March | 2017 | Intimate Excellent

A peer group of 2016 LA County interns.

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 college student as a Production Intern for 10 consecutive weeks this summer, commencing sometime between June 5, 2017 and ending August 25, 2017.  It is a full-time position (40 hours per week for 10 weeks) with a salary of $480 per week.  

The Production Intern will receive valuable on-the-job training and professional experience by fully engaging in all production facets of the Fountain Theatre. The intern will work alongside the Fountain’s Artistic Directors and professional producers in all elements of event production including administration and planning, artist outreach, vendor support, technical coordination, marketing, publicity, and social media. The intern will serve as production assistant to plays produced on the Fountain main stage and its outdoor flamenco concert.

The intern candidate must have basic computer and word-processing skills (PC, Word, Excel, Internet), good communication skills and pleasant phone manner, organizational skills, be detail 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 production. S/he should be self-motivated and have the ability to take initiative when required. S/he should also have a passion for theater. Excellent writing and editing skills. An ability to work effectively both independently and cooperatively. Creativity, enthusiasm for learning, and an outgoing, friendly demeanor. Looking for an individual who can wear many hats and interested in learning and performing a variety of production duties, often at the same time.

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 sixth 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.

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This internship position is open to currently enrolled undergraduate (2- or 4-year) college students who reside or attend college in Los Angeles County. Students must have completed at least one semester of college by June 1, 2017, or will complete their undergraduate degree between May 1 – September 1, 2017 in order to participate.  Students must be able to legally work in the United States. 

To apply, please email Stephen Sachs at: [email protected]

Deadline to apply is Friday, April 28.

Posted in Arts education, 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

Q&A discussion with playwright Robert Schenkkan

Nora King is a California girl who doesn’t surf. She danced in school productions of The Nutcracker but admits she was  “an unbalanced and quite chatty ballerina.” She earned a BFA in Acting from California Institute of the Arts (CalArts) then created a non-profit theatre troupe called Acting for Others,  to raise support and awareness for charities through performance.  These days, she now finds herself at the Fountain Theatre as Production Outreach Coordinator for Building the Wall, overseeing the ongoing post-show conversation series Breaking It Down.  

The program Breaking It Down, she says, embodies her dual commitment to theatre and social action. “I have always had a passion to inspire change through theater.”   

Fountain Co-Artistic Director Stephen Sachs agrees. “When the Fountain Theatre made the bold move to reschedule our 2017 season so we could quickly produce the world premiere of this controversial new play Building the Wall, we were sure of one thing. Patrons seeing it will want to talk about it.”

The post-show conversation series Breaking It Down was created to offer an ongoing platform for the dialogue to continue with audiences on a wide variety of topics. The first discussion featured playwright Robert Schenkkan.

As Production Outreach Coordinator, it was Nora’s job to reach out to a varied list of organizations and schedule dynamic leaders willing to participate in conversations with audience members following performances of Building the Wall. Topics range from immigration to prison systems to women’s rights to stand-up comedy.  

To learn more about the discussion series and the young woman who oversees it, we subjected Nora to her own Q&A.

 How did you get this job at the Fountain?

Funny story. I saw an opening for a position in The Fountain’s cafe. I sent in my resume. And a couple days later I got a call from Stephen Sachs about another position that may be a better fit. And it is a much better fit. My cooking skills are nonexistent. 

What is Breaking It Down? How would you describe it? 

Breaking it Down is a conversation series following performances of Building the Wall. These will be discussions with community leaders, non-profit organizers, socially active performers, etc.

Nora King

What do you hope to achieve with these post-show conversations?

The goal of Breaking it Down is to activate and inspire the audience. A big theme in Building the Wall is the power and responsibility of the individual. At this point in our country’s history, complacency is extremely dangerous. I want to empower the audience, leaving the theatre ready to influence change.

Has it been hard getting experts to agree to participate in the discussions? Or easier that you thought?

A lot easier than I thought. I was surprised with the eagerness in which people wanted to be involved. Which is very exciting! This also reassures me that there are influential people activated and ready to combat the inhumane policies our government keeps churning out.

Which conversations are you most looking forward to?

After researching each individual and their backgrounds, I am honestly very excited for each conversation. I think they will offer so many different perspectives as well as ways to help. So, all of them!

What role can theatre play in triggering social action?

Theatre has always been a reflection of society. Shakespeare’s histories are basically the People magazine of the time. To say theatre is merely for entertainment, is an ignorant concept. And to say the arts is unnecessary for a nation, is stupid. Sorry to be so blunt. However, the reason I dedicate my life to this art form is because of its influence on society. Theater supplies ethos. We are humans. We need to connect. We need to feel. I believe theatre can supply an up close look at stories you wouldn’t experience otherwise even though, in reality, they might be happening right next to you.

What has your experience been like at the Fountain?

Amazing! Something that drew me to the Fountain Theatre is its commitment to socially provocative work. There is certainly a sense of working towards a shared goal. Everyone is passionate and excited to be there, which is necessary for a theatre to succeed. I feel very honored to be joining The Fountain Family. Thank you Robert and Stephen for bringing this play to life so quickly. I think it is essential for people to see this immediately.   

