Tag: Theatre Festival

Meet Riley Thomas & Convicted (Broadway Bound Theatre Festival)

Convicted

Name: Riley Thomas

What is your current project? Convicted – A New Play

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

“Convicted” is being performed with the Broadway Bound Theatre Festival. It’s a perfect fit because it’s a world-premiere, and BBTF is committed to cultivating and celebrating new works. The platform of a festival is a great way to try your hand at a show that takes a few risks, challenges audiences and plays a bit with structure, all of which “Convicted” does to – hopefully – great success.

SYNOPSIS:
After discovering one of her subordinates has been accused of a brutal murder, Amy, the local director of an LGBT advocacy organization, must help the detectives piece together what happened. Once the circumstances start to unravel the one question left to answer is how far would you go for what you believe?

It’s a gripping one-act play that flies back and forth through time, with the feel of a fleshed-out Law & Order episode. Anyone who likes crime drama, whodunits & whys, and theatre made to challenge, will enjoy “Convicted”.

What’s next for you?

There are many irons in the fire, which one gets struck depends heavily on who gives me what hammer.

What is the name of the last show you saw?

Noises Off at Shadowland Stages.

Any advice for your peers?

Keep on keepin’ on.

Want More?

Website:  http://www.rileythomaswriter.com
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/RileyThomasWriter/
Twitter:  @mindplusmusic

Having been compared to Jonathan Larson, Jason Robert Brown, and Jeanine Tesori, Riley Thomas has developed his unique sound of contemporary musical theatre influenced by pop, rock and jazz. A champion of alternative characters, ethnic integration and using theatre for evolution, Riley Thomas continues to challenge the audience perspective by exploring stories that are often overlooked in favor of glitz, glamour and fluff.

Riley Thomas is a New York based playwright/composer. He is a member of ASCAP, a 2016 Weston Playhouse Invited Artist, recipient of the Anna Sosenko Assist Trust Grant and Johnny Mercer Songwriter’s Certificate. His musicals Stuck and Wearing Black have collectively won five awards at the New York Musical Theatre Festival (NYMF). Stuck has since gone on to be produced as a full length Hollywood feature film starring Giancarlo Esposito, Amy Madigan and Ashanti. His work has been performed all over the country and in NYC, notably at famous venues such as Lincoln Center, Playwrights Horizons, Feinstein’s/54 Below, the Metropolitan Room, the Laurie Beechman and the Duplex.

Convicted
WHERE/WHEN:
Theatre at the 14th St. Y
344 E. 14th St.
New York, NY 10003
​
Friday, August 4th 12:30PM
Friday, August 11th 7:30PM
Monday, August 14th 4:00PM

Tickets: https://14streety.secure.force.com/ticket#details_a0S36000003FI2JEAW

by Categories: Broadway Bound Theatre Festival, Independent Theatre, NYC Theatre, Openings, TBB Interviews, TheaterTags: , , , , Leave a comment

Meet Juan Ramirez, Jr. & The American Dream (Broadway Bound Theatre Festival)

The American Dream

Name:  Juan Ramirez, Jr.

What is your current project? The American Dream

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

The play will be performed at the 14th Street Y. The East Village neighborhood supports work that embraces a truer perspective of our community.

What’s next for you?

After three festivals and a workshop, I am going to continue the preproduction work on a web series.

What is the name of the last show you saw?

My show, Truck Stop Queen!

Any advice for your peers?

Don’t be afraid of change and stay hydrated.

Want More?

Website:  JuanRamirezJr.com
Twitter: @JuanMRamirezJr
Instagram: Juanmanuelramirezjr

Juan Ramirez, Jr. is an internationally produced writer, actor and director. His latest play to be seen on stage is Truck Stop Queen, part of the LIC One-Act Festival and published in an anthology with the Secret Theatre. Honor Among Thieves was selected for the 2017 Downtown Urban Arts Festival and presented at The Cherry Lane Theatre. Love Diplomats was produced by the Raíces Theatre Company’s 2016 Desde El Puente. It was also selected for 2016 Short + Sweet International Festival Top 80 in Sydney, Australia and performed at the Top 10 NYU Abu Dhabi Arts Center. Love In All The Right Places produced at Ophelia Theatre Group and Manhattan Repertory Company, There’s A Wolf At The Door also at Manhattan Rep, The Safety of Strangers, a one-act festival of his various work at Theatre Row, At The Corner of Francis and Wolf with The Bronx Repertory Company and Red Light at Lehman College’s SUMMERWORX. Pro And Cons made Abstract Sentiment Theater Company’s Block and Talk series in October 2014, 2016 Fall 10 Minute Play Series and 2016 Playwright’s Showcase with Manhattan Repertory Company. His one-act play JUMP! was part of Lehman’s first annual playwright’s festival. American Culture was produced at NYU’s Blink of an Eye one-act festival. Dad & Son was produced at 2013 and To Speed Or Not To Speed at 2014 Gi60 One minute play festival in Halifax, UK. The play will be part of a published selection with Routledge next year. The American Dream is a semi-finalist for 2016 Stage Left Theatre’s Downstage Left residency, Walk The Bronx is a 2015 Downtown Urban Theater Festival Finalist, Villa Of Life is a NYU 2014 Graduate Screenplay Finalist and Jimmy’s Tab is a 2011 Princess Grace semi-finalist. Stroke Of Madness is part of the 2016 and Wall with 2017 Cimientos Play Program with IATI Theater. He is honored to have the opportunity to produce The American Dream in the inaugural Broadway Bound Theatre Festival this summer. He received his B.A. from Lehman College and his MFA in Dramatic Writing from NYU Tisch.

