AAPEX's "Emerging Theatre of the Year 2011": New African Grove Theatre (Atlanta)

AAPEX is pleased to bring to your attention our "Emerging Theatre of the Year 2011" Atlanta's NEW AFRICAN GROVE THEATRE, Keith Franklin, founder & Artistic Director. 

In naming his company, Mr. Franklin references America's first African American Theatre, the African Grove Theatre, which was founded in 1821 by William Alexander Brown and James Hewlet in NYC. The company included famed Shakespearean actor Ira Aldridge, who eventually made his way to Europe and died in Poland. The African Grove Theatre was burned to the ground in 1826.

For more information about the theatre and its upcoming production 7 GUITARS, please click the post's title.

Jaz Dorsey
Dramaturg
The African American Playwrights' Exchange
AAPEX

AAPEX Alert: LMDA Conference July 7-10th (Denver)

My colleague Chad Henry with the Denver Center Theatre Company has asked me to give a shout out to everyone about the upcoming LMDA Conference in Denver - to which all are invited and welcome, whether or not you are members of LMDA  (LMDA being Literary Managers and Dramaturgs of the Americas).

Please take a moment to check the conference out at www.lmda.org  Click on events and then on 2011 Conference.

This year's topic is "The Dramaturg as Public Artist," which I think speaks very much to AAPEX and the work I have been doing over the past 4 years.

Also just had a marvelous time opening MRS. JOHN MARSH in Atlanta and connecting with our AAPEX community there.
Jaz

Atlanta for Dramaturgs

My hometown of Atlanta, Ga. is a fascinating city bursting with theatre. After a 22 year absence, I returned home this past weekend for the opening of MRS. JOHN MARSH - Melita Easter's one woman show about GONE WITH THE WIND author Margaret Mitchell, starring Kandace Christian. (www.mrsjohnmarsh.com) for which I have served as dramaturg.

Being tied to the theatre trying to get the show up and running, I didn't have a chance to get around the city to check out the theatre scene for myself, but I did have the pleasure of hosting quite a few of my Atlanta playwright associates as our guests for the opening weekend performances. There was much gratifying talk about new play readings and development and working with dramaturgs.

On Friday, June 3, I was fortunate enough to hang out with Hank Kimmel, one of the founders of Atlanta's Working Title Playwrights. Our theatre, The Ansley Park Playhouse, is located right next door to The Temple on Peachtree Street, known to most of us thanks to Alfred Uhry's DRIVING MISS DAISY. So Hank and I went to Temple and then to see the play together. Originally from New York, Hank is a member of Atlanta's growing crew of theatre folk who have moved from The Big Apple to The Big Peach.

Working Title Playwrights( www.workingtitleplaywrights.com) has been on my radar for about 3 years, but the organization was formally initiated in 2003 and pretty much every one of my Atlanta playwright friends is either a current or past member. In addition to the expected role of giving playwrights a forum in which to develop their work, Working Title has become an amazing force for developing community in Atlanta theatre and for connecting Atlanta's non-theatre population to the joys of the "legitimate stage" I spent most of the weekend chatting with playwrights connected to Working Title, learning not only about their work but also the work of their friends and colleagues. Based on what I heard, I wouldn't be surprised if Atlanta's next major export is playwrights.

While Atlanta may never rival New York for the sheer number of theatres, it is still a wonderland of theatrical delights, boasting such long time companies as Theatrical Outfit, Horizon Theatre, Actors' Express, 7 Stages, Onion Man, True Colors and, most recently, The New African Grove Theatre - along with the internationally acclaimed Alliance Theatre, where I once worked briefly as Assistant to the Directors in the early 80's. Atlanta also boasts several fine university theatre departments including Georgia State, Emory and Oglethorpe. A great overview of Atlanta's companies can be found at www.atlantaperforms.com

Atlanta's theatre companies are scattered across the city from Decatur to Marietta and even to Cumming, where my associate Mercury runs The Gypsy Theatre Company.

