February | 2016 | Intimate Excellent
The Fountain Theatre continued its association with Native Voices at the Autry by hosting a post-show discussion Monday night following the performance of our acclaimed new play Dream Catcher by Stephen Sachs, directed by Cameron Watson.
Inspired by a true story, the powerful and thought-provoking new play dramatizes the passionate confrontation between Roy, a young engineer, and his fiery Mojave Indian lover Opal who claims the billion dollar solar energy plant Roy is helping to design is actually being built on the site of ancient tribal burial grounds.
Native Voices at the Autry is the only Equity theatre company devoted exclusively to developing and producing new works for the stage by Native American, Alaska Native, and First Nations playwrights. Founded in 1994 by Producing Artistic Director Randy Reinholz (Choctaw) and Producing Executive Director Jean Bruce Scott, Native Voices became the resident theatre company at the Autry Museum of the American West in 1999.
After the performance of Dream Catcher Monday night, actors Elizabeth Frances and Brian Tichnell and playwright Sachs joined Reinholz and Scott for a Q&A discussion with the audience. Patrons shared their reactions to the play and examined such issues as cultural diversity, the peril of global warming, and the intersection of science and spirit.
“We had a great night,” exclaims Randy Reinholz, Producing Artistic Director of Native Voices. He hailed Dream Catcher as “Theatre about the important issues of our time.”
“Randy and I both love Fountain Theatre’s commitment to tackling difficult issues,” says Jean Bruce Scott, Producing Executive Director of Native Voices. “The production is wonderful and the cast fantastic. Superb script, acting, direction. Thank you so much for a wonderful night in the theater and for the lively and friendly talkback afterward.”
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Dream Catcher runs to March 21st. More Info/Get Tickets
Posted in actors, Arts, arts organizations, Climate Change, Fountain Theatre, Global warming, Native American, new plays, non-profit organization, performing arts, plays, playwright, Theater, theatre
Tagged actors, Brian Tichnell, Dream Catcher, Elizabeth Frances, Fountain Theatre, Jean Bruce Scott, Los Angeles, Mojave Indian, Native American, Native Voices, new plays, performing arts, plays, Randy Reinholz, Stephen Sachs, theater, theatre, world premiere
Randy Reinholz and Jean Bruce Scott of Native Voices
Join the cast and creative team of Dream Catcher and Native Voices Producing Artistic Director Randy Reinholz, Producing Executive Director Jean Bruce Scott, and Ensemble Leader Jennifer Bobiwash in a post-show Q&A discussion with the audience after the performance this Monday night, February 22 at 8pm.
Elizabeth Frances
The panel will include Dream Catcher actors Elizabeth Frances, Brian Tichnell, director Cameron Watson and playwright Stephen Sachs. The discussion will focus on the tribal issues raised in the play, the challenges faced by Native actors in this era of diversity casting, and an assessment of how Native people are dramatized in theatre, film and television.
Dream Catcher actress Elizabeth Frances is a member of Native Voices.
Native Voices at the Autry is the only Equity theatre company devoted exclusively to developing and producing new works for the stage by Native American, Alaska Native, and First Nations playwrights.
In Dream Catcher, construction of a billion dollar solar energy plant in the Mojave Desert is threatened to be brought to a halt when it is discovered that the plant may be sitting on a Mojave Indian burial site. Inspired by a true event, the world premiere production has earned rave reviews and runs to March 21.
