MIAMI - USITT and Chauvet are offering a workshop at the University of Miami here on June 3 that will explore methods of effectively blending LEDs with more traditional fixtures. The workshop is the third in the recently launched USITT Presents series of one- and two-day workshops. The series is designed to provide ongoing training for entertainment designers and technicians at low cost. More details from USITT ( http://www.usitt.org ): MIAMI - USITT Presents: How to Blend LEDs with Traditional Fixtures is the topic of the workshop offered by Chauvet and the United States Institute for Theatre Technology at the University of Miami. This will be the third in USITT’s recently launched USITT Presents,  a series of one- and two-day workshops to provide ongoing training for entertainment designers and technicians at low cost. Chauvet presenter Ford Sellers will lead the June 3 class on how to transition and replace existing stage lighting with energy-saving LEDs. It will cover LED basics, fixture types, and theatre applications with Lekolites, strips, Fresnel lenses, and cycloramas; as well as design concepts and three hours of hands-on practice with Chauvet tools. The cost – including lunch – is $50 for USITT members and $25 for student/early career members. (Fees are double for non-members.) The first two USITT Presents earlier this year -- a one-day Meyer sound mixing class in Nashville in and a two-day Studio Gear Hog 4 training in Milwaukee – both sold out, said USITT Stage Expo Manager Ron Procopio. Meyer has already scheduled another mixing class on Aug. 16 in Berkeley, CA, and a second Studio Gear Hog 4 training is in the works, Procopio said. USITT is working with other companies to offer more training opportunities in audio, lighting, video, automation, and rigging, at cut-rate cost to its 4,000 members, Procopio said. USITT, the national association for performing arts designers and technicians, offers networking, education and career advancement opportunities to professional and student members of the industry. USITT’s 2013 Annual Conference & Stage Expo drew more than 5,000 people from the world of live entertainment to Milwaukee in March. For more information or to register for the Chauvet training, visit www.usitt.org/chauvet . For more on USITT Presents, including how your company can become a presenter, visit www.usitt.org/usittpresents .

Categoria: teatro | Fonte: stage-directions.com

KATY, Texas — Seven Lakes High School’s Performing Arts Center (PAC) hosts several school and out-of-house productions each year. The school recently purchased a Harman Soundcraft Si Performer 3 digital console for its educational theatre performances. The console has also helped with the school’s technical theatre classes. More details from Harman ( www.harman.com ): The Seven Lakes Theatre Program rents out its PAC to numerous out-of-house groups because it is widely known as the most professional venue in the area. “Most out-of-house groups rent our PAC because they know we run a professional space and the students I train are professional-grade student technicians that no one will find anywhere else,” said Joshua Heerssen, Seven Lakes High School’s production designer and technical theatre teacher. “Groups continue to spread the word: ‘I want to rent at Seven Lakes’ and even other schools want to come use our PAC for their performances.” At Seven Lakes High School, Heerssen teaches technical theatre classes, which include hands-on training with everything that entails a theatrical production, including lighting and sound engineering. The Seven Lakes High School theatre program performs four to six large productions a year and shares the PAC with in-house groups, such as the school band or choir, as well as rents to out-of-house groups. Keeping up with the forefront of technology, Heerssen looked to upgrade Seven Lakes’ analog audio console. “I looked into Soundcraft because we already owned a Spirit 8, so I understood the terminology and I really liked the way Soundcraft consoles are set up,” said Heerssen. “After I saw the Si Performer, I knew it would be the perfect board for our space and a great teaching tool as well.” Heerssen replaced the PAC’s Soundcraft Spirit 8 soundboard with the Si Performer 3 after attending the TETA (Texas Educational Theatre Association) conference. “I saw the Soundcraft Si Performer on display and demo’d at the conference, and the first thing I noticed were the colored faders, and then to a have digital sound board at this price range with 32 channels of control made me look more intently at this console.” Heerssen noted the Si Performer’s DMX interface, which allows for lighting control, was a key purchasing factor. “It definitely put a smile on my face when I brought up a channel for lighting on the sound board the first time in our PAC,” said Heerssen. Heerssen uses the Soundcraft Si Performer 3 for large performances in Seven Lakes’ PAC and as a learning tool for his technical theatre students. “I chose the Soundcraft Si Performer 3 because my goal as a teacher is to make sure students learn the tools that will not only serve them well in college, but what they’ll need for professional theatre,” Heerssen concluded.

