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Prelude to Off-Broadway: 3 Days/27 Companies = 1 Prelude Weekend
Thursday, September 30 – Sunday, October 3, 2004
This second annual Prelude to Off-Broadway will feature some of the most interesting theatre that New York City has to offer. The weekend will provide students, faculty members, teachers, theatre professionals, and theatergoers with a first look at the eclectic work being developed for the upcoming 2004-05 season and beyond. Events include performances and readings of new plays, live rehearsals, process workshops, and panel presentations, all followed by discussion. Prelude will also include breakout sessions led by artistic directors and theatre-related professionals; topics will include African-American theatre, Carribean theatre, dramaturgy, graduate theatre studies, and translation. (Please check the websites for the schedule.)
All events take place at The Graduate Center, 365 Fifth Avenue (at 34 Street), NYC
Martin E. Segal Theatre, 60 seats
Baisley Powell Elebash Recital Hall, 180 seats
Harold M. Proshansky Auditorium, 389 seats
Check any of the following websites or the company websites for detailed program information:
Presented by A.R.T./New York and the Martin E. Segal Theatre Center at The Graduate Center, CUNY.
Cosponsors: Lucille Lortel Foundation; TheaterMania; Continuing Education and Public Programs, The Graduate Center, CUNY
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 30
Free. First come, first served. To make a $5 donation to guarantee a seat for one Prelude event, contact The Graduate Center’s Office of Continuing Education and Public Programs at 1.212.817.8215, or continuinged@gc.cuny.edu.
PANEL DISCUSSION:
Illuminating the History of Not-for-Profit Off Broadway Theatre:
A Retrospective with Ellen Stewart, Founder and Director of La MaMa E.T.C.
This fascinating evening will consist of a short film about La Mama E.T.C.’s history, followed by a conversation with Ellen Stewart. A seasoned non-profit professional, Ms. Stewart has been producing theatre pieces for forty-three years at La Mama E.T.C. in New York City, and abroad. This luminary will reflect upon her experiences and offer insight about changes in the producing landscape from artistic choices to funding to theatre reviews.
7:00 p.m., Elebash Recital Hall, Res. Code 5036
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 1
Free. First come, first served. To make a $5 donation to guarantee a seat for one Prelude event, contact The Graduate Center’s Office of Continuing Education and Public Programs at 1.212.817.8215, or continuinged@gc.cuny.edu.
This company explores and enriches American theatrical heritage and seeks to discover its place in world theatre. 4 p.m., Segal Theatre, Res. Code 5009
YOUNG PLAYWRIGHTS, INC.: staged reading
Founded by Stephen Sondheim in 1981, Young Playwrights Inc. nurtures playwrights eighteen years old or younger through professional development and presentation of their work. 4 p.m., Elebash Recital Hall, Res. Code 5010
CAP 21 (Collaborative Arts Project 21): musical excerpts/play reading
CAP 21 dedicates itself to the creation of new work, the development of new talent, and the building of new audiences. 4 p.m., Proshansky Auditorium, Res. Code 5008
MIND THE GAP THEATRE: staged reading
MTG funds and oversees the development, performance, and appreciation of contemporary British drama in America. 6 p.m., Segal Theatre, Res. Code 5012
This performance ensemble promotes empathy, free thinking, and greater social awareness through provocative theatre and educational outreach. The multidisciplinary company creates original performance pieces on socially relevant themes through improvisation. 6 p.m., Elebash Recital Hall, Res. Code 5013
ABINGDON THEATRE COMPANY: text excerpts
This company develops and produces new works by American playwrights by providing them a home for first readings, staged readings, workouts, stage II productions, and mainstage productions. 6 p.m., Proshansky Auditorium, Res. Code 5011
TEATRO I.A.T.I. (International Theatre Arts Institute): text excerpts
Established in 1968, Teatro I.A.T.I. is a nonprofit theatre organization dedicated to the production of theatre works in Spanish for children and adult audiences. The company specializes in the performance and production of contemporary Latino/Hispanic playwrights. 8 p.m., Segal Theatre, Res. Code 5015
GOLDEN FLEECE LTD.: reading/performance
Golden Fleece Ltd. provides exposure for emerging American writers of musical theatre, opera, and plays. 8 p.m., Elebash Recital Hall, Res. Code 5014
THIRTEENTH NIGHT THEATRE COMPANY: reading
Through its committed ensemble of directors, actors, and designers, the company’s classical and contemporary repertoire showcases people’s ability to adapt to their everchanging roles in society.
