The Revival: Meet Our Cast

The previews for our upcoming production of The Revival begin just two short days away and we are officially in The Lion Theater at Theater Row on 42nd Street!

For the show, we are fortunate to work with some of New York's most talented and amazing actors that have been seen on both Broadway and Off-Broadway stages, and in film and television.

If you're a soap fan, you might recognize Emmy nominated actor Trent Dawson playing the role of Eli. Trent appeared on As The World Turns, which after entertaining fans for half a century, recently aired its last episode. We're happy to be a part of the next stage of Trent's career.

David Darrow plays the role of Daniel and is a recent alum of The Actors Apprentice Program at the Actors Theatre of Louisville. Recently, we got a chance to ask David some questions about the show and his character.

Raymond McAnally, has appeared in episodes of Nurse Jackie and 30 rock as well as Off-Broadway shows here in New York City, he plays the role of Trevor.

Aidan Sullivan plays the role of June. She was in the highly acclaimed production of Fiona Shaw's Medea on Broadway. Which if you missed it, was one of the most emotionally charged productions of the season.

But don't take our word for it! Check out the work of the cast during our run for The Revival through September 25th.

We're offering special ticket promotions through Twitter and Facebook. So become a fan and/or follow us for the latest.

We're looking forward to sharing our work with you....

Talk Back At Us

When we were younger we were often told, "don't talk back." How infuriating was that? Whether we were trying to express ourselves or provide an explanation, it didn't matter, we complied (well, sometimes).

As adults, we changed our habits or as Kathy Griffin says, we got manners: we learned to talk back after people left the room.

With the recent development and popularity of social media in our culture, a new voice has emerged. We can basically say what we feel like without directing any information to the appropriate person. We are beginning to become accustomed to sharing our thoughts in 140 characters or in short incomplete sentences on posts, forums, and comment boxes.

(Don't get me wrong, these are modes of communication that we've embraced as a company and use! We are glad that people are having these conversations and sharing thoughts and ideas. But there is sometimes a desire to dig a bit deeper.)

We see these reviews and posts quite often for restaurants and products, and, of course, theater.

Theater is, at its best, a reflection of life, created by and for a community. And as John Patrick Shanley puts it, "a safe place to do unsafe things." Plays have the power to ask questions and generate dialogue within a community. And what better way to foster the community of a young theater company then by providing direct feedback; to support us in our explorations in creating theater that simultaneously challenges the intellect and inspires the spirit?

By now you may have noticed a light blue box to the right of this post. Our publicist, the wise and astute Karen Greco, discovered this new feature that theater companies are starting to use.

Here's how it works: simply click on the link and you'll be directed to an information form where you can give a theater company feedback on their show. Your name is optional and you are instructed to be "honest, tactful, and helpful."

You are simply asked:

What went right?

What went wrong?

What can we do differently next time to be better?

Do you have any other thoughts?

We think it's a great idea and we're glad to experiment with it for our upcoming production of The Revival which begins previews September 9th.

It's pretty much a virtual "after the show talkback," thus the name.

As always, telling us something is better than not saying anything at all, so use Twitter or Facebook, or this blog, or buy us a drink after the show, but if you're willing, give Talkbackr a try.

What do you think of Talkbackr?

Behind the scenes: reviving an 1840's barn for The Revival

In The Dramatic Imagination by Robert Edmond Jones, a set designer is described as having the task to "...sense the atmosphere of a play with unusual clearness and exactness. He must actually live in it for a time, immerse himself in it, be baptized by it. This process is by no means so easy as it seems."

For our upcoming production of The Revival, our illustrious Set Designer, Kevin Judge, does the unimaginable, he makes it all seem easy. It's ironic that part of our play is set in a church. Kevin seems to have baptized himself in the world of the play, and soon enough he will be the priest of the audience, baptizing and transporting us to Hot Springs, Arkansas where the play takes place.

Below is an early sketch that Kevin created for the set of The Revival. With further collaboration with director Michole Biancosino and the rest of the company, some further adjustments have been made to serve the play and make our storytelling more dynamic. You'll have to come see the show to see the final adjustments!

To create the set, Producing Artistic Director Andrew Smith, found theater gold. Through a Craig's list advertisement, he found someone who was dismantling a barn that dates back to the 1840's. On a rainy day last week, Andrew drove up to Massachusetts and removed planks of wood from one side of the barn. He was ecstatic to find the wood in "amazing condition."

The use of this barn wood to build our set truly transforms the stage. Its texture, color, and history tells a story of its own. Jones also mentions in The Dramatic Imagination a vibration that is created with the fusing of all the objects that appear on a set: walls, furniture, props. He describes this fusing as "a kind of embodied impulse."

Yes, the set vibrates, it pulses, and Jones does an incredible job of describing what happens next when the curtain rises: "Everything on the stage becomes a part of the life of the instant. The play becomes a voice out of a whirlwind. The terrible and wonderful dynamis of theatre pours over the footlights."

Don't you love that description? Where else can you experience that for the price of an $18 ticket? In NYC?!

Any thoughts on Jones's description? What do you think are the essential elements to create a good set design?