Categoria: teatro | Fonte: stage-directions.com

The 58th Annual Village Voice Obie Awards, honoring achievement in the Off-Broadway and off-off Broadway theater, were bestowed May 20 at Webster Hall in New York’s Greenwich Village. Jessica Hecht and Jeremy Shamos co-hosted; presenters included Bobby Cannavale, Tracee Chimo, Cyndi Lauper, Judith Light, Krysta Rodriguez, Duncan Sheik, Meryl Streep and Courtney B. Vance. 2013 VILLAGE VOICE OBIE AWARD WINNERS ANNOUNCED NEW YORK, NY – The 58th Annual Village Voice Obie Awards, celebrating achievement in the Off-Broadway and off-off Broadway theater, were given out at a ceremony May 20 at Webster Hall in Greenwich Village. The awards ceremony was co-hosted by Jessica Hecht and Jeremy Shamos. The awards were presented by Bobby Cannavale, Tracee Chimo, Cyndi Lauper, Judith Light, Krysta Rodriguez, Duncan Sheik, Meryl Streep and Courtney B. Vance. A medley from the highly acclaimed new Off-Broadway musical, Here Lies Love, was performed by the cast. The Brazilian jazz-pop group Banda Magda also performed. The Obies were judged by a committee that included the Voice’s Chief Theater Critc Michael Feingold as Chairman, Voice critic Alexis Soloski as secretary, and the following guest judges: Obie Award-winning playwright Erin Courtney; director-performer Mia Katigbak, Co-Founder of NAATCO; critic and Theater magazine editor Tom Sellar; and Obie Award-winning director Leigh Silverman. Meryl Streep presented 2013 Obie Awards for Lifetime Achievement to Lois Smith and Frances Sternhagen. In a tie vote, the judges accorded the award for Best New American Play to Lisa d’Amour’s Detroit (Playwrights Horizons) and Julia Jarcho’s Grimly Handsome (Incubator Arts Project), with each playwright receiving a $500. cash prize. A complete list of the award winners follows: Performance Eisa Davis Sustained Excellence Brandon J. Dirden The Piano Lesson (Signature Theatre) Shuler Hensley The Whale (Playwrights Horizons) Matthew Maher Sustained Excellence Paul Thureen Blood Play (The Debate Society/Bushwick Starr) Playwriting Ayad Akhtar Disgraced  (LCT3) Annie Baker The Flick  (Playwrights Horizons) Direction Lear deBessonet The Good Person Of  Szechuan (Foundry Theatre/La MaMa) John Rando All In The Timing (Primary Stages) Ruben Santiago-Hudson The Piano Lesson (Signature Theatre) Eric Ting We Are Proud To Present A Presentation... (Soho Rep) Design Laura Jellinek Sustained excellence of Set Design Clint Ramos Sustained excellence of Costume Design Special Citations David Levine and Marsha Ginsberg HABIT (Crossing the Line Festival/FIAF & PS122) Dave Malloy and Rachel Chavkin NATASHA, PIERRE & THE GREAT COMET OF 1812 (Ars Nova) Nature Theater of Oklahoma LIFE AND TIMES: EPISODES 1-4  (Public Theater/SoRep) Music/Lyrics David Byrne & Fatboy Slim HERE LIES LOVE (Public Theater) The Ross Wetzsteon Award (with check for $1000.) Clubbed Thumb Grants Fulcrum Theater ($1,000) Half Straddle ($1,000) Best New American Play (tie w/$500. to each playwright) Lisa D’Amour , Detroit Julia Jarcho , Grimly Handsome Lifetime Achievement Lois Smith Frances Sternhagen The Village Voice Obie Awards are presented by STELLA ARTOIS and benefiting A.R.T./ New York (Alliance of Residence Theaters). Additional sponsors include Smirnoff Sorbet Light, Academy of Dramatic Arts, Barefoot Wine & Bubbly and Fragoli.  Congratulations to all of this years winners!

Categoria: teatro | Fonte: stage-directions.com

Women Stage the World, the advocacy group of The League of Professional Theatre Women, will lead an equality march to get women working in theatre in the same numbers as men. The march, called a “suffragette inspired parade,” is set for June 11 at 6 p.m. at Public Plaza at Broadway between 50th/51st Street. THEATRE WOMEN MARCH ON BROADWAY Suffragette Inspired Parade Tuesday, June 11 at 6:00 pm Public Plaza at Broadway between 50th/51st Street NEW YORK, NY — On Tuesday, June 11th at 6 p.m., Women Stage the World , an advocacy project from The League of Professional Theatre Women (LPTW), will bring to life a suffragette inspired parade in which Broadway theatregoers will see over 100 women parading and advocating for equal representation in theatre. Many parading will be wearing costumes in honor of famous women who set the stage: you may recognize the likes of Dorothy Parker, Katharine Cornell, Aphra Behn, Margo Jones, Lady Gregory or Hallie Flanagan, the director of WPA Theatre. Women Stage the World is designed to educate the public about the role women play in creating theatre, and the gender barriers they face as men continue to outnumber women by 4 to 1 as playwright, director and designer. “ Women buy two-thirds of the tickets and represent 65% of the audience ,” said Deborah Savadge (playwright), one of the co-chairs of the Advocacy Committee. “ The irony is that 80% of the time, the storytelling on stage is shaped by men’s voices not women’s .” “ The parade will be a celebration of our accomplishments and a chance to engage the public in a conversation about the future ,” said Mahayana Landowne (director), who co-chairs the Advocacy Committee. “ Given the public interest in Governor Cuomo’s Women’s Equality Act and Sheryl Sandberg’s Lean In, the timing could not be better for this conversation. We see it as an inflection point and we are seizing the moment to raise awareness and change up the status quo.” Women Stage the World will prompt ticket-buyers to ask three questions each time they purchase a theatre ticket: (1) Who wrote, directed and designed this play? (2) What is this theatre’s track record in giving opportunities to women? (3) How can you spread the word? Like the suffragettes before them, Women Stage the World will empower women and men to become aware, take action and influence others. There is good news in this story, several NY theatres have impressive track records in producing work by women including Playwrights Horizons, New York Theatre Workshop, Three Graces, New Georges and The Women’s Project. “ In a field that is influenced by existing networks and long-standing relationships, artistic directors and literary managers need to find ways to remain open to work by women artists ,” say Savadge and Landowne. They offer up the example of symphony orchestras that moved to a “blind audition” where candidates audition behind screens. It has more than doubled the number of female concert musicians employed professionally around the country. In the week following the parade, a national dialogue will commence connecting theatre artists in New York with regions around the country to explore the issue and brainstorm solutions. Outcomes of this progressive conversation will be posted on www.womenstagetheworld.org and used to mobilize a next round of action in September.

