhere.

Show Information:

When: Wed Jan 10th

Where: Sid Gold’s Request Room at 165 W 26th St, New York, NY 10001; $5 at door

by Categories: TBB Interviews, TheaterTags: , , , Leave a comment

Meet Sarah Naughton and Trapped In The Closet

CaptureName: Sarah Naughton

What is your current project? Trapped In The Closet

Where are you performing your show and why is it a good fit for your production?

We’re performing at Feinstein’s/54Below. Our show is a cabaret, so it doesn’t get much better than 54Below when that’s your medium. And we actually developed our show there, as a part of their concert lab program in 2016. 54Below is gorgeous space and we try to make use of all of it.

What’s next for you?

I’m a member of an immersive dance theater company called toUch performance art, and their incredible immersive-circus-classical music-dance party-piece (it’s hard to define but amazingly fun) “AcousticaElectronica” is returning to A.R.T. Oberon in 2018 and then coming to New York for a run as well. So I’ll be playing the role of Carmen in “AcousticaElectronica” in both cities next year.

What is the name of the last show you saw?

I was at the opening night of “Junk” at Lincoln Center! I thoroughly enjoyed myself. The plot was really engaging and I thought the performances were great. I recommend!

Any advice for your peers?

I can’t say enough how much creating a show, telling my story, has empowered me. I share things in this show that, when I was writing it, I honestly didn’t want people to know. But thanks to encouragement from my collaborators I do share, and in taking ownership of it all, I changed my life. When you tell your story, you get to spin the narrative however you want! Also as an performer, your career can sometimes feel like it’s up to other people: casting directors, agents, directors, so many people have to green light you so you can do your work! But creating your own work really puts you back in the driver’s seat.

Want More?

Website: http://www.sarah-naughton.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sarahenaughton

Twitter: @illuminaughton

Instagram: @illuminaughton

You Tube:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCc0c6-TmeRjG_Q7Nt0in29Q?view_as=subscriber

Sarah Naughton is a singer, actress, and Audie-nominated audiobook narrator living in New York. Some favorite credits include: New York Theater: Death Comes for the War Poets (The Sheen Center) Romeo and Juliet (Lincoln Center – Clark Studio Theater), Diamond Alice (Roundabout Underground), and Summer and Smoke (Access Theatre). Regional Theater: Mame (Human Race Theater Co), AcousticaElectronica (A.R.T. Oberon), and Meet Me In St. Louis (Mt. Gretna Playhouse). Sarah has narrated over 70 audiobooks which are all available on audible.com. Additionally, Sarah is a comedy veteran and has performed stand-up on ABC’s The View as well as at major NYC venues such as New York Comedy Club, Stand Up NY, and The PIT. Sarah is also a member an immersive dance theater company called toUch performance art and she works as a supporting artist for CO/LAB theater group, a non-profit organization that has been providing individuals with developmental disabilities a creative and social outlet through theater arts since 2011. Sarah holds a BFA from NYU Tisch and is a proud member of Actors’ Equity.

Show Information:

Dates: Saturday, December 2nd at 9:30pm

Venue: Feinstein’s/54Below at 254 W. 54th Street

Ticket URL: https://54below.com/events/sarah-naughton-trapped-closet-2/

by Categories: TBB Interviews, TheaterTags: , , Leave a comment

Meet Mimi Fischer & A Late Bloomer

Name: Mimi Fischer

What is your current project? A Late Bloomer

Where are you performing your show and why is it a good fit for your production?

The People’s Improv Theater (Striker) at 123 East 24th Street.  Playing as part of SoloCOM and it’s a solo comedy show of new work written expressly for the festival.  Also the PIT is a comedy (improv and sketch) theater, and I am all about improv and partly about sketch (acting).

What’s next for you?

Hosting my long-running weekly indie improv show Dessert Cart at it’s new venue and nights: Wednesdays at 10:30pm at The PIT Loft at 154 West 29th Street, NY.

What is the name of the last show you saw?

(anti) Trump Rally comedy show at The Duplex on Friday Nov 3rd (characters, comedy and music).  Fund raising for RAINN.  I was also in the show (played Clint Eastwood)

Any advice for your peers?

