Summer theatre in NYC always includes lots of free outdoor productions, usually of the plays of Shakespeare.  Since this season is no different, nytheatrecast invited four companies who have varied productions of the works of the Bard in different locales.  What they have in common is that they are free, they are in the park (or in one case, the park(ing) lot) and all are sure to be professionally done.

Present for this roundtable discussion with Martin Denton are: David Fuller who will be directing Pericles for Hudson Warehouse at the North Patio of the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument in Riverside Park; Rohana Elias-Reyes, director of PLG Arts’ production Daydream (Midsummer Night’s Dream adapted specifically for children) which can be found at Prospect Park’s Imagination Playground in Brooklyn; the Drilling Company’s Tom Demenkoff talking about their productions of Twelfth Night and Henry V at the Park(ing) Lot on the Lower East Side; and Matt Johnston, director of As You Like It for Boomerang’s production in Central Park.

Martin began by asking each to give a short introduction to their production, its location, and other pertinent details. This was followed by a lively discussion of such topics as “what’s different about directing outdoor Shakespeare”, “why Shakespeare and not some other classic play?”, “what’s the difference between producing during the day vs. nighttime”?  Listeners will also hear about the audience and its impact on outdoor theatre and there’s even an exchange of ‘horror tales’ that have occured with outdoor producing.

This is an informative and fun episode.  The main thing to learn is that this is possibly the most accessible theatre for everyone, as satisfying for novice theatre goers as it is for those well versed in classic theatre. And it is FREE and probably happening somewhere this summer at a park close to home.

Episode Links:

• Daydreams on nytheatre.com
• PLG Arts website
• Twelfth Night on nytheatre.com
• The Drilling Company website
• Pericles on nytheatre.com
• Hudson Warehouse website
• As you Like It on nytheatre.com
• Boomerang Theatre Company website

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By an interesting coincidence, two established theatre companies located in Queens and Brooklyn are opening revivals of former Broadway musicals.  Martin Denton is joined by Astoria Performing Arts Center director Brian Swasey and Tom Wojtunik, director for The Gallery Players in Park Slope, Brooklyn.  The musicals are, respectively, Triumph of Love and Man of la Mancha.

After a quick description of each play, Brian began by talking a bit about why he wanted to produce this play.  Having seen the origianl Broadway production, he felt it would have been so much better in a smaller, more intimate venue such as his.  Tom also looks at La Mancha as fitting easily into the intimate surroundings of Gallery Players’ space. 

Much of the discussion centered around how one produces a Broadway musical on an indie budget.  Both Tom and Brian depend greatly on the talent and ability of their respective musical directors to take responsibility for just about all things vocal.  The importance of a shared vision by each with his musical director makes the process work smoothly.

Before closing Tom and Brian talk about working in NYC but outside of Manhattan. They are in complete agreement that this is not a problem where casting is concerned since it is the work itself that is important and the desire for actors to want to appear in these specific roles, rather than where they are located.  Likewise, if the musical is one audiences have heard of or would like to see in an unamplified venue, they will come.

Episode Links:

• Triumph of Love on nytheatre.com
• Man of la Mancha on nytheatre.com
• Gallery Players website
• Astoria Performing Arts Center website

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This is the second in our podcast series with a group of directors who come together to  discuss a facet of their craft.  In this episode Cat Parker, Glory Sims Bowen, and Jonathan Bank talk about the “design” elements of a production and working with those who make “design” possible.

Cat Parker is, in addition to being a freelance director, producer at T. Schreiber Studio where she last directed Picasso at the Lapin Agile and Sister Cities. Glory Sims Bowen is currently the director of Shapeshifter and has been the artistic director of the Midtown International Theatre Festival for several years.  Jonathan Bank is artistic director of the Mint Theater and his current project is directing Hemingway’s The Fifth Column.

With Martin Denton as moderator, the three directors discussed varied topics about their role in putting together the best design team for each of their productions, what consititutes a good design team, how they and the team work together.  Each brought a unique position to these and other topics discussed.  Yet they seemed to completely agree on the importance of allowing the team to do what each member does best, to let them have freedom to create within the agreed upon vision of the play.  They also agreed upon the joy of working with designers they know.

These three seasoned directors have sound advice for aspiring/new directors and for those who design for them. Costumes, sound, lighting, sets, props and more, all make up the design team.

Episode Links:

• Glory Sims Bowen’s website
• Cat Parker’s website
• Mint Theater website

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Martin Denton talks with the three gentlemen who are directing this year’s “Triple Threat” shows for Emerging Artists Theatre. Triple Threat, now in its third year, presents three original full-length plays in repertory for month-long runs. This year, Triple Threat is being presented at Baruch Performing Arts Center in February 2008.

The plays and directors are:

 - Sisters’ Dance by Sarah Hollister, directed by Paul Adams — which is about two estranged sisters who reunite after their mother dies, and have to deal with what Paul says is a “twist” in the mother’s will

 - The Play About the Naked Guy by David Bell, directed by Tom Wojtunik — which is about an off-off-Broadway company that turns to a gay impressario for help with audience building; Tom says audiences will “laugh their asses off”

 - Claymont by Kevin Brofsky, directed by Derek Jamison — which tells the story of a teenage boy in the ’60s who has a crush on the boy next door

Paul, Derek, and Tom also talk about their own backgrounds and careers. Paul reveals that he didn’t direct for the first ten years of Emerging Artists’ history. Derek talks about his work at Metropolitan Playhouse and other companies. Tom shares a great story about an early assignment as assistant director on a flailing off-Broadway musical.

Episode Links:

• Sisters Dance (info on nytheatre.com; watch for our review)
• The Play About the Naked Guy  (info on nytheatre.com; watch for our review)
• Claymont (info on nytheatre.com; watch for our review)
• Emerging Artists Theatre website

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This is the first of a projected series of roundtable discussions with indie theater directors about a variety of topics. This episode focuses on the subject of auditions. The moderator is Martin Denton and the participants are Cat Parker, Steven Petrillo, and Scott C. Embler.

The panel offers a lot of  useful and valuable information about the audition process, particularly for actors, who will get a lot of tips from this discussion. Some of the specific topics covered include how to prepare for an audition, how to behave throughout the audition (not just during the performance component, but from the moment you arrive), and effective use of headshots and resumes.

One of the most interesting insights is that when a director gives an actor notes during an audition, it doesn’t mean the actor has done something wrong!

There’s also some great conversation about directors’ pet peeves.

Cat Parker is producing director at T. Schreiber Studio. Steven Petrillo is a freelance director who recently helmed the off-Broadway musical Sessions. Scott C. Embler was founding producing director of Vital Theatre Company and is now a freelance director.

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