Humble Play ya'll

We are so proud to present the Humble Play: Appalachian New Play Festival which starts on Monday, September 29th at 6:00pm. We will be hosting an opening reception at 6:00pm featuring the delightful Michael and Becca Lachman, they played for us last Saturday night and we could not wait to have them back again!

The reception will be followed by a playwrighting lecture by Mary Tensing who's play An Algonquin Cinderella will be performed at Stuart’s Opera House on Friday, October 3^rd at 7pm. An Algonquin Cinderella is a Native American variation on the classic story written by Mary Tensing and presented by ArtReach: A Division of the Children's Theatre of Cincinnati.

The full schedule is :

Opening Reception, Sept. 29, 6 p.m.

(Music by Michael and Becca Lachman)

Playwriting Workshop Lecture 7 p.m.

(With Mary Tensing)

Laying Off by James McLindon: Tuesday, September 30, 7 p.m.

(Produced by Actors Moveable Theater)

Coal Creek by Walter Thinnes: Wednesday, October 1, 7 p.m.

(Produced by Athenian Players Theatre)

The 4th Indian by Lynn Veach Sadler: Thursday, October 2, 7 p.m.

(Produced by The Corporation for the Performing Arts)

Strike!: Friday, October 3, 7 p.m.

(Produced by The Lost Flamingo Company)

Youth Division Readings: Saturday, October 4, 1 p.m.

(Sponsored by ARTS/West)

Closing reception on Saturday, October 4 at 6 p.m.

(Music by Charlie and Celia Lewis)

Dignity by Celeste Parsons: Saturday, October 4, 7 p.m.

(Pick of the Festival, produced by the Appalachian Regional Theater Company)

TICKETS

$3.00/reading, $10.00 for a week pass (or seven admissions)

Passes are available at the ARTS/West office- call (740) 592-4315.

But Emily, who are the playwrights? Oh, here you go:

Humble Play Playwright Bios

James McLindon (Laying Off): In the past year has had nine plays produced in theaters across America, eight of them world premieres. Mr. McLindon’s plays have been produced or developed at the Abingdon Theatre, hotINK Festival, Irish Rep, Lark Theatre, Penguin Rep, and HRC Showcase Theatre in New York; Victory Gardens, Stage Left and Prop Thtr in Chicago; Theatricum Botanicum, Circus Theatricals and Grove Theatre Center in Los Angeles; and the Ashland New Plays Festival; the PlayPenn New Plays Conference and the Seven Devils Playwrights Conference.

Reyshan Parker (Strike!): was born April 11th, 1979 to Jim and Cindy Parker. He has written seven full length plays, two of which he has produced at ARTS/West theatre in Athens, Ohio. He has a BFA in Playwriting and a Film minor from Ohio University. He wrote directed and produced the short mochu-mentary Casual Fine Dining in 2007. He also wrote and directed Disorder a short five-minute film commenting on war. He is currently in pre-production for his next film tentatively titled The Closet, and is working on finishing his musical, Strike: an Appalachian Comedy for the summer of 2009. He currently resides in Athens, Ohio with his wife Rose Parker.

Celeste Parsons (Dignity): was born in Texas, spent her school years in northern Virginia, and now lives in a log home outside of Nelsonville with her high school sweetheart, Jim. She originally intended to write novels, but ended up expanding her 10th-grade typing skills into database design, systems analysis, and computer programming. Now retired, Celeste divides her time between community theater, gardening, all sorts of fabric arts, long-distance bicycle touring, and (occasional) porch-sitting.

Lynn Veach Sadler (The Fourth Indian): Former college president Dr. Lynn Veach Sadler has published widely in academics and creative writing. One story appears in Del Sol's Best of 2004. She recently published a novella and a short-story collection, was 2007 Writer of the Year at California's elizaPress, and won Wayne State's 2008 Pearson Award for a play on Iraq. A play on Frost was a Pinter Review Prize for Drama Silver Medalist. A poetry collection and novel are forthcoming.

Walter Thinnes (Coal Creek): is an early career playwright trapped in a later life body. Despite his belated start he has received competition recognition, readings and/or productions in more than sixteen states, The Kennedy Center and several Off-Off-Broadway Theaters. Walter currently resides in New York City but was raised in southern Ohio and is delighted to finally have a reading in his home state. He is a proud member of Actors Equity and the Dramatists Guild of America.

Humble Play

Wow, what a weekend. It was great to see you! We had a lot of fun and made it out alive. Thank you to Weedghost, Flotation Walls and Casual Future- you all were great.