Categoria: teatro | Fonte: stage-directions.com

J.R. Clancy’s SceneControl 5000 line of rigging controllers have the ability to control performer flying hoists (in addition to automated rigging). Now they also manufacture a performer flying hoist. Reps from J.R. Clancy note that they have no desire to become a flying company, and that their performer flying hoists come with advanced features that are meant to ensure the safety of performers and systems. The new performer flying hoist has redundant brakes, and redundant encoders—devices that measure the rotation of the shaft—designed to look for faults in the drive train and provide redundant feedback as well. The chassis of the hoist is designed so that if any one component were to break, the hoist will not release the performer in midair. Finally, the new hoist is designed to be moved at the discretion of a director, as opposed to being permanently installed in one space. Special finishes provide the hoist with long-term durability, even if it gets handled and moved on a daily basis. J. R. Clancy Introduces its First Performer Flying Hoist SYRACUSE, NY —J. R. Clancy, Inc., today introduced a performer-flying hoist that brings together the company’s 127 years of rigging expertise with safety features engineered for the twenty-first century. Clancy makes this unprecedented move to develop a performer flying hoist as an outgrowth of its introduction of its new SceneControl 5000 line of rigging controllers. The new SceneControl 5000 family has the capability to control performer flying hoists as well as automated rigging for scenery, lighting, and sound equipment.  Now users can purchase both the performer flying hoist and the controller from one manufacturer. “Performer flying hoists are a natural extension of our product line,” said Larry Eschelbacher, J. R. Clancy director of engineering. “As the industry develops ANSI standards for performer flying and best practices are being established, this is the right time for us to bring our safety expertise to the table and become part of that conversation. Our SceneControl 5000 line provided the catalyst, by giving us the connection we needed between the hoist and the controller.” Clancy now has a comprehensive offering for companies that fly people on a regular basis. “We are an equipment manufacturer, so we have no plans to become a people-flying company,” said Eschelbacher. “We encourage venues to continue to engage theatrical flying service companies and to put every safety precaution in place when flying people. Our performer flying hoist will help venues maximize safety for performers in the air.” Safety through redundancy As with all Clancy products, the new performer flying hoist has safety features that reduce risk to the performer and the venue, noted Pete Svitavsky, P.E., the lead engineer on the project. “This hoist has redundant brakes, and redundant encoders—devices that measure the rotation of the shaft—that are designed to look for faults in the drive train,” he said. “The encoders provide redundant feedback as well. The chassis of the hoist is designed so that if any one component were to break, the hoist will not release the performer in midair. “Reliable equipment is just one of the elements of a responsible design for performer flying,” said Svitavsky. “The difference between a person and a piece of scenery is that you can leave a piece of scenery in the air overnight until a repair can be made. You can’t do that with a person. While all of our equipment is built to last for many years without breakdowns, you have to have a plan in place for when the electrical power is lost while someone is in the air. You need to be ready to react quickly. This is an element of theatrical production that is best left to professionals, and we have designed our equipment to suit their needs.” Most Clancy equipment is designed for permanent installation in a fixed location, but the new performer flying hoist can be moved at the discretion of the director. Special finishes provide the hoist with long-term durability, even if it gets handled and moved on a daily basis. For more information on Clancy’s performer flying hoist and SceneControl 5000 series of controllers, visit www.jrclancy.com .

