Winter Forum 2010- Notes from Justine – Week 2

Notes from Justine
Forum Rehearsal 11/22/10

Week Two of the Writer/Director Forum is a satisfying evening of theatre consisting of two basically realistic tales and one non realistic play. Interestingly, the stories of the two that take place in the real world are less concrete and revolve around character and location as much as storytelling while the one set elsewhere (not fully in the world but I won’t give away where) has quite the developed little plot.

First I watched a run through of No Boundaries by Yvonne Delet, directed by Eva Gabrielle Schelbaum, featuring Adam Auslander, Kimberly Carvalho, Alexandra Hiotakis, Gary Warchola & Michael Young.

The loose story about an evening at an open mike night shows us the insanity of people’s need to perform, be seen and express themselves. Equally, we observe the disregard they often have for others needs in pursuit of their own. This creative team is clearly having a blast creating the extreme characters and wonderfully quirky world of this play. Lots of fun character work is apparent in the acting and the setting is rendered with both love and ridicule by the author. Two weeks from now this has the potential to be a real treat of the ridiculous.

Inside the Three-0-Nine by Ruth Tyndall Baker, directed by Gretchen Ferris, featuring Bobby Gámez, Andrea Lattanzio, Genevieve Tarricco, Harrison Unger & Jill Wurzburg is quite a lovely little script!

Clocking in at thirteen minutes it manages to tell a touching story and make us care about the characters. Its brevity rarely, if ever, sacrifices the truth of what is being expressed. Gretchen and her ADs have a clear grasp of the piece and are telling the story with a light touch. Within that lightness the depth is beginning to emerge and I truly look forward to seeing this piece once it does. By the way, I don’t want to give away the story here because if you don’t know what the title means, the surprise element is delightful.

Less Talk, More Efficiency by Diana Stahl, directed by McKenna Dabbs, featuring Clio Davies, Keilly McQuail, Allison Whittinghill & Sharon Zaslaw is a bit wacky, which certainly fits in beautifully with the tone of No Boundaries!

Creating extreme characters isn’t the focal point for everyone in this piece however. There are some subtle ideas about the people’s lives and personalities being exposed here. This play is about Jess and Beth and seeing their lives juxtaposed against a stressful environment. It’s a comic and telling element in the play that this very stressful environment is ironically supposed to invoke peace. These two main characters seem pushed by their environment beyond the limits of a normal working relationship. I can’t imagine they are being paid well enough for this…but who knows; in this economy we’ll put up with plenty, won’t we?
Thank you, thank you, thank you to the beautiful and wonderful Assistant Directors/Stage Managers: Ava Kelley and Sarah Simmons for their help with keeping things going, and for their invaluable creative input all night long! It was a real treat getting to know them.

Week Two of the Winter 2010 Writer/Director Forum opens on December 9. I’ll be there with bells on!

Justine Lambert
Founding Artistic Director

ANNOUNCING THE LOOKING GLASS PERFORMANCE SPACE GRANT!

November 17, 2010
ANNOUNCING THE LOOKING GLASS PERFORMANCE SPACE GRANT-January/February, 2011

Seeking proposals from theatre companies.

Grantee(s) will receive performance space (anytime between January 5-January 16, 2011 OR February 14-February 27, 2011) 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 web site.
For JANUARY: Non Prime Profit sharing! 60% of ticket sales go to Looking Glass, 40% to Grant Recipient.

For FEBRUARY: Prime time Profit sharing! 75% of ticket sales go to Looking Glass, 25% to 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 now through Monday, December 6 at 6pm.
NOTE: Early submission encouraged for January applicants. Will be considered upon submission.

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, December, 10, 2010.

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 (gender bending casts are accepted to meet this requirement). Female subject matter not required. We are a non union house. No project with AEA members can be considered.

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 performance dates requested between January 5-January 16, 2011 OR February 14-February 27, 2011 (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 four pages.

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

Looking Glass Theatre is located at 422 West 57th Street (btwn 9th/10th Aves). 212-307-9467

Justine Lambert, Founding Artistic Director
Jenn Boehm, Co-Artistic Director/Managing Director

Winter Forum 2010- Notes from Justine

Notes from Justine
Forum Rehearsal 11/15/10

The three plays chosen for this week of shorts are a truly fascinating bunch. While only The Plane Ride is overtly non-realistic none of these plays is merely what it appears on the surface.