Thank you to Missy's dance collective, Becca Lachman, Michael Lachman, Michelle McGrath, Albert Rouzie, Dinner of Swords, and Laura Nadeau! A community evening to be sure.

Thank you to everyone who came out to become the Lubberland National Dance Company. We truly enjoyed your 7 Election Campaign Dances. You never cease to amaze me.

A big, fat, thank you to Tammy for organizing the auction and all our our local businesses and artists who donated!

Thank you, Ray for helping out on Friday.

Thank you Domi, Corina, Rachel, Charlene!

So, what's next, you say? Well, since you can't seem to give us a break-- we are rehearsing Humble Play, plays all this week and getting ready for the festival which opens on Monday, September 29 and runs through Saturday, Oct. 4. We open with a reception at 6pm and a play writing lecture by Mary Tensing at 7pm. New plays every night the rest of the week at 7pm. Youth Division reading Sat. at 1 pm. Closing reception Oct. 4 at 6pm and "Pick of the Festival" at 7pm on Sat. Readings and lectures are $3 each or you can buy a pass good for 7 admissions for $10! (That's a savings of $11!

Okay, so, we'll see you around.

Aquabear and SEPTEMBERFolk!

Aquabear Live @ ARTS/West with Casual Future and Flotation Walls from Columbus (and more!) $3- doors open at 8:00pm music starts at 8:30!

September 20, 12:00 PM- FRONT & CENTER- a free music event for school age kids at ARTSWEST every third Saturday of each month (Sept.-May) at noon-1 pm September 20th special guest: pianist Michael Tobar second half of event is always an open stage for any kids, solo or group, to share instrumental or vocal music--if you choose. Or just listen and enjoy!

Here is the OFFICIAL SEPTEMBERFolk! Schedule!

6:10 PM Live performances begin, Silent Auction open in Lobby, refreshments served, A/W info & membership table open
6:10 PM - 6:40 PM Becca Lachman (Upstairs)
6:45 - 7:15 PM Albert Rouzie (Upstairs)
7:15 - 8:15 PM Invitation to downstairs for food/bidding
7:15 - 8:15 PM Michele McGrath (Lobby)
8:15 - 9:00 PM Dance by Missy Whaley's Collective, with Dinner of Swords
9:00 - 9:30 PM Break, Final Bids - Auction Close at 9:30!
9:30 to 10:30 PM Laura Nadeau (Upstairs)
10:30 PM Auction Winners Announced, Checkout begins

Do you like music, theater, dance?

As you know, we have a super huge weekend coming up. There is almost certainly something for everyone. Come to one, come to all.

We could still use some volunteers to: usher, man the auction tables, man the box office, etc. If you feel poor, call me and see the show for free! Oh, but the Bread and Puppet is already free thanks to generous support from Arts for Ohio. Bread and puppet is also looking for 20 dancers and 10 musicians to perform with them on Sunday. CALL IF YOU'RE INTERESTED. SPACE IS EXTREMELY LIMITED!! Stop yelling at me, you say, well I am too excited about this weekend.

We have some incredible auction items. Our local businesses and artists rock! We have goods from Bali Karma, DIY Shop, Snowville Creamery, Village Bakery, Decorative Injections, Passion Works, Green Mantel Studio, Beads and Things,The Southeast Ohio Coperheads, RollerBowl Lanes, etc, etc, etc. Thank you to everyone who has contributed to make our silent auction the best ever!

September 19, 8:00 PM -Aquabear Live @ ARTS/West with Casual Future and Flotation Walls from Columbus (and more!) $3

September 20, 12:00 PM- FRONT & CENTER- a free music event for school age kids at ARTSWEST every third Saturday of each month (Sept.-May) at noon-1 pm September 20th special guest: pianist Michael Tobar second half of event is always an open stage for any kids, solo or group, to share instrumental or vocal music--if you choose. Or just listen and enjoy!

September 20, 6:00 PM - SEPTEMBERFolk! A Benefit Celebrating ARTS/West and Village Productions. Featuring acoustic music from a variety of local musicians. Food and refreshments! Plus, a silent auction! Tickets are a suggested donation of $8 in advance and $10 at the door.

September 21, 8:00 PM The Bread and Puppet Theater presents 7 Election Campaign Celebration Dances by the Lubberland National Dance Company. FREE! Thanks to support from Arts for Ohio. They are seeking community volunteers to perform with Peter Schumann in the evening. Bread and Puppet will teach 20 volunteers the entire show and then perform. They are looking for 20 dances and 10 musicians. Trained and not trained. Preferably adults although they make exceptions. The day will start at 3:00pm for rehearsals and then you can see your community friends and neighbors perform in the evening. All activities will take place at ARTS/West. Spots are limited, so call 740-592-4315 today if you want to join the fun!