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Posted in Arts, arts organizations, Fountain Theatre, Los Angeles, new plays, non-profit organization, Outreach Program, performing arts, plays, playwright, Theater, theatre

Tagged Acting for Others, Breaking It Down, Building the Wall, CalArts, California Institute of the Arts, conversation, discussion, drama, Fountain Theatre, immigration, Los Angeles, Nora King, outreach, post-show discussion, Robert Schenkkan, Stephen Sachs, theater, theatre, Trump

An electrifying thrill filled the air Saturday night, March 18, as the Fountain Theatre opened the highly-anticipated world premiere of Building the Wall by Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize winning playwright Robert Schenkkan.  Even before opening, our bold National New Play Network Rolling World Premiere has earned national attention in the New York Times, the Washington Post, and other outlets across the country.

The sold-out house Saturday night at the Fountain was packed with patrons, donors, board members, Fountain family and the press. Following the powerful performance, the crowd gathered upstairs in our indoor/outdoor cafe to enjoy a catered reception prepared by our new chef, Baltazar.  Playwright Robert Schenkkan and the cast were surrounded by well-wishers, congratulating them on an unforgettable evening in the theatre. By all accounts, it looks like the Fountain has another hit on its hands.  

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Posted in actors, artist, Arts, arts organizations, cafe, director, Drama, Fountain Theatre, Hollywood, Los Angeles, new plays, non-profit organization, performing arts, plays, playwright, Theater, theatre

Tagged Baltazar, Building the Wall, Fountain Theatre, Los Angeles, National New Play Network, new play, New York Times, NNPN, opening night, party, Robert Schenkkan, theater, theatre, Washington Post, world premiere

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Posted in Drama, Fountain Theatre, Los Angeles, new plays, non-profit organization, performing arts, plays, Theater, theatre

Tagged audiences, Bo Foxworth, Bob Lentz, Building the Wall, Fountain Theatre, Judith Moreland, Los Angeles, Michael Michetti, National New Play Network, NNPN, Robert Schenkkan, theater, theatre, Toni Trenton, world premiere

Deborah Lawlor and Stephen Sachs

Fountain friends, longtime and new, enjoyed an unforgettable afternoon Sunday at the magnificent Hollywood apartment of actress and Fountain board member Karen Kondazian. Delicious middle eastern fare from Adana was served to thirty invited special guests who marveled at Karen’s extraordinary home, the panoramic view of Hollywood,  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. New colleagues and associates from the Los Angeles business and arts communities were introduced to the Fountain’s inner circle. And the Fountain unveiled a new level of sponsorship, the Artistic Directors Circle, for elite donors who underwrite specific plays or programs or an entire season. 

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.

“Diversity sits at the heart of our artistic mission,” said Sachs. “When Deborah and I founded the Fountain back in 1990, it was to offer an artistic home for theatre and dance artists, of all backgrounds, to create and develop new work that reflects the cultural diversity of our city and our nation. The Fountain Theatre sits in the center of District 13, the most ethnically and culturally diverse district in Los Angeles. 32 languages are spoken at the local high school.

“Our programing is community-driven. When we think about putting a season together, we ask ourselves which community needs to be served? Which cultural, religious or ethnic group is struggling with an issue that needs to be dramatized? Who’s voice needs to be heard?”       

The 2017-18 Fountain Theatre season includes the world premiere of Building the Wall by Robert Schenkkan, Citizen: An American Lyric by Claudia Rankine at the Kirk Douglas Theatre, the world premiere of Runaway Home by Jeremy Kamps, the world premiere of Freddie by Deborah Lawlor, the stage adaption of The Chosen by Chaim Potok, and the world premiere of Arrival and Departure by Stephen Sachs performed in Spoken English and American Sign Language.

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Fountain Board members Dorothy Wolpert, Karen Kondazian, Dick Motika, Jerrie Witfield, Don Zachary, and Oscar Arslanian welcomed guests Nyla Arslanian, Miles and Joni Benickes, Lorraine Evanoff, Bennard Gillison, Daniel Greenberg and Susan Steinhauser, Lucinda Cowell and Ron Michaelson, Victoria Meyers, Bonnie Nijist and Arthur Zeesman, Jacqueline Schultz, Mark Stankevich, Ron and Elaine Stein, , and Stanley Wolpert.

Stephen Sachs and Deborah Lawlor spoke to the group, reviewing the recent accomplishments of the Fountain Theatre, its fundraising goals, and outlining the upcoming 2017-18 season. They expressed the artistic heart and soul of the company and its dedication to diversity and inclusion by serving a wide variety of communities throughout Los Angeles. And they articulated the challenges and objectives moving forward, describing the Fountain as an essential treasure on the cultural landscape of Los Angeles. And declared that the Fountain’s longtime dedication to diversity was essential in these turbulent times. 

