tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42827887602006364562024-03-06T01:00:20.044-05:00THE WORDThe Official Blog of InterAct Theatre CompanyInterAct Theatre Companyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15988380964925119935noreply@blogger.comBlogger128125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4282788760200636456.post-37493932905521635752012-09-10T13:40:00.000-04:002012-09-10T13:40:02.998-04:00Panda Diplomacy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6woUK_doW814ZvUUBmbOe67NuAKhsTKww9Zg8zrhZvZUYfM5uNRGc3qHYul9OGYwBMH_8byNLEpTql6YVO8-JYKNWN6Vwq2tPKJwLqPtXro2zHQfHVUhRjtPTPOM-D8IYVGf_w-LFVOrK/s1600/Zell+Blog+9.10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6woUK_doW814ZvUUBmbOe67NuAKhsTKww9Zg8zrhZvZUYfM5uNRGc3qHYul9OGYwBMH_8byNLEpTql6YVO8-JYKNWN6Vwq2tPKJwLqPtXro2zHQfHVUhRjtPTPOM-D8IYVGf_w-LFVOrK/s200/Zell+Blog+9.10.jpg" width="159" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%;">Panda Diplomacy</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><i>Or Why A. Zell Williams doesn't like pandas</i></span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%; text-align: left;">I am the new guy in town, sort of. I
had the pleasure of having my play, </span><i style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%; text-align: left;">In A Daughter’s Eyes</i><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%; text-align: left;">, premiere at
InterAct in the spring of 2011. I spent a few weeks in town for
rehearsals, interviews, and the occasional visit to Pat’s. And just as I
began to develop a crush on Philly, I was torn away to finish grad school in
New York. So it is a thrill to spend the next ten months living in the
home of The Roots, Billy Paul, and Terry Gross.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%;">I know the importance of making a good first impression. But
I also I know that great relationships are built on foundations of truth and
honesty. So while this declaration may distance myself from a few of you,
I say it to display my conviction:</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
<br />
</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%;">…I can’t stand pandas.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
<br />
</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%;">Never have liked them. Never understood why other people
seemed to be endlessly enthralled by a creature whose main hobbies include
sitting, stick-chewing, and not mating. The scientific community will not
even fully classify the panda as a bear or a raccoon, which I find insulting to
the cunningly sly, scrap-sorting, sexual dynamo that is the noble Trash Bandit.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
<br />
</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%;">According to today’s sole source of knowledge, Wikipedia, the
concept of giving a panda to foreign countries has been looked upon as an act
of diplomatic graciousness since the days of the Tang dynasty in the early
fifth century. Chinese leaders would bequeath the “bear” upon
unsuspecting diplomats, calling it a show of friendship and admiration.
But I ask you in all seriousness, what did the recipient country really
receive in this exchange? An animal the recipient country would have to
take care of all for something that was not only a laggard, but that the
children could never interact with. China got others to pick up the check
for their pet care bills.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
<br />
</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%;">Those of you who have heard of theatre companies hosting
playwrights-in-residence may have noticed some overly harmonious similarities
between that position and the description of the day-to-day life of the
semi-comatose “BEAR.” You hear that your local theatre is paying a writer
to come into the office and... be writer-y, or whatever. The same
institutions constantly soliciting you for donations is hiring someone whose
work - or even presence - you may never see?</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
<br />
</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%;">Well, Philadelphians, today I make you a promise: There will be no
pandas in InterAct. I am not here to be stared at from a safe distance,
nor am I meant to be a photo op for the company’s website or donor events
(though I am more than happy to take a picture with you, should you drop by.)
I am here to learn about and from you. Yes, I have thoughts,
concerns, and non-panda related opinions that I hope to share during my tenure.
But I want my residency to be a period of exchange, not of exhibition.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
<br />
</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%;">The company’s Artistic Director, Seth Rozin, and I have begun to
outline events to welcome in both the current InterAct audience, but the
surrounding community. I will be seeing shows by and visiting other
theatre com<a href="" name="_GoBack"></a>panies in Philly and asking them to share in
conversations around issues affecting the cultural landscape. I will also
be presenting new plays and partaking in the celebration of the company’s
twenty-fifth anniversary and the fifteenth anniversary of the National New Play
Network.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
<br />
</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%;">I have nothing against the existence of lackadaisical,
quasi-ursidae. I understand that the numbers of patrons that visit the
San Diego, Memphis, and D.C.’s National Zoos simply to observe the wanna-bear
make me an outliers amongst a great deal of Americans. Nor do I harbor
any ill-will toward playwrights-in-residence who are rarely seen or heard.
The act of writing alone is emotionally taxing, life-consuming, and often
undervalued. Both the panda and the dramatists-in-hermitage are what they
are. But so am I. And my goal for the season is for us to show each
who we are.</span></div>
<br />InterAct Theatre Companyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15988380964925119935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4282788760200636456.post-8625351086655097312012-09-05T12:57:00.002-04:002012-09-05T12:57:28.736-04:00The Big 2-5!<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The Big 2-5!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><i>Producing Artistic Director Seth Rozin reflects on 25 years of InterAct</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhouEMgFMzfH-TXwlJM3xA1v4nl75Es9Sa7K-3iBCs9G26xLKUaGXt5X1__cUIHBQGpdsRcmQlYvB7hBjGTK1w8eOgpciE_NkgBzqzxnpvLviVrhjWPfliEu4Spm7s-vBbM8Df5IVFvwqOs/s1600/IMG_4805-b+w.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhouEMgFMzfH-TXwlJM3xA1v4nl75Es9Sa7K-3iBCs9G26xLKUaGXt5X1__cUIHBQGpdsRcmQlYvB7hBjGTK1w8eOgpciE_NkgBzqzxnpvLviVrhjWPfliEu4Spm7s-vBbM8Df5IVFvwqOs/s200/IMG_4805-b+w.jpg" width="133" /></a></div>
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As we get set to kick off our 25<sup>th</sup> Anniversary
season here at InterAct, a lot of people have been asking me what I am proudest
of. And while quite a lot of things
have vied for my consideration, the accomplishment for which I am proudest is
having served our community with a distinct and unwavering mission, despite
tremendous pressure to cut corners and/or compromise over the years. </div>
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The truth is that when I co-founded InterAct in 1988 I
hadn’t yet developed a clear theatrical aesthetic or a coherent vision for the
kind of plays I wanted to produce. Our
original mission was to use theatre to foster international cultural exchange. In fact, it wasn’t until our fifth season
(1992-93), when we produced the world premiere of resident playwright Thomas
Gibbons’ <b><i>6221</i></b>, that I understood, at a deep level, the kind of theatre
experience I wanted InterAct to offer.