Categoria: teatro | Fonte: stage-directions.com

On May 17, the Drama League held its annual award gala honoring the 2012-2013 New York theatre season. Big winners included: Kinky Boots , which won Distinguished Production of a Musical; Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike , which won Distinguished Play; Pippin , which won Distinguished Revival of a Musical; and Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf , which won Distinguished Revival of a Play. Other winners included Nathan Lane, who was honored with the award for Distinguished Performance, and Bernadette Peters, who received the Distinguished Achievement in Musical Theatre Award. Jerry Mitchell was honored with The Founders Award for Excellence in Directing. THE DRAMA LEAGUE ANNOUNCES WINNERS OF 79 th ANNUAL AWARDS “KINKY BOOTS” NAMED DISTINGUISHED MUSICAL “VANYA AND SONIA AND MASHA AND SPIKE” NAMED DISTINGUISHED PLAY “PIPPIN” NAMED DISTINGUISHED REVIVAL OF A MUSICAL “WHO’S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF” NAMED DISTINGUISHED REVIVAL OF A PLAY NATHAN LANE RECEIVES DISTINGUISHED PERFORMANCE AWARD STAR STUDDED CEREMONY HELD MAY 17 TH AT THE MARRIOTT MARQUIS TIMES SQUARE New York, NY (May 17, 2013) – The Drama League (Executive Director, Gabriel Shanks) announced today the winners for the 79 th Annual Drama League Awards :  Distinguished Production of a  Musical , Kinky Boots ;  presented by Diane Paulus ;  Distinguished Play, Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike , presented by Pam MacKinnon ;  Distinguished Revival of a Musical, Pippin , presented by Alex Timbers ;  Distinguished Revival of a Play, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf, presented by Rachel Chavkin ; Distinguished Performance, Nathan Lane, presented by Debra Messing at a star-studded luncheon ceremony hosted by Ms. Messing and David Hyde Pierce at the Marriott Marquis Times Square (1535 Broadway). In addition to the competitive categories, Tony®, Drama Desk® and Grammy® Award winner Bernadette Peters was honored with the Distinguished Achievement in Musical Theatre Award in recognition of her contribution to the musical theatre, presented by Emmy® Award winner Mary Tyler Moore ;  Madison Square Garden Entertainment & the Rockettes were honored with the Unique Contribution to the Theatre Award for the continuing efforts in promoting live theatre presented by Tony® Award-winner Tommy Tune ;  and Tony® Award-winner Jerry Mitchell was honored with The Founders Award for Excellence in Directing, presented by pop icon Cyndi Lauper . Messing and Pierce led a team of Broadway’s luminaries who served as Honorary Co-Chairs for the 79 TH Annual Drama League Awards that included Bobby Cannavale, Alan Cumming, Edie Falco, Judith Ivey, Nathan Lane, Judith Light, Patina Miller, Donna Murphy, Fiona Shaw, Holland Taylor, Cicely Tyson and Michael Urie. The Honorary Co-Chairs served as ambassadors for The Drama League Awards and the excellence of the New York theatre season, and welcomed the attendees of the Awards Luncheon at a cocktail reception prior to the ceremony. For the first time in its history, The Drama League welcomed stage directors to its esteemed dais of performers as awards presenters for the major categories.  The 2013 Award Presenters, all of whom are alumni of The Drama League Directors Project, included Rachel Chavkin, Pam MacKinnon, Diane Paulus and Alex Timbers . During the ceremony, The Drama League introduced the 2013 Fellows of The Drama League Directors Project :  Georgi Georgiev Antiqua , Elizabeth Carlson, Will Detlefsen, Dimitar Ivanov Dimitrov, Vesselin Dimov, Alexandru Mihail , Raphael Massie , Louisa Proske, Jamila Reddy , Samantha Saltzman, Danny Sharron , Jordan Slaveykov, Nicole A. Watson, and Lian Walden . First awarded in 1922 and formalized in 1935, The Drama League Awards are the oldest theatrical honors in