Back in the 1980s, Atlanta's acting community came together to form a group called Actors in Renaissance, which met on Saturday mornings on a monthly basis. Though A.I.R. eventually faded out, it's legacy is strong in the wonderful community of artists it birthed and the fantastic theatre companies which were born out of it's communions.

Two fascinating new works out of Atlanta that have hit my radar in recent times both come out of The Theatrical Outfit. These are Tom Key's adaptation of CONFEDERACY OF DUNCES of a year or so ago, and a new work which opens in August - THE GREEN BOOK by Calvin Ramsey. For those of you unfamiliar, "The Green Book" was a travel guide for African Americans published during the era of segregation. I have yet to read Ramsey's play but am intrigued to see how he approaches his subject.

One jewel of a venue on Peachtree Street is The Ansley Park Playhouse, where our production of MRS. JOHN MARSH runs until June 19th. Ansley Park is an absolute treasure of a 130 seat blackbox with an outstanding young staff lead by the amazing Stan Gentry. It is also home to Atlanta's longest running play, PEACHTREE BATTLE, which debuted just before 9/11 and resumes performances later this summer. The play is about the "Old Atlanta" street that I grew up on, Peachtree Battle Avenue. It' s slightly scandulous and reminds me of the days when I turned my grandmother's home into a Dramaturgy Center back in 1981 - much to the horror of the neighbors! Especially when we started rehearsals for an African version of ROMEO AND JULIET in the back yard!

PEACHTREE BATTLE's authors, John Gibson and Anthony Morris, have found the ultimate location for a Peachtree Street Theatre - right in the nook of a curve about a mile north of The Alliance, where Peachtree Street does a 90% angle on the journey from Mid-Town to Buckhead.

Speaking of Buckhead, 30 years ago I wrote a musical called MANHATTAN BLUES. The central character, Tallulah Buckhead, was an Atlanta deb who wanted to be an actress - NOT very Junior League - but Tallulah follows her dream and makes her mark, and if she were with us today (and maybe she is), I think this is what Tallulah would say about Atlanta:

When I'm dancing at The Shubert Theatre
I'm dancing on Broadway
And when I'm singing at The Shubert Theater
I'm singing on Broadway
But when I'm dancing on Peachtree Street
I'm still dancing on my Broadway feet:
I'm doing Broadway 
Where ever I go.

Come to Atlanta and Go to the Theatre!

Jaz Dorsey
Dramaturg
MRS. JOHN MARSH
www.mrsjohnmarsh. com

AAPEX Founder Jaz Dorsey does Margaret Mitchell this Friday, June 3rd (Atlanta)

Dramaturg Jaz Dorsey will join playwright Melita Easters and actress Kandace Christian this coming Friday evening at The Ansley Park Playhouse after the performance of Easter's MRS: JOHN MARSH - THE WORLD KNEW HER AS MARGARET MITCHELL.

Dorsey is a native of Atlanta, the grandson of Governor Hugh M. Dorsey and a great nephew of Cason Callaway, founder of Callaway Gardens outside of LaGrange, Gerogia. He did his undergraduate work in international studies at Chapel Hill and pioneered the graduate dramaturgy program at Virginia Commonwealth University. After leaving graduate school, he worked briefly as the assistant to the directors at The Alliance Theatre, From 1981 - 1989. Atlanta credits from those years include a "Best Supporting Actor Award" from the AJC, thanks to Director Carey Bynum, designing the set for JACQUES BREL IS ALIVE AND WELL for Director Greg Abbot at Georgia Tech and producing Strindberg's MISS JULIE in conjunction with the royal visit of the King & Queen of Sweden to Atlanta.

Dorsey is also the author of a collection of musicals set in Atlanta, including CAFE ESCARGOT, MANHATTAN BLUES, ALICE IN AMERICA, BABBLEHAGGLE & VAN DR BICH and DON'T ASK/DON'T TELL, all of which have enjoyed popular cabaret runs in NYC.
ALICE IN AMERICA, which was first produced in conjunction with Geroge Lawes at The Performance Garage, was made into a film by Broadway producer Bonnie Comley. Lawes also starred with Janet Metzger as Grant Park and Tallulah Buckhead in a mid 80's version of MANHATTAN BLUES titled DESTINY CALLS COLLECT.