Perform as often as possible.

Want More?

Facebook: Mimi on the Hoops (fan page)

Twitter: @mimi_yes_and_u

Instagram: @mimi_yes_and_u

You Tube

 

 

January 2011: I was 57 years old and that year was a real inflection point for me. I started pursuing hoopdance and comedy intensively and for the first time in my life I didn’t relegate these activities to ‘on the side’. I decided to go for it!  I had done many different things in my life but was never fully invested in any of them:  Art school (Parsons School of Design), bartender, Wall Street foreign securities trader for 12 years (various firms).  I pursued dance seriously but as a ‘hobby’ not a profession because 1. I was already “too old “(late 20s – ha!) and “too fat” (150lbs) by industry standards, and 2. I was afraid about the money – leaving Wall Street would be scary even though being in Wall Street was a real pain.  I wound up leaving Wall Street anyway years later believing I would ‘find myself.’  I didn’t.  It was something like Lost in America but without the gambling.  There was nothing to find because everything I needed to know was already there – I just couldn’t see it because:  fear, and 100% not believing in myself worth a damn.  So I bummed around, got married, painted paintings, gave a couple of art shows, went broke, got a job as an administrative assistant & while I was doing that discovered hoopdance when I was 54.  By 57, I was ready to take that seriously and my life started to transform even though I had, societally speaking, long before passed my ‘sell-by’ date.

Show Information:

Date:  November 17th

Venue: The PIT at 123 E. 24th St. (Striker),

Tickets: $10, http://thepit-nyc.com/event/2017-11-17-solocom2017-6pm-striker

by Categories: TBB Interviews, TheaterTags: , , Leave a comment

Review: Pericles: Born in a Tempest

Photo by Al Foote III Theatrical Photography

Honoring the Past and Present

Pericles is one of Shakespeare’s plays I haven’t read so Hunger & Thirst Theatre (with The Guerilla Shakespeare Project) presentation Pericles: Born in a Tempest was ideal storytelling for me. A play within a play, Pericles is stripped to the essentials with a reimagining of a seafarer’s adventure. Upon returning to the home of her late father on a stormy night, a young mother, her husband and friends, stumble upon a diary. Her father, John Gower writes the story of Pericles. Jacques Roy’s portrayal of both characters  are skillful and stellar as he steps into the lives of both men. The journal of his life and times including meeting his beloved Thaisa and the birth of Marina during a tempest. As his story unfolds, Marina shares her own story of life beyond Tarsus where her father leaves her. In typical fairy tale fashion, the beautiful fair maiden, played innocently by Patricia Lynn, goes through trials and tribulations until meeting her true love (played by the dashing Jordan Kaplan).
A production like this needs a strong ensemble who trust each other. Kathryn Metzer, Jordan Kaplan and Tom Schwans create memorable characters, flawlessly flowing easily into and out of each other. However Jordan Reeves’ concept and direction, along with the design team, was thoughtful, creative and respectful of the space. The angled flats create a room, a ship, a brothel, and a home under the 3 story dome of this space. Together, all the elements of the production (sound, projection, lighting, costumes) created a subtext that allowed the story to unfold. This was a well-crafted production with talented cast to support it.

The performance schedule is Thursday at 7 PM; Friday & Saturday at 8 PM; Sunday at 2 PM. There are added performances on Wednesday, November 15 at 7 PM and Saturday, November 18 at 2 PM. Performances are at The West End Theatre (263 West 86th Street, between West End Avenue and Broadway; 1 train to 86th Street). Tickets are $15 in advance and $18 at the door. For tickets and more information, visit www.hungerandthirsttheatre.com.

by Categories: Reviews, TheaterTags: , , , Leave a comment

The League of Professional Theatre Women Honors Betty Corwin, Founder of Theatre Archives at Lincoln Center Library of Performing Arts

Betty Corwin.jpg

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Betty Corwin, Paula Vogel, Linda Winer
Photo by Kacey Anisa Stamats

THE LEAGUE OF PROFESSIONAL THEATRE WOMEN HONORS BETTY CORWIN
Founder of the theatre archives at Lincoln Center Library for the Performing Arts

New York, New York – October 23, 2017: On Wednesday, November 8, 2017 at 12:00 pm, THE LEAGUE OF PROFESSIONAL THEATRE WOMEN (LPTW), dedicated to championing women in theatre since its inception and an authority at the forefront of the conversation about gender parity in American theatre for 35 years, is proud to celebrate the legacy of Betty Corwin with a Special Lifetime Achievement Award for her contributions to the American theatre.