8 p.m., Proshansky Auditorium, Res. Code 5016
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 2
FREE. First come, first served. A $5 donation guarantees a seat for one Prelude performance: contact The Graduate Center’s Office of Continuing Education and Public Programs at 1.212.817.8215, or continuinged@gc.cuny.edu.
NEOPACK: text excerpts
NeoPack is a company of fresh, enthusiastic, and versatile artists with a thirst for the development and production of new work. 12 p.m., Segal Theatre, Res. Code 5017
PAN ASIAN REPERTORY THEATRE: play reading
This repertory theatre celebrates the artistic expressiveness of Asian and American theatre artists under the highest standards of professional theatre and professional productions. 12 p.m., Elebash Recital Hall, Res. Code 5018
HERE ARTS CENTER: text excerpts
This arts center supports artists’ independence within an interdependent community, providing the artist with access, arts management innovation, and nonprofit enterprise. 12 p.m., Proshansky Auditorium, Res. Code 5019
BLACK MOON THEATRE COMPANY: Interactive Workshop/Performance
Black Moon brings together a theatre of gestures and movements, visual arts and music to create a new perspective on modern and classic literature. The company is a home for an ethnically diverse community of actors who work with international choreographers, designers, and composers. 2 p.m., Segal Theatre, Res. Code 5020
JEAN COCTEAU REPERTORY: musical excerpts
This repertory theatre is dedicated to producing a broad range of timeless works of classic scope and vision. 2 p.m., Elebash Recital Hall, Res. Code 5022
THE DREAM THEATRE: text excerpts
The Dream Theatre presents both new plays and classics that explore violence in a world that dreams of peace. The company hopes to transform, uplift, and inspire that dream. 2 p.m., Proshansky Auditorium, Res. Code 5021
SIX FIGURES THEATRE COMPANY: excerpts of performance pieces
Six Figures is dedicated to providing opportunities for women theatre artists; developing quality theatrical work by women and other underrepresented artists; and ensuring that the community as a whole is aware of the opportunity to hear these new voices and see exciting, original performances. 4 p.m., Segal Theatre, Res. Code 5025
AMERICAN RENAISSANCE THEATRE (ARTC): staged readings
ARTC develops new plays in a workshop environment that encourages a creative collaboration of writers, actors, and directors. 4 p.m., Elebash Recital Hall, Res. Code 5023
MESSENGER THEATRE COMPANY: performance
This theatre company is dedicated to the art of simple storytelling through collaboration, integrating actor-based performances with masks, puppetry, movement, live music, and visual arts. 4 p.m., Proshansky Auditorium, Res. Code 5024
BANANA BOAT PRODUCTIONS: rehearsed reading
This company brings more thoughtful Caribbean theatre to a larger audience, emphasizing both the complexities and the simple elegance of the struggles and the resolutions as well as the humor and the sadness that are all part of the indomitable spirit of Caribbean life. 6 p.m., Segal Theatre, Res. Code 5028
THE ACTORS THEATRE WORKSHOP, INC.: to be announced
An established pioneer in nonprofit theatre, this company is committed to producing classical and contemporary plays; developing new dramatic works; and training and developing actors, writers, and directors, while making a difference in the lives of homeless children in the community at large. 6 p.m., Elebash Recital Hall, Res. Code 5026
JUGGERNAUT THEATRE COMPANY: musical and text excerpts
Juggernaut Theatre Company was formed in 1994 by a group of Juilliard graduates interested in taking new approaches to theatre while maintaining the integrity of their classical training. In all productions, Juggernaut seeks to evince through structure, performance styles and technology, the “liveness” of theatre. 6 p.m., Proshansky Auditorium, Res. Code 5029
PANEL DISCUSSION: How To Know Where To Go
Join us to learn more about alternatives strategies for New York Theatre companies to get their work noticed. Academic reviews, web-based services, websites, e-mail newsletters, flyers and theatre reviews offer a variety of choices for the companies as well as for the theatre lover.