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<i>6221</i> was an epic,
three-act, 15-actor docu-drama chronicling the MOVE tragedy in
Philadelphia. Gibbons’ script was based
on court transcripts, newspaper articles, police reports and a host of meetings
with many of the people who played key roles in the real-life drama (including
MOVE members, police officers, former Mayor W. Wilson Goode, journalists, West
Philadelphia residents and others). The
incredible two-year process of developing <i>6221</i>
culminated in a riveting 2 hour, 45 minute production that garnered tremendous
critical acclaim and had audiences on the edge of their seats. Most performances were followed by electric
talk-backs featuring some of the real-life players (the MOVE organization made
it a point of participating in nearly every discussion!). </div>
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<b>[On October 1<sup>st</sup>, we’ll be
kicking off our season with a 25<sup>th</sup> Anniversary Story Slam, including
a few stories about <i>6221</i>]</b> </div>
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The experience of commissioning, developing and producing <i>6221</i> crystallized, for me, the three
pillars of our mission: (1) To engage diverse
local audiences in a dialogue about the stories, issues and ideas that matter
most (Tom Gibbons used to say “I’m not interested in <i>telling </i>you what <i>I</i> think;
I’m interested in <i>asking</i> you what <i>you</i> think”); (2) To champion new plays
by living writers (the “chroniclers our times” as I’ve often called them); and
(3) To maintain a substantive, dynamic relationship with our community. </div>
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And it’s a good thing I was still young and naïve when I
gained this clarity of purpose, because had I been a bit wiser and more
cautious I probably would have opted for an easier road to travel! At the time I had no idea how challenging it
would be to raise money, garner favorable media attention and generate
audiences for the mission I had so passionately embraced. </div>
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Indeed, we have weathered many a storm over the past 25
years: Extraordinary financial
challenges due to dramatic swings in the economic climate; Increasingly fierce
competition for funding, media coverage and audiences; and, at times even,
crises of faith. </div>
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I believe that we have endured, and thrived, because time
after time, in spite of all the pressures to change, we have trusted in the
currency of our mission, and in our ability to carry out that mission at the
highest level.</div>
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There are dozens of professional theatres across the country
dedicated to producing mostly, if not entirely new plays. And there are a handful of theatres dedicated
to producing plays of social relevance. InterAct
may be the only theatre in America that is explicitly and exclusively dedicated
to both. </div>
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So that is what I’m proud of most. Here’s to another 25
years! </div>
InterAct Theatre Companyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15988380964925119935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4282788760200636456.post-62726137162272652942012-08-02T14:03:00.000-04:002012-08-07T14:03:28.033-04:00Kittson O'Neill & MFA Playwright's Workshop<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV0eebi_GtE27873_gTlZJCx8Kg5pFz3Cq-6nUuUwI6_dVJ_YrgBD5LggqUB2UvsID9rmefYORujh9XKFp6K8euNTgCg96dcL4nkLIaQ8zV82_UXg_pLH82IJ3x5vQgjK-lT0mXjHIKZOZ/s1600/kittson.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV0eebi_GtE27873_gTlZJCx8Kg5pFz3Cq-6nUuUwI6_dVJ_YrgBD5LggqUB2UvsID9rmefYORujh9XKFp6K8euNTgCg96dcL4nkLIaQ8zV82_UXg_pLH82IJ3x5vQgjK-lT0mXjHIKZOZ/s200/kittson.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><b>Artistic Associate Kittson O'Neill's Reflections on the MFA Playwright's Workshop</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Last
week I got to take a little vacation to Theater Land. Theater Land is a magical
place where you don’t worry about taking out the trash, getting your kid to
school or rushing to a last minute audition. It’s a place where you think only
about the play you are working on. Where your brain can be in the rehearsal
room and NO WHERE else all day. Where you go for beers after rehearsal and talk
about all the other plays you love and then go back to your hotel to dream
about them all jumbled together. It’s a lovely place. This time Theater Land
was the Kennedy Center, where I was taking part in the MFA Playwrights Workshop. The Workshop is a weeklong exploration of six plays by current MFA playwrighting students and is also sponsored by the National New Play Network
& </span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "lucida sans unicode"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Stanford
University's National Center for New Plays</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">.
InterAct is a proud founding member of the NNPN so I always jump at a chance to
work with them. In addition to the MFA
plays, an alumnus of the workshop is also invited to attend. This year it was
Jennifer Fawcett and I was asked to dramaturg her play. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> Now you might be wondering, “What the heck is a dramaturg?”
When I first read this title in a program I certainly wondered. I decided they
were probably some sort of gnomish editor who showered the playwright with date
corrections and grammar adjustments. Well, that might be some dramaturgs at
some theaters, but at InterAct my job as the ‘turg is to help the playwright
make the play as powerful as possible, to bring it closer to their vision and to
always make sure that vision is going to come across to the audience. If you watched any of the Olympics lately,
you can think of me as that stoic coach on the sidelines watching every back
handspring with my heart in my mouth. It’s not my body on the line and I won’t
win a gold medal, but when a new play soars, sings and sticks its landing it's bliss for the dramaturg too.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">At
InterAct my work as a dramaturg is often done on the fly. In addition to
working on the play in rehearsal, I’m reading submissions, making lobby
displays and arguing with Seth about why Richard 2 really does fit our mission.
I’m also a full time actor subject to all the vagaries and challenges of that
mad profession. Oh, and I have a kid. He’s four and a certain amount of every
day must be dedicated to pretending to be a Transformer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> When I met with Jennifer in
DC she had 70 pages of a play set in the 17<sup>th</sup> Century and three
scenes from a play set now. She knew her story about the demise of midwife at
the hands of an ambitious doctor had modern resonance, but she couldn’t make
the two stories work together. So, very bravely, she decided to set her modern
tale aside and focus solely on the epic world of London in 1606.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">This
meant an enormous amount of research for me<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4282788760200636456" name="_GoBack"></a> and my assistant:
Where did Doctors get cadavers for dissection? What did midwives call the placenta? How do you address an Archdeacon in 1606? It also meant that each day
was a vigorous and exciting conversation about science and mystery, about the
paranoia of King James 2, about fear and how people use it. Never before have I
been invited to be this deeply involved in the formation of a play; to see the
writer change the course of her plot, flip our sympathy with a character and
then change it all again the next day was thrilling. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">It was a productive and exhausting week in Theater Land. I left the Kennedy Center with
dozens of questions still buzzing in my head. Jennifer left with 25 new pages
and, probably, even more questions. I was proud of her, proud of the progress
we made and now, like that nervous coach, I just have to see what she does out
there on the parallel bars. I’m sure she’ll stick her landing. <o:p></o:p></span></div>InterAct Theatre Companyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15988380964925119935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4282788760200636456.post-13915659425338721502012-02-24T15:37:00.000-05:002012-02-24T15:37:29.489-05:00Seth Rozin Reflecting on 24 years of InterAct<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media.philly.com/images/20122302_jf_sethphoto.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://media.philly.com/images/20122302_jf_sethphoto.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 13px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>"Seth Rozin, 47, InterAct’s producing artistic director, standing in the Adrienne Theater next to a collage of stills from 15 years worth of the company’s plays. (Josh Fernandez / Philly.com)"</i></span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Check out this article where InterAct's Artistic Director, Seth Rozin, reflects on his 24 years as a theatre professional. <br />
<br />
<i>“Almost everyone who goes into theater starts out on stage at some point,” Rozin, 47, said. “I was active in theater – acting, directing, writing – from the end of my elementary school days, all the way through college. It hooks you and you have to do it...<br />
<br />