The event will take place at at Sardi’s (234 W 44th St #3, New York, NY 10036) and feature industry luminaries honoring the legacy of this founding member of the LPTW and theatre history pioneer, who founded the theatre on film archives at Lincoln Center Library for the Performing Arts, which have preserved generations of live theatre, and thus the work of some of the greatest artists in the American theatre. Betty Corwin, founder and former director of the Theatre on Film and Tape Archive (TOFT), proposed the idea of preserving visual records of live theatre performances to The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts at Lincoln Center in 1969.  Tickets are $95-$125 and available at http://theatrewomen.org/event/betty-corwin.

According to journalist Peter Filichia, who included Ms. Corwin in his book Broadway MVPs: 1960-2010 – The Most Valuable Players of the Past 50 Seasons for the 1986-1987 season, “Anyone in the Broadway community who has ever been to Library of Performing Arts and watched a show owes a debt of gratitude to Ms. Corwin.”

Betty Corwin’s background as production assistant and script reader for theatrical producers prepared her to create the Archive, the foremost collection of videotapes of live theatre performances in the world. Ms Corwin, who received a 2001 TONY Award for founding TOFT, has spoken about the Archive to groups across the country, in London and in Warsaw. Articles about her and about TOFT have appeared in several publications; she has appeared on a number of radio and television programs and, with TOFT a role model for similar archives, has served as a consultant to various organizations.

On Nov 6th at  6PM at the Bruno Walter Auditorium at Lincoln Center, Daryl Roth will be interviewed by Linda Winer for Oral History which will be archived for Library of Performing Arts at Lincoln Center. All of the League of Professional Theatre Women Oral History interviews have been preserved for posterity in TOFT.

TICKETS: $95 LPTW Members, $125 Non LPTW Members, $1,750 VIP table of 10 (includes a one half page journal ad in the “Bettybill”). All tickets include a champagne toast.

WEBSITE: http://www.TheatreWomen.org

The LPTW acknowledges with great appreciation our major funders and sponsors: NYC Department of Cultural Affairs, in partnership with the City Council, and with funds from the NYS Council on the Arts, a state agency, with the support of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo.

Betty Corwin, founder and former director of the Theatre on Film and Tape Archive (TOFT), proposed the idea of preserving visual records of live theatre performances to The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts at Lincoln Center in 1969.

She is the recipient of  an Outer Critics Special Award (1996), a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Broadway Theatre Institute (1996), a Certificate of  Appreciation from the City of New York (1993), an Obie Award (1993), awards from the Drama Desk (1988), Women in Communications  (1984), the Villager (1982) and a Westport, Connecticut Arts Award for Lifetime Achievement (2001).

Ms Corwin has been a juror for the Pulitzer Prizes for Drama, was a member of the Tony Awards Nominating Committee, a judge for the Clarence Derwent Award, the St,Clair Bayfield Award, The Joseph A Callaway Award, the Richard Seff Award, was on the advisory board of Theatre Talk Productions, and on the Artistic Advisory Council to the Westport Country Playhouse.  Articles by Ms Corwin have been published in Performing Arts Resources, Variety and League Line.

At present Ms Corwin is the Director of Special Projects for TOFT for which she coordinated a  joint project between the Library and the American Theatre Wing, videotaping a series of “How to” interviews with 32 notable theatre personalities describing the preparation for their careers and the roles they play in creating a theatrical production.  She was co-producer of the League of Professional Theatre Women’s WOMEN IN THEATRE television series, dialogues with notable women in theatre broadcast  on CUNY-TV and currently produces the interviews at Lincoln Center with outstanding women in American theatre.  All of these interviews have been preserved for posterity in the Theatre On Film and Tape Archive.

