Tuesday, May 26, 2009

SPRING FORUM 2009- PRODUCTION BLOGS

FORUM BLOGS

SPRING 2009 WRITER/DIRECTOR FORUM
A semi-annual festival of new works featuring women playwrights and directors
JUNE 4 -28

Another set of blogs about our upcoming Forum:

NOTES FROM WEEK FOUR, June 25-28

Potato Girl by Christine Rusch , directed by Amanda Thompson
Featuring Amie Lytle, Jim Staudt & Danielle Trzcinski

The Things She Kept by Aoise Stratford, directed by Fran Acuna
Featuring Emily Fortunato, Ashley Lovell & Meghan Powe

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Being in week four, we have really been able to take our time and experiment with different ideas during the beginning of our rehearsal process. We’ve been playing with a very stylized version of acting, and using music to underscore the entire piece, making it more dynamic.

Today we had a research focused rehearsal. We looked at images that related to our play to give us inspiration and ideas for movement and body shapes. We also read material that pertained to the play to give us an idea of how people in more rural areas of the country live.

I really love the group of people that I have been working with. They’re all eager to contribute during rehearsal and willing to try new and slightly more experimental things. We have been able to work very collaboratively, and I’m excited to see what comes out of this rehearsal process.

-Amanda Thompson, Director of Potato Girl
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So far we’ve had three rehearsals and the show has really changed since the first read -thru. We’ve played with music and creating pictures and have really explored the language and region in the play. For me the script was a bit hard to understand at first, but the more we go through it the more I learn and I love making discoveries with my fellow cast mates. I think the hardest part so far is scheduling because we all have such crazy lives. The solution: 9AM rehearsals!! It’s worth it though… :)

-Danielle Trzcinski, Spring 2009 Acting Intern, and Dorothy in Potato Girl
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Potato Girl has been a thrilling rehearsal process so far! It is amazing how much the story comes alive with every new exercise we have attempted under Amanda's guidance. We are working to depict the bleakness of the characters’ lives using music and montage while still pursuing honest connections between the characters. Everyone has been fabulous to work with and I am so grateful for the open dialogue between the director and actors in this project!

- Amie Lytle, Narcilla in Potato Girl
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As the AD/SM for Week Four, I am blessed to be stress free for the moment. It is nice to be able to take the time to iron out scheduling, find the perfect font for prop lists, and experiment with extreme styles in rehearsal. The directors, Fran and Amanda, are happy to answer my questions about their techniques and their motives for exercises. My focus is to extract as much knowledge from these two ladies as possible!

I’m realizing that I have responsibilities to the forum as well as to my productions. Helping out at the mailing party, house managing, and making connections to the other AD/SM’s are small ways to help out the festival as a whole. I’m going to try to keep working this aspect of the job, since my first instinct is usually to stay in my comfort zone, and NOT to volunteer! Maybe working with lots of people will force me to be a little more selfless.

- Ariel Francoeur, Assistant Director/Stage Manager for Potato Girl and The Things She Kept
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For more info and tickets go to our website; http://www.lookingglasstheatrenyc.com/
Friend us on Facebook! LookGlass Thr

Thursday, May 21, 2009

PERFORMANCE SPACE GRANT

The Looking Glass Theatre
May 21, 2009
ANNOUNCING THE LOOKING GLASS PERFORMANCE SPACE GRANT-August 2009
Please note: New SUMMER ONLY profit sharing!

Seeking proposals from theatre companies.

Grantee(s) will receive performance space (anytime between August 10- 23, 2009) including one technical rehearsal, and marketing and publicity (text provided by you) to our email press and audience lists and a listing or link on our website.

For Summer month Space Grants; 70% of ticket sales go to Looking Glass with 30% going to the Grant Recipient.

Grantee shows will be credited as COMPANY NAME, in conjunction with The Looking Glass Space Grant Program, presents SHOW TITLE
Additional rehearsal time will be made available at a deep discount when available.

DEADLINE: Applications accepted beginning Tuesday, May 26 through Tuesday, June 9 at 6pm.
Final Deadline Tuesday, June 9 at 6pm.
Proposals must be submitted via email to Artistic Director Justine Lambert at LookGlassJustine@aol.com as one (1) attachment.
Companies are encouraged to make contact (via the above email address) in advance indicating their intent to apply and/or with any questions.
Applicants will be contacted with the final decision no later than Friday, June 12, 2009.

What you provide: A production(s) that reflects our mission statement.

OUR MISSION-Reflecting life on the stage with truth and theatricality while exploring a female vision. See web site for more! http://www.lookingglasstheatrenyc.com
Bottom line-Either playwright or Director must be female (both is great but not required). Cast must be half or more female (for classics gender bending casts are accepted to meet this requirement). Female subject matter not required.

1) The Proposal-A one page description of the project including story, concept, and tone. Include running time. Include technical requirements and keep them MINIMAL, shows will be sharing the space.
2) Creative Team-List of all creative team members already on board with short bios. (Director or Playwright must already be chosen)
3) Space Request- Your ideal opening date and the number of performances requested between August 10- 23, 2009 (Maximum of 8 performances).
4) Marketing Description-A description of how you will attract a crowd!
5) Company Mission-Your mission statement and a description of activities along with current staff list.