To date, InterAct has presented 78 main stage productions, including 32 world premieres, more than 30 regional premieres and two premieres in the United States. Rozin, the company’s producing artistic director, was named “Best Director,” by the Philadelphia Inquirer twice for the premiere of the 1993 play 6221 and Lebensraum. (Inquirer Theater Critic Howard Shapiro’s reviews of Rozin’s recently directed play,The How and the Why and the musical he wrote, A Passing Wind, can be found <a href="http://articles.philly.com/2011-10-28/news/30332437_1_ernst-mayr-evolutionary-theory-pilot-light">here</a> and <a href="http://articles.philly.com/2011-04-11/news/29406556_1_joseph-pujol-claude-monet-pleasant-music">here</a>.)"</i></span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 13px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 13px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://www.philly.com/philly/neighbors/main_line/Reflecting-on-24-years-of-InterAct.html">Read more about Rozin's journey here!</a></b></span></span><br />
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</span></span>InterAct Theatre Companyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15988380964925119935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4282788760200636456.post-67107862256125884532012-02-23T17:50:00.000-05:002012-02-23T17:50:50.455-05:00Villanova's Controversial Decision to Cancel Acclaimed Artist Tim Miller's WorkshopCheck out these excerpts from Kathy Boccella's article in the <i>Philadelphia Inquirer</i> on Villanova University's decision to cancel Tim Miller's workshop:<br />
<br />
<i>"Villanova University abruptly canceled a weeklong workshop by a gay performance artist whose stage shows are often laced with nudity and simulated sex but who has taught and lectured at numerous colleges, including the nation's largest Catholic university, DePaul, in Chicago.<br />
</i><div><i>While the cancellation was not "unimaginable", he [Tim Miller] noted that Villanova once staged Angels in America, the groundbreaking, Pulitzer Prize-winning play about the AIDS epidemic.<br />
<br />
Times have changed," he said. "We're in a much more coercive, censorious time."<br />
<br />
By Monday afternoon, the university put out a statement that read:<br />
<br />
Villanova University embraces intellectual freedom and academic discourse. Indeed, it is at the very heart of our University and our Augustinian Catholic intellectual tradition. With regard to the forthcoming residency and performance workshops by Tim Miller, we had concerns that his performances were not in keeping with our Catholic and Augustinian values and mission.<br />
<br />
Therefore, Villanova has decided not to host Mr. Miller on our campus. Villanova University is an open and inclusive community and in no way does this singular decision change that."</i><br />
<br />
<div><b><a href="http://articles.philly.com/2012-02-20/news/31079913_1_workshop-tim-miller-performance">Check out the rest of the <i>Philadelphia Inquirer</i> article...</a></b></div><div><b><br />
</b></div><div><a href="http://www.change.org/petitions/president-villanova-university-reinstate-the-banned-workshop-by-performance-artist-tim-miller#"><b>You can sign the petition to have Tim Miller's Workshop reinstated here: President, Villanova University: Reinstate the banned workshop by performance artist Tim Miller.</b></a><br />
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Tim Miller's <i>LAY OF THE LAND</i> will be featured during our <i>Outside The Frame Festival</i>. As the newest of Tim Miller's internationally acclaimed solo performances, <i>LAY OF THE LAND</i> is a saucy, sharp-knifed look at the State of the Queer Union during a time of trial. Careening from his sexy misadventures performing in 45 States, to Marriage Equality street protests, to the electoral assaults on gay folks all over the country, to his life as a grade-school flag monitor, to choking on cheap meat caught in his 10 year old throat, <i>LAY OF THE LAND</i> friskily gets at that feeling of gay folks being perpetually on trial, on the ballot, and on the menu.<br />
<br />
As previously scheduled Tim Miller's Performance Workshop will be taking place April 9 - April 15. You can find out more info about how to get involved on our website. <br />
<br />
<a href="http://interacttheatre.org/2011-2012-feature-3.html#layoftheland"><b>Learn more about Tim Miller's Performance and Workshop by visiting our website</b></a><br />
<br />
<b>President, Villanova University: Reinstate the banned workshop by performance artist Tim Miller: <a href="http://www.change.org/petitions/president-villanova-university-reinstate-the-banned-workshop-by-performance-artist-tim-miller">Click here to sign the petition</a> <a href="http://www.change.org/petitions/president-villanova-university-reinstate-the-banned-workshop-by-performance-artist-tim-miller">to have Tim Miller's Workshop reinstated.</a></b><div><div><div><div><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>InterAct Theatre Companyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15988380964925119935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4282788760200636456.post-39950410721160769152012-01-26T12:00:00.000-05:002012-01-26T12:00:52.438-05:00Inquirer: MICROCRISIS is "Big Fun," "Dynamically Wacky," "Deceptively Smart"<br><br />
Check out these excerpts from Howard Shapiro's review of MICROCRISIS from the <em>Philadelphia Inquirer</em>:<br />
<br />
<blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.interacttheatre.org/IMAGES/interact-microcrisis-1-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" px="true" src="http://www.interacttheatre.org/IMAGES/interact-microcrisis-1-web.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Kevin Bergen (as Bennett)<br />
and Bi Jean Ngo (as Clare)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Bankers are lending big money to poor folks who can never pay it back, Ivy League whiz-kids are developing new ways to get interest on that cash, financial watchdogs grant high ratings to every scammer, the feds turn all their cheeks, and in the play <i>Microcrisis</i> - can you believe it? - <b>it's all big fun</b>. Granted, you can argue fine points about the financial stuff, but not about the fun factor of <i>Microcrisis</i>, in InterAct Theatre Company’s <b>dynamically wacky production</b>...<br />
<br />
Mike Lew’s satire, in which the New York-based playwright takes everyone in the international financial crisis to extremes, is <b>an all-out goof</b>... <b>Lews' play is aptly stupid in its depictions and deceptively smart in its construction</b>. Every character represents some faceless part of the real crisis...<br />
<br />
Four of the six-member cast play multiple roles, the particularly flexible <b>Frank X</b> among them... The show-stealer, though, is <b>Bi Jean Ngo</b>, as the securities rating executive whose emotion-wrought bang-bang delivery can rip up a room. <b>Kevin Bergen</b>... is the high-strung smarm-master who thinks all this up..., <b>Hannah Gold</b> and <b>Dave Johnson</b>... are high-octane university kids who become the faces of this mess, and <b>Maia Desanti</b> is the schoolteacher who throws her pension away. The production is lifted into another zone by <b>Mark Valenzuela's sound, which makes all sorts of things that aren't physically there seem real. You know, just like the bankers did</b>.<br />
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<b><a href="http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/phillystage/138100018.html">Read Howard Shapiro's Entire <i>Philadelphia Inquirer</i> Review</a></b><br />
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</blockquote>Links to more information about MICROCRISIS:<br />
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<b><a href="http://www.interacttheatre.org/box-office-launch.html#tickets">Purchase Tickets Now</a></b><br />
<br />
<b><a href="http://www.interacttheatre.org/2011-2012-feature-2.html">Find Out More About InterAct's Philadelphia Premiere Production</a></b><br />
<br />
<b><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_Z9RjW1GTE">Watch the Video Trailer Online</a></b><br />
<br />
<b><a href="http://interacttheatrecompany.blogspot.com/2012/01/interacts-microcrisis-featured-on-6abc.html">Watch 6ABC Loves the Arts' Feature Story</a></b><br />
<br />
<b><a href="http://interacttheatrecompany.blogspot.com/2012/01/talking-with-mike-lew-playwright-of.html">Listen to an Interview with Playwright Mike Lew</a></b><br />
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<br>InterAct Theatre Companyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15988380964925119935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4282788760200636456.post-82694511963404688072012-01-25T13:54:00.000-05:002012-01-25T13:54:52.049-05:00Video Trailer for MICROCRISIS<br><br />
<span style="font-family: arial;">Watch the video trailer for InterAct's Philadelphia premiere of the critically-acclaimed new comedy MICROCRISIS by Mike Lew:</span><br />
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<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/x_Z9RjW1GTE?version=3&hl=en_US&rel=0"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/x_Z9RjW1GTE?version=3&hl=en_US&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="344" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object><br />
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Links to more information about MICROCRISIS: <br />
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<b><a href="http://www.interacttheatre.org/2011-2012-feature-2.html">Find Out More About InterAct's Production</a></b><br />
<br />
<b><a href="http://interacttheatrecompany.blogspot.com/2012/01/interacts-microcrisis-featured-on-6abc.html">Watch 6ABC Loves the Arts' Story on MICROCRISIS</a></b><br />
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<b><a href="http://interacttheatrecompany.blogspot.com/2012/01/talking-with-mike-lew-playwright-of.html">Listen to an Interview with Playwright Mike Lew</a></b><br />
<br />
<b><a href="http://www.interacttheatre.org/box-office-launch.html#tickets">Purchase Tickets</a></b><br />
<br><br />
<br>InterAct Theatre Companyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15988380964925119935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4282788760200636456.post-3300095366663370262012-01-20T13:57:00.002-05:002012-01-25T14:34:14.729-05:00City Paper calls MICROCRISIS Cast "Stellar" and its Playwright "A True New Theater Original"<br><br />