ABOUT THE LEAGUE OF PROFESSIONAL THEATRE WOMEN:

The League of Professional Theatre Women is a not-for-profit 501(c)3 organization which exists to champion women in theatre. For over 35 years, LPTW has been leading the gender parity conversation in professional theatre, offering programming, events, and advocacy initiatives which provide visibility and opportunities for women. Since its founding, the League’s membership has grown to 500+ members of theatre artists and practitioners of all backgrounds, across multiple disciplines, working in the commercial and non-profit sectors. To promote visibility and increase opportunities for female-identifying people in the field, LPTW spearheads events, public programming, advocacy projects, and media and publications that celebrate industry luminaries, preserve the legacy of historic visionaries, raise awareness of the importance of nurturing women’s voices, and shine a spotlight on the importance of striving for gender parity and of fostering a diversity of expression, both in the theatre world and world at large. In 2015, the LPTW issued its Women Count Report, a study of the hiring of women Off-Broadway over the course of five seasons. The findings in this widely-acclaimed study led to the LPTW Seal of Approval initiative, which awards theatres in the off-Broadway community that have achieved 50/50 gender parity or better in their seasons. None of the LPTW’s work is possible without generous philanthropic support to find out more, please visit the website http://www.theatrewomen.org and click on the “Support Us” tab.

by Categories: TheaterTags: , Leave a comment

And Another One:Midtown International Theatre Festival Ends After 18 Seasons

Of course, I am flooded with emotions. Of course, I understand. To my indie artists, dig deep, find a way, continue to create.

Midtown International Theatre Festival Ends After 18 Season

NY, NY – Broadway World News Desk – Creator and executive producer of the Midtown International Theatre Festival, John Chatterton, announced today that he will be retiring the MITF until further notice. In a statement to the press, Chatterton said:

“On looking back over 18 seasons of the MITF, I have many memories, most of them good, some not so much, and some hilarious. But I’ve had some reverses in recent years that have forced me to hang up the gloves. Hence, this retirement memo.

When you get to be 71, you accumulate a few dings on your person — with some people, more dings than others, some dings going deeper than others. When you start to feel like my first car, a ’65 Dodge Dart (this was in ’79), you know it’s time to re-evaluate your priorities.

The financial situation has also grown more parlous. When I started the MITF (in 2000), I was making $65 an hour as a tech writer on Wall Street. Now I’m on Social Security. I can no longer underwrite the Festival budget out of my own pocket.

(A few years ago I moved back to Massachusetts, for personal reasons, and the strains of commuting to NYC also take their toll.)

The last straw was recent lawsuit. It was one of those cases where you’re damned if you win and damned if you lose, because either way you have to pay legal costs.

I have lots of energy and ideas left. Also an increasing urge to travel the world, starting with a farewell tour (in a much better car) down the East Coast to Florida. So, as the Governator said, ‘I’ll be b-a-a-a-c-k!’

Thank you, New York, for giving my life meaning for 24 years. Thank you for the opportunity to serve that occasionally fickle muse, the Theatre, in all the roles I’ve experienced. Good luck and God bless. We’ll be in touch!”

In the summer of 2000, in midtown Manhattan, the Midtown International Theatre Festival (MITF) began celebrating the diversity of theatre.

MITF emphasizes imaginative, low-tech staging. In addition to offering a safe environment to develop innovative theatre, the MITF is devoted to keeping costs for participants down. This means there are now no participation fees for any of our festivals!

The MITF welcomes submission of any kind of stage play, musical or otherwise, new or revived, mainstream or focused on an ethnic or cultural niche.

The Festival is the brainchild of John Chatterton, creator of OOBR (“the off-off-broadway review”), which for many years was the only publication exclusively devoted to covering the Off-Off-Broadway scene. Mr. Chatterton started the MITF as a way to present the finest Off-Off-Broadway talent in convenience, comfort, and safety. He also produces the Short Play Lab and the Midwinter Madness Short Play Festival.

by Categories: Beyond Broadway, Midtown International Theatre Festival, NYC Theatre, TBB Mondays, TheaterTags: Leave a comment