Please put the above sections in their stated order and include the number and name of each section at the top of that section. Recommended length about 4 pages.

Scripts are not required but may be requested after initial proposal review.

Please note: The Looking Glass Theatre is not air conditioned. Shows should be appropriate for summer (light weight costumes, etc.)
Also note: This is our final Space Grant for 2009!

The Looking Glass Theatre is located at 422 West 57th Street (btwn 9th/10th Aves).
212-307-9467 www.lookingglasstheatrenyc.com
Justine Lambert, Artistic Director
Jenn Boehm, Managing Director

Monday, May 18, 2009

SPRING FORUM 2009- PRODUCTION BLOGS (The 1st of a series..)

FORUM BLOGS

SPRING 2009 WRITER/DIRECTOR FORUM
A semi-annual festival of new works featuring women playwrights and directors
JUNE 4 -28



Here is the first in our series of blogs about our upcoming Forum:

NOTES FROM WEEK ONE, June 4-7
Without by Laura Rohrman, directed by Melody Erfani
Featuring Michelle Burns, Joey Faranda & Matt Turzilli

All the Pretty Girls by Pia Wilson, directed by Naima Warden
Featuring Judianny Compres, Megan Doss, Megumi Haggerty, Brit Lower & Allison Ungar

It has been a fast and furious process so far! Saturday was our first stumble-through rehearsal in the theatre as well as the first day for the actors to be off-book. It was rough, but a lot of work was done and being in the space was a huge help. It takes very talented actors to keep up with the short time span we have. Joey and Michelle have great chemistry onstage which makes my job so much easier. We worked on their kiss the other day and I was never so thrilled as when my AD Karen Pobicki said that it made her want to go home and kiss her man like that. This is my first time working with an AD/SM that is completely on top of her game and it has made my life much easier. Tonight my goal is do a few runs of the show without stopping and hopefully with no one calling for line.
-Melody Efrani, Director of Without

Working on the Week 1 shows is a really exciting process to be involved in. The best part about it is getting to experience the different ways that both casts and directors work. It's so interesting to watch the play develop from a table reading to a fully-staged production. As the actors develop their characters, the cast and crew are developing a strong bond and some great friendships. I'm really thrilled to be working with such talented, creative people!
-Karen Pobicki, Assistant Director/Stage Manager for Without and All the Pretty Girls

For more info and tickets go to our website: www.lookingglasstheatrenyc.com

Friend us on Facebook! "LookGlass Thr"

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

LGT Space Grant- Deadline Extended!

The Looking Glass Theatre
May 4, 2009
ANNOUNCING THE LOOKING GLASS PERFORMANCE SPACE GRANT-July 2009
DEADLINE EXTENSION

Seeking proposals from theatre companies.

Grantee(s) will receive performance space (anytime between July 6- 26, 2009) including one technical rehearsal, and marketing and publicity (text provided by you) to our email press and audience lists and a listing or link on our website.

For Summer month Space Grants 70% of ticket sales go to Looking Glass with 30% going to the Grant Recipient.

Grantee shows will be credited as COMPANY NAME, in conjunction with The Looking Glass Space Grant Program, presents SHOW TITLE
Additional rehearsal time will be made available at a deep discount when available.

DEADLINE: Applications accepted beginning Monday, April 27 through Monday, May 18 at 6pm.
Final Deadline Monday May 18 at 6pm.
Proposals must be submitted via email to Artistic Director Justine Lambert at LookGlassJustine@aol.com as one (1) attachment.
Companies are encouraged to make contact (via the above email address) in advance indicating their intent to apply and/or with any questions.
Applicants will be contacted with the final decision no later than Friday, May 22, 2009.

What you provide: A production(s) that reflects our mission statement.

OUR MISSION-Reflecting life on the stage with truth and theatricality while exploring a female vision. See web site for more! http://www.lookingglasstheatrenyc.com
Bottom line-Either playwright or Director must be female (both is great but not required). Cast must be half or more female (for classics gender bending casts are accepted to meet this requirement). Female subject matter not required.

1) The Proposal-A one page description of the project including story, concept, and tone. Include running time. Include technical requirements and keep them MINIMAL, shows will be sharing the space.
2) Creative Team-List of all creative team members already on board with short bios. (Director or Playwright must already be chosen)
3) Space Request- Your ideal opening date and the number of performances requested between July 6- 26, 2009 (Maximum of 9 performances).
4) Marketing Description-A description of how you will attract a crowd!
5) Company Mission-Your mission statement and a description of activities along with current staff list.

Please put the above sections in their stated order and include the number and name of each section at the top of that section. Recommended length about 4 pages.

Scripts are not required but may be requested after initial proposal review.

Please note: The Looking Glass Theatre is not air conditioned. Shows should be appropriate for summer (light weight costumes, etc.)

The Looking Glass Theatre is located at 422 West 57th Street (btwn 9th/10th Aves). 212-307-9467 www.lookingglasstheatrenyc.com
Justine Lambert, Artistic Director
Jenn Boehm, Managing Director