Check out what City Paper has to say about InterAct's production of the new satire MICROCRISIS by Mike Lew:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq"><br />
<a href="http://media.citypaper.net/designimages/cp-logo.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="123" src="http://media.citypaper.net/designimages/cp-logo.gif" width="200" /></a>Don't despair if you didn't catch the magical Bi Jean Ngo when she relaunched her Theatre Confetti performance troupe at Underground Arts last week. You'll get more than a few glimpses of the Philadelphia actress when she joins <b>the stellar cast</b> - Kevin Bergen, Maia Desanti, Hannah Gold, Dave Johnson and, most particularly, Frank X - of MICROCRISIS at the Adrienne. <b>This snarky snippet of political/financial intrigue shows off exactly what InterAct Theatre does best</b>: present tart scripts that pit big against small, evil against good. Absurdist playwright Mike Lew and director Seth Rozin fashion a funny global game of cat and mouse amongst lenders and borrowers without a care for anyone (save the laughing-out-loud audiences). Lew is responsible for short, sharply sardonic theater pieces such as IN PARIS YOU WILL FIND MANY BAGUETTES BUT ONLY ONE TRUE LOVE and is <b>a true new theater original</b>.</blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.citypaper.net/arts" target="_blank"><b>Read all of City Paper's A&E Recommendations Here</b></a> </blockquote><br />
Links to more information about MICROCRISIS: <br />
<br />
<b><a href="http://www.interacttheatre.org/2011-2012-feature-2.html">Find Out More About InterAct's Philadelphia Premiere</a></b><br />
<br />
<b><a href="http://interacttheatrecompany.blogspot.com/2012/01/interacts-microcrisis-featured-on-6abc.html">Watch 6ABC Loves the Arts' Feature Story on MICROCRISIS</a></b><br />
<br />
<b><a href="http://interacttheatrecompany.blogspot.com/2012/01/talking-with-mike-lew-playwright-of.html">Listen to an Interview with Playwright Mike Lew</a></b><br />
<br />
<b><a href="http://www.interacttheatre.org/box-office-launch.html#tickets">Purchase Tickets</a></b><br />
<br><br />
<br>InterAct Theatre Companyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15988380964925119935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4282788760200636456.post-42131243731383272472012-01-18T10:39:00.000-05:002012-01-18T10:39:41.643-05:00Talking with... Mike Lew, Playwright of MICROCRISIS<br><br />
InterAct Artistic Associate Kittson O'Neill sat down with MICROCRISIS playwright Mike Lew (and an unexpected interlude with InterAct's office cat Gomez) to discuss his inspiration for the play, what an endorsement by Natalie Portman really means to him, and of course, the zombie apocalypse...<br />
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Listen now:<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.interacttheatre.org/IMAGES/mikelewweb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="116" src="http://www.interacttheatre.org/IMAGES/mikelewweb.jpg" width="175" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mike Lew, Playwright of MICROCRISIS</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.interacttheatre.org/IMAGES/kittsononeillweb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="116" src="http://www.interacttheatre.org/IMAGES/kittsononeillweb.jpg" width="145" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kittson O'Neill, InterAct Artistic Associate</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/320254_10150371853416738_104819076737_8167533_113880632_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="116" src="http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/320254_10150371853416738_104819076737_8167533_113880632_n.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gomez, InterAct's Office Cat</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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Links to more information about MICROCRISIS: <br />
<br />
<b><a href="http://interacttheatrecompany.blogspot.com/2012/01/interacts-microcrisis-featured-on-6abc.html">Watch 6ABC's Feature Story on MICROCRISIS</a></b><br />
<br />
<b><a href="http://www.interacttheatre.org/2011-2012-feature-2.html">Find Out More about InterAct's Philadelphia Premiere</a></b><br />
<br />
<b><a href="http://www.interacttheatre.org/box-office-launch.html#mainstage">Purchase Tickets Here</a></b><br />
<br><br />
<br>InterAct Theatre Companyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15988380964925119935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4282788760200636456.post-65143706809896456272012-01-17T16:23:00.002-05:002012-01-18T16:09:55.023-05:00Adventures of an InterAct Intern!<br><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS-dMSIsPjKIRFXYy-syxqry0O-givvMgMV82_p4B5cg8gy7STLfeLCFV8FWdAiqpjbFUFe5h7L0C_6bSBr10YGdFM89DZTg40O73rJ0qVcUUH23QjEvDC0xWOL3l93RQrE4chvMn5yjlb/s1600/393281_10150523763091738_104819076737_8730431_1855310966_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="148" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS-dMSIsPjKIRFXYy-syxqry0O-givvMgMV82_p4B5cg8gy7STLfeLCFV8FWdAiqpjbFUFe5h7L0C_6bSBr10YGdFM89DZTg40O73rJ0qVcUUH23QjEvDC0xWOL3l93RQrE4chvMn5yjlb/s400/393281_10150523763091738_104819076737_8730431_1855310966_n.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<br />
Adventures of an InterAct Intern<br />
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I figure it’s about time to update you all on what’s happening at InterAct! I haven't updated in a while so we are about to go WAY BACK!<br />
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THE HOW AND THE WHY opened a few months ago to banging reviews! I was lucky enough to act as the assistant stage manager, sound board op AND I got to play the VERY IMPORTANT part of bartender for approximately 7 seconds. I was lucky enough to be able to lead one of the talk backs while Seth was away too! Long story short I learned SO much and received so many opportunities while working on the show. THE HOW AND THE WHY was the first professional production I have ever been a part of so I absolutely learned a lot and had a blast being a part of something that was so successful.<br />
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Not long after THE HOW AND THE WHY closed InterAct hosted NNPN’s National Showcase of New Plays. NNPN is an organization where non-profit theatres from around the country join together to produce and develop new plays. The NNPN Conference was held in November. The purpose of the showcase was to show the members of NNPN new production ready plays that may fit their theatre's mission. The intern's played a huge part in the readings serving as ASM's, readers, house managers and the general go-to people for any questions. Being a part of this conference was an absolute invaluable experience. We got to meet so many theatre professionals from all over the place, work with directors we may have never gotten the opportunity to work with and all in all have an awesome, and bust, week doing what we all love to do.<br />
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READ MORE ABOUT NNPN HERE!!! http://www.nnpn.org/about_staff.php<br />
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It has been a busy few months to say the least, AND WE ARE ONLY GETTING STARTED. I could go on and on with all the other things the past few months have consisted of but that would make for a very long very unreadable blog! So maybe a second update is in order in the near future.<br />
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MICROCRISIS opens next week!!! Come check us out!<br />
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P.S Don't forget to check out Wildlife Wednesday on InterAct's Facebook! Cause who doesn't live pictures of cats and dogs.... and sometimes Dany?<br />
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See Ya Later Alligator!<br />
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<br>InterAct Theatre Companyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15988380964925119935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4282788760200636456.post-37450937531034253002012-01-09T14:45:00.001-05:002012-01-17T17:37:09.256-05:00InterAct's MICROCRISIS Featured on 6ABC<br><br />
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Links to more information about InterAct's MICROCRISIS: <br />
<br />
<b><a href="http://www.interacttheatre.org/2011-2012-feature-2.html">Find Out More about InterAct's Philadelphia Premiere</a></b><br />
<br />
<b><a href="http://www.interacttheatre.org/box-office-launch.html">Purchase Tickets to InterAct's MICROCRISIS</a></b><br />
<br><br />
<br>InterAct Theatre Companyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15988380964925119935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4282788760200636456.post-10436636710842118992011-12-29T11:37:00.001-05:002011-12-29T11:38:53.853-05:00InterAct's OUTSIDE THE FRAME Festival is "Perhaps the Biggest Event this Spring..."<br><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">In this week's <em>Philadelphia Weekly</em>, J. Cooper Robb includes InterAct's newly announced line-up for the upcoming OUTSIDE THE FRAME Festival as one of his "2012 Productions You Don't Want to Miss," hailing it as "Perhaps the biggest event this spring...":</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><blockquote class="tr_bq"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.interacttheatre.org/Templates/images/tim-miller-lay-of-the-land-production1-by-leo-garcia-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" kt="true" src="http://www.interacttheatre.org/Templates/images/tim-miller-lay-of-the-land-production1-by-leo-garcia-web.jpg" width="131" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tim Miller in LAY OF THE LAND.<br />
Photo by Leo Garcia.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Whether you’re a seasoned theatergoer or a newbie to the scene, <b>it’s easy to see that our local theater companies are doing exciting work</b>. Drugs, racism, identity issues, gay rights. These are just a few of the issues being tackled - both seriously and not - on stages across the city in the new year...<br />