More Info/Get Tickets
Posted in Acting, actors, arts organizations, Drama, Fountain Theatre, Native American, new plays, non-profit organization, performing arts, plays, playwright, playwriting, stage, Theater, theatre
Tagged arts organizations, Brian Tichnell, Cameron Watson, diversity, Dream Catcher, Elizabeth Frances, Fountain Theatre, Jean Bruce Scott, Jennifer Bobiwash, Los Angeles, Mojave Indian, Native Voices, new plays, performing arts, plays, Randy Reinholz, solar energy, solar power, Stephen Sachs, theater, theatre, world premiere
Director: Armando Molina
Playwright: Elizabeth Irwin
Producer: Stephen Sachs
Rehearsals: start on/about March 1
Perf Dates: April 9 – June 5
Performances: Sat 3pm & 8pm, Sun 3pm, Mon 8pm
STORYLINE: Four busboys in the kitchen of an upscale restaurant learn the hard way how to deal with pay cuts that could jeopardize their dreams for a better life, their dignity and their friendship. Fast-paced, hip and funny, the play brings to colorful life the camaraderie, sharing of dreams, competition and traitorous backstabbing that climaxes with a powerful dramatic turn at the end. Immigration, the minimum wage crisis, rights for undocumented workers, and citizenship lie at the center of this fast-moving, funny and powerful new LA premiere that examines the true meaning of ”home” and how far we’re willing to go to get there.
NOW SEEKING:
[PETER] – African American, 25-35, lives in Harlem. The confident crew leader and firecracker-in-chief, quick-witted, high-spirited, veteran of the place, ambitious, driven, seems to have a bead on how every aspect of the business runs. Painfully aware that his managerial skills far surpass his current position. Teases and bucks up his teammates, keeps a watchful eye, a natural storyteller and mimic. His energetic demeanor belies his worries over keeping his young daughter happy and safe. He is cool, in command, seemingly unshakeable. Until …
[WHALID] – 25 -35, third-generation Mexican American. A brash, trash-talking jokester from Brooklyn whose work ethic is decidedly more lax. Cocky, wisecracking, handsome. He is so well assimilated that he thought he was Puerto Rican until he was a teenager. Busing tables is just a stop on the way to becoming an EMT. Or something.
[PEPE] Mexican, 20s, from the drug-running city of Juarez only three months ago. Simple-minded illegal worker. Eager to learn and please, restless, vulnerable. Naive and happy in his new life and sending as much as he can to his brother in Mexico, yet prone to blowing his pay on nightclubs and new clothes.
[JORGE] Mexican, 25 – 30, been at the restaurant the longest. Peter’s right-hand man and best friend on the job. Serious, single-minded, simmering with a quiet intensity, lives frugally so he can faithfully send money back home to someday build a house for his wife and children in Puebla. Reserved, level-headed, a quiet maturity, deliberate. A strong, deep, quiet sense of judgment.
This casting notice is also appearing on Breakdown Services and Actor’s Access.
To submit via email: [email protected]
Posted in Acting, actors, African American, arts organizations, Drama, Fountain Theatre, Los Angeles, Mexican American, new plays, non-profit organization, performing arts, plays, Theater, theatre
Tagged acting, actors, Armando Molina, audition, casting notice, Elizabeth Irwin, Fountain Theatre, immigration, Los Angeles, Los Angeles Premiere, Mexican American, My Manana Comes, new plays, now casting, performing arts, playwriting, Stephen Sachs, theater, theatre
Gilbert Glenn Brown, Matthew Hancock, Theodore Perkins in ‘The Brothers Size’.
The Fountain Theatre’s acclaimed 2014 production of Tarell McCraney’s The Brothers Size has been nominated for 4 NAACP Theatre Awards. The Awards are presented annually by the Beverly Hills-Hollywood branch of the NAACP and are part of a four-day festival to honor outstanding people of color in theatre.
“We are always pleased and proud to be recognised by the Beverly Hills/Hollywood NAACP theatre committee,” stated Fountain Co-Artistic Director Stephen Sachs. “It’s a continuing affirmation to our decades-long commitment to diversity on our stage.”
For this current Award cycle, the Theatre Viewing Committee considered productions from January to December of 2014. The Fountain’s 2014 Los Angeles Premiere of The Brothers Size earned the following four nominations:
- Best Playwright – Tarell Alvin McCraney
- Best Director – Shirley Jo Finney
- Best Choreography – Ameenah Kaplan
- Best Ensemble Cast – Gilbert Glenn Brown, Matthew Hancock, Theodore Perkins
“I am excited about combining the awards show and the festival because this platform will bring thespians and theatre lovers from across the country to the city of Los Angeles to enjoy the art that is theatre,” said Ron Hasson, president of the Beverly Hills/Hollywood NAACP. “The NAACP Theatre Awards Show represents an ever-growing theatre community in Los Angeles and we want to elevate this already highly recognized event in Los Angeles and heighten its visibility nationwide.”