From 1990 - 1997, Dorsey served as production manager in the New York office of Biggs Rosati Productions, sending out bi-lingual productions of French and Spanish classics to high schools across the United States. He also collaborated as composer and lyricist on several of these bi-lingual shows.

In 1999, NELLIE, a musical about America's first female investigative journalist, was produced at The Lamb's Theatre on Times Square, with book by Bernice Lee, music by Jaz Dorsey and lyrics by Dorsey and Lee.

Since 2000, Dorsey has lived in Nashville, Tennessee and is proud to be a part of one of the most exciting theatre communities in history. He is also the 2011 Director of Education for The Southern Appalachian International Film Festival (www.soapiff. com) which is where he first met Melita Easters and learned of MRS. JOHN MARSH.

He is also the founder/dramatug of The African American Playwrights Exchange. 

Dorsey is excited to be joining the author and the star of MRS. JOHN MARSH to share with everyone our incredible journey on the road to Atlanta, including a year of readings in New York & Nashville and the play's journey to The Margaret Mitchell Symposium at the University of Georgia on May 7 of this year, where an audience full of authors of books about Margaret Mitchell gave Kandace Christian an instant standing ovation for her performance of MRS. JOHN MARSH.

The AAPEX Catalog

Just to let everyone know, after 4 years of research which has included over 40 new play readings in cities around the country - which has involved pulling lots of rabbits out of lots of hats -  I can define the AAPEX mission.

AAPEX is a Literary organization, not a theatrical one.

I would like to think that we will all have the joy of seeing our plays produced in our lifetimes. Posthumous fame isn't all it's cracked up to be.

However, I feel it is more important for me at this point to make sure that your scripts are read and studied.

The internet offers us amazing new options and opportunities for making out work available, so the next phase of our progress will be to research and develop an AAPEX catalogue.

Also, while we are on the subject, Alan Woods, Director of the Jerome Lawrence & Robert E. Lee theatre archives at Ohio State has established an AAPEX archive and everyone should consider getting your scripts into the archive. You can find a link to the site on the right.

This idea was first planted in my head by AAPEX founding member and our blog editor, Dave Copeland. If you have not visited the blog lately, check out the interviews with many of our members.

If any one would like to assist with this, please let me know. I could especially use input from any librarians among you.

Also, if you are not a member of the Dramatists Guild, please join.

Jaz

F.L.A.G. auditions for HARLEM RENAISSANCE

Who can audition?

Anyone with a knowledge of the HARLEM RENAISSANCE and an author they would like to read from and singers with songs from the Harlem Renaissance repertoire. Students welcome. You must audition with a selection of 3 - 5 minutes and be able to say something about the author or composer.

Contact me to schedule an audition and to find out more information.

jazmn47@aol.com

Petronia Paley to direct DC Copeland's "Once Upon A Time In Harlem: A Jitterbug Romance"

Petronia Paley

Distinguished actor, director, playwright and teacher Petronia Paley will direct D.C. Copeland's "Once Upon A Time In Harlem: A Jitterbug Romance." Winner of the Jaz Dorsey Fusion Award, this reading is based on the "radio" version of the three-act play which can be found here. Theatre and time TBA. To learn more about Ms. Paley, please click the post's title to visit her website.

Call for Plays (Deadline 6/25/11)

New Play Festival Submissions

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Date: 2011-05-16, 3:43PM EDT
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The Truffle Theatre Company is seeking submissions by emerging playwrights for one act and full length plays for the TTC New Play Festival.

This summer, Truffle Theatre Company is hosting a five day new play festival presenting three to four full length plays and two to four one act plays. Each play will have a staged reading and be seen by industry professionals and producers.

Guidelines:

-We are seeking one act plays (40 minutes to an hour in length) and full length plays (hour and a half or longer).
-Submissions must be original (no translations or adaptations) and have never been professionally produced in NYC or elsewhere.
-Submit play electronically or through mail, more information at www.truffletheatrecompany.com. Include bio and brief synopsis.
-Any number of characters, no specific requirements.
-No submission fee.
-Play must have never been published.

