March | 2016 | Intimate Excellent
Know a college student looking for a paying job this summer? A young person who likes theatre and enjoys working in a crazy, eccentric theatrical environment? Search no further. The Fountain is the place.
The Fountain Theatre is now accepting applications to hire one Development Intern for 10 weeks this summer between June 6 – August 26. It is a full-time position (40 hours per week for 10 weeks) that pays $420 per week.
The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors established the Arts Internship Program to provide undergraduate students with meaningful on-the-job training and experience in working in nonprofit arts organizations, while assisting arts organizations to develop future arts leaders. This is our fifth year participating in the program and we’ve had great luck with our summer interns. Each one has been incredibly helpful, has learned a great deal, and became part of our Fountain Family. We are still in contact with all of them.
2013 intern Lowes Moore and Fountain Family.
Student eligibility for internship positions is limited to currently enrolled undergraduate college students who reside or attend college in Los Angeles County. Students must have completed at least one semester of college by June 1, 2016 or will complete their undergraduate degree between May 1 – September 1, 2016 in order to be eligible to participate. Students who have already earned a BA, BS or a higher degree are not eligible.
The Development Intern will receive valuable on-the-job training and professional experience in researching, writing, and submitting grant proposals to foundations and other funding organizations. The intern will assist in targeting and contacting new funding sources, creating and implementing new fundraising materials, and facilitate special events for donors and community partners.
The intern candidate must have basic computer and word-processing skills (PC, Word, Excel, Internet), good communications skills and pleasant phone manner, organizational skills, be detailed oriented, and have the ability to multi-task in an intimate office environment. A sense of humor and a willingness to learn many aspects of theatre management. She/he should be self-motivated and have the ability to take initiative when required. She/he should also have a passion for theatre. Excellent writing and editing skills. An ability to work effectively both independently and cooperatively. Creativity, enthusiasm for learning, and an outgoing friendly demeanor.
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To apply, please email cover letter and resume to Stephen Sachs at [email protected]
This internship is sponsored by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors through the Los Angeles County Arts Commission. 132 undergraduate interns will participate in the program this year at more than 100 performing, presenting, and literary nonprofit arts organizations and municipal arts agencies throughout LA County. In addition to their full-time 10 week paid internship, interns will participate in educational events as part of the program, which is funded by the Getty Foundation. The educational events are designed to provide interns with a broader perspective of the vibrant arts and cultural landscape of the County. For additional information on the Los Angeles County Arts Commission, the Arts Internship Program, and for a complete list of all the internships offered this summer, visit the Arts Commission website at www.lacountyarts.org.
Posted in arts organizations, Education, Fountain Theatre, grants, internship, non-profit organization, Theater, theatre
Tagged Arts Internship Program, college student, development, Fountain Theatre, intern, Los Angeles, Los Angeles County Arts Commission, Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, Stephen Sachs, summer internship, summer job
Fun time in our upstairs cafe.
Even the most vivid dreams come to an end. The Dream Catcher company awoke Monday night from their 2-month reverie and enjoyed their final performance followed by a lively reception in our upstairs cafe. Another magical evening at the Fountain.
Dream Catcher enjoyed an extended two-month run that earned rave reviews. Actors Elizabeth Frances and Brian Tichnell gave a thrilling performance Monday night. They were joined at a fabulous party in our upstairs cafe by director Cameron Watson, playwright Stephen Sachs, stage manager Emily Lehrer, Co-Artistic Director Deborah Lawlor and producer Simon Levy, associate producer James Bennett and props designer Terri Roberts. Others attending were Jennifer Finch (“I and You”), Sabina Zuniga Varela (“El Nogalar”), Barbara Beckley (Colony Theatre), Michael Seel (Theatre@Boston Court), Dany Margolies, Sandy Baldonado, Kevork & Cecile Keshishian, and videographer Paolo Durazzo.
This dream now ends. Another dream begins.
Enjoy these photos!
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Posted in actors, Arts, arts organizations, designers, director, Drama, Fountain Theatre, Los Angeles, new plays, non-profit organization, performing arts, Theater, theatre
Tagged arts organizations, Barbara Beckley, Brian Tichnell, Cameron Watson, Cecile Keshishian, Colony Theatre, Dany Margolies, Deborah Lawlor, Dream Catcher, Elizabeth Frances, Emily Lehrer, Fountain Theatre, James Bennett, Jennifer Finch, Kevork Keshishian, Los Angeles, Michael Seel, new play, Paolo Durazzo, performing arts, plays, playwriting, Sandy Baldonado, Simon Levy, Stephen Sachs, Terri Roberts, theater, theatre, Theatre@Boston Court, world premiere
Director Armando Molina is one of the nicest guys you’ll meet. We think you’ll agree. Take a look. In this short video chat with us, he talks about about our upcoming LA Premiere of Elizabeth Irwin’s My Mañana Comes, his fabulous actors, and working at the Fountain.