Winners of the 25th Annual NAACP Theatre Awards will be announced on Sunday, March 6, 2016, at a press conference and reception at the Nate Holden Performing Arts Center. More Info
Posted in Acting, actors, African American, arts organizations, director, Fountain Theatre, Los Angeles, performing arts, plays, playwright, playwriting, Theater, theatre
Tagged actors, Ameenah Kaplan, Beverly Hills/Hollywood NAACP, Fountain Theatre, Gilbert Glenn Brown, Los Angeles, Los Angeles Premiere, Matthew Hancock, NAACP, NAACP Theater Awards, Nate Holden Performing Arts Center, performing arts, plays, playwriting, Ron Hasson, Shirley Jo Finney, Stephen Sachs, Tarrell Alvin McCraney, The Brothers Size, theater, theatre, Theodore Perkins
The battle is on! Round One (Group A) of The Fountain’s Rapid Development Series (“Rap Dev”) for young playwrights was launched on Friday, Feb 12th. Part new play reading series for young people and part social gathering, Rap Dev squares off scenes from new work that is then voted on by the enthusiastic audience. The two plays doing combat Friday night were You Belong With Me Because You’re So Vain by Heider Tunarrosa and the winning play, The Kennedy Experiment by Amy Thorstenson.
As always, a lively party followed upstairs in our cafe. The dollar beers and buzz chat proved almost as popular as the plays.
Two other plays compete in Round One (Group B) Friday, Feb. 19 at 8 p.m. The two winning playwrights get to show off a little more of their plays in Round Two, on Friday, March 4 at 8 p.m. The single surviving play wins two performances of a staged reading on the Fountain Theatre stage: Friday,March 18 at 8 p.m. and Saturday, March 19 at 2 p.m.
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Rap Dev is a party you don’t want to miss. More Info/Reserve Seats
Posted in arts organizations, Fountain Theatre, Los Angeles, new plays, non-profit organization, performing arts, plays, playwright, playwriting, Theater, theatre
Tagged Amy Thorstenson, Fountain Theatre, Heider Tunarrosa, James Bennett, Jessica Broutt, Los Angeles, new play development, new plays, performing arts, play reading, plays, Rap Dev, Rapid Development, theater, theatre
As you probably know, the LA theatre community has been deeply embroiled in a struggle with Actor’s Equity Association. More details here. A lawsuit is now pending. Both sides are finally at the table, ready to work together to try to resolve this dispute and craft a new plan for Los Angeles intimate theaters. Both sides have agreed to share the cost of this arbitration. As long as both sides talk and work together, there is hope.
The importance of this moment can not be overstated. The future landscape of the Los Angeles theatre community is at stake.
We are raising funds to pay our share for a neutral third party to facilitate the discussion between Actor’s Equity and the Plaintiffs (LA actors & intimate theatres). And to cover the legal fees that have been accruing throughout this process. We are hoping to raise $75,000 towards this cause. Money raised will not go to the Fountain or any specific theatre. It will be held in a trust account to pay legal costs for our side.
Please help if the Fountain — and the intimate theatre experience in Los Angeles — is important to you. The number of folks contributing is just as important as the dollar amount raised. Better to give $10 than nothing at all.
Please donate right now. We need to have the funds raised by the end of the day on Friday, February 26th. That gives us two weeks to raise $39,517. An average of $2,800 per day. Can we do it? YES! If you give now!
Donating is fast, easy and secure. And the right thing to do.
GIVE NOW
Please share the link to this campaign. Post it on Facebook. Tweet it. E-mail it to your friends. We are all in this together.
Posted in Acting, actors, Arts, arts organizations, Fountain Theatre, non-profit organization, performing arts, Theater, theatre
Tagged 99-Seat Plan, actors, Actors Equity Association, arts organizations, donate, donation, Fountain Theatre, fundraising, ILove99, lawsuit, legal fees, Los Angeles, non-profit arts organization, performing arts, Pro99, theater, theatre
Gabriel Osuna
Because of the set design for our current hit play Dream Catcher, this month’s Forever Flamenco returns to West L.A. as guest production at the Odyssey Theatre on Sunday, February 21st at 8pm.