Show Information: 

The American Dream
The 14th Street Y
Wednesday, August 2nd 12:30PM
Sunday, August 6th 6:30PM
Thursday, August 10th 4PM
Tickets:
https://14streety.secure.force.com/ticket#details_a0S36000003FCm7EAG

by Categories: Broadway Bound Theatre Festival, Independent Theatre, NYC Theatre, Openings, TBB Interviews, TheaterTags: , , , , Leave a comment

Meet Erin Moughon & Snow White Padded Room (Broadway Bound Theatre Festival)

Snow White

Name: Erin Moughon

What is your current project? Snow White Padded Room

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

The 14 St Y. The Broadway Bound Theatre Festival is so supportive and encouraging, and they have found this incredible space. I cannot say enough wonderful things about this festival! It is perfect because it is a space with the ability to transform, which is exactly what my piece needs.

What’s next for you?

I’m doing a show with Equity Library Theatre, and I’m writing new works.

What is the name of the last show you saw?

Julius Caesar

Any advice for your peers?

Keep writing! And then write some more. And don’t be afraid of feedback!

Want More?

Website: http://www.erinmoughon.com
Twitter: @emoughonsmith

Erin Moughon is an NYC-based playwright and teacher with an MFA from Columbia. Plays: Survived By (New Plays Now, 3LD), Slip Her a Mickey (Schapiro Theatre), Pretend That You Owe Me… (Schapiro Theatre) Short plays: Many. See erinmoughon.com for complete list.
Semi-finalist for both the Princess Grace award (‘10) and the National Playwrights Conference (‘12 and ‘14) She completed 31 Plays in 31 Days every year and participated in 365 Women a Year every year so far. She is published in The Best Ten Minute Plays of 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2017. She is proud member of the Dramatist Guild.

Show Information:

Snow White Padded Room

by Categories: Broadway Bound Theatre Festival, Independent Theatre, NYC Theatre, Openings, TBB Interviews, TheaterTags: , , , , Leave a comment

Meet Thaddeus McCants & In the Room, Waiting (Broadway Bound Theatre Festival)

In the Room, Waiting.png

Name:  Thaddeus McCants

What is your current project? In the Room, Waiting.

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

In the Room, Waiting is being performed as part of the Broadway Bound Theatre Festival in NYC. I am so thrilled to be a part of a festival that puts playwrights and their work front and center and it couldn’t be a better fit for myself as a playwright and for the show as a whole. I am so excited to produce this story that is so near and dear to me as a person with such an incredible group of Actors of Color. I know audiences will love this originally told, heartfelt and funny script that questions fate, choice, and when the right time to bring a life into this world.

What’s next for you?

I am currently Acting in Lobby Hero @UNO, which was co-produced by myself and the University of New Orleans. I will be return to my home base in Brooklyn in July to begin rehearsals for In the Room, Waiting.

What is the name of the last show you saw?

Sweat on Broadway.

Any advice for your peers?

Create the art you want to see in the world.

Want More?

Website:  thaddeusmccants.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IntheRoomWaiting/
Instagram: @Sugarthaddy

Thaddeus McCants is Brooklyn based Actor and Writer originally from Madison, Wisconsin. As an Actor worked Broadway, and Regionally including working with Disney Theatricals on their newest musical, Freaky Friday. On the small screen and as a comedian he has worked with HBO, Comedy Central, and MTV. His web-project Fakers, has been a selection in several Webfests worldwide.

Show Information: 

In the Room, Waiting

Venue: Theatre @ the 14th St. Y, (14th and 1st Ave.)

Tuesday, August 1 / 4 PM
Thursday, August 3 / 7:30 PM
Sunday, August 6 / 3 PM

Tickets:
https://14streety.secure.force.com/ticket#details_a0S36000003FIpPEAW

 

by Categories: Broadway Bound Theatre Festival, Independent Theatre, NYC Theatre, Openings, TBB Interviews, TheaterTags: , , , , Leave a comment

Meet Jeffrey Schmelkin & Untitled Time

Name: Jeffrey Schmelkin

What is your current project?

Right now, I’m currently producing my new musical “Untitled Time”!