<br />
<b>Perhaps the biggest event this spring is InterAct Theatre’s ambitious new festival</b> “Outside the Frame: Voices from The Other America” at the Adrienne (March 27-April 22). InterAct’s artistic director Seth Rozin says the festival’s goal is to give voice to communities rarely covered by the mainstream media. The festival features eight small touring productions including a solo piece by queer performance artist Tim Miller called Lay of the Land, and Najla Said’s Palestine , a humorous story of a Palestinian-American princess who rediscovers her Arab-American identity when she travels to occupied territories.</blockquote><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiybGIwrcaF3pTs63rYNy1a64x9g5MF1BHZVKqFQD-ln8XlHQgN9NPcyue1kjt9YzXYcp136gVvSHvkNMkQkNr7JKCVfpjwhWICEP-pjIzMOGt9cEzVlaYbBxRh0A4gR34MpfszXxHHLQp-/s1600-h/philadelphiaweeklylogoweb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="145" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiybGIwrcaF3pTs63rYNy1a64x9g5MF1BHZVKqFQD-ln8XlHQgN9NPcyue1kjt9YzXYcp136gVvSHvkNMkQkNr7JKCVfpjwhWICEP-pjIzMOGt9cEzVlaYbBxRh0A4gR34MpfszXxHHLQp-/s200/philadelphiaweeklylogoweb.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.philadelphiaweekly.com/arts-and-culture/stage/2012-Productions-You-Wont-Want-to-Miss.html">Click Here to See All <i>Philly Weekly</i>'s Picks for the 2012 Season</a></div><br />
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Links to more information about InterAct's Spring 2012 Festival: <br />
<br />
<b><a href="http://www.interacttheatre.org/2011-2012-feature-3.html">Check Out the Full OUTSIDE THE FRAME Festival Line-Up</a></b><br />
<br />
<b><a href="http://www.interacttheatre.org/box-office-launch.html#subscribe">See Two Festival Shows (along with InterAct's Two Mainstage Plays) with a Season Subscription - Starting at Only $50.00</a></b><br />
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<br>InterAct Theatre Companyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15988380964925119935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4282788760200636456.post-60276248155219580822011-12-13T15:42:00.002-05:002011-12-15T10:46:14.697-05:00InterAct Hosts ETCHED IN SKIN... Development Workshop<br><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxGhKhUEUkKdlAUpNVk2xnvIszLSNdxTQqqlU-23s8gA7-q3bUXA5d_9fQBmKQ5ImzNPEoIUmSSe01Wt-FIcng_bXgxalVWLoCXVc8iaycUi2kz1BKaYnl4-5WskLOQBMBCw4hTXqqEOgv/s1600/IMG_2447.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxGhKhUEUkKdlAUpNVk2xnvIszLSNdxTQqqlU-23s8gA7-q3bUXA5d_9fQBmKQ5ImzNPEoIUmSSe01Wt-FIcng_bXgxalVWLoCXVc8iaycUi2kz1BKaYnl4-5WskLOQBMBCw4hTXqqEOgv/s200/IMG_2447.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Playwright Kara Lee Corthron (left), <br />
Director Whit MacLaughlin, <br />
and Phyllis Johnson as "Jules"</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>ETCHED IN SKIN ON A SUNLIT NIGHT</i></div><div style="text-align: center;">by Kara Lee Corthron</div><b></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><b><b><br />
</b></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><b>Play Development Workshop</b></b></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><b>InterAct Theatre Company</b></div><div style="text-align: center;">December 8-9, 2011</div><br />
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Last week I had the awesome opportunity to participate in a table workshop of our upcoming production <i>ETCHED IN SKIN ON A SUNLIT NIGHT</i>, by Kara Lee Corthron. The show will run for the month of June here at InterAct, for which I am the Assistant Stage Manager :-).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht7mMqPTTHllZSuhoSLyV7UfY84W01wSTtlqTOP45AiGsY3yecYf5dGrgLzyyRKr5b1PGTmJ59vThyphenhyphenZaYoPJKPHz4tIYzk9SZQ6h2ckXp9PLqEwBNIBpwFwjYDsDU5p0r2iBKOEKkHXhIY/s1600/IMG_2449.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht7mMqPTTHllZSuhoSLyV7UfY84W01wSTtlqTOP45AiGsY3yecYf5dGrgLzyyRKr5b1PGTmJ59vThyphenhyphenZaYoPJKPHz4tIYzk9SZQ6h2ckXp9PLqEwBNIBpwFwjYDsDU5p0r2iBKOEKkHXhIY/s200/IMG_2449.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ian Bedford (head of table) as "Olafur"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>During the workshop, I read for "Kina", the bi-racial daughter (7-10 years old) of "Jules", an African-American Painter, and "Olafur", her Icelandic husband. The part of "Kina" has not yet been cast. <br />
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We read through the script to start, and then just began talking!<br />
And talking...and talking...:-)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHsks5Kl83fLLTi0-niMQPcxl10qmxOYM2l8A-V3A6uIAcuvSoKOiQkLEyxymbTLTIz8qGTq0MnV_tsvBlqi4R73XXjr47mSL06qWwyHhrJ96VQsXXuCretupZaHd09kKpBexbJwn12lAd/s1600/IMG_2448.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHsks5Kl83fLLTi0-niMQPcxl10qmxOYM2l8A-V3A6uIAcuvSoKOiQkLEyxymbTLTIz8qGTq0MnV_tsvBlqi4R73XXjr47mSL06qWwyHhrJ96VQsXXuCretupZaHd09kKpBexbJwn12lAd/s200/IMG_2448.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jered McLenigan (left) as "Jonsi"</td></tr>
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There was just so much to talk about! This multi-faceted play totes the rock spirit of Sigor Ros, with the lead singer "Jonsi" as a main character...or figment of imagination...or elf...combined with delicate family dynamics, racial conflict, crime, and guilt.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9g3NYBM_g5mJR3UPo93WE-96nJ_15f-qTvVssUBk6E34CuVcoSwpq-EAtC49XsxnZyl27YZ-18NAOlTXUeyCRL1Mxh0Nk_UN0qMRxbHK89W2b16CsbcSY9uRkdaHjorzHESlJQMTcVKUM/s1600/IMG_2446.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9g3NYBM_g5mJR3UPo93WE-96nJ_15f-qTvVssUBk6E34CuVcoSwpq-EAtC49XsxnZyl27YZ-18NAOlTXUeyCRL1Mxh0Nk_UN0qMRxbHK89W2b16CsbcSY9uRkdaHjorzHESlJQMTcVKUM/s200/IMG_2446.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sound Designer Robert Kaplowitz (right)</td></tr>
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Whit MacLaughlin, our fearless director, dove right into the investigation of character, analyzing each main character in turn, based on their words, patterns, choices, and given circumstances. The team of playwright, director, actors & designers had a blast building the legs upon which this epic show will take its stand...and ROCK!<br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC8UrIcUJROe819kI_P5Ac3tf3nI0oFpjkI5N1Lx3TYQlXOcdDSzbJGPnVFgrshj0y33FJZMQOMLLhfOuTpPyDt2Wk5NNKiRuC4F78x2Bwc0A1rLs418WqfEdriFGrLlTuwHjOuxdNqQq8/s1600/IMG_2445.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC8UrIcUJROe819kI_P5Ac3tf3nI0oFpjkI5N1Lx3TYQlXOcdDSzbJGPnVFgrshj0y33FJZMQOMLLhfOuTpPyDt2Wk5NNKiRuC4F78x2Bwc0A1rLs418WqfEdriFGrLlTuwHjOuxdNqQq8/s200/IMG_2445.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Surrounding the table, an awesome team put their heads together to unpack the power within this piece.</span></td></tr>
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Links to more information about ETCHED IN SKIN ON A SUNLIT NIGHT: <br />
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<b><a href="http://www.interacttheatre.org/2011-2012-feature-4.html">InterAct's World Premiere Begins Performances June 1</a></b><br />
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<b><a href="http://www.interacttheatre.org/box-office-launch.html">Tickets On Sale Now</a></b><br />
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<br>InterAct Theatre Companyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15988380964925119935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4282788760200636456.post-40031989912187681602011-11-09T12:27:00.000-05:002011-11-09T12:27:53.103-05:00BroadStreetReview: HOW & WHY is "Crackling... Instantly Engrossing... Ingeniously Realized"<br><br />
Check out these excerpts from Alaina Mabaso's review of THE HOW AND THE WHY from <i>Broad Street Review</i>:<br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq"><a href="http://www.interacttheatre.org/IMAGES/janisdardarisweb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="http://www.interacttheatre.org/IMAGES/janisdardarisweb.jpg" width="233" /></a></blockquote>In THE HOW AND THE WHY, Sarah Treem rapidly unpacks a world of interpersonal aspersions, thwarted love, feminist struggle and scientific theory. Although her play is dense with themes and ideas, it’s <b>a crackling two hours, thanks to Seth Rozin’s fast-paced direction and two character-driven actresses</b>... Advancing a brand-new, controversial scientific theory is difficult enough, but it’s a grueling life’s work if you happen to be a woman... So theorizes Zelda (the well-grounded Janis Dardaris), an experienced evolutionary biologist, to her young acolyte Rachel (an achingly volatile Victoria Frings)... Treem sets the audience to the <b>instantly engrossing</b> task of discerning the relationship between Zelda and Rachel... provid[ing] especially fertile ground for many <b>a potent meditation on sexism</b> among scientists. By the time the sharpening personal dynamic between Zelda and Rachel expands to include arguments on marriage, pregnancy, parenthood and career, <b>the play brims over</b> while Zelda and Rachel continue to impugn each other’s intentions... Despite the intellectual weight of Treem’s script, Dardaris and Frings — no doubt guided by director Seth Rozin — deliver <b>a thoroughly character-driven performance that makes two scenes of crackling dialogue</b> the fastest two hours I’ve ever spent at the theater. Meghan Jones offers two <b>ingeniously realized sets</b>. Still, I left the Adrienne ruminating not on the characters’ fraught relationship but on the evolutionary theories advanced in Treem’s script. I wanted to corner the playwright (or some unsuspecting biologist) and pepper her with questions about evolutionary theory. That provocation alone made the evening worthwhile.<br />
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<b><a href="http://www.broadstreetreview.com/index.php/main/article/sarah_treems_the_how_and_the_why_by_interact/">Read Alaina Mabaso's Entire Review at BroadStreetReview.com</a></b><br />