8 p.m., Segal Theatre, Res. Code 5037
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 3
Free. First come, first served. To make a $5 donation to guarantee a seat for one Prelude event, contact The Graduate Center’s Office of Continuing Education and Public Programs at 1.212.817.8215, or continuinged@gc.cuny.edu.
THE HYPOTHETICAL THEATRE COMPANY: text excerpts
This ensemble of artists explores human themes that emerge uniquely through character and story. 12 p.m., Segal Theatre, Res. Code 5030
BOOMERANG THEATRE COMPANY: play reading
This company is dedicated to challenging audiences through live theatre, utilizing the classic system of rotating repertory offering new, classic, and neglected plays of different styles and genres. 12 p.m., Elebash Recital Hall, Res. Code 5031
ERGO THEATRE COMPANY: musical excerpts
Ergo Theatre Company develops workshops, produces new theatrical works, and revamps revivals, striving to help jump-start the careers of actors, playwrights, composers, designers, and directors working in New York City. 12 p.m., Proshansky Auditorium, Res. Code 5032
FREESTYLE REPERTORY THEATRE: improvised musical
The mission of this repertory theatre is to foster interest in improvisational theatre and to promote the improvisational skills of cooperation, spontaneity, and creative risk-taking. 2 p.m., Segal Theatre, Res. Code 5034
XOREGOS PERFORMING COMPANY: dance and text excerpts
Xoregos Performing Company discovers new plays and classics, lost and found, and presents unusual combinations of text, music, and dance. 2 p.m., Elebash Recital Hall, Res. Code 5035
HAMM & CLOV STAGE COMPANY: concert reading
This company is dedicated to the development, production, and exchange of theatrical works by playwrights, musicians, dancers, and media arts from around the world. 2 p.m., Proshansky Auditorium, Res. Code 5033
PANEL DISCUSSION: New York Theatre Companies and International Theatre
This panel will focus upon how working internationally has impacted the work of nonprofit Off-Broadway theatre companies. Artistic directors will discuss their experiences with touring, translating, and presenting internationally, as well as their work in the U.S. with foreign playwrights and directors.
(Untitled)
Prelude ’04
« Back to EventsPrelude to Off-Broadway: 3 Days/27 Companies = 1 Prelude Weekend
Thursday, September 30 – Sunday, October 3, 2004
This second annual Prelude to Off-Broadway will feature some of the most interesting theatre that New York City has to offer. The weekend will provide students, faculty members, teachers, theatre professionals, and theatergoers with a first look at the eclectic work being developed for the upcoming 2004-05 season and beyond. Events include performances and readings of new plays, live rehearsals, process workshops, and panel presentations, all followed by discussion. Prelude will also include breakout sessions led by artistic directors and theatre-related professionals; topics will include African-American theatre, Carribean theatre, dramaturgy, graduate theatre studies, and translation. (Please check the websites for the schedule.)
All events take place at The Graduate Center, 365 Fifth Avenue (at 34 Street), NYC
Martin E. Segal Theatre, 60 seats
Baisley Powell Elebash Recital Hall, 180 seats
Harold M. Proshansky Auditorium, 389 seats
Check any of the following websites or the company websites for detailed program information:
http://web.gc.cuny.edu/MESTC
http://www.theatermania.com
http://www.offbroadwayonline.com
http://www.lortel.org
Presented by A.R.T./New York and the Martin E. Segal Theatre Center at The Graduate Center, CUNY.
Cosponsors: Lucille Lortel Foundation; TheaterMania; Continuing Education and Public Programs, The Graduate Center, CUNY
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 30
Free. First come, first served. To make a $5 donation to guarantee a seat for one Prelude event, contact The Graduate Center’s Office of Continuing Education and Public Programs at 1.212.817.8215, or continuinged@gc.cuny.edu.
Illuminating the History of Not-for-Profit Off Broadway Theatre:
A Retrospective with Ellen Stewart, Founder and Director of La MaMa E.T.C.
This fascinating evening will consist of a short film about La Mama E.T.C.’s history, followed by a conversation with Ellen Stewart. A seasoned non-profit professional, Ms. Stewart has been producing theatre pieces for forty-three years at La Mama E.T.C. in New York City, and abroad. This luminary will reflect upon her experiences and offer insight about changes in the producing landscape from artistic choices to funding to theatre reviews.
