What a Weekend....

It's late Sunday night and I am happy to report a full and productive weekend of activities.

Friday evening we attended a performance of the Upright Citizens Brigade where students of Program Producer/Rep Director Rod Menizes performed. Three of our company members joined in the shenanigans in PRISON FREAKS, the second show on the bill, and proved most charming,handsome and terrific. Oh, that's Chris Sponseller, Aki Sato and Melissa David.. all of whom received slightly off color sketches from their PRISON FREAK host for their efforts.

Saturday afternoon we attended a reading at PS.122 of Ian Rowlands solo play MARRIAGE OF CONVENIENCE. Welsh writer Rowlands uses full blown prose to tell the story of his family conflict on the day of Charles and Diana's wedding when he attends a Republican gathering celebrating his Welsh heritage and his drunken step father choses the British celebrations. This question of loyalties mirrors the young protagonist's fiere allegiance to the memory of his dead father and his own emerging self. Post play discussion was terrifically engaging about the international language of theatre and how culture opens and limits communication of the central message of a piece.

Saturday night we were invited to a full preview performance at the York Theatre Company of a new musical FALLING FOR EVE. And today, Sunday students gathered here on 54th Street at the home of Program Director Susan Merson to have a casual DINNER WITH FRIENDS with Pulitzer Prize winning playwright Donald Margulies. Merson. Marguies and Resident Dramaturg, Jeffrey Sweet talked about the original NY Writers Bloc, started by Sweet in the late 80's and from which much of their shared history and language emerged. Donald generously spoke candidly with the students about their own voices and putting their work into the world. He personally spoke with each of the students, signed copies of his plays and we all enjoyed a hearty dinner of sandwiches... and the most fabulous cupcakes.... that had absolutely no redeeming value except their forbidden nature..

PHOTOS ARE NOW UP ON OUR FLICKR SITE SO PLEASE TAKE A LOOK. AND LEAVE US SOME COMMENTS. WE'D LOVE TO KNOW THAT YOU'RE OUT THERE. HERE'S THE LINK;

http://www.flickr.com/photos/19063156@N08/

stay tuned