Production:

-TTC will produce a staged reading of your show with emerging actors and directors.
-No sets, props, etc. will be used except chairs and tables.
-Show will be given one performance with option of a full production in the future.

Deadline: June 25th, 2011

For more information please click the post's title.

Call for Plays

Playwrights Submit Your Work To Our Reading Series For Free (Midtown)

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Date: 2011-05-16, 4:14PM EDT
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Identity Theater's First Annual "Self Aware" Reading Series

Submission Guidelines for Playwrights

Identity Theater Company will accept submissions for the 1st Annual "Self Aware" Reading Series beginning May 20, 2011 through June 20,2011. Playwrights and/or their representatives will have an opportunity to hand deliver their play May 19th, 2011 at the Identity Fundraiser.

The event will present playwrights with an opportunity to discuss their play and its artistic significance. Our reading series will be presented at reputable performing arts and theater space in Manhattan. Identity Theater Company is establishing the Self Aware Reading Series to present audiences with well-crafted plays that embrace our mission statement to challenge the issues of the human condition while at the same time offering playwrights a professional venue to explore their work. Recently formed in 2011, the theater's goal is to showcase new works, playwrights and ideas.

In our reading series approximately 6 (six) original plays will be selected from submissions from all over the United States. One to two works will presented each of the dates of the series. Participants in the reading series are also eligible for the Linnehan & Brown Playwright Award in honor of Identity Theater Company’s Executive and Development Directors' commitment to cost-free theater. The Linnehan & Brown Award is presented to a playwright whose work challenges convention in both content and form.

There is a $40 submission fee payable only if your play has been selected for our series. This fee will be waived for the playwright who receives the Linnehan & Brown Award. The winner will be announced on our website and the winning playwright contacted by email. Those wishing to enter their work for the award must do so at the May 19th Fundraiser at 732 8th Avenue New York, NY between 7pm and 9pm.

Tickets will be $10. Industry comps will be available, and the presenters will do their best to bring press in for the shows. Playwrights will receive the box office proceeds after the house minimum is satisfied.

Submissions should be hand delivered May 19, 2011 to the third floor of the Playwright Celtic Pub at 732 8th Avenue btwn 45th and 46th streets at 7pm and 9pm. After May 20,2011 submissions may be emailed with "Self Aware" as the subject. Submissions may also be mailed. Any playwright wishing to mail their work should first email us for mailing address and detail delivery method. Submissions are not accepted by fax. Mailed submissions must be postmarked by June 10, 2011. Playwrights whose plays are selected will be notified by email late July 2011. Plays will not be returned, so please do not send a return envelope.

• There will be a mandatory production meeting for all playwrights or their representatives.

• Please click post's title for additional information.

Good Luck!!!

Call for 10-minute plays by African American women (Deadline 6/6/2011)

Going to the River and Ensemble Studio Theatre (EST) are now accepting submissions for THE RIVER CROSSES RIVERS: A FESTIVAL OF SHORT PLAYS BY WOMEN OF COLOR. Going to the River (GTTR) is a program founded to produce and support African-American female playwrights by providing a major New York City forum in which playwrights develop, refine, and present their work.

Requirements: Ten-minute plays by female playwrights of color New and never produced. Limit of 2 plays Estimated running time of no more than ten minutes Please be mindful of cast size. The submission deadline is Monday June 6th, 2011 at 5:00pm EDT Ten plays will be selected and produced on EST’s main-stage in the Fall of 2011.

Only e-mail submissions addressed to gttr@ensemblestudiotheatre.org will be considered. To be considered submissions be in the form of one Microsoft Word document and organized as follows:

Page 1: Cover page to include: the title page estimated running time the playwright’s name, address, city, zip code, phone number
Page 2: A biography of the playwright
Page 3: Character Breakdown
Page 4: Begin the body of the play

We are sorry we are unable to take phone calls. You may address inquiries to: gttr@ensemblestudiotheatre.org

Please click the post's title to go to the EST website.