7:00 p.m., Elebash Recital Hall, Res. Code 5036
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 1
Free. First come, first served. To make a $5 donation to guarantee a seat for one Prelude event, contact The Graduate Center’s Office of Continuing Education and Public Programs at 1.212.817.8215, or continuinged@gc.cuny.edu.
METROPOLITAN PLAYHOUSE: interactive workshop performance
This company explores and enriches American theatrical heritage and seeks to discover its place in world theatre.
4 p.m., Segal Theatre, Res. Code 5009
YOUNG PLAYWRIGHTS, INC.: staged reading
Founded by Stephen Sondheim in 1981, Young Playwrights Inc. nurtures playwrights eighteen years old or younger through professional development and presentation of their work.
4 p.m., Elebash Recital Hall, Res. Code 5010
CAP 21 (Collaborative Arts Project 21): musical excerpts/play reading
CAP 21 dedicates itself to the creation of new work, the development of new talent, and the building of new audiences.
4 p.m., Proshansky Auditorium, Res. Code 5008
MIND THE GAP THEATRE: staged reading
MTG funds and oversees the development, performance, and appreciation of contemporary British drama in America.
6 p.m., Segal Theatre, Res. Code 5012
STRIKE ANYWHERE PERFORMANCE ENSEMBLE: improvised pieces
This performance ensemble promotes empathy, free thinking, and greater social awareness through provocative theatre and educational outreach. The multidisciplinary company creates original performance pieces on socially relevant themes through improvisation.
6 p.m., Elebash Recital Hall, Res. Code 5013
ABINGDON THEATRE COMPANY: text excerpts
This company develops and produces new works by American playwrights by providing them a home for first readings, staged readings, workouts, stage II productions, and mainstage productions.
6 p.m., Proshansky Auditorium, Res. Code 5011
TEATRO I.A.T.I. (International Theatre Arts Institute): text excerpts
Established in 1968, Teatro I.A.T.I. is a nonprofit theatre organization dedicated to the production of theatre works in Spanish for children and adult audiences. The company specializes in the performance and production of contemporary Latino/Hispanic playwrights.
8 p.m., Segal Theatre, Res. Code 5015
GOLDEN FLEECE LTD.: reading/performance
Golden Fleece Ltd. provides exposure for emerging American writers of musical theatre, opera, and plays.
8 p.m., Elebash Recital Hall, Res. Code 5014
THIRTEENTH NIGHT THEATRE COMPANY: reading
Through its committed ensemble of directors, actors, and designers, the company’s classical and contemporary repertoire showcases people’s ability to adapt to their everchanging roles in society.
8 p.m., Proshansky Auditorium, Res. Code 5016
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 2
FREE. First come, first served. A $5 donation guarantees a seat for one Prelude performance: contact The Graduate Center’s Office of Continuing Education and Public Programs at 1.212.817.8215, or continuinged@gc.cuny.edu.
NEOPACK: text excerpts
NeoPack is a company of fresh, enthusiastic, and versatile artists with a thirst for the development and production of new work.
12 p.m., Segal Theatre, Res. Code 5017
PAN ASIAN REPERTORY THEATRE: play reading
This repertory theatre celebrates the artistic expressiveness of Asian and American theatre artists under the highest standards of professional theatre and professional productions.
12 p.m., Elebash Recital Hall, Res. Code 5018
HERE ARTS CENTER: text excerpts
This arts center supports artists’ independence within an interdependent community, providing the artist with access, arts management innovation, and nonprofit enterprise.
12 p.m., Proshansky Auditorium, Res. Code 5019
BLACK MOON THEATRE COMPANY: Interactive Workshop/Performance
Black Moon brings together a theatre of gestures and movements, visual arts and music to create a new perspective on modern and classic literature. The company is a home for an ethnically diverse community of actors who work with international choreographers, designers, and composers.
2 p.m., Segal Theatre, Res. Code 5020
JEAN COCTEAU REPERTORY: musical excerpts
This repertory theatre is dedicated to producing a broad range of timeless works of classic scope and vision.
2 p.m., Elebash Recital Hall, Res. Code 5022
THE DREAM THEATRE: text excerpts
The Dream Theatre presents both new plays and classics that explore violence in a world that dreams of peace. The company hopes to transform, uplift, and inspire that dream.