America. They are the only major theatergoer awards chosen by audience members — specifically, by the thousands of Drama League members nationwide who attend Broadway and Off-Broadway productions. The Drama League Awards honor distinguished productions, performances, and exemplary career achievements in musical theatre and directing. The first Drama League Award was presented to Katharine Cornell in 1935. Since then, the Distinguished Performance Award has been accorded to a roster of theatre legends such as Audra McDonald, Liam Neeson, Hugh Jackman, Patti LuPone, Glenn Close, Liev Schreiber, Sir John Gielgud, Harvey Fierstein, Cherry Jones, Alec Guinness, James Earl Jones, Julie Harris, Helen Hayes, Jeremy Irons, Mary-Louise Parker, Sir Ian McKellen, Bernadette Peters, and Christopher Plummer . 2013 DRAMA LEAGUE AWARDS WINNERS DISTINGUISHED PRODUCTION OF A MUSICAL Kinky Boots Al Hirschfeld Theatre Book by Harvey Fierstein; Music and Lyrics by Cyndi Lauper Directed by Jerry Mitchell Daryl Roth, Hal Luftig, James L. Nederlander, Terry Allen Kramer, Independent Presenters Network, CJ E&M, Jayne Baron Sherman, Just For Laughs Theatricals/Judith Ann Abrams, Yasuhiro Kawana, Jane Bergere, Allan S. Gordon and Adam S. Gordon, Ken Davenport, Hunter Arnold, Lucy and Phil Suarez, Bryan Bantry, Ron Fierstein and Dorsey Regal, Jim Kierstead/Gregory Rae, BB Group/Christina Papagjika, Michael DeSantis/Patrick Baugh, Brian Smith/Tom and Connie Walsh, Warren Trepp and Jujamcyn Theaters, producers * * * DISTINGUISHED PRODUCTION OF A PLAY Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike Lincoln Center Theatre/Golden Theatre by Christopher Durang Directed by Nicholas Martin Joey Parnes, Larry Hirschhorn, Joan Raffe/Jhett Tolentino, Martin Platt and David Elliot, Pat Flicker Addiss, Catherine Adler, John O'Boyle, Joshua Goodman, Jamie deRoy/Richard Winkler, Cricket Hooper Jiranek/Michael Palitz, Mark S. Golub and David S. Golub, Radio Mouse Entertainment, Shadowcatcher Entertainment, Mary Cossette/Barbara Manocherian, Megan Savage/Meredith Lynsey Schade, Hugh Hysell/Richard Jordan, Cheryl Wiesenfeld/Ron Simons, S.D. Wagner, John Johnson, producers, in association with McCarter Theatre Center and Lincoln Center Theater * * * DISTINGUISHED REVIVAL OF A MUSICAL Pippin Music Box Theatre Book by Roger O. Hirson, Music and Lyrics by Stephen Schwartz Directed by Diane Paulus Barry and Fran Weissler, Howard and Janet Kagan, Lisa Matlin, Kyodo Tokyo, A&A Gordon/Brunish Trinchero, Tom Smedes/Peter Stern, Broadway Across America, Independent Presenters Network, Norton Herrick, Allen Spivak, Rebecca Gold, Joshua Goodman, Stephen E. McManus, David Robbins/Bryan S. Weingarten, Philip Hagemann/Murray Rosenthal, Jim Kierstead/.Carlos Arana/Myla Lerner, Hugh Hayes/Jamie Cesa/Jonathan Reinis, Sharon A. Carr/Patricia R. Klausner, Ben Feldman, Square 1 Theatrics, Wendy Federman/Carl Muellenberg, Bruce Robert Harris/Jack W. Batman, Infinity Theatre Company/Michael Rubenstein, and Michael A. Alden/Dale Badway/Ken Mahoney, producers * * * DISTINGUISHED REVIVAL OF A PLAY Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? Booth Theatre by Edward Albee Directed by Pam MacKinnon Jeffrey Richards, Jerry Frankel, Susan Quint Gallin, Mary Lu Roffe, Kit Seidel, Amy Danis and Mark Johannes, Patty Baker, Mark S. Golub and David S. Golub, Richard Gross, Jam Theatricals, Cheryl Lachowicz, Michael Palitz, Dramatic Forces/Angelina Fiordellisi, Luigi and Rose Caiola, Ken Greiner, Kathleen K. Johnson, Kirmser Ponturo Fund, Will Trice, and GFour Productions, producers * * * DISTINGUISHED PERFORMANCE AWARD Nathan Lane The Nance * * * DISTINGUISHED ACHIEVEMENT IN MUSICAL THEATRE Bernadette Peters * * * UNIQUE CONTRIBUTION TO THE THEATRE Madison Square Garden Entertainment & the Rockettes * * * FOUNDERS AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN DIRECTING Jerry Mitchell