Journey from the traditional roots of flamenco to experimental projects featuring mixes from Osuna Productions. Under the artistic direction of guitarist Gabriel Osuna, the evening will feature dancers Vanessa Albalos and Briseyda Zarate; singer Vicente Griego; percussionist Gerardo Morales on the cajon; and guitarists Osuna and José Tanaka. The Los Angeles Times hails the series as “the earth and fire of first-class flamenco,” and LA Splash says, “Being the sensual, intimate art form that it is… the way you feel when you walk out of a Forever Flamenco performance is pretty darn fabulous.”
Forever Flamenco is produced by Deborah Lawlor and James Bennett. The Odyssey Theatre is located at 2055 South Sepulveda Boulevard, LA, CA 90025
More Info/Get Tickets
Posted in Arts, Dance, dancer, flamenco, Fountain Theatre, non-profit organization, performing arts, singer, Theater, theatre
Tagged Briseyda Zarate, Deborah Lawlor, Flamenco, Forever Flamenco, Fountain Theatre, Gabriel Osuna, gerardo morales, James Bennett, Jose Tanaka, Odyssey Theatre, Vanessa Abalos, Vicente Griego
Eager young audience waits for RAP DEV to start.
Get a first look at the work of young, up-and-coming playwrights at Rapid Development (“Rap Dev”), the Fountain Theatre’s free, competition-style reading series designed to showcase the work of previously unproduced, Los Angeles-based playwrights under the age of 30.
Round One takes place over the course of two evenings, Friday,Feb, 12 at 8 p.m. and Friday, Feb. 19 at 8 p.m. Each evening will feature one scene from two different plays, with the playwrights choosing the scenes they feel best represent their work. At the end of each night, the audience votes. Kind of like TV’s The Voice or America’s Got Talent.
James Bennett & Jessica Broutt
Created and produced by James Bennett and Jessica Broutt, the Rap Dev readings are free, rowdy, informal, and followed by a lively party with food and plenty of drinks. Who says new play development can’t be fun?
No wonder the Rap Dev events have been sold-out successes.
“We’re looking to find new plays and playwrights in the LA area,” says associate producer James Bennett. “And provide a fun and vibrant venue for others to experience them too.”
The Round One (Group A) plays squaring off this Friday, Feb 12, are:
- You Belong With Me Because You’re So Vain by Heider Tunarrosa. When a neurotic songwriter accidentally falls in love with his best friend’s ex-boyfriend, and he must decide between losing his best friend or the love of his life, he receives help from the imaginary versions of Taylor Swift and Lady Gaga to resolve this romantic dilemma.
- The Kennedy Experiment by Amy Thorstenson. Aboard the International Space Station, a young cosmonaut faces an impossible choice. With the lives of his family, his patriotism, his complicated relationship with his war hero father, and World War Three all hanging in the balance, the last thing he needs to deal with is a ghost.
Two other plays compete in Round One (Group B) Friday, Feb. 19 at 8 p.m. The two winning playwrights get to show off a little more of their plays in Round Two, on Friday, March 4 at 8 p.m. The single surviving play wins two performances of a staged reading on the Fountain Theatre stage: Friday, March 18 at 8 p.m. and Saturday, March 19 at 2 p.m. Free admission to Rounds One and Two; tickets to the staged readings are $5.
Sound confusing? Check out the website.
Rap Dev turns new play development for young writers into a fun social event. Join us this Friday night. Check it out for yourself. Party down with some plays!