September 29- October 4, 2008 Humble Play: Appalachian New Play Festival New plays from the Appalachian region
The Humble Play is a festival of sit-down readings of new plays. The first step in the process of new play creation. Each of the readings is produced by a local theater group. Audience members are invited to stay after each reading, meet the playwrights and actors and offer responses to the play.
9.29 - Public Playwriting workshop led by Mary Tensing and opening reception at 7pm
9.30 - Actors Moveable Theater presents Laying Off by James McLindon at 7pm
10.1 - Athenian Players Theatre presents Coal Creek by Walter Thines at 7pm
10.2 - Corporation for the Performing Arts presents The Fourth Indian by Lynn Veach Sadler at 7pm
10.3 - Lost Flamingo Company presents Strike! by Reyshan Parker at 7pm
10.4 - Youth Division readings at 1pm
10.4 - Appalachian Regional Theater Company presents The Pick of the Festival Dignity by Celeste Parsons and closing reception at 6pm
This project is supported in part by the Ohio River Border Initiative, a joint project of the Ohio Arts Council and the West Virginia Commission on the Arts

Upcoming:
October 17-19- ART/Oberfest- Community celebration of the visual, performing and culinary arts. ART/oberfest will feature live and recorded music, visual art, crafts, performance art, spoken word and other entertainers. This event is open to everyone!
Ongoing:
Last Sunday of every month:Experimental-improv music workshops at pot luck dinner. 6:00 PM-9:00 PM www.myspace.com/artwestnoiseshow

Third Saturday Jan.-May 12:00 PM-1:00 PM Front and Center- Music program and open stage for kids


NEW CLASSES AND EVENTS
ALWAYS BEING ADDED!


A note from Domi from APE Center in ARTS/West.

I hope that you and your "little rascals" had an awesome summer! Thank you again for your kind evaluations of our summer theater camp - our whole team was thrilled! I am writing to you to let you know about a unique opportunity for your children to take a part in APE Center's six-Friday theater and social skills series of workshops for FREE (donations welcomed). The workshops are aimed at children aged 6 to 9. We are starting this Friday, September 19, at 3.45pm at ARTS/West. The total of six Friday sessions 3.45 - 4.45pm will finish October 24. Your children's outcome will be presented at Pumpkin FestiFall organized by Dairy Barn and Well Works on Saturday, October 25, sometime between noon\ and 6pm at The Dairy Barn. Program of the workshops: Besides songs, rhymes, and interactive games your children will experience basic principles of acting together, practicing social skills, teamwork and communication skills, and multicultural awareness. We will make masks and puppets, and prepare short skits. We also will act out some fairy-tales and stories from around the world. The workshop is very child-oriented; it focuses more on the process, and what children learn about themselves during the process, than on a final product (the show). Children's use of imagination, fantasy and creativity during the team work is what matters most in this workshop. Come and see what it is all about this Friday, September 19 at 3.45pmdownstairs of ARTS/West - I will be there looking forward to again work with your children! Feel free to bring your children's friends, and/or spread the word.
Have a wonderful day,
Domi Adamova, M.Ed, LSCArtistic Director, APE Center

Some go, some no go

Dear ARTS/West fans-

Here is an update on our fall classes:

Poetry with Wendy McVicker- FULL (we are starting a waiting list for the next session)

Creative Writing with Amy Coombs- Open (we had our first meeting on 9/9 but welcome more participants next Tuesday, September 16 at 5:30 pm.) Creative Writing: When: Tuesdays, September 9-November 11. Time: 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM. Fee: $55. What: Do you have a story for children or teens you want to tell? The whisper of an idea or a finished draft? Come shape your story with individualized and group instruction. We’ll focus on the basics of craft plus special elements of Children’s literature. Led by: Amy Coombs, former school librarian who publishes for elementary ages through teens.

Writers’ Reading Group- Open. Hear your work read by other writers and get feedback in a non-competitive and supportive environment. $50 for 10 weekly sessions (time TBD). Led by Bill Cook.

Creative Writing workshop for ages 12-14- Canceled

Story of their life- acting workshop fro 12-14- Canceled

Now, read the prior post to see all of the impending fall awesomeness.

Holy Booked September, Batman!