Categoria: teatro | Fonte: stage-directions.com

The Broadway League has named the winners of the 2013 Broadway League Awards, which honor “excellence and achievement for touring Broadway.” Among the winners were: Douglas C. Baker, the producing director of Center Theatre Group, who won the Samuel J. L’Hommedieu Award for Outstanding Achievement in Presenter Management; the award for Outstanding Achievement in Road Marketing was given to Victor Hamburger of Arizona State University Gammage in Tempe, AZ for his dedication to in-house marketing department; Charlotte Wilcox, leader of the Charlotte Wilcox Company, a theatrical general management firm, was bestowed the Distinguished Lifetime Service Award; and Tom Bartlett was honored with The George MacPherson Road Award. THE BROADWAY LEAGUE PRESENTS 2013 LEAGUE AWARDS TO: Charlotte Wilcox, Tom Bartlett, Douglas C. Baker, Victor Hamburger, E.J. Giovannetti, David Slosburg, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City, Inc. and Governor Pat Quinn & the Illinois State Legislature HONORING EXCELLENCE AND ACHIEVEMENT FOR TOURING BROADWAY (New York, NY) May 15, 2013 – The annual Broadway League Awards, honoring excellence and achievement for Touring Broadway, were announced today during the Broadway League’s 2013 Spring Road Conference. First presented in 1992, the Broadway League Awards recognize the contributions of those who have displayed exemplary service to the Broadway industry and are considered innovators of their craft. Charlotte St. Martin, Executive Director of The Broadway League, commented, “League members work tirelessly year-round to bring Broadway shows to patrons in New York and cities across the U.S. and Canada. All of us at The Broadway League are proud to present the League Awards to active members of the industry who consistently go above and beyond to ensure the greatest quality of work.” THE AWARDS Outstanding Achievement in Presenter Management (Samuel J. L’Hommedieu Award) was given to DOUGLAS C. BAKER of The Center Theatre Group in Los Angeles, CA for demonstrating excellence in management. (presented by Nina Lannan) Douglas C. Baker is the Producing Director of Center Theatre Group, and is currently in his 23 rd season with Los Angeles’ premiere theatre company, where he supervises all productions and presentations at the Ahmanson Theatre (seating capacity from 1,650-2,070), Mark Taper Forum (with 739 seats) and the Kirk Douglas Theatre (seats 317). The Ahmanson Theatre, in particular, is somewhat unique in its programming in that CTG produces many of its own productions, remounts current Broadway and West End productions exclusively for Los Angeles audiences, and presents national touring productions. Baker is a graduate of Albion College, an active member of the Broadway League, the Independent Presenters Network, the League of Resident Theatres and National Alliance for Musical Theatre; and is a proud member of the Association of Theatrical Press Agents and Managers. Outstanding Achievement in Road Marketing was given to VICTOR HAMBURGER of Arizona State University Gammage in Tempe, AZ for his dedication to in-house marketing department. (presented by Anita Dloniak and Laura Matalon) Victor Hamburger is the Director of Marketing & Communications at ASU Gammage and is currently in his fifth year serving on The Broadway League’s Road Marketing Committee, currently in the role of Co-Chairman. Hamburger has served on the Spring Road Conference Committee and has participated in the Fall Marketing Forum. Under his leadership, ASU Gammage garnered over 76,000 tickets via subscription. Always wanting to give his patrons the best experience, Hamburger has implemented a new system in order to help avoid ticket fraud and has spearheaded a social media campaign that has successfully connected ASU Gammage to a younger audience. With better interactivity, patrons are experiencing a whole new level of theatre-going thanks to Hamburger. Due to Hamburger’s hard work, ASU Gammage also expanded “Heroes Night,” a night dedicated to the men and women of the armed forces and their service animals. CHARLOTTE WILCOX was bestowed the Distinguished Lifetime Service Award. (presented by Alecia Parker) Charlotte Wilcox is a leader in the Broadway industry. The Charlotte Wilcox Company is a General Management firm that has worked on Broadway since 1997. The Charlotte Wilcox Company has managed numerous Tony Award® winning shows such as Catch Me If You Can, the 2009 revival of West Side Story, The Drowsy Chaperone , and Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. Wilcox is constantly working on innovative shows and strives to keep Broadway filled with fresh new Broadway shows. The Charlotte Wilcox Company has worked on a variety of new Broadway shows such as Elf, [title of show], and Come Fly Away . TOM BARTLETT was honored with The George MacPherson Road Award (Anita Dloniak accepted the award on his behalf.) This is the fourth time this award has been given that honors the memory of George MacPherson, a veteran producer who recognized the vast potential in sharing high quality touring productions with audiences around the world. Tom Bartlett is a professional road warrior who has overseen numerous productions for more than 30 years.  His career as a Production Stage Manager began on Broadway in 1987 with Dreamgirls, followed by The Goodbye Girl, Grease, Cabaret, Movin’ Out, The Phantom Of The Opera and Chicago. National Tours include Priscilla Queen Of The Desert, Chicago, Come Fly Away, Legally Blonde, Shrek, Rent, Dreamgirls, Swing, Lost In Yonkers, South Pacific, Brighton Beach Memoirs, Song And Dance, Rumors, and Driving Miss Daisy . His Las Vegas credits include We Will Rock You, Hairspray and Spamalot . STAR OF TOURING BROADWAY AWARDS, designed to honor board members, government officials, donors and volunteers who have given support to promote and enrich the Broadway Series in their hometowns, were announced for: Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City, Inc. – Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City is a longtime supporter of the performing arts. Their generous donations have led to high quality Broadway productions, education and community programming for their region. They have also co-created a new program with Starlight Theatre, The Blue Awards. This program awards two $2,500 college scholarships to one male and one female senior who have contributed and demonstrated exceptional theatrical achievement. E.J. Giovannetti – E.J. Giovannetti joined the Des Moines Arts Board of Directors in 1982 and since then has remained a vocal and passionate supporter of theatre. He served for 20 years as Mayor of Urbandale, IA and lobbied for a tax proposal that is now the largest source of annual funding for Des Moines Performing Arts. Currently, Giovannetti serves on the Executive Committee of the Des Moines Arts Board of Directors and continues to be a supporter of the Willis Broadway Series and other programs instituted by the Des Moines Performing Arts. Governor Pat Quinn & the Illinois State Legislature – Governor Pat Quinn & the Illinois State Legislature are strong and vocal supporters of the Illinois theatre community. They raise awareness about the essential role theatre, specifically Broadway, plays in the social, economic, and educational growth and vitality of Illinois. Their leadership brought passage of the “Live Theatre Production Tax Credit Act,” only one of three states to overwhelmingly support live theatre. Since its enactment in 2012, the legislation has already supported the musical tryouts of Kinky Boots and Big Fish. David Slosburg – David Slosburg has been on the Board of Directors for Omaha Performing Arts since 2003. He is a community leader and played a critical role in the renovation of the Orpheum Theater. Through his tireless efforts to renovate the Orpheum Theater, Wicked, The Phantom of the Opera, The Lion King and many more productions have all been brought to Omaha. In honor of his dedication, the Orpheum Theater’s 2,600 auditorium space is named “Slosburg Hall.”  