What a quirky, challenging piece Melinda Prom has chosen! Written by our own Artistic Associate Karin Diann Williams, The Cleaning Service featuring Suzanna Chmielarz, Maria Concha, Rick J. Koch & Kelsey Ruvolo is a play about communication and sometimes about the lack thereof. Two maids who don’t speak each others’ language do more communicating with gestures and charade-like behavior while working than the occupants of the house they are cleaning can manage at their leisure. Acting however does communicate to us everything we need to know about both pairs (the two maids and the couple in the house they must clean). I hope the subtleties in this thirteen minute play continue to emerge in the next couple of weeks of rehearsal. After my conversation with Melinda I feel sure that they will indeed and be added to with a few subtleties of her own.

The Plane Ride by Diana Stahl, directed by Alex Mallory, featuring Shannon Altner, Andi Bohs & Mark Vashro is about a family about to crash. What will they do? Well really, what can they do? Panic, and talk, and… How will they resolve unspoken frustrations, questions and needs? Yet we ask as an audience, is there really a plane or is it just their dysfunctional lives that are about to crash into the Pacific Ocean? Alex and her team have a lot of choices to make and questions to answer for themselves as they continue to delve deep into the myriad meanings behind the complex dialogue of this play. We as an audience just get to sit back and enjoy the ride.

Mayan Mask by Lynn Snyder, directed by Jen Browne, featuring Victor Albaum, Eliza Huberth, Ashley Rutherford & Michael Wetherbee seems on its surface a realistic piece about a couple and their friends at a crossroads in life. Will Mitch change jobs and throw all their life plans into flux? Will turning thirty really mean giving up Joan’s dreams? But the spotlight also shines on the friendship between the two couples. This “best” friendship is questionable. How can you lie for selfish needs to your closest friends and what about that affair back in college? But what I would like to know is, is there anything real or valuable in this world? Do the big questions matter and are these questions about being fulfilled at work and feeling comfortable where you live or are they about the meaning of friendship and love? Am I even asking the right questions about this play? My interest is totally piqued! Perhaps the Playwright, Actors, Directors and Assistant Directors will let me know on opening night.

Much thanks to Assistant Directors/Stage Managers Alisha Silver and Abigail Strange for all their work! Extra thanks to Abby for holding it together while things are in flux and listening patiently all night.

Week One of the Winter 2010 Writer/Director Forum opens on December 2. Can’t wait!

Justine Lambert
Founding Artistic Director
Looking Glass Theatre

Betsy is Bored, Bored, Bored, Bored, Bored!- Rehearsal Notes From Justine

Betsy is Bored, Bored, Bored, Bored, Bored! is off to an interesting start!

I was able to watch a rehearsal on Monday night and enjoyed the fresh fun character interpretations beginning to emerge. The kids are well… kid- like; spunky, whiney and cute. Betsy is a girl who just can’t stay bored for long. She tries to act like a typical “tween”: moping, complaining and protesting that she has no imagination but she quickly finds herself completely engaged in her own brain’s crazy machinations. She’s helpless in her inability to stay bored! Her big sister is even less able to remain cranky and seems completely excited by slinky races and even washing dishes! Dad is adorable, funny and likeable in his efforts to be the perfect dad and have the perfect family while weathering a long rainy day and Mom is so sweet that when she has to be the bad guy (by sneezing…) we can’t be mad at her. Then there’s the cat…hmmm, catty and sassy, she may just be the most human of them all but I’m still not sure I believe in her…


My chat with director Amanda Thompson was lots of fun. She already knew what I was going to say and I already knew that she would, but I think we still managed to be quite productive in our meeting. For anyone who is closely following my blogs; yes I definitely feel like I’m getting to know her more and more. 

Can’t wait for next Monday when I get to see it again!

Betsy is Bored, Bored, Bored, Bored, Bored! runs October 16-November 21.

Justine Lambert
Artistic Director
The Looking Glass Theatre - www.lookingglasstheatrenyc.com


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ANNOUNCING THE LOOKING GLASS PERFORMANCE SPACE GRANT-November, 2010

August 31, 2010
ANNOUNCING THE LOOKING GLASS PERFORMANCE SPACE GRANT-November, 2010

Seeking proposals from theatre companies.

Grantee(s) will receive performance space (anytime between November 3-November 21, 2010) 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 web site.

Prime time Profit sharing!
80% of ticket sales go to Looking Glass with 20% 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 now through Monday, September 13 at 6pm.
Final Deadline: Monday, September 13 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, September, 17, 2010.

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 (gender bending casts are accepted to meet this requirement). Female subject matter not required. We are a non union house. No project with AEA members can be considered.