“We are an immigrant nation, ” stated Sachs. “Los Angeles is a world city, rich with the multi-colored fabric of diversity.  At this moment in history, now more than ever, it is crucial that the Fountain Theatre maintain its mission of diversity and inclusion and community focus,  where people from all backgrounds are seen on our stage and in our audiences.”

“The Fountain Theatre may be small in size, ” he concluded. “But we are large in vision, in purpose, and in our commitment to creating and producing meaningful work that has the power to change lives.”

Posted in actors, Arts, arts organizations, Fountain Theatre, fundriaser, Hollywood, Los Angeles, new plays, non-profit organization, performing arts, plays, Theater, theatre

Tagged Arthur Zeesman, Barbara Goodhill, Bennard Gillison, Bonnie Nijist, Daniel Greenberg, Deborah Lawlor, Dick Motika, diversity, Don Zachary, Dorothy Wolpert, Fountain Theatre, Hollywood, immigration, Jacqueline Schultz, James Bennett, Jerrie Whitfield, Joni Benikes, Karen Kondazian, Lorraine Evanoff, Los Angeles, mark Stankevich, Miles Benickes, new plays, Nyla Arslanian, Oscar Arslanian, season, Simon Levy, Stanley Wolpert, Susan Steinhauser, Suzanne Zachary, theater, theatre

Building the Wall (323) 663-1525 More Info/Get Tickets

Posted in Arts, arts organizations, Drama, Fountain Theatre, Hollywood, Los Angeles, new plays, non-profit organization, performing arts, plays, playwright, playwriting, stage, Theater, theatre

Tagged Building the Wall, Fountain Theatre, Los Angeles, National New Play Network, new play development, NNPN, playwright, Robert Schenkkan, Stephen Sachs, theater, theatre, world premiere

Much about our world premiere of Robert Schenkkan’s riveting new play, Building the Wall, has been unprecedented. The swiftness we’re bringing this urgent work to the stage, the national attention the timely new play is generating even before opening, the constellation of theaters across the country already interested in producing the play after the Fountain premiere on March 18.

Equally extraordinary is the support the production has received from our own Fountain Family. For the first time in the Fountain’s twenty-seven year history, the majority of the production budget for the entire 10-week run of Building the Wall is secure prior to Opening Night. Thanks to the generous support of three phenomenal women: Karen Kondazian, Barbara Herman and Susan Stockel. The trio share a passion for theatre and a commitment to social action. They now serve Building the Wall as Executive Producers.

Karen Kondazian

Karen Kondazian is an award-winning actor, author and producer.  She has starred in many productions at the Fountain, has guest starred in over 50 television shows and is a lifetime member of The Actors Studio. Her novel The Whip has received several awards including best historical fiction. 

“I wasn’t able to join the Women’s March,“ explains Karen. “So I protest by supporting extraordinary Art. Robert Schenkkan’s Building the Wall is precisely that. He reveals brilliantly and artfully the nightmare of what might be, then peels away layers until we understand the nightmare of what actually will be, if we do not heed the warning.”

Barbara Herman

Barbara Herman was born and educated in Los Angeles. She is actively involved in the successful business established with her late husband. Barbara is an enthusiastic supporter of local culture, including the Fountain Theatre, the Broad Stage, and the Women’s Guild at Cedars Sinai.

“The Fountain Theatre stands out,” she says, “for its innovative approach to offering fresh, socially relevant plays. Building the Wall is a most timely effort to help illuminate what we, the public, are facing in today’s political climate. I am honored to support the Fountain Theatre’s world premiere production of this play.”

Susan Stockel

Susan Stockel was born in New York. She raised her family in California and practiced law. She is now a community activist, world traveler, and lover of the spoken word.

“I am a theatre addict,” she admits. “Good theatre is about telling stories. A strong, well-written and well-acted story binds us to one another and can provide the connection that leads to action. I knew I would support Building the Wall as soon as I read it. This play must be produced now and staged across the country. As Robert Schenkkan has said, ‘We cannot hope to be useful if we can’t respond until 18 months after the fact.’ Yes, we need to move fast. And we have. I am proud to help.”

“The Fountain Theatre deeply thanks Karen, Barbara and Susan for their exceptional generosity and friendship, ” says Co-Artistic Director Stephen Sachs. “Their contribution to Building the Wall has given this important world premiere at the Fountain Theatre the strong foundation it needs as we launch it nationwide.”       

With the support of these three remarkable women, the Fountain Theatre is inaugurating a new funding program, the Artistic Directors Circle, offering theater-loving individuals the opportunity to underwrite Fountain Theatre productions throughout the 2017-18 season.  If you’re interested in joining the Circle and learn more about its many benefits, please contact Barbara Goodhill (323) 663-1525 x307 [email protected]

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Posted in Arts, arts organizations, Drama, Fountain Theatre, new plays, non-profit organization, performing arts, plays, playwright, Theater, theatre

Tagged Artistic Director’s Circle, Barbara Goodhill, Barbara Herman, Building the Wall, Fountain Theatre, Karen Kondazian, Los Angeles, Robert Schenkkan, Susan Stockel, The Whip