Categoria: teatro | Fonte: stage-directions.com

The Ambassador Theatre Group, the U.K.’s largest theatre owner/operator, has a new beachhead in America. Its subsidiary, Lyric Theatre LLC, has bought the Foxwoods Theatre from Live Nation. The Foxwoods, currently home to Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark , is located on 42d St., and is Broadway’s largest theatre. ATG’s subsidiaries have produced shows in the U.S. before, and this new theatre will “mark a significant increase” in their production activites in the U.S., though they say that there are no plans to move Spider-Man, and that they want the show “at the theatre for a very long time.” AMBASSADOR THEATRE GROUP ACQUIRES THE BIGGEST THEATER ON BROADWAY Ambassador Theatre Group (ATG), the UK’s largest theatre owner/operator and a multi award winning theater production group, has through its subsidiary, Lyric Theatre LLC, acquired The Foxwoods Theatre from Live Nation Entertainment. The Foxwoods Theatre, the largest theater on Broadway, is situated in a prime 42 nd Street location, opened in 1997 and seats nearly 2000 people. It is home to SPIDER-MAN Turn off the Dark , the most talked about show on Broadway. This strategic acquisition makes The Foxwoods Theatre ATG’s 40 th venue and comes just months after ATG announced plans to expand overseas into key international territories including North America, Australia and the Asia Pacific Region. Berenson & Company LLC acted as the exclusive financial advisor to Ambassador Theatre Group with respect to this transaction. Companies within the ATG Group have, for many years, been active and critically acclaimed producers on Broadway. Recent Broadway productions within the ATG Group have included The Mountaintop starring Samuel L. Jackson and Angela Bassett, Exit the King starring Geoffrey Rush and Susan Sarandon and John Doyle’s award winning production of Stephen Sondheim’s Sweeney Todd . Recent Broadway credits for Sonia Friedman Productions (SFP) include The Book of Mormon , Nice Work If You Can Get It and Jerusalem . Howard Panter and Rosemary Squire , ATG’s co-CEOs, say that the deal for The Foxwoods Theatre will mark a significant increase in activity in North America. “It is no secret that we at ATG have been looking to expand our impressive portfolio of UK theaters, by making acquisitions and alliances in strategic markets around the world,” said Panter . “We have been waiting for the right opportunity and The Foxwoods Theatre is a perfect match for our ambitions.  Ownership of The Foxwoods Theatre within the Group will provide a catalyst to expand in the North American market and to further build on our past production successes in North America.” Squire added, “We are incredibly excited to be operating this beautiful landmark facility, situated right at the heart of one of the world’s most iconic streets for theater and we hold great esteem for Cora Cahan and The New 42 nd Street, Inc. and their impressive vision to preserve and restore the historic theaters of 42 nd Street. It is a great privilege for our Group to be entrusted with the guardianship of this magnificent New York Theatre. The Foxwoods Theatre management are exceptionally dedicated, passionate and diligent and we look forward to working alongside our new colleagues in North America.” Panter said: “ SPIDER-MAN Turn off the Dark is a truly ground-breaking musical and is known to millions of people around the world. We’re looking forward to having SPIDER-MAN and producers Michael Cohl and Jere Harris at the theatre for a very long time, thrilling audiences and often bringing them to Broadway for the very first time.” Michael Rapino , President and Chief Executive Officer of Live Nation Entertainment, said, “My team at Live Nation worked very hard to find the right buyer for The Foxwoods Theatre and we are confident that the Ambassador Theatre Group will ensure a bright future for this historic theater. We will continue to focus on delivering live music to our fans.” Erich Jungwirth , previously Vice President Theatrical for The Foxwoods is remaining with the venue as the Chief Operating Officer for Lyric Theatre, LLC. Editors Notes ATG is British theater’s great commercial success story of the past 20 years. Co-founded by Howard Panter and Rosemary Squire in 1992, ATG is the largest owner/operator of theaters in the UK with 39 venues, an internationally recognized theater producer with co-productions in New York, across North America, Europe, Asia and Australia and a leader in theater ticketing services through ATG Tickets. Bucking current retail trends, ATG continues to achieve steady year-on-year growth. ATG Production output is currently at its highest ever presenting an average of 30 productions a year, demonstrating the unique quality and range of ATG Productions in a diverse number of theaters and markets worldwide. ATG has been behind some of the most successful and innovative productions in Britain and internationally and has subsidiary offices in London, New York and Sydney. ATG production companies and partnerships include Sonia Friedman Productions (SFP), First Family Entertainment (FFE), Jerry Mitchell Productions, Tali Pelman Productions, Jamie Lloyd Productions and Theatre Royal Brighton Productions. Current and recent ATG co-productions include Macbeth starring James McAvoy, The Hothouse starring Simon Russell Beale and John Simm, Passion Play starring Zoë Wanamaker, Posh, Jumpy starring Tamsin Greig and Constellations starring Rafe Spall and Sally Hawkins (Royal Court at the Duke of York’s), Dolly Parton’s 9 to 5 The Musical , Priscilla Queen of the Desert , Legally Blonde the Musical , Monty Python’s Spamalot , The Rocky Horror Show , Goodnight Mister Tom , The Mystery of Charles Dickens , Lincoln Center’s production of South Pacific starring Samantha Womack and Paulo Szot, All New People starring Zach Braff, Ghost the Musical , Matthew Bourne’s Nutcracker! , Being Shakespeare starring Simon Callow, The Misanthrope starring Damian Lewis and Keira Knightley, West Side Story , Elling and Guys and Dolls starring Ewan McGregor.