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

I’m currently producing my musical at The Midtown International Theatre Festival. This festival is an amazing fit for my production because they have a wonderful theater which is the perfect size for the place that the show is at right now. Because this is now the show’s second production (on a slightly larger scale than the last), this is the perfect opportunity to see how different types of audiences react to the work. Additionally, I’ve made some great friends with some of my fellow playwrights/composers/producers!

What’s next for you?

My goal is to get “Untitled Time” off-Broadway within the upcoming years.

What is the name of the last show you saw?

I recently saw the tour of Fun Home! The music is absolutely amazing and the show as a whole is just incredibly powerful—one of the many reasons I love live theatre.

Any advice for your peers?

Just keep persevering and let me know all about your upcoming projects!

Want More?

Website: http://www.jeffreyschmelkin.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/jeffreyschmelkin
Twitter: www.twitter.com/jschmelkin
Instagram: www.instagram.com/jeffreyschmelkin
You Tube: http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrntC6iAPK3ekQgIlVsdnTQ

​Jeffrey Schmelkin is an award-winning composer, an experienced pianist, and a passionate teacher and music director. Jeffrey has music directed shows such as “The Wizard of Oz” and “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee”. His composition “Revival” debuted in Hawaii in early 2016. He is the composer of “Furniture: The Musical,” produced at the Midtown International Theatre Festival (New York City) in July of 2016. His new musical, “Untitled Time”, was produced at Hofstra University in early 2017 and will be produced at the Midtown International Theatre Festival (New York City) during Summer 2017. ​

Show Information: 

Schedule: Tuesday 8/01, 8:30pm Saturday 8/05, 5:30pm Sunday 8/06, 5:30pm

Venue: The Main Stage Theater at The Midtown International Theatre Festival, 312 W. 36th Street, NYC

Ticket URL: https://web.ovationtix.com/trs/pr/975153

by Categories: Broadway Bound Theatre Festival, Independent Theatre, Midtown International Theatre Festival, NYC Theatre, Openings, TBB Interviews, TheaterTags: , , , , Leave a comment

Downtown Urban Arts Festival Features Joe Gulla & The Bronx Queen

 

Joe Gulla, The Bronx Queen 1
Photo by Nicolaas Smit

 

Playwright’s Name: Joe Gulla

 

Tell us about your latest project: 
“The Bronx Queen” is the first chapter of my “Bronx Queen Trilogy”! It is the story of my young life as a gay boy growing up in an Italian working-class section of the Bronx. The title is not as simple as it may appear. Certainly, I AM a “Bronx Queen”. Ha! But, “The Bronx Queen” was also the name of a fishing charter boat that my Dad took me on as a youth. Ironically, he was taking me fishing on that boat to sorta “butch me up’! Put it this way, “branding” was not a hot concept in the 70’s!

What excites you about being a part of the Downtown Urban Arts Festival?
As soon as I heard about this festival, I knew “The Bronx Queen” would be a perfect fit. My show touches on my obsession with legendary graffiti artist, Jean Michel Basquiat and, obviously, it is set in The Bronx. I don’t think you can get more “Downtown” and “Urban” than that! Oh… and I am a Native New Yorker. It’s been a dream of mine to perform at Joe’s Pub! Look at what this “simple Bronx boy with a dream” gets to do! “Excited” doesn’t even come close!

What’s your upcoming project after the Festival?
A week after my performance at Joe”s Pub, I fly to Colorado Springs, CO for the opening of a play I wrote called, “Gayfever”. It is about a man who finds out he is allergic to gay people! Ha! Break out the Benadryl!

Website: http://www.joegulla.com
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/TheBronxQueen/?fref=ts
Twitter: @joegulla

SHOW INFO

Directed by Brian Rardin

Tuesday, March 8 at 7:30pm
Joe’s Pub (425 Lafayette Street)
Tickets are $20 at http://www.dutfnyc.com or by calling 212-967-7555

CREATIVE AMMO, INC.
PRESENTS THE
2016 DOWNTOWN
URBAN ARTS FESTIVAL

FEATURING THEATER, SOLO WORKS & FILM
MARCH 4 – APRIL 9

Now in its 14th year, the Downtown Urban Arts Festival (DUTF) is becoming New York’s premiere winter/spring theatre event showcasing independent theatre artists. The month-long festival, produced by Creative Ammo, Inc., provides writers and performance artists from America’s burgeoning multicultural landscape the opportunity to share their stories that interpret our history and our times.

The 2016 Downtown Urban Arts Festival will run March 4-April 2 with performances at Joe’s Pub (425 Lafayette Street), Nuyorican Poets Café (236 East 3rd Street), HERE (145 Sixth Avenue – enter on Dominick Street), and the Tribeca Film Center (375 Greenwich Street). Tickets ($10-$30) may be purchased in advance at http://www.dutfnyc.com.

by Categories: Downtown Urban Arts Festival, Independent Theatre, New York City, NYC Theatre, Profiles, Random Musings, TBB Interviews, TheaterTags: , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment