The Essential Theatre New Play Reading Series (DC)

You Are Invited!

The Artistic Community is cordially invited to closed table readings of new and current plays in development in The Essential Theatre’s New Play Reading Series. There is no admission requirement. Space is limited and all interested artist, literary personnel and invited guest are asked to RSVP by calling (202) 328-0569. All table readings will begin at 6:00 P.M. in room 221 of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library located at 901 G Street, NW, in downtown Washington, DC (one blk from DC’s Chinatown., on the following dates:

Monday December 7th, 6:00 PM
Blues Theme for Talladega, by Cornell H. Calhoun, III
Third Draft

It’s 1956 in, Talladega, Alabama and the operations of the Klu Klux Klan are alive and well. Young colored men have been disappearing. The owner of the local thriving family business has discovered the evidence and the Talladega Klan will get it back at any cost.

Monday December 14th 6:00 PM
Betty’s Wish, by La’Chris Jordan
First Draft

The family matriarch has fallen into a deep, life-threatening coma. Only a divisive blood transfusion will save her that‘s against the family’s religious beliefs. Betty’s husband is determined to keep her alive despite objections of some family members who hold fast to church doctrines.

Monday December 21st 6:00 PM
Samson and Ms. Delilah, by Natalie Blank
First Draft

Prostitution has been legalized in the United States and Ms. Delilah is the leading lady of the bunch. The highest paid and most beautiful unionized “Eve;” All men want her but only few can afford her. A young writer holds information that could destroy her career.

About the Program
The New Play Reading Series is created to give voice to the work of new and established playwrights. It is in substance an incubator that serves to nurture the work for a three-year period in a supportive and collaborative environment with other artisans, actors and directors. Further, it is a forum where audience members are welcomed to engage in an open dialogue with the playwright and director about the issues presented in the material as well as techniques used to present them. The New Play Reading Series was established in the spring of 1992.

For more info contact (202) 328-0569.
For Public transportation call (202) 637-7000 or visit metroopensdoors.com.

Please click the post's title to visit website.

Thank you,
The Essential Theatre
S. Robert Morgan, Founder/Artistic Director

WIN VALUABLE PRIZES at Marion J Caffey's 3 MO' DIVAS Crossroads Theatre production (New Brunswick)

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Please click post's title to learn more and to buy tickets.

Red Harlem Readers

Blackboard Reading Series Call For Plays (NYC)

Thanks to all who attended Shaun Neblett's Homage 1: Illmatic, last week!

We had a wonderful crowd, dynamic talk-back and lovely reception!

There was a true sense of community, yet again! Thank You!

Check out our photos on our website:

Next Month: COMMUNITY EVENING!

Playwrights: SEND samples of your plays, we will select and you will present 10 pages

Actors: Come to be cast in a play and cold-read... arrive early by 7pm

The Fun begins during COMMUNITY EVENINGS!

See you, December 14th, 7:30pm @ the cell!

RSVP by email or Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=202147274601

Playwrights, send the scripts to this address (blackboardreadingseries@gmail.com)

Stay Tuned for more videos, and interviews from Blackboard Reading Series!

Twitter: http://twitter.com/blackboardplays

You Tube: http://www.youtube.com/user/blackboardplays

www.blackboardplays.com

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BlackBoard Reading Series
2nd Mondays
the cell theatre
338 W. 23rd (23rd b/t 8th and 9th Ave.)
www.blackboardplays.com
thecelltheatre.org

Julie Hebert's TREE now thru 12/13 (LA)

LA Times: CRITICS CHOICE
LA Weekly: GO!
Ovation Recommended

Ensemble Studio Theatre-LA
presents

TREE
Written by Julie Hebert
Directed by Jessica Kubzansky
Produced by Laura Jane Salvato & Isabel Storey

Three generations divided by race, culture and time connect when a white Southern woman discovers old love letters leading her to an African-American half-brother.

with
Chuma Gault, Sloan Robinson,
Tessa Thompson, Jacqueline Wright

Scenic & Lighting Design - Brian Sidney Bembridge
Original Music & Sound Design - Bruno Louchouarn
Costume Design - Leah Piehl
Production Stage Manager - Rebecca Cohn

Thru December 13

Thurs, Fri, Sat @ 8 pm
Sun @ 3 & 7 pm

Understudy Performances: Thurs., Nov. 19 & Fri., Nov. 27
See TREE with a different cast!
Pay-what-you- can at the door

[Inside] the Ford
2580 Cahuenga Blvd. East
Hollywood, CA 90068
(just off the 101, across the freeway from the Hollywood Bowl)

BUY TICKETS:
323-461-3673 or www.FordTheatres. org

General Admission: $20
All Thursdays and Fri., Nov. 27: Pay-what-you- can at the door

PARKING: FREE on-site

Please click the post's title to visit the Ford Theatres website and to buy tickets.

What, no African Americans? Broadway Space's Top 30 Under 30

BroadwaySpace.com picks Broadway's Hottest Young Stars. Not one African American made the cut. What's wrong with this picture? To read the article, please click the post's title.

Marion J. Caffey's 3 MO' DIVAS opens Thursday (New Brunswick)

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Please click post's title to visit Crossroads Theatre website to buy tickets.

Call for African American Scripts

Looking for African American based scripts (Los Angeles)

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Date: 2009-11-14, 3:47PM PST
Reply to: info@mysteryincentertainment.com ^{[Errors when replying to ads?]}

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We are looking for scripts based on African Americans and the social hardships they have had to endure. (Preferrably a period-piece and a love story dealing with racism)
To be produced for about $1 million. Please keep this budget in mind when submitting.

Please send logline and synopsis/treatment to info@mysteryincentertainment.com with Subject title: African American script-"NAME OF SCRIPT"

• Location: Los Angeles
• it's NOT ok to contact this poster with services or other commercial interests
• Compensation: TBD

PostingID: 1466365316

Source: Craig's List

Red Harlem Readers

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Crossroads offers prizes at three performances of Marion J. Caffey's 3 MO' DIVAS (New Brunswick)

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To buy tickets, please click the post's title.

Shaun Neblett's ILLMATIC tonight at Blackboard at the cell (NYC)

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Please click post's title to visit Blackboard Plays.

Call for Plays (Deadline: 12/31)

Like 7 Devils, this is equally an incredible development opportunity. I've personally been to WordBRIDGE and I can honestly say it changed my life and writing. Here are the details below. Neither 7 Devils or WordBRIDGE requires a fee to apply. Bravo.

Greg Garrison
The Loop

Playwrights applying for the laboratory should:
1. Complete an online application, available through http://www.wordbridge.org/. Details of what to include are available on the website now.
2. Upload a copy of your script (only one per person, limit of three per institution)
3. Provide the name of your nominator (unless the nominator contacted us first; then use thesame email address of yours that the nominator would have provided)
4. Make sure your nominator writes and uploads a letter of support; without this letter, no application is complete. We will confirm with you once your application is complete. We place no restrictions on either genre or length.

Please check post's title for application.

Source: The Loop

Call for Plays (Deadline: 12/31)

7 Devils is just about one of the best development deals going on in the country. 2 weeks in residence, you, your play, loving people interested in taking it to the next level. Can't recommend it enough.

Greg Garrison
The Loop

Please click the post's title to go to the 7 Devils submission page.

Source: The Loop

New Federal Theatre presents Samm-Art Williams THE MONTFORD POINT MARINE 11/22 (NYC)

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Please click the post's title to visit the New Federal Theatre website.

Red Harlem Readers

Von H. Washington's VIEWS FROM MY WINDOW now available!

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This is Von's second book of published plays. Order at www.authorhouse.com.

For booking, please click the post's title. Or call 269-342-7301.

MAKING IT ON BROADWAY! Intensive (NYC)

One of our most popular giveaways of the year is the master class at the "Making it on Broadway" Intensive. Read below for your chance to win a FREE master class or save $50 off the Winter Intensive!

"Making it on Broadway" is a week long intensive in the heart of New York City where students learn what it takes to be on Broadway! Participating in classes taught ONLY by Broadway professionals, students get to work with and perform for pros from every aspect of the business including casting directors, agents, producers, composers, directors, Broadway stars, and more! Over 10 Different Core Training classes are offered as well as Master Classes every day!

There are 2 intensives coming up: December 27-January 2 and January 4-January 9

For a limited time, you can save $50 on either of these intensives just for being a member of BroadwaySpace! To sign up, just email http://us.mc1107.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=jodie@makingitonbroadway.net.

And make sure to add "Making it on Broadway" as a friend on BroadwaySpace! One of their friends will be chosen to win a FREE master class with SUTTON FOSTER, GAVIN CREEL, ALICE RIPLEY, KELLI O'HARA, ANA GASTAYER and more! The winner will be chosen on November 16! Go here to add "Making it on Broadway" as a friend now: http://www.broadwayspace.com/profile/MakingitonBroadway
Sa'iyda Shabazz, who won master classes with Roger Bart and Andrea Burns in the last contest, wrote a blog about her experience on BroadwaySpace. Check it out here: http://www.broadwayspace.com/profiles/blogs/making-it-on-broadway

We'll see you at "Making it on Broadway"!

Please click post's title to visit BroadwaySpace.com for more information.

AAPEX Interview: Candice Myers

I first encountered actress Candice Myers in 2007, when I was reviewing films for The Southern Appalachian International Film Festival. Candice showed up in two completely unrelated films, EYE WAS BLIND and ZERO POSTERITY, playing two completely different characters. I thoroughly enjoyed her work and have been keeping up with her since then. I have asked her to share something about her background and her current projects. Below are her responses.
Jaz

What role did theater and the arts play in your childhood and upbringing?
I started to become active in the theater world when I was in junior high school. I had a really challenging English teacher, Mrs. O’Leary, who had me studying hours for her almost daily “pop” quizzes. She directed us in an excerpt performance of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” – my part was as the Prologue in the craftsmen’s earnest yet humorous performance of "Pyramus and Thisbe". All of our hard work paid off, because we ended up presenting our piece at the Folger Theater in Washington, D.C.

In high school I was a member of the Forensics acting team, performing pieces from William Blake and a group piece from a wonderful book “Shrapnel in the Heart”, a collection of letters left at the Vietnam Memorial. The summer between junior and senior year, we had to put together a group presentation for my A.P. English class on our choice from several books. My group chose “A Streetcar Named Desire” and we filmed scenes from the play – I was Blanche. Then in the spring I became active in our very popular musical theater program. The shows were brilliantly directed and attracted a lot of people from the local community in Bethesda, MD. That season the show was “Gypsy” and I just loved it, and couldn’t believe I had waited until my senior year to participate. Our music director had someone transpose the score so that she could add a chorus to the show, giving more students an opportunity to participate. I was in the chorus and was one of the Torreadorables. I still walk around the house singing all of those songs!

Tell us about your own evolution as an artist.
In the beginning, acting was an extracurricular activity for me. Based on my parents’ expectations, that’s how I always viewed it, all the way through college. I was going to get my college degree and enter the business world, then get a graduate degree – the whole standard track. As I entered the world of office work, it just didn’t resonate for me and I decided to pursue an acting career. I’ve been hooked ever since.

When I first starting working as a professional actress, I had this warped point of view, in which I wanted people to like the characters that I was playing. Then I worked on a film where I had the lead role and was the heroine, but when we had our screening, I saw that the audience was most interested in the villainous characters. My very next role after that, I played a villain and saw first-hand how rewarding those roles can be as well. Now, I don’t worry about if the audience will “like” me. I focus on working with quality scripts, actors, and crew, and doing the very best that I can to do justice to my characters and bring them to life truthfully – which is how I should have approached my work in the first place. In addition, I’m still growing as a person, which allows me to connect with more and more types of characters.

Tell us about the films you have been in recent years.
My most recent film project is a short film “Heart” in which I play the lead role of Samantha, a woman who turns to crime in order to save her daughter’s life. The film was part of the 2009 Staten Island Film Festival and 2009 Martha’s Vineyard Film Festival. I also have a supporting role in the dramatic love story “Indelible”, which should be finished by the end of the year.

Then there is the feature film “Hey Diddle Diddle”, in which I have a day player role. The film has been picked up by AMG-TV, which services 50 million households, and is currently airing as a 7-week, 30-minute primetime television series. “Hey Diddle Diddle” has also been nominated for a 2009 Voice Award. The Voice Awards are sponsored by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, SAMHSA, and the Writers Guild of America west, among others, to recognize entertainment programming that has given an empathetic and accurate "voice" to people with mental disorders.

If you have an interest in seeing my work firsthand, visit my website: www.candice-myers.com.

What are your upcoming projects?
I have a day player role in the psychological thriller “Dark Twisted Karma” which shoots in November.

I am also in talks to play the lead female role in an original production by Ray Aranha of Prometheus’ Fire. Ray played Bono in the original Broadway production of August Wilson's “Fences”.

Roy Berko's YELLOW MAN now thru 11/22 (Cleveland)

Kyle Primous and Kristi Little play lovers who are doomed because of the color of their skin in the award-winning drama “Yellowman," a well-conceived, superbly acted, eye-opening script by Roy Berko . To purchase tickets, please click the post's title.

Join the AUGUST WILSON CENTER Volunteer Corps! (Pittsburgh)

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Please click post's title to visit the August Wilson Center's website.

AAPEX showcases Dr. Frank Dobson's YOUNG MESSIAH'S FLY 11/16 (Nashville)

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Please click post's title to visit
Scarritt Bennett Center website
for more information.

St. Louis Writers' Group presents Jim Greer's BAD THINGS FOR GOOD REASONS Tonight!

St. Louis Writers' Group presents a play reading.

"Bad Things for Good Reasons"

by Jim Greer

The play takes place in rural, southern Missouri at the home of the main character, Al. What starts out as a friendly visit soon turns into a tragedy that will forever change the lives of all those involved. The characters range from Al Peroni( 52 year old, uneducated scam artist), Valerie (a beautiful 22 year old, that is uneducated and has been abused), Billy (26 years old, fun loving maintenance man), Lisa (Billy's 28 year old wife, educated, lusty) and Mark (32 year old high school history teacher, good looking, but very naïve).

About the Author: Jim brings over 30 years of experience in the theatre to his new found interest of playwriting. He is recently retired from SLCC at Meramec. As Director of Theatre he directed over 90 productions and taught a wide variety of theatre related classes. He received his MA in theatre from SIUE. He is very involved with theatre and the arts on a state, regional, and national level. Among his many awards is the Kennedy Center Gold Medallion for achievement in educational theatre. Jim is new to the playwriting experience and he is anxious to put some of his life experiences on paper and the stage.

The St. Louis Writer's Group celebrates four years of script development. Hundreds of scripts have been read, and some have gone on to full productions and publication. Joins us for a cake and a look back on four years of achievements.

TIME: Monday, November 2, at 6:30pm

PLACE: Big Daddy's, 1000 Sidney, St. Louis, MO.

Big Daddy's is located at the corner of 10th Street and Sidney in Soulard. You can find a map of the location on our website. There's no admission charge; refreshments and food may be purchased from the bar/restaurant.

The St. Louis Writers' Group is dedicated to the development of area playwrights, screenwriters and writers of musical theater through reading, discussions and workshops. For more information about this reading or organization or for information about submitting a work for a reading, please click the post's title to visit the SLWG web site, phone 314-865-1296, or send an e-mail to farwemar@aol.com.

UpTown Playwrights presents "Meet The Authors, Hear Their Plays" 11/21 (NYC)

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Marion J. Caffey's 3 MO' DIVAS opens 11/19 at Crossroads Theatre (New Brunswick)

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To buy tickets, please click the post's title.