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Links to more information about THE HOW AND THE WHY: <br />
<br />
<b><a href="http://www.interacttheatre.org/box-office-launch.html">Purchase Tickets</a></b><br />
<br />
<b><a href="http://interacttheatrecompany.blogspot.com/2011/10/video-trailer-for-how-and-why.html">Watch the Video Trailer</a></b><br />
<br />
<b><a href="http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/phillystage/132668727.html">Read Howard Shapiro's <i>Philadelphia Inquirer</i> Review</a></b><br />
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<b><a href="http://www.interacttheatre.org/talkingwithsarahtreem.htm">An Interview with Playwright Sarah Treem</a></b><br />
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<br>InterAct Theatre Companyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15988380964925119935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4282788760200636456.post-33583747381232348602011-11-08T12:18:00.001-05:002011-11-08T12:18:45.730-05:00City Paper: HOW & WHY is a "Symphony of Science... Gripping Production... Fascinating Characters"<br><br />
Check out these excerpts from Mark Cofta's review of THE HOW AND THE WHY from <i>Philadelphia City Paper</i>:<br />
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<blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.interacttheatre.org/IMAGES/interact-the-how-and-the-why-publicity-2-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" px="true" src="http://www.interacttheatre.org/IMAGES/interact-the-how-and-the-why-publicity-2-web.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
<b>Symphony of Science</b><br />
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... In InterAct Theatre Co.'s <b>gripping production</b>, both women are ambitious professionals whose choices are directly and indirectly influenced by men. Therein lies Treem's theme: In their scientific theories and their life paths, both see women as defined by men... <b>Dardaris and Frings deliver all that Treem's script asks of them.</b> Zelda struggles believably to separate passions personal and professional, while... Frings somehow keeps Rachel grounded and, by the end, genuine and sympathetic.<br />
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Treem's science-heavy dialogue isn't the quippy nonsense of <i>The Big Bang Theory</i>, but seemingly viable notions about the "why" of menstruation and menopause... Woven through the science and university research's thorny politics in THE HOW AND THE WHY are meaty yet familiar mother-daughter issues. Facts are revealed, tears are shed, and apologies follow condemnations, yet Treem wisely stops short of happily ever after for these two <b>driven, conflicted, fascinating characters.</b><br />
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<b><a href="http://www.citypaper.net/arts/2011-11-03-interact-theatre-co-the-how-and-the-why.html">Read Mark Cofta's Entire <i>Philadelphia City Paper</i> Review</a></b><br />
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Links to more information about THE HOW AND THE WHY: <br />
<br />
<b><a href="http://www.interacttheatre.org/box-office-launch.html">Purchase Tickets</a></b><br />
<br />
<b><a href="http://interacttheatrecompany.blogspot.com/2011/10/video-trailer-for-how-and-why.html">Watch the Video Trailer</a></b><br />
<br />
<b><a href="http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/phillystage/132668727.html">Read Howard Shapiro's <i>Philadelphia Inquirer</i> Review</a></b><br />
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<b><a href="http://www.interacttheatre.org/talkingwithsarahtreem.htm">An Interview with Playwright Sarah Treem</a></b><br />
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<br>InterAct Theatre Companyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15988380964925119935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4282788760200636456.post-50743203565347476942011-11-03T14:59:00.000-04:002011-11-03T14:59:25.696-04:00Staged Blog: "Dardaris’ Poise and Frings’ Energy... is Fascinating and Enthralling"<br><br />
Check out these excerpts from Leah Franqui's review of THE HOW AND THE WHY from Staged Blog:<br />
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<blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.interacttheatre.org/IMAGES/interact-the-how-and-the-why-publicity-3-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://www.interacttheatre.org/IMAGES/interact-the-how-and-the-why-publicity-3-web.jpg" width="150" /></a></div><b>The Origin of the Species</b><br />
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... despite all of the many accomplishments of the female of the species, it seems that women are forever in the position of defending their worth, as we see in Sarah Treem’s THE HOW AND THE WHY... And not just to men, but to each other... When these two brilliant, ambitious, flawed female scientists meet for the first time as adults, it’s as much a chess match as it is a reunion...<br />
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<b>Dardaris’ excellent Zelda is a wise, wry and utterly mature foil</b> to Rachel’s spastic nature; she is measured where Rachel is erratic, thoughtful where Rachel is impulsive, and yet, somehow, the more daring one of the two... in Zelda, Treme has placed the self-awareness of age, and the confidence that comes with knowing that you can and do live with the choices you have made... <b>Played with consummate grace and skill by Frings, Rachel is smart, calculating, and more than a little manipulative</b>, but also deeply damaged.<br />
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But where Treem’s smart but somehow lacking text fails, these two actresses succeed, and then some. The play itself is messy, often unclear, and sometimes flat-out contradictory, but the combination of <b>Dardaris’ poise and Frings’ energy create a momentum that is fascinating and enthralling</b>... It is the strong and engaging work of both of these tremendous and fantastically matched actresses that keep this play in motion... It is Frings' fantastically fractured but defiantly determined performance paired with Dardaris’ knock-out strength and elegance that make this play work...<br />
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<b><a href="http://stagedandreal.wordpress.com/2011/11/01/the-origin-of-the-species-interact-theatre-companys-the-how-and-the-why/">Read Leah Franqui's Entire Staged Blog Review</a></b></blockquote><br />
Links to more information about THE HOW AND THE WHY: <br />
<br />
<b><a href="http://www.interacttheatre.org/box-office-launch.html">Purchase Tickets</a></b><br />
<br />
<b><a href="http://interacttheatrecompany.blogspot.com/2011/10/video-trailer-for-how-and-why.html">Watch the Video Trailer</a></b><br />
<br />
<b><a href="http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/phillystage/132668727.html">Read Howard Shapiro's <i>Philadelphia Inquirer</i> Review</a></b><br />
<br />
<b><a href="http://www.interacttheatre.org/talkingwithsarahtreem.htm">An Interview with Playwright Sarah Treem</a></b><br />
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<br>InterAct Theatre Companyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15988380964925119935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4282788760200636456.post-38180828195002783012011-11-02T16:05:00.000-04:002011-11-02T16:05:56.107-04:00STAGE Magazine: HOW & WHY is "Convincing & Elegantly Crafted... Powerful... Delightful"<br><br />
Check out these excerpts from Christopher Munden's review of THE HOW AND THE WHY from <em>STAGE Magazine</em>:<br />
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<blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.interacttheatre.org/IMAGES/interact-the-how-and-the-why-publicity-1-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" px="true" src="http://www.interacttheatre.org/IMAGES/interact-the-how-and-the-why-publicity-1-web.jpg" width="200" /></a></div></blockquote><br />
<blockquote><b>InterAct’s THE HOW AND THE WHY is<br>Well Written and Full of Ideas</b><br />
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... like much else in Sarah Treem’s <b>well-crafted</b> THE HOW AND THE WHY, now receiving its second-ever production by Philadelphia’s InterAct Theatre, oceans of meaning lay just below the surface... with <b>convincing and elegantly crafted dialogue</b>, [Treem] has created a dramatically engaging and surprisingly funny piece that never feels didactic or heavy-handed.<br />
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Credit for this goes also to director Seth Rozin (also InterAct’s artistic director), who... draws <b>powerful performances</b> from both actors. Dardaris particularly gives a spot-on and consistent interpretation of a seasoned academic...<br />
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The play is not without its faults... But as a vehicle to express provoking ideas it is <b>a resounding success</b>. All of the science in THE HOW AND THE WHY is real, and it’s delightful to see so many interesting thoughts presented so accessibly... in short, THE HOW AND THE WHY is a strongly feminist work that just <b>feels strongly human</b>.<br />
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<b><a href="http://stagepartners.org/2011/11/interact%E2%80%99s-the-how-and-the-why-is-well-written-and-full-of-ideas/">Read Christopher Munden's Entire <i>STAGE Magazine</i> Review</a></b><br />
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Links to more information about THE HOW AND THE WHY: <br />
<br />
<b><a href="http://www.interacttheatre.org/box-office-launch.html">Purchase Tickets</a></b><br />
<br />
<b><a href="http://interacttheatrecompany.blogspot.com/2011/10/video-trailer-for-how-and-why.html">Watch the Video Trailer</a></b><br />
<br />
<b><a href="http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/phillystage/132668727.html">Read Howard Shapiro's <i>Philadelphia Inquirer</i> Review</a></b><br />
<br />