Categoria: teatro | Fonte: stage-directions.com

GLP started its U.S. operations in 2009 German Light Products is now a Sustaining Member of USITT. As part of their plan to expand their footprint in the U.S. the company has joined with USITT to advance their mission to connect performing arts technology communities. GLP Becomes Sustaining Member of USITT GLP German Light Products Inc. has announced that it has proudly become a Sustaining Member of USITT, the United States Institute for Theatre Technology. President of GLP Inc., Mark Ravenhill said “Since we started our US operations in 2009, we have been endeavouring to support more and more of the valuable associations within our industry, and we are very proud that we can now call ourselves members of USITT.” USITT is a not-for-profit Corporation and is operated exclusively for charitable, educational and scientific purposes. Carl Wake, Technical Director of GLP Inc. added, “We are very excited about working with, and supporting the organisation and in particular its student membership in any way that we can. Having done many years of product and application training through my career, I see some exciting opportunities ahead.” For more info about German Light Products, please visit www.germanlightproducts.com  

Categoria: teatro | Fonte: stage-directions.com

  The renovations at the Public Theater were finished in the fall of 2012. The Public Theater in New York City has successfully completed its Going Public Capital Campaign, having raised $42 million. The campaign paid for the renovation of its downtown home at Astor Place. The renovation was finished in the fall of 2012, and opened up the building to the street and transformed the lobby into a public “piazza.” Several of the larger gifts are being honored with named spaces, including the Ford Foundation Lobby ($2 million), the Whitton-Spector Library ($1 million), the Taub Box Office ($1 million), the Levin Mezzanine ($1 million). Other large donors include the LuEsther T. Mertz Charitable Trust ($1 million), Meryl Streep ($1 million, in honor of Nora Ephron and Joseph Papp), Bernard and Anne Spitzer Charitable Trust ($4 million), and the Susan Stein Shiva Foundation ($750,000). The largest donor, though, was the city of New York itself, with gave $28.5 million through the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, the New York City Council and the Manhattan Borough President. THE PUBLIC THEATER ANNOUNCES COMPLETION OF GOING PUBLIC CAPITAL CAMPAIGN Landmark Institution Receives Major Gifts In Support of Revitalization Of Downtown Home at Astor Place May 13, 2013 – The Public Theater (Public Theater Artistic Director Oskar Eustis and Executive Director Patrick Willingham) announced today that it has successfully completed its Going Public Capital Campaign by raising $42 million.  The landmark institution has also received generous major gifts in support of its newly revitalized downtown home at Astor Place, resulting in several named spaces.  Fundraising continues throughout the year for community-based Public Theater programming, including Shakespeare in the Park, Mobile Shakespeare Unit, Public Works, and the Writers’ Initiative. The Library at The Public Theater , the intimate room that serves as the home for the acclaimed restaurant, has been named The Whitton-Spector Library in honor of Board Chair Warren Spector and his wife Margaret Whitton whose $1 million gift served as the first leadership commitment of the campaign. Spector joined The Public Theater Board in 2000 and was instrumental in the completion of the Going Public Capital Campaign. The Public Theater box office, now positioned prominently in the center of the renovated lobby, has been named the Taub Box Office in appreciation of a $1 million gift toward the capital campaign from The Henry and Marilyn Taub Foundation . Henry Taub joined The Public Theater Board in 1978 and was named an Honorary Board Member in 1996. Thirty five years later, the family is still represented on the Board, currently by Henry’s son, Steven Taub, who has been serving as a Trustee since 1997. A popular addition to The Public’s renovation is the new mezzanine overlooking the lobby that is open to the public and is available as a resource to the community as well as a meeting space for artists and audiences.  This area will now be called the Levin Mezzanine , named in honor of The Philip and Janice Levin Foundation who generously donated $1 million to help ensure that The Public Theater remains a focal point of the city’s cultural landscape and community. The LuEsther T. Mertz Charitable Trust , long-time funder and friend of The Public Theater, gave a $1 million grant to support the revitalization of the historic building. In addition, they contributed significant funding to support The Public’s rededication events last fall and ongoing institutional branding.  The Trust, and The Public’s former Chairman LuEsther T. Mertz, have provided leadership support to the organization since The Public Theater first opened its doors in its downtown home. “We are immensely grateful to our community, whose gifts, large and small, have made this revitalization possible,” said Artistic Director Oskar Eustis . “The philanthropic support of individuals and foundations represents one of the great achievements of American democracy: the consistent understanding that private wealth has the most impact when redirected to public purposes.” “This is an important time in The Public’s history as we successfully conclude our capital campaign and establish ourselves as a center for culture, arts and ideas in our newly renovated home at Astor Place,” said Executive Director Patrick Willingham . “We have been extremely fortunate to have received so many generous gifts that have been vital to our continued growth and will be instrumental as we rededicate ourselves to our mission and goals and begin to plan for the next 50 years.” The Going Public Capital Campaign was funded through a public-private partnership. Individuals, foundations, corporations, as well as state and local government all contributed to the project that raised $42 million, including an initial $28.5 million provided by the City of New York through the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, the New York City Council and the Manhattan Borough President. “Starting with Joe Papp’s free Shakespeare performances in East River Park more than a half century ago, The Public Theater has played a remarkable role in New York’s cultural life,” said Cultural Affairs Commissioner Kate D. Levin . “The City is pleased to have joined these generous private partners in insuring that The Public can present exciting work in its beautifully renovated home on Astor Place for generations to come.” Other significant gifts in support of The Public’s revitalization and ongoing mission-based programming include a $2 million grant from the Ford Foundation which included renaming the lobby the “Ford Foundation Lobby;” a $1 million gift from Meryl Streep in honor of Nora Ephron and Joseph Papp; $4 million from the Bernard and Anne Spitzer Charitable Trust to support free Shakespeare in the Park and The Public Theater’s downtown home at Astor Place; a $750,000 gift from the Susan Stein Shiva Foundation in honor of the long history the Shiva family has with The Public  Theater, beginning with Susan Stein Shiva who was one of the founding members of the Board of Trustees; and the successful completion of a $1 million Challenge Grant from The Kresge Foundation wherein The Public raised private funds to match the generous gift. ABOUT THE PUBLIC THEATER’S DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION Completed in October 2012, the revitalization of The Public Theater’s downtown home at Astor Place physically manifests the Company’s core mission of sparking new dialogues and increasing accessibility for artists and audiences by dramatically opening up its landmark building to the street and community, and transforming the lobby into a public piazza for artists, students, and audiences. Designed by Ennead Architects and constructed by Westerman Construction, the project encompasses enhancements to the building’s interior and exterior while preserving the historic structure. Key elements of the design include infrastructure updates to the 158-year old building, as well as construction of new exterior entry stair and glass canopy; installation of ramps for improved accessibility; an expanded and refurbished lobby; the addition of a mezzanine level with a new lounge, The Library at The Public, designed by the Rockwell Group; expansion and remodeling of restroom facilities; and comprehensive exterior restoration, ensuring stability of the landmark façade. ABOUT THE PUBLIC THEATER AT ASTOR PLACE Under the leadership of Artistic Director Oskar Eustis and Executive Director Patrick Willingham, 
The Public Theater is the only theater in New York that produces Shakespeare and the classics, musicals, contemporary and experimental pieces in equal measure. The Public continues the work of its visionary founder, Joe Papp, by acting as an advocate for the theater as an essential cultural force, and leading and framing dialogue on some of the most important issues of our day.  Creating theater for one of the largest and most diverse audience bases in New York City for nearly 60 years, today the Company engages audiences in a variety of venues—including its landmark downtown home at Astor Place, which houses five theaters and Joe’s Pub; the Delacorte Theater in Central Park, home to its beloved, free Shakespeare in the Park; and the Mobile Unit, which tours Shakespearean productions for underserved audiences throughout New York City’s five boroughs and beyond.  The Public’s wide range of programming includes free Shakespeare in the Park, the bedrock of the Company’s dedication to making theater accessible to all, new and experimental stagings at The Public at Astor Place, and a range of artist and audience development initiatives including its Public Forum series, which brings together theater artists and professionals from a variety of disciplines for discussions that shed light on social issues explored in Public productions.  The Public Theater is located on property owned by the City of New York and receives annual support from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs. The LuEsther T. Mertz Charitable Trust provides leadership support for The Public Theater’s year-round activities.   www.publictheater.org

Categoria: teatro | Fonte: stage-directions.com