2 p.m., Proshansky Auditorium, Res. Code 5021
SIX FIGURES THEATRE COMPANY: excerpts of performance pieces
Six Figures is dedicated to providing opportunities for women theatre artists; developing quality theatrical work by women and other underrepresented artists; and ensuring that the community as a whole is aware of the opportunity to hear these new voices and see exciting, original performances.
4 p.m., Segal Theatre, Res. Code 5025
AMERICAN RENAISSANCE THEATRE (ARTC): staged readings
ARTC develops new plays in a workshop environment that encourages a creative collaboration of writers, actors, and directors.
4 p.m., Elebash Recital Hall, Res. Code 5023
MESSENGER THEATRE COMPANY: performance
This theatre company is dedicated to the art of simple storytelling through collaboration, integrating actor-based performances with masks, puppetry, movement, live music, and visual arts.
4 p.m., Proshansky Auditorium, Res. Code 5024
BANANA BOAT PRODUCTIONS: rehearsed reading
This company brings more thoughtful Caribbean theatre to a larger audience, emphasizing both the complexities and the simple elegance of the struggles and the resolutions as well as the humor and the sadness that are all part of the indomitable spirit of Caribbean life.
6 p.m., Segal Theatre, Res. Code 5028
THE ACTORS THEATRE WORKSHOP, INC.: to be announced
An established pioneer in nonprofit theatre, this company is committed to producing classical and contemporary plays; developing new dramatic works; and training and developing actors, writers, and directors, while making a difference in the lives of homeless children in the community at large.
6 p.m., Elebash Recital Hall, Res. Code 5026
JUGGERNAUT THEATRE COMPANY: musical and text excerpts
Juggernaut Theatre Company was formed in 1994 by a group of Juilliard graduates interested in taking new approaches to theatre while maintaining the integrity of their classical training. In all productions, Juggernaut seeks to evince through structure, performance styles and technology, the “liveness” of theatre.
6 p.m., Proshansky Auditorium, Res. Code 5029
Join us to learn more about alternatives strategies for New York Theatre companies to get their work noticed. Academic reviews, web-based services, websites, e-mail newsletters, flyers and theatre reviews offer a variety of choices for the companies as well as for the theatre lover.
8 p.m., Segal Theatre, Res. Code 5037
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 3
Free. First come, first served. To make a $5 donation to guarantee a seat for one Prelude event, contact The Graduate Center’s Office of Continuing Education and Public Programs at 1.212.817.8215, or continuinged@gc.cuny.edu.
THE HYPOTHETICAL THEATRE COMPANY: text excerpts
This ensemble of artists explores human themes that emerge uniquely through character and story.
12 p.m., Segal Theatre, Res. Code 5030
BOOMERANG THEATRE COMPANY: play reading
This company is dedicated to challenging audiences through live theatre, utilizing the classic system of rotating repertory offering new, classic, and neglected plays of different styles and genres.
12 p.m., Elebash Recital Hall, Res. Code 5031
ERGO THEATRE COMPANY: musical excerpts
Ergo Theatre Company develops workshops, produces new theatrical works, and revamps revivals, striving to help jump-start the careers of actors, playwrights, composers, designers, and directors working in New York City.
12 p.m., Proshansky Auditorium, Res. Code 5032
FREESTYLE REPERTORY THEATRE: improvised musical
The mission of this repertory theatre is to foster interest in improvisational theatre and to promote the improvisational skills of cooperation, spontaneity, and creative risk-taking.
2 p.m., Segal Theatre, Res. Code 5034
XOREGOS PERFORMING COMPANY: dance and text excerpts
Xoregos Performing Company discovers new plays and classics, lost and found, and presents unusual combinations of text, music, and dance.
2 p.m., Elebash Recital Hall, Res. Code 5035
HAMM & CLOV STAGE COMPANY: concert reading
This company is dedicated to the development, production, and exchange of theatrical works by playwrights, musicians, dancers, and media arts from around the world.
2 p.m., Proshansky Auditorium, Res. Code 5033
PANEL DISCUSSION: New York Theatre Companies and International Theatre
This panel will focus upon how working internationally has impacted the work of nonprofit Off-Broadway theatre companies. Artistic directors will discuss their experiences with touring, translating, and presenting internationally, as well as their work in the U.S. with foreign playwrights and directors.
4 p.m., Elebash Hall, Res. Code 5038