nytheatre buzz

Intensive Introduction to Commedia dell'Arte

This item from Jon Stancato, Stolen Chair

Stolen Chair is pleased to welcome the great maestro of Commedia dell'Arte, Antonio Fava, for a one-day intensive introduction to Commedia.  Maestro Fava will introduce participants to the traditional artform of Commedia dell'Arte and teach: use and meaning of the mask, fixed typologies and characters including Old People, Lovers, Zanni, and Captains, and the functions, gestures and behaviors of each. As a Grand Finale for the workshop, all students will participate in a presentation of an improvised Commedia scenario.  April 26, 10:30am-5:30pm.  The Milagro Theater.   For more information or to reserve your space, please visit http://fava.stolenchair.org.

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Call for submissions for A.N.T. FEST 08

This item from Rosey Strub, Ars Nova

Ars Nova announces a call for submissions for A.N.T. FEST 08, a six-week festival October 16-November 24 of craziness showcasing fresh material from today’s most daring emerging artists. The open submission process begins April 16, 2008. The best thirty submissions will be given a night to perform in Ars Nova’s intimate, 99-seat theater, and will be a part of artist-driven parties and events throughout the festival. 

Interested performers should submit a description of their evening (one page max); and may also include a script, CD, DVD or directions to online material if available.  Application forms are available on at www.arsnovanyc.com.  Must be postmarked by June 15. Artists chosen for the festival will be notified by late summer.

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Searching for a Few Good Interns or Volunteers

This item from Javier Gomez, TeatroStageFest

TeatroStageFest, the annual festival that spotlights theater productions from New York, Latin America, the Caribbean, and Spain, seeks to fill internships and volunteer opportunities effective immediately.  The non-profit organization seeks reliable individuals with a passion for and commitment to the performing arts, multiculturalism, and diversity.  Positions available at the Festival’s headquarters on East 27th Street between Lexington and 3rd Avenue, in all areas including marketing, communications, production, special events, arts management, and office management, among others. Fluency in Spanish a plus, but not required.

Candidates must set up an interview appointment by contacting info@teatrostagefest.org (Subject: VOLUNTEER).  Please include your name, address, telephone numbers, brief description of your professional background and interest area within TeatroStageFest, Spanish language skills (if any), and time availability.  For more information visit www.teatrostagefest.org.

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New Works of Merit Playwriting Contest is accepting scripts

This item from Sandra Nordgren

New Works of Merit Playwriting Contest is accepting scripts through June 30, 2008 for new works that:
1) Enhance self-realization
2) Support peace and social justice
3) Foster new understanding of minority issues that focus on racial, ethnic and gender discrimination both in the United States and abroad
4) Empower youth to build healthy inner foundations
5) Educate to gain further insight into healthy social/emotional living
6) Shed new light on religious, spiritual, and cultural differences and issues
7) Build respect for cultural expression and identity in a world that is experiencing rapid globalization
8) Explore the widening gap between the values this country was founded on and the values we present to the world today

For Guidelines and Application Form:  www.PlaywritingContest.cjb.net

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The Slapstick Dojo

This item from Christopher Lueck

New York Downtown Clown Presents The Slapstick Dojo a fight club for comedy. Classes are every Wednesday from 6-7pm @ West Side Dance Project, 260 W 36 Street, 3rd Floor. $15 per class or $50 for a month pass. Prospective students can try a class for free. For more information visit www.newyorkdowntownclown.com/workshops.

Slapstick is a uniquely American art form born of the silent film era. The focus of the Slapstick Dojo is instruction and development of comedy trips, falls, slaps, kicks and comic uses of props. This is an ongoing class with rolling open admission taught by Christopher Lueck and Joel Jeske. The class operates similar to a yoga or martial arts class, where students of all skill levels are encouraged to come to “work out” and further develop technique. Each class will include instruction in specific skills and exercises that will teach students the methods and moves of slapstick greats from silent films, circuses, and contemporary physical comedy.

This new workshop is the only weekly training in the world that focuses exclusively on the style, technique, and character of slapstick.

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Innovative Theatre Honorary Award Applications

This item from Katie Rosen, publicist

The New York Innovative Theatre Awards (the IT Awards) is pleased to announce that applications for the 2008 Honorary Awards are now available online and are due by 5pm on May 1, 2008.

The Honorary Awards are:
* The Artistic Achievement Award, presented to an individual who has made a significant artistic contribution to the Off-Off-Broadway community;
* The Stewardship Award, presented to an individual or organization demonstrating a significant contribution to the Off-Off-Broadway community through service, support and leadership;
* The Caffe Cino Fellowship Award, presented to an Off-Off-Broadway theatre company that consistently produces outstanding work. This award also includes a grant ($1,000-$5,000) to be used toward an Off-Off-Broadway production.

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One Week Broadway Summer Camp

This item from Jessica Cates

A Class Act Acting Studio announces its summer camp. Campers will take Workshops with Broadway Stars & ACA Staff in all areas of performance, including Dance, Improvisation, Musical Theatre Audition Technique, Acting for the Camera, Voice Training, Intro to Stage Combat, Stage Make-up, and Shakespeare.

Register online at www.AClassActNY.com. Space is limited!
*Dates: Monday, August 18 – Friday, August 22, 2008; 9 am – 5 pm daily
*Where: Nola Studios-250 West 54th St, 11th Floor; *Ages: 7-16 (2 groups); *Cost: $650 and includes ticket to Broadway matinee.
*For more information, call (212) 479-8480.

Also at Sid Jacobson JCC, 300 Forest Drive, East Hills - Monday, August 25 – Friday, August 29, 2008.

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New York State Council On The Arts Theatre Program - Report On The Status Of Women: A Limited Engagement?

This item is from Susan Jonas, NYSCA

The Theatre Program of the New York State Council on the Arts is releasing a report on its three-year research initiative assessing the status of women in theatre. The initiative sessions produced a body of invaluable historical, anecdotal and statistical information on the ways in which women have confronted, overcome and continue to face discrimination in the field. The panels also produced a series of recommendations both to monitor and to assist women in theatre.

For an e-mail copy of the report write to: info@nytheatre.com.

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This page is dedicated to the memory of Frank "Buzz" Willey, who believed in the magic of the theatre and encouraged the success of everyone he met.