<b><a href="http://www.interacttheatre.org/talkingwithsarahtreem.htm">An Interview with Playwright Sarah Treem</a></b><br />
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<br>InterAct Theatre Companyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15988380964925119935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4282788760200636456.post-90004072223793775532011-10-31T17:22:00.001-04:002011-11-03T14:27:57.747-04:00UWishUNu Blog: HOW & WHY is "Astounding... Talent Pours Off the Stage"<br><br />
Check out these excerpts from Allison Stadd's review of THE HOW AND THE WHY from UWishUNu Blog:<br />
<blockquote><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.interacttheatre.org/IMAGES/interact-howandwhy-postcard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://www.interacttheatre.org/IMAGES/interact-howandwhy-postcard.jpg" width="129" /></a></div>InterAct Theatre Company opens its 2011/2012 season with <b>an astounding play</b> by HBO screenwriter Sarah Treem... a tale of evolution, of feminism, of adoption, of mother-daughter relationships, generational clashes and modern America... Treem’s screenwriting chops are evident, as you feel as though you’re on a TV set, watching an episode being filmed. <b>The talent pours off the stage</b>, the content is <b>thoroughly thought-provoking</b> and you’re left contemplating everything you heard from the production’s start to finish.<br />
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<b><a href="http://www.uwishunu.com/2011/10/interact-theatre-company-presents-the-how-and-the-why-by-hbos-in-treatment-writer-sarah-treem-on-stage-through-november-13/">Read Allison Stadd's Entire UWishUNu Blog Review</a></b><br />
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</blockquote><br />
Links to more information about THE HOW AND THE WHY: <br />
<br />
<b><a href="http://www.interacttheatre.org/box-office-launch.html">Purchase Tickets</a></b><br />
<br />
<b><a href="http://interacttheatrecompany.blogspot.com/2011/10/video-trailer-for-how-and-why.html">Watch the Video Trailer</a></b><br />
<br />
<b><a href="http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/phillystage/132668727.html">Read Howard Shapiro's <i>Philadelphia Inquirer</i> Review</a></b><br />
<br />
<b><a href="http://www.interacttheatre.org/talkingwithsarahtreem.htm">An Interview with Playwright Sarah Treem</a></b><br />
<br><br />
<br>InterAct Theatre Companyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15988380964925119935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4282788760200636456.post-45809512838612596602011-10-28T13:36:00.001-04:002011-10-28T16:05:23.803-04:00More On The Life Of An InterAct Intern: "The House is Now Open..."<br><br />
Well things here at InterAct have been moving, that’s for sure. This past Wednesday (the 26th) we opened our first show: THE HOW AND THE WHY by Sarah Treem. I got to see the PWYC (Pay What You Can) performance before previews began, but since then I’ve been the House Manager, and therefore unable to see the show again. I have been hearing very positive feedback from the audience members as they exit however!!<br />
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As House Manager, I am responsible for the audience experience as they enter and exit the theatre. <br />
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A typical 8pm Show schedule looks like this:<br />
Before 6:30 pm – “Housekeeping”: Vacuum the theatre, clean bathrooms, all the glamorous stuff.<br />
6:30 – 7:00 pm – Take care of any special needs reservations. Set up shop downstairs in the Lobby. Organize programs & Stuffers.<br />
7:00 – Ushers arrive. Give them a tour if they are new, give them details about the show & our procedures.<br />
7:00-7:30 - Greet any guests who are early, Aid with Box office set up as needed.<br />
7:30-7:40 – Some back and forth conversation with the Stage Manager as to when we will open the house.<br />
7:40-7:45 – Open the House!! Give a brief welcoming announcement for those in the Lobby.<br />
8:00 – Close the House, and Give Curtain Speech.<br />
8:00-8:15 – Seat Late Comers as necessary.<br />
8:15-8:45 – Count & Record Ticket stubs, Begin House Manager Report.<br />
8:45 – Open Doors for Intermission. Keep track of where the audience members spread out to.<br />
8:55 – Gather folks and notify them that the house will close shortly.<br />
9:00 – Close House.<br />
9:05-9:40 – Finish House Manager Report. Stay available in the Lobby.<br />
9:45 – Open Doors at the end of the show. Bid Farewell to the guests. Take a sweep through the theatre to pick up any programs dropped, etc.<br />
10:00/10:15 – Put away all programs & such. Lock up and Peace out!<br />
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So far. So good. :-)<br />
<br />
- Shannon Fitzsimons<br />
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<br>InterAct Theatre Companyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15988380964925119935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4282788760200636456.post-63284669941608016792011-10-27T14:53:00.001-04:002011-11-03T14:26:18.822-04:00Metro Newspaper Features HOW & WHY's Janis Dardaris<br><br />
Check out <i>Metro Newspaper</i>'s feature on Janis Dardaris, who is featured in InterAct's Philadelphia premiere production of THE HOW AND THE WHY:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><blockquote><a href="http://www.interacttheatre.org/IMAGES/janisdardarisweb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="http://www.interacttheatre.org/IMAGES/janisdardarisweb.jpg" width="233" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><b><i><u>Metro Newspaper</u></i></b></div><br />
</blockquote><b>Janis Dardaris:<br />
The Evolution of a New Role</b><br />
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<b>by Shaun Brady</b><br />
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<blockquote>If her approach to reading scripts is any indication, Janis Dardaris is the type who starts a mystery novel by skipping to the last page. ... when she picked up the script for Sarah Treem’s 'The How and the Why,' Dardaris says, 'The last line of the play got me. It ended on a very human level.' ... Dardaris stars in InterAct Theatre Company’s Philly premiere of the play as a leading evolutionary biologist who faces off with an up-and-comer in the field ... both have to struggle against the male domination of academic science. ... 'There’s this whole patriarchal idea that women came from the rib of Adam,' Dardaris says. 'Women are often thought of as secondary creatures, even in this post-feminist time. I think that this could make people rethink that. It would be great if people leave and they start talking.'<br />
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<b><a href="http://www.metro.us/philadelphia/entertainment/article/1005526--janis-dardaris-the-evolution-of-a-new-role">Read Shaun Brady's Entire <i>Metro Newspaper</i> Feature</a></b></blockquote><br />
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Links to more information about THE HOW AND THE WHY: <br />
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<b><a href="http://www.interacttheatre.org/box-office-launch.html">Purchase Tickets</a></b><br />
<br />
<b><a href="http://interacttheatrecompany.blogspot.com/2011/10/video-trailer-for-how-and-why.html">Watch the Video Trailer</a></b><br />
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<b><a href="http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/phillystage/132668727.html">Read Howard Shapiro's <i>Philadelphia Inquirer</i> Review</a></b><br />
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<b><a href="http://www.interacttheatre.org/talkingwithsarahtreem.htm">An Interview with Playwright Sarah Treem</a></b><br />
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<br>InterAct Theatre Companyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15988380964925119935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4282788760200636456.post-69481022256399079902011-10-27T14:39:00.001-04:002011-11-03T14:25:39.415-04:00StageReviews Blog: HOW & WHY is "Significant ... Electrifying"<br><br />
Check out these excerpts from Judy Cohen's review of THE HOW AND THE WHY from StageReviews Blog:<br />
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<blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.interacttheatre.org/IMAGES/interact-the-how-and-the-why-publicity-2-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" px="true" src="http://www.interacttheatre.org/IMAGES/interact-the-how-and-the-why-publicity-2-web.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
... You better not blink, for <b>every bit of dialogue is significant</b>. The repartee between the older, more experienced scientist and the younger, but equally serious one is <b>electrifying</b>. ... Part of <b>the brilliance of this piece is the sprinkling of humor</b> amidst the intense scientific discussions. Victoria Frings ... is focused throughout and gives a very convincing performance. Janis Dardaris, portraying Zelda, is even more than a counterpart and mentor as she skillfully guides Rachel ... Kudos must also be given to Scenic Designer Meghan Jones who did an outstanding job ... Come to learn about the how; come to learn about the why; <b>come to be engrossed</b> in the enticing world of scientific discovery...<br />
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<b><a href="http://stagereviews.blogspot.com/2011/10/how-and-why.html">Read Judy Cohen's Entire StageReviews Blog Review</a></b><br />
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</blockquote><br />
Links to more information about THE HOW AND THE WHY: <br />
<br />
<b><a href="http://www.interacttheatre.org/box-office-launch.html">Purchase Tickets</a></b><br />
<br />
<b><a href="http://interacttheatrecompany.blogspot.com/2011/10/video-trailer-for-how-and-why.html">Watch the Video Trailer</a></b><br />
<br />
<b><a href="http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/phillystage/132668727.html">Read Howard Shapiro's <i>Philadelphia Inquirer</i> Review</a></b><br />
