Wishing everyone a happy new year! May 2010 bring you lots of joy, magic, laughter and love.
-Kristin, Wade & Sam
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Busy little elves...
Wade and Kristin are hard at work to revisions and edits of ONE. But Wade has been busy doing some fun elf work at Portland Center Stage and was featured on Broadway World.
Check out the write up here: Broadway World
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Let the show begin...
There is nothing so valuable as an audience!
The space we’re in for performances is so interesting, its intimacy making it that there is no dark back corner to lurk in. Everyone is looking right at one another, actors and audience alike.
It’s like we’re living life right in front of each other. Which is what we do every day, but sometimes it takes the slow rise of lights and the