Rehearsing for The Revival

After a too long break - this blog is back and running to update you
on all the behind-the-scenes happenings as Project Y prepares for this
year's big production:

THE REVIVAL, by Samuel Brett Williams

A Harvard educated son of a Southern Baptist preacher returns to his Arkansas hometown to rebuild his father’s congregation. Under pressure to grow the congregation to compete with neighboring mega-Churches, the young Pastor seizes an opportunity to cleanse a mysterious stranger of his homosexuality, becoming an overnight evangenical superstar. But at what cost?

Featuring Trent Dawson, Ray Macanally, Aidan Sullivan, and David Darrow

Directed by Michole Biancosino

September 9th through 25th at Theatre Row Studios
$18

For full info and link to tickets: www.projectytheatre.org

Thanks for Coming !

We wanted to give a huge SHOUT OUT to all the people who came to
the fundraiser party on Saturday. It was amazing how many new faces
were there, mixed in with some of the tried and true PY clan.

The videos were amazing, the space was totally funky, the jazz was outstanding,
the burlesque was "fan"-tastic, and people were dressed to impress.
We had an artsy hat posse, an imposing tuxedo posse, and everyone else total
swanky.

To all the party-goers: Thank you!

Enjoy these pictures taken at the event!

The PARTY of the Year - June 19th!

TICKETS ONLINE NOW!









Saturday, June 19th at 7pm





CONFESSIONALS
....the Party event of the Year

Open Bar
Live Jazz
Burlesque

The premier of our video installations:
"Confessionals"

Details to follow here and at www.projectytheatre.org
BUY your TICKETS now!

Announcing the Winners of PY's CONFESSIONALS monologue contest

Project Y is pleased to announce the TOP 5 Confessionals:

Urges, by Helen McTiernan
Mary, by Boris Khaykin
Boss, by Whitney Arcaro
The List, by Ron Pullins
Billy, by James Pachino

Congratulations to our winners and thanks to all the fabulous writers who sent in their great monologues. We couldn't believe the response... makes us want to plan ahead and start thinking of the next themed contest....

You can join Project Y for the unveiling of these CONFESSIONALS at our 2nd annual Fundraiser Party. Last year was so incredible, its the party of the year.

Mark your calendars for the PY party:
Saturday, June 19th at 7pm.

This year's party theme ? You guessed it: CONFESSIONALS! These videos will be the centerpiece of the party.

More details soon: www.projectytheatre.org

KICK ASS PLAYS BY BAD ASS WOMEN series: New Play Reading on May 9th

Advanced Maternal Age

Imagine a florescent-lit room on the maternity floor of a New York City hospital learning the doʼs and dontʼs of becoming a modern mommy .

Mastitis, baby-wearing and bugaboo are just a few

new words being added to your vocabulary. You have officially entered the funhouse world of mothering.

Who are you?

Where has your life gone?

Will you get it back?

And do you have to take the child with you when you leave the hospital?

A tale of one womanʼs ambivalent journey into motherhood with the First Lady of France as her guide.

FREE !

May 9th at 7:30pm

Lilli O'Brien's Pub

67 Murray Street

The Artists:

Karen Zippler: Girl Scouts of America, Fringe Festival 2006, Two Noble Kinsmen, Bus Stop, Pentecost, Antony & Cleopatra, The Misanthrope, Resurrection Blues, Itʼs All In the Timing, all with The Old Globe in San Diego, California. The Steward of Christendom & Undiscovered Country at the Huntington. TV: Law &Order :CI, Conviction. Film: The Wedding Dress, Duh with Debbie Harry. Karen received her BFA in acting from Boston University and her MFA at The Old Globe.

Jennifer-Lynn McMillin: The Apostle Project, Arahisak, But Above All, Miss Julie all with Theatre Mitu which Jenni-Lynn is also a founding member. Honky Tonk Angels with North Coast Rep, Unbound ( The Story of Fanny Kemble) with Prospect Theater Co. and Davis McCallum, Sky Girls, Resurrection Blues, Twelfth Night, Antony and Cleopatra, Itʼs All in the timing, All with The Old Globe in San Diego, California. My Fair Lady with Santa Monica Playhouse, Hair with Brea civic Light Opera. Jenni-Lynn received her B.A in theater from U.C.L.A and her M.F.A at the Old Globe.

More Info:

www.projectytheatre.org

Pelvis Power, anyone?

Project Y Wants your Pelvis!

PY Staffer and Pilates Instructor, Emily Voorhees, will

be hosting her first of 2 pilates lessons to benefit Project Y.

Pilates by Project Y

Saturday, April 17th

10am-12pm

PAY WHAT YOU WILL

at

Simple Studios

134 W. 29th Street, 2nd Floor (between 5th and 6th ave)

JUST SHOW UP

Come bend and breath with us... then enjoy a glass of complimentary O.J. and Schmoozing!

If you can't make this week, see next week's Pilates date and time on our website!

Check out a Sneak Preview of THINGS THAT DON'T HAPPEN

To buy tickets and more info go to

www.projectytheatre.org