<br />
<b><a href="http://www.interacttheatre.org/talkingwithsarahtreem.htm">An Interview with Playwright Sarah Treem</a></b><br />
<br><br />
<br>InterAct Theatre Companyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15988380964925119935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4282788760200636456.post-7270039378271218472011-10-27T14:27:00.000-04:002011-10-27T14:27:36.602-04:00Philly Inquirer: HOW & WHY is "Robust and Real," "Smart," "Taut and Revealing"<br><br />
Check out these excerpts from Howard Shapiro's review of THE HOW AND THE WHY from the <em>Philadelphia Inquirer</em>:<br />
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<blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.interacttheatre.org/IMAGES/interact-the-how-and-the-why-publicity-1-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" px="true" src="http://www.interacttheatre.org/IMAGES/interact-the-how-and-the-why-publicity-1-web.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
In <i>The How and the Why</i>, two women meet, discover they are both (of all things) evolutionary biologists -- at the opposite ends of their careers -- and enter into a dialogue that reveals as much about their present identities as it does about their pasts. ... <b>robust and real in performances by Janis Dardaris and Victoria Frings</b> ... The play, a two-scene piece with an intermission, was originally staged earlier this year at Princeton’s McCarter Theatre and is written by Sarah Treem, the writer and producer of HBO’s <i>In Treatment</i>. ...<br />
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It’s <b>a smart look</b> — the dialogue is especially <b>taut and revealing</b> ... Together, <b>Dardaris and Frings bring out the strongest points of <i>The How and the Why</i></b> ... In Dardaris’ face and body language, you discern the power of wisdom that can come only through experience. In Frings’ impulsiveness and quick-changing emotion, you sense the impetuousness of someone on the verge of something big, without a clue as to what that may mean for her life. ... <br />
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The play holds much more than a simple young/old juxtaposition to provide its edge, and I won’t spoil it by saying any more. The staging is by InterAct’s producing artistic director, Seth Rozin, who draws from his two performers <b>notably unswerving character interpretations</b>. And the production sports two very different, <b>meticulously designed sets</b> by Meghan Jones...<br />
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<b><a href="http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/phillystage/132668727.html">Read Howard Shapiro's Entire Philadelphia Inquirer Review</a></b><br />
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</blockquote><br />
Links to more information about THE HOW AND THE WHY: <br />
<br />
<b><a href="http://www.interacttheatre.org/box-office-launch.html">Purchase Tickets</a></b><br />
<br />
<b><a href="http://interacttheatrecompany.blogspot.com/2011/10/video-trailer-for-how-and-why.html">Watch the Video Trailer</a></b><br />
<br />
<b><a href="http://www.interacttheatre.org/talkingwithsarahtreem.htm">An Interview with Playwright Sarah Treem</a></b><br />
<br><br />
<br>InterAct Theatre Companyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15988380964925119935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4282788760200636456.post-59745706088178888822011-10-27T12:58:00.000-04:002011-10-27T12:58:47.375-04:00Video Trailer for THE HOW AND THE WHY<br><br />
<span style="font-family: arial;">Watch the video trailer for InterAct's Philadelphia premiere production of THE HOW AND THE WHY by Sarah Treem:</span><br />
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<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/v/nVfJnydBqi8?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/v/nVfJnydBqi8?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br />
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Links to more information about THE HOW AND THE WHY: <br />
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<b><a href="http://www.interacttheatre.org/2011-2012-feature-1.html">Find Out More About InterAct's Production</a></b><br />
<br />
<b><a href="http://www.interacttheatre.org/talkingwithsarahtreem.htm">Read an Interview with Playwright Sarah Treem</a></b><br />
<br />
<b><a href="http://www.interacttheatre.org/box-office-launch.html#tickets">Purchase Tickets</a></b><br />
<br><br />
<br>InterAct Theatre Companyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15988380964925119935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4282788760200636456.post-36114822729432195012011-10-19T10:53:00.000-04:002011-10-19T10:53:51.854-04:00InterAct Named Best Political Theater by Philadelphia Weekly<br><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><em>Philadelphia Weekly</em> named InterAct as Philly's "Best Political Theatre" in their October 19, 2011 issue:</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgDSLD4ME18oIgj9MJ95-1V3th4gYC2iwsMyI4lcg5ZukHeni1t9IEoTpb73sspipETpVFtbLkt_3135x1-dVE9mfOO3GMGMCOF1S8a-HJ9Bz7ccwYKuDsJ_qtCZbeS30clEzkgxwB6SJu/s1600-h/philadelphiaweeklybetterthanbestlogo-lg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="68" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgDSLD4ME18oIgj9MJ95-1V3th4gYC2iwsMyI4lcg5ZukHeni1t9IEoTpb73sspipETpVFtbLkt_3135x1-dVE9mfOO3GMGMCOF1S8a-HJ9Bz7ccwYKuDsJ_qtCZbeS30clEzkgxwB6SJu/s200/philadelphiaweeklybetterthanbestlogo-lg.jpg" width="200" /></a>Many theater companies avoid politics like the plague. Yet InterAct Theater Company has shown itself willing to present all manner of political discourse, even if it challenges the sensibilities of liberal-minded theater audience. Last season’s <i>When We Go Upon the Sea</i>, a drama from Lee Blessing, held the American public (and especially passive liberals) accountable for the Bush administration’s irresponsible and immoral foreign policy. InterAct artistic director Seth Rozin thinks of the company as a kind of 'Public Square,' a place where people gather to witness 'the most pressing issues of our time illuminated through compelling human stories.'</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiybGIwrcaF3pTs63rYNy1a64x9g5MF1BHZVKqFQD-ln8XlHQgN9NPcyue1kjt9YzXYcp136gVvSHvkNMkQkNr7JKCVfpjwhWICEP-pjIzMOGt9cEzVlaYbBxRh0A4gR34MpfszXxHHLQp-/s1600-h/philadelphiaweeklylogoweb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="145" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiybGIwrcaF3pTs63rYNy1a64x9g5MF1BHZVKqFQD-ln8XlHQgN9NPcyue1kjt9YzXYcp136gVvSHvkNMkQkNr7JKCVfpjwhWICEP-pjIzMOGt9cEzVlaYbBxRh0A4gR34MpfszXxHHLQp-/s200/philadelphiaweeklylogoweb.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/Read%20more:%20http://www.philadelphiaweekly.com/news-and-opinion/cover-story/Better-Than-Best-Arts-Culture-2011.html?page=3&comments=1&showAll=#ixzz1bEtYjnud">Check Out All Philly Weekly's Picks for Best of Philadelphia Here</a></div><br><br />
<br>InterAct Theatre Companyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15988380964925119935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4282788760200636456.post-20658011560251402312011-10-14T14:55:00.003-04:002011-10-25T11:18:29.654-04:00InterAct's Seth Rozin Featured in Chutzpah Magazine<br><br />
Check out InterAct's Producing Artistic Director Seth Rozin in the Fall 2011 issue Chutzpah Magazine. Laura Goldman talks with Seth about why he founded InterAct (back in 1988) and how his early experiences with InterAct led him to a 2nd career as a successful playwright:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><blockquote><a href="http://www.interacttheatre.org/Templates/images/sethrozinheadshotweb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://www.interacttheatre.org/Templates/images/sethrozinheadshotweb.jpg" width="147" /></a><div style="text-align: left;"><b><i><u>Chutzpah Magazine</u></i></b></div></blockquote><b>Rozin's Bag</b><br />
<b>by Laura Goldman</b><br />
<blockquote><div style="text-align: left;">2011 is playwright and director Seth Rozin's year in the sun. While many playwrights struggle to have even one of their plays staged, Rozin had two plays running simultaneously on Philadelphia stages...<br />
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Rozin's day job is founder and producing artistic director of InterAct Theatre... 'I established InterAct as a way to foster dialogue about political about political and and cultural issues,' says Rozin... Being 'a natural leader,' he wasn't concerned that perhaps the tender age of twenty-two was too young to start a theater company and credits his mentor and advisor at Penn, Catherine Marshall, with giving him the courage needed...<br />
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InterAct... is one of the region's most cutting edge theatres, often producing world premieres with a strong message... While many people in the theater lament the current segregation of theater audiences, InterAct's the rare Philadelphia venue where blacks and whites sit side by side and then stay afterwards to discuss the hot button issues of the day... </div></blockquote><blockquote style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pageturnpro.com/Black-Dog-Media/31286-Chutzpah-Fall-2011/index.html#20">Read the Entire Chutzpah Magazine Feature Here:</a> </blockquote><blockquote><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0000ee; text-decoration: underline;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pageturnpro.com/Black-Dog-Media/31286-Chutzpah-Fall-2011/index.html#20"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black;"></span></a><a href="http://www.pageturnpro.com/Black-Dog-Media/31286-Chutzpah-Fall-2011/index.html#20"><img border="0" height="209" src="http://www.interacttheatre.org/Templates/images/chutzpahmagazine10-11-feature.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></blockquote><br><br />
<br>InterAct Theatre Companyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15988380964925119935noreply@blogger.com0