Posted in Arts, arts organizations, creativity, Drama, Fountain Theatre, new plays, non-profit organization, performing arts, plays, playwright, playwriting, Theater, theatre
Tagged Amy Thorstenson, arts organizations, Fountain Theatre, Heider Tunarrosa, James Bennett, Jessica Broutt, Lady Gaga, Los Angeles, new play development, new plays, plays, playwriting, Rap Dev, Rapid Development, Taylor Swift, theatre, young playwrights
Looks like the Fountain may have another hit on its hands. Our world premiere of Dream Catcher by Stephen Sachs is earning rave reviews and has been spotlighted as Ovation Recommended by members of LA Stage Alliance. Broadway World hails it as “an incredible tour de force” and ShowBuzzNYC exclaims that it’s “an emotional rollercoaster thrill ride.”
Directed by Cameron Watson and starring Elizabeth Frances and Brian Tichnell, Dream Catcher is performed in a thrilling in-the-round setting (“Fountain 360”) until March 21.
Enjoy this new video highlighting the fabulous press quotes earned by this passionate production.
More Info/Get Tickets
Posted in Acting, actors, Arts, arts organizations, director, Fountain Theatre, Los Angeles, Native American, new plays, non-profit organization, performing arts, plays, playwright, Theater, theatre
Tagged actors, Brian Tichnell, Broadway World, Cameron Watson, Elizabeth Frances, Fountain 360, Fountain Theatre, LA Stage Alliance, Los Angeles, new plays, Ovation Recommended, performing arts, plays, rave reviews, ShowBuzzNYC, Stephen Sachs, theater, theatre, world premiere
Packed house in the round for Opening Night of ‘Dream Catcher’
Our world premiere production of Dream Catcher by Stephen Sachs opened this weekend to a flurry of parties, standing ovations and enthusiastic response. A packed sold-out audience on Saturday night was thrilled with director Cameron Watson’s in-the-round staging and riveted by the kinetic performances of Elizabeth Frances and Brian Tichnell. Dream Catcher runs to March 21.
A select group of Fountain donors and board members enjoyed an early look at Dream Catcher Friday night at the final Donor Preview. They included actor Alan Mandell, Lois Fishman, Ejike and Victoria Ndefo, Nick Ullett, Ruth Tavlin, Patty Paul, Bill Butler, Susan Stockel, Dick Motika and Jerrie Whitfield, and Oscar and Nyla Arslanian. They were joined by Director of Development Barbara Goodhill, Co-Artistic Director Deborah Lawlor, producing Director Simon Levy, and members of the Fountain team. After the performance, all celebrated upstairs in the cafe for a catered party with the actors and company.
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After seeing Dream Catcher, actor Alan Mandell beamed, “A terrific performance. Very intense. Exciting theater directed by that master director Cameron Watson. A wonderful script from Stephen Sachs. Don’t miss it.”
A packed sold-out audience filled the theatre on Saturday’s Opening Night. The provocative in-the-round setting — dubbed “Fountain 360” — created heightened excitement and electricity. At the post-show reception, playwright Stephen Sachs was surprised by a special guest in attendance: Louis Sahagun, the LA Times reporter who wrote the original article in 2012 that inspired Sachs to write the play.
LA Times writer Louis Sahagun congratulates Sachs (right) on Opening Night.
Early reviews for Dream Catcher are starting to come in. The Examiner hails it as “Extraordinary! A must see!” LA Splash raves the “Stunning performances.”
Feel it. Full circle. In the round. Experience Fountain 360 for yourself.
More Info/Get Tickets
Posted in Acting, actors, Arts, arts organizations, Board of Directors, Climate Change, Drama, Fountain Theatre, Global warming, Los Angeles, Native American, new plays, non-profit organization, performing arts, plays, playwright, playwriting, stage, Theater, theatre
Tagged actors, Alan Mandell, Barbara Goodhill, Bill Butler, Board of Directors, Brian Tichnell, Cameron Watson, Deborah Lawlor, Dick Motika, Dream Catcher, Ejike Ndefo, Elizabeth Frances, Fountain Theatre, Jerrie Whitfield, Lois Fishman, Los Angeles, Los Angeles Times, Louis Sahagun, new plays, Nick Ullett, Nyla Arslanian, Oscar Arslanian, Patty Paul, plays, Ruth Tavlin, Simon Levy, Stephen Sachs, Susan Stockel, theater, theatre, Victoria Ndefo, world premiere