If March comes in like a lion, September is more like a wild buffalo - in a china shop - carrying 27 jackhammer operators. We're slammed with great arts activities - all in ONE WEEKEND! So check it out!

FIRST UP:
AQUABEAR LEGION, LIVE AT ARTS/West, September 19
The Legion continues our monthly concert series at ARTS/West in September with music from:

Casual Future, Flotation Walls (Columbus). & Weedghost

Doors at 8pm, Music starts at 8:30, Admission is $4 - ALL AGES SHOW

www.aquabearlegion.com

UP NEXT:
SEPTEMBERFolk! A Benefit Celebrating ARTS/West & Village Productions
September 20, 6:00 PM to 11:00 PM at ARTS/West
A night of music, dance, food, & celebration!
Local singer/songwriters, headlined by Laura Nadeau, dance by Missy Whaley's Collective, delicious treats, and a Silent Auction of goods & services from great Athens businesses and artists!

Admission is $8.00 in advance, $10.00 at door, and all proceeds support the programs of ARTS/West and Village Productions!

Silent Auction Highlights so far:
Copperheads 2009 season passes, 1 hour massage at Athens Medical Massage, a Fender Dreadnought acoustic guitar, tickets to Stuart's, MemAud, and the OU School of Theater, handcrafted jewelry, art from local painters/photographers/sculptors, dinner for two at a bunch of great places around town - and more being added daily!

And FINALLY:

ARTS/West is ecstatic to present a FREE performance of The Bread and Puppet Theater's 7 Election Campaign Celebration Dances by the Lubberland National Dance Company on September 21, 2008 at 8:00 PM. They are seeking community volunteers to perform with Peter Schumann in the evening. The day will start at 3:00pm for rehearsals and then you can see your community friends and neighbors perform in the evening. All activities will take place at ARTS/West. Spots are limited, so call 740-592-4315 today if you want to join the fun!

The Theater was founded in 1962-1963 in New York City. It was active during the Vietnam War in anti-war protests, primarily in New York. It is often remembered as a central part of the political spectacle of the time, as its enormous puppets (often ten to fifteen feet tall) were a fixture of many demonstrations. In 1970 the Theater moved to Vermont, first to Goddard College in Plainfield, and then to a farm in Glover where it still resides. The Bread & Puppet Theater has received National Endowment for the Arts grants and numerous awards from the Puppeteers of America and other organizations: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bread_and_Puppet_Theater.

NOT TO MENTION: 2008 Humble Play Festival starts September 29! Check back for more details.

So, whether you prefer music (plugged or unplugged) or dance theater with a side of politics, come see us at ARTS/West!

Clean-up Thank You

Major thank you to everyone who came out on Saturday to help with our clean-up!

There are quite a few acting opportunities around our region- the best site that I have found is http://www.myspace.com/galliactors- The Gallia Actors are networking fools! So, if you need actors, classes or audition notices please, check this myspace out!

With that- here is a local call.

AUDITIONS: “The Sugar Plays” Fall Auditions (Comedies)

DATE: Friday, September 12 and Saturday, September 13

TIME: 6pm-8pm

LOCATION: Baker University Center, Room 231

Doctoral Candidate (School of Communication Studies), Kallia Wright, will hold open auditions for “The Sugar Plays.” All students, and interested community members are invited to audition. This fall, the 20 minutes plays, “Sugar Bear” and “Lucille” will be presented to audiences in South-east Ohio as part of Kallia’s dissertation research on narratives of diabetes in Appalachia. The plays are comedies, with happy endings, so please prepare a 2 minute monologue from a play, and provide a picture and résumé. For more information, contact Kallia at wrightk2@ohio.edu or call 740-589-6706.

CHARACTERS

“Lucille”

Lucille: A retired woman newly-diagnosed with diabetes, mid-60’s to 70’s

Nurse Candy: mid-20’s to 30’s

________________

“Sugar Bear”

Andrew: Dad, diabetic, mid-30’s to 40’s Marlene: Momma, mid-30’s to 40’s

Andy: Son (10 to 12 years) Peanut: Daughter (6 to 8 years)

Papaw: Grandpa, diabetic, mid-50s to early 60s

PERFORMANCE DATES

“Lucille”	“Sugar Bear”
A newly diagnosed diabetic woman learns how to get help from her family	A family learns to be honest with each other and about diabetes
Fri., October 3, Mon. October 13, Sat. October 18, and Sat. November 1	Mon. October 13, Fri. October 17, Sat., October 25, Sat. November 8

(We ask for commitment to between 2-3 performances)