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 performance dates requested between 3-November 21, 2010 (Maximum of 12 performances).s

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 four pages.

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

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

LOOKING GLASS PERFORMANCE SPACE GRANT

August 12, 2010

ANNOUNCING THE LOOKING GLASS PERFORMANCE SPACE GRANT
September-October, 2010

Seeking proposals from theatre companies.

Grantee(s) will receive performance space (anytime between September 15-October 9, 2010) including one technical rehearsal; marketing and publicity (text provided by you) to our email press and audience lists; and a full show page on our web site. Additional rehearsal time provided at a discount rate when available.

Prime time Profit sharing! 80% of ticket sales go to Looking Glass, 20% to the Grant Recipient.

Grantee shows will be credited as COMPANY NAME, in conjunction with The Looking Glass Space Grant Program, presents SHOW TITLE

DEADLINE: Applications accepted beginning now through Monday August, 23 at 6pm.
Final Deadline: Monday, August 23 at 6pm.

NOTE: Companies requesting performance time in SEPTEMBER may submit early and request early decision.

Proposals must be submitted via email to Founding 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 August, 27, 2010.

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 and creating a community of artistic freedom. See web site for more! 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 (gender bending casts are accepted to meet this requirement). Female subject matter not required. We are a non union house. No project with plans for an AEA showcase can be considered.

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 performance dates requested between September 15-October 9, 2010 (Maximum of 12 performances). NOTE: If you have a show that is ready to go up early in September please submit your proposal ASAP. This will increase your chances.
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 four pages.

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

Looking Glass Theatre is located at 422 West 57th Street (btwn 9th/10th Aves). 212-307-9467 www.lookingglasstheatrenyc.com

Justine Lambert, Founding Artistic Director
Jenn Boehm, Co-Artistic Director/Managing Director

ENGAGING IN DIALOGUE (Spring Forum 2010 Wrap Up)

Founding Artistic Director of Looking Glass Theatre, Justine Lambert begins the complicated process of Post- Forum Wrap Ups. After every Looking Glass Writer/Director Forum, each director has a one-on-one meeting with Justine to discuss the Forum: what went wrong, what went right, the overall creative process and how each artist can continue to move forward in her relationship with the theatre.
PART ONE: Engaging In Dialogue

First I got to meet with Amanda Thompson,  Director of Ampersand: A Romeo & Juliet Story - ACT II by Mariah MacCarthy. We’ve done this before. This was Amanda’s fourth Forum so I feel like I know her a little. Yes, only a little. Isn’t that funny? People take a long time to really get to know and sometimes artists even more so. We put our stories out there in our work so often our personas are a bit guarded. But I digress. I’m really enjoying the process with Amanda. She’s talented and smart and a really interesting person to boot! I hope our relationship continues to grow.

We had so much ground to cover in our meeting. We discussed the current summer acting internship, the upcoming children’s show Betsy is Bored, Bored, Bored, Bored, Bored!, a new script she’s interested in workshopping and of course Ampersand. I’m afraid that with so many subjects each one only got a few minutes, but a lot of good information came out of the discussions. I’m very excited to see what she’s going to do with Betsy not to mention many other projects going forward.

I’ve also had the opportunity to meet with the three first-time directors who each directed work by the lovely playwright Jennifer Barclay. Dara Malina directed Constriction; Laura Hirschberg directed Swallow It; and Alex Mallory directed Snapshot.

Having my first Forum follow up with these ladies was enlightening. So exciting to hear that Alex just worked with three-time Forum playwright Lauren Yee in the Samuel French Off Off Broadway Short Play Festival. Small world. Who knew that Dara worked at the Prospect Park Alliance in my own ‘hood, Park Slope? What a great place to have a day job. And I learned that Laura just directed a full blown production of the opera The Magic Flute at The Kaye Playhouse at Hunter College with costumes from the Met - “.very posh!” Wow, these ladies are up to such cool stuff!

One thing all three agreed on was that Jennifer Barclay was terrific to work with, described as “lovely,” “wonderful” and “adorable.” I think Alex expressed something we all felt; that having a playwright be so enthusiastic and appreciative makes us all proud of our work and helps us remember that we’re doing something valuable.

As always, I felt honored by the opportunity to discuss these artists’ processes and get inside their heads. I learn so much from these conversations it’s like an ongoing class in directing and theatre

Justine Lambert

Artistic Director

Looking Glass Theatre - http://www.lookingglasstheatrenyc.com/
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