Armando Molina’s credits include The Long Road Today by Jose Cruz Gonzalez (South Coast Repertory), Visitors’ Guide to Arivaca by Evangeline Ordaz (Teatro Vision in San Jose and Denver Center of the Performing Arts), Anna In The Tropics by Nilo Cruz (PCPA Theaterfest), Conjunto by Oliver Mayer and Hippie Mexicana by Evangeline Ordaz (Borderlands Theater Company, Tucson) and Living Out and Distracted by Lisa Loomer (TheatreWorks in Palo Alto and Mixed Blood Theatre in Minneapolis). Armando received national recognition from the NEA and Theater Communications Group as a recipient of their Career Development Program for Directors. As a member of the Cornerstone Theatre Company for nine years, Armando acted in and directed Cornerstone community residencies in Baldwin Hills, Chinatown, Boyle Heights, Watts, South Central and with the Bus Riders Union. He is a co-founder of the critically acclaimed Latino comedy group Latins Anonymous, whose first play, Latins Anonymous, was held over for six months at the Los Angeles Theater Center, then followed by runs at San Diego Repertory Theater, Group Theater in Seattle, South Coast Repertory and Sacramento Theater Company. Their second play, The LA LA Awards, premiered at the Japan American Theater in Los Angeles, then ran at San Diego Rep, the Guadalupe Cultural Center in San Antonio and the Odyssey Theater in Los Angeles. Both plays were published by Arte Publico Press and continue to be performed nationally. He is currently artistic director of Company of Angels Theater, the oldest non-profit professional theater company in Los Angeles.
More Info/Get Tickets for My Mañana Comes
Posted in actors, African American, Arts, arts organizations, director, Drama, Fountain Theatre, Latino, Los Angeles, Mexican American, new plays, non-profit organization, performing arts, plays, playwright, playwriting, Theater, theatre
Tagged acting, actors, Armando Molina, busboys, Elizabeth Irwin, Fountain Theatre, Los Angeles, Los Angeles Premiere, My Manana Comes, new plays, performing arts, plays, restaurant, theater, theatre
Four busboys in a fancy NY restaurant juggle plates, immigration and their friendship in our LA premiere of this funny and fast-paced new play about chasing the American Dream and how far you’re willing to go to get it.
My Mañana Comes by Elizabeth Irwin, directed by Armando Molina, opens April 16 and runs to June 26. Featuring Richard Azurdia, Pablo Castelblanco, Peter Pasco, and Lawrence Stallings.
Enjoy these new photos!
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More Info/Get Tickets
Posted in actors, arts organizations, director, Drama, Fountain Theatre, Latino, Los Angeles, Mexican American, new plays, non-profit organization, performing arts, plays, playwright, restaurant, Theater, theatre
Tagged actors, African American, Armando Molina, busboy, comedy, drama, Elizabeth Irwin, Fountain Theatre, Latino, Lawrence Stallings, Los Angeles, Los Angeles Premiere, My Manana Comes, new plays, Pablo Castelblanco, performing arts, Peter Pasco, plays, restaurant, Richard Azurdia, theater, theatre
More Info/Get Tickets
Posted in actors, arts organizations, Drama, Fountain Theatre, immigration, Latino, Los Angeles, Mexican American, new plays, non-profit organization, performing arts, plays, playwright, Theater, theatre
Tagged actor, African American, Armando Molina, busboy, comedy, drama, Elizabeth Irwin, Fountain Theatre, Hispanic, immigration, Latino, Lawrence Stallings, Los Angeles, Los Angeles Premiere, My Manana Comes, new play, Pablo Castelblanco, performing arts, Peter Pasco, restaurant, Richard Azurdia, theater, theatre
Citizen: An American Lyric, adapted for the stage from Claudia Rankine’s award-winning book of poetry by Rankine and Fountain Theatre co-artistic director Stephen Sachs, will headline Primary Stages’ 2016-17 season at Off-Broadway’s Cherry Lane Theatre. Citizen premiered at the Fountain Theatre last summer to critical acclaim.
“We are thrilled that yet another Fountain project has succeeded in moving onward and upward,” says Sachs. “In 2007, our world premiere production of Athol Fugard’s Exits and Entrances was presented Off-Broadway by Primary Stages, so this continues our relationship with them. Claudia and I are working together on a new draft for the New York premiere.” An announcement for the NY opening was featured in The New York Times.
‘Citizen: An American Lyric’ at the Fountain Theatre
An intensely provocative and unapologetic rumination on racial aggression in America, Rankine’s Citizen: An American Lyric has been heralded as one of the best books of the past decade and received the National Book Critics Circle Award for poetry. In this new stage adaptation by Rankine and Sachs, seemingly everyday acts of racism are scrutinized as part of an uncompromising testimony of “living while Black” in America, from the shooting of Trayvon Martin, to the tennis career of Serena Williams and the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. In his “critic’s choice” review of the Fountain production, Los Angeles Times theater critic Charles McNulty wrote, “Claudia Rankine’s powerful writings about the trauma of racism make for a staging and message that resonate,” and Stage raw critic Myron Meisel called it “a transcendent experience.”
“We are particularly pleased that this piece will have a life in theaters across the country,” added Sachs. “By enlivening Claudia’s powerful book to the stage, we add our theatrical voice to the national conversation on race in America.”
Other plays written by Sachs that were created and launched at the Fountain’s intimate venue in Hollywood include Bakersfield Mist, now produced worldwide including London’s West End starring Kathleen Turner; Heart Song, produced at Florida Repertory Theatre; Miss Julie: Freedom Summer (adapted from August Strindberg’s Miss Julie) at Vancouver Playhouse and Canadian Stage Company in Toronto; and Sweet Nothing in My Ear which has been produced nationwide and was adapted into a TV movie starring Jeff Daniels and Marlee Matlin.
The world premiere production of Citizen: An American Lyric at the Fountain Theatre was directed by Shirley Jo Finney and starred Leith Burke, Bernard K. Addison, Tina Lifford, Tony Maggio, Simone Missick and Lisa Pescia. The director and cast for the Primary Stages production have not been announced.
For more information about the Primary Stages production of Citizen: An American Lyric, visit www.primarystages.org.
Posted in actors, African American, arts organizations, Drama, Fountain Theatre, Los Angeles, new plays, non-profit organization, performing arts, plays, playwright, race, racism, Theater, theatre
Tagged actors, arts organizations, Athol Fugard, Bernard K. Addison, Charles McNulty, Citizen: An American Lyric, Claudia Rankine, Exits and Entrances, Fountain Theatre, Hollywood, Jeff Daniels, Kathleen Turner, Leith Burke, Lisa Pescia, Los Angeles, Los Angeles Times, Marlee Matlin, new plays, New York, New York Times, Off-Broadway, performing arts, plays, poetry, Primary Stages, racism, Serena Williams, Shirley Jo Finney, Simone Missick, stage adaptation, Stephen Sachs, theater, theatre, Tina Lifford, Tony Maggio, Trayvon Martin
Just beyond the elegant dining room of an Upper East Side restaurant, service workers angle for shifts, pray for tips and cling to dreams of life beyond their daily back-of-house grind. Armando Molina directs the Los Angeles premiere of My Mañana Comes by Elizabeth Irwin, opening April 16 at the Fountain Theatre in Hollywood.
The minimum wage crisis and rights for undocumented workers lie at the center of Irwin’s funny and powerful new play.
Starring as four busboys working in the kitchen of an upscale French restaurant in Manhattan are Richard Azurdia (Backyard at Echo Theater Company, Bill & Joan at Sacred Fools, one of 54 “fascinating Angelenos” profiled in LA Weekly’s 2015 People issue), Pablo Castelblanco (Sálvese quien pueda at the Leonardus Theatre in his native Bogotá, Colombia) Peter Pasco (Our Lady of 121st Street at the Victory, Seven Spots on the Sun at Theatre @ Boston Court) and Lawrence Stallings (original productions of Book of Mormon on Broadway, Hair and Passing Strange off-Broadway).
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Expertly juggling delicate entrees and fussy customers, the young men face off with management and with each other when a sudden pay cut threatens their dignity, their dreams for a better life — and their friendship.
“This is exactly the kind of play we like to do at the Fountain,” suggests co-artistic director Stephen Sachs. “It’s fast-paced, hip and funny, but it also opens a window into a community we don’t often see, gives voice to a community that is usually not heard. You really get to know and care about these guys – the relationships, camaraderie and the sharing of dreams.”
According to Molina, “Irwin gets to the truth about who these guys are, the reality beneath the tropes. She shatters preconceptions.”
Irwin, who worked in the restaurant industry for many years, wanted to explore what undocumented immigration means to people who are directly affected by it — both those who are undocumented and those who work alongside and have relationships with them.
“This story explores the complications and nuances of their lives,” she said in an interview.
Set design for My Mañana Comes is by Michael Navarro; lighting design is by Jennifer Edwards; sound design is by Christopher Moscatiello; costume design is by Magdalena Guillen; props and set dressing are by Dillon Nelson; production stage manager is Emily Lehrer; associate producer is James Bennett; and Stephen Sachs, Simon Levy and Deborah Lawlor produce for the Fountain Theatre.
Join us! Your dining experience will be excellent. More Info/Get Tickets
Posted in actors, Arts, arts organizations, designers, director, Drama, Fountain Theatre, immigration, Latino, Los Angeles, new plays, non-profit organization, performing arts, plays, playwright, stage, Theater, theatre
Tagged actor, Armando Molina, busboys, Christopher Moscatiello, Deborah Lawlor, Dillon Nelson, Elizabeth Irwin, Emily Lehrer, Fountain Theatre, James Bennett, Jennifer Edwards, Latino, Lawrence Stallings, Los Angeles, Los Angeles Premiere, Magdalena Guiilen, Michael Navarro, My Manana Comes, new play, Pablo Castelblanco, Peter Pasco, restaurant, Richard Azurdia, Simon Levy, Stephen Sachs, theater, theatre
Another unforgettable afternoon at the Fountain Theatre. Thirty students from Ramona Elementary School around the corner on Mariposa Street walked over to the Fountain Theatre Friday morning for a special visit that included a lesson on Native American storytelling and the making their own colorful animal masks.
Teacher Eric Arboleda’s 3rd grade class have been studying Native American culture prior to their visit. The Fountain’s current hit production of Dream Catcher offered the perfect invitation for the theatre and Ramona School to partner for the benefit of the young students. The project is made possible through Theatre as a Learning Tool, the Fountain’s educational outreach program that makes art accessible to young people.
The same class from Ramona Elementary School visited the Fountain in November during the run of The Painted Rocks at Revolver Creek. For that production, the students painted their own stones in bright colors and patterns.
Sarah Boulton guides the class on Native American creation stories.
Friday morning’s visit began with the students gathering in the theatre to see Dream Catcher’s in-the-round dirt setting. Fountain colleague Sarah Boulton guided the students through a lively lesson plan exploring the creation stories from a variety of Native American tribes.
Eric Arboleda and Stephen Sachs
The students were then ushered outside where a long table covered with art supplies waited for them in the parking lot. There they enjoyed an exuberant get-together of mask making, grabbing paper and colored markers and scissors and bright vibrant feathers. It was a joy to watch the kids create their animal masks with such laughter and festive chatter, sharing in this art adventure they would not otherwise experience.
“Reaching out to young people is an important commitment for us. It’s what we do and who we are,” explains Fountain Co-Artistic Director Stephen Sachs. “Offering art and creative expression to students who may otherwise have no access to it. For us, there is no higher calling. Plus the pure fun and joy of it is rejuvenating for all of us.”
The Fountain will expand and enlarge its ongoing partnership with Ramona Elementary School. And, through Theatre as a Learning Tool, will continue to broaden its reach to serve young students throughout Southern California.
Posted in Art, Arts, Arts education, arts organizations, creativity, Education, Fountain Theatre, Los Angeles, Native American, Outreach Program, performing arts, plays
Tagged arts, Arts education, arts organizations, Dream Catcher, educational outreach, Eric Arboleda, Fountain Theatre, Los Angeles, masks, Native American, Ramona Elementary School, Sarah Boulton, Stephen Sachs, students, The Painted Rocks at Revolver Creek, theater, theatre, Theatre as a Learning Tool
Gilbert Glenn Brown and Suanne Spoke in ‘The Painted Rocks at Revolver Creek’.
The Fountain Theatre has been honored with 4 Stage Raw Awards for its 2015 productions of The Painted Rocks at Revolver Creek and Citizen: An American Lyric.
The Painted Rocks at Revolver Creek was the West Coast Premiere of Athol Fugard’s new play about South African artist Nukain Mabuza. The world premiere of Stephen Sachs’ stage adaptation of Claudia Rankine’s Citizen: An American Lyric dramatized racism in America.
The Fountain nominees are:
- Supporting Female Performance – Suanne Spoke, The Painted Rocks at Revolver Creek
- Leading Male Performance – Thomas Silcott, The Painted Rocks at Revolver Creek
- Adaptation – Stephen Sachs, Citizen: An American Lyric
- Ensemble – The Painted Rocks at Revolver Creek
For the full list of nominees click here
‘Citizen: An American Lyric’ at the Fountain Theatre
Using multimedia and the written word, Stage Raw is a digital journal dedicated to discovering, discussing and honoring L.A.-based arts and culture. The Stage Raw Theater Awards are dedicated to honoring the swath of innovative works of theater in Los Angeles County, in venues of up-to-99-seats.
The STAGE RAW Celebration is Monday, April 25 at Los Angeles Theatre Center, 514 S. Spring Street (VIP reception 6 p.m.; doors Open at 6:30. Awards Program begins at 7:30pm), General Admission Tickets are $25, VIP Tickets $100, available at stageraw.com.
Posted in Acting, actors, African American, Arts, arts organizations, Athol Fugard, Drama, Fountain Theatre, Los Angeles, new plays, performing arts, plays, Theater, theatre
Tagged actor, Athol Fugard, awards, Citizen: An American Lyric, Claudia Rankine, Fountain Theatre, Gilbert Glenn Brown, performing arts, plays, Stage Raw, Stage Raw Awards, Stephen Sachs, Suanne Spoke, The Painted Rocks at Revolver Creek, theater, theatre, Thomas Silcott, West Coast Premiere, world premiere
Stephen Sachs speaks to the invited guests.
Fountain friends, longtime and new, enjoyed an unforgettable afternoon Saturday at the magnificent Westwood home of actor Alan Mandell. English tea, sandwiches and pastries were served to thirty invited special guests who marvelled at Alan’s extraordinary art collection and chatted about the achievements and future of the Fountain Theatre.
The afternoon salon was organized so distinguished friends and supporters of the Fountain could stay connected with the theatre and each other. And new colleagues and associates from the Los Angeles business and arts communities were introduced to the Fountain’s inner circle.
Fountain Co-Artistic Directors Deborah Lawlor and Stephen Sachs were joined by Producing Director Simon Levy, Associate Producer James Bennett and Director of Development Barbara Goodhill.
Fountain Board members Dorothy Wolpert, Karen Kondazian, Dick Motika, Jerrie Witfield, Don Zachary, and Oscar Arslanian welcomed guests Nyla Arslanian, Lorraine Evanoff, Daniel Greenberg and Susan Steinhauser, Shari Leinwand, Alan Mandell, Victoria Meyers, Dr. Charles and Laura Nagurka, Richard and Gloria Pink, Joan Quinn, Jacqueline Schultz, Marty Shelton, Mark Stankevich, Magda Waingrow, and Stanley Wolpert.
The crowd savored the English Tea delicacies provided by Anyone For Tea. Guests toured Alan’s stunning home populated with museum-quality sculptures, paintings, prints, and other vibrant art works.
Stephen Sachs spoke to the group, reviewing the many accomplishments of the Fountain Theatre over its 26-year history and outlining its goals and needs to come. He expressed the artistic heart and soul of the company and its dedication to serving a wide variety of communities throughout Los Angeles. He listed the many Fountain new plays that are now being produced in theatres across the country and around the world. And he articulated the challenges and objectives moving forward, describing the Fountain as an essential treasure on the cultural landscape of Los Angeles.
“We use two words to describe the Fountain Theatre,” Sachs remarked. “These two words are our brand.They appear on our letterhead, our website, our business cards. The two words are: Intimate. Excellent. That’s who we are. What we offer. What we’ve been for 26 years.”
“I truly believe, in my heart, that what we do matters, ” he continued. “Now, more than ever, in this electronic age of the internet and streaming videos and a gazillion cable channels, there may be no higher calling than to get people away from their screens and have a shared human experience, live, in the moment, together, that is intimate and excellent.”
“I hope you agree, ” he concluded. “Let’s make it happen. Together.”
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Posted in Art, Arts, arts organizations, Board of Directors, Fountain Family, Fountain Theatre, fundriaser, Los Angeles, non-profit organization, performing arts, plays, Theater, theatre
Tagged Alan Mandell, Anyone for Tea, arts organizations, Barbara Goodhill, Daniel Greenberg, Deborah Lawlor, Dick Motika, Don Zachary, Dorothy Wolpert, Dr. Charles Nagurka, Fountain Theatre, Gloria Pink, Jacqueline Schultz, James Bennett, Jerrie Whitfield, Joan Quinn, Karen Kondazian, Laura Nagurka, Lorraine Evanoff, Los Angeles, Magda Waingrow, mark Stankevich, Marty Shelton, new plays, Nyla Arslanian, Oscar Arslanian, performing arts, plays, Richard Pink, Shari Leinwand, Simon Levy, Stanley Wolpert, Stephen Sachs, Susan Steinhauser, theater, theatre