Year Five Overview
Over our first four years, we consistently examined our unique opportunities as a small theatre company, and moved away from a traditional “season” of mainstage productions to a year-long model of eclectic theatrical events. Our mad experiment worked, as concentrating more resources into fewer full scale projects made them more successful on a variety of fronts, while our series of inspired, limited-engagement events helped us reach new audiences.
In envisioning Year Five, we took all we learned and added a twist, as we were honored to be named the first company in residence at the Multicultural Arts Center in East Cambridge, MA. Among other benefits, having a home allows us to build a relationship with a specific neighborhood, and to focus our efforts on creating engaging and accessible events, rather than spinning our wheels in a constant search for performance and rehearsal space. The main focus of our year-long residency is the development and production of Dark Room, a world premiere written by George Brant, and inspired by the life, death and photography of Francesca Woodman. We also peppered in two signature events: a Halloween-themed reprise of last year’s Marvelous Party, and a Valentine’s Day Shakespeare performance featuring the Bard’s most iconic couples. Moving ahead, we’ll continue playing to our unique strengths, to prioritize quality over quantity, and to strive ever higher in realizing our mission to create theatrical experiences that connect us to each other, our community, and our own humanity. Please join us! |
YEAR 5 FINALE
Dark Room
A WORLD PREMIERE BY GEORGE BRANT
INSPIRED BY THE LIFE, DEATH + PHOTOGRAPHY OF FRANCESCA WOODMAN
PLAYING JULY 28 - AUGUST 16, 2018 AT THE MULTICULTURAL ARTS CENTER
Synopsis
A figure in the wall paper. A floating door. A bowl of eels. Wings.
These and other images have been left behind in the haunting, black and white photography of Francesca Woodman, a prolific prodigy who died by suicide in 1981 at the age of 22. Decades later, her work, her life, and her death captured the imagination of Playwright George Brant, author of Dark Room. In the play, eleven scenes unfold, each inspired by a different photograph from Woodman's canon. A single, silent protagonist -- a simple girl in a polka dot dress -- navigates the journey. At once humorous, dark, eerie, and poetic, Dark Room will play this summer in the stunning Multicultural Arts Center. Please join us for an unforgettable theatrical event. |
Development Process
As the focus of our fifth year -- and first in residence at the Multicultural Arts Center -- we held five developmental workshops, each three days in length, to explore Dark Room. We looked specifically at scene study, movement, design elements, and even enjoyed a visit from George Brant himself. Each workshop culminated with a public viewing, where we shared our process with audience members, and also took in their feedback. Think of the whole process like "research and development" for the theatre. Below, check out some of our favorite workshop photos.
|
Creative Team
Director ..... Olivia D'Ambrosio
Associate Director + Dramaturg ..... Alexander Platt Movement ..... Doppelgänger Dance Collective Scenic Design ..... Ryan Bates Costume Design ..... Chelsea Kerl Lighting Design ..... Stephen Petrilli Sound Design ..... Elizabeth Cahill Properties Design ..... Esme Allen Cast Including Liz Adams, Sara Burd, Siobhan Carroll, Kelly Chick, Meredith Gosselin*, Megan Hornblower, Maureen Keiller*, Deniz Khateri, Alexandria King, Meghan Leathers*, Gillian Mariner Gordon*, Lourdes Martinez, Cheryl McMahon*, Celeste Oliva*, Kate Paulsen, Laura Payne, Korinne Ritchey, Jennifer Rohn*, Mikaela Sacoccio, Vijaya Sundaram, Elaine Vaan Hogue, Jade Wheeler* Production Stage Manager ..... Dominique D. Burford* Assistant Stage Manager ..... Arkansas Light* Associate Producer ..... John Tracey Production Manager ..... Ryan McDonald Assistant to the Associate Producer ..... Stephen Strenio Assistant Director ..... Caley Chase *Member, Actors' Equity Association |
OTHER YEAR 5 EVENTS | FALL 2017
The Marvelous Party: Halloween
TUES, OCT 31, 7PM - 10PM
PART POE.
PART KNOWLES.
ALL MARVELOUS.
OTHER YEAR 5 EVENTS | WINTER 2018
Valentine's Day SHAKE Up:
A Night With Shakespeare's Iconic Couples
WED FEB 14 - SAT FEB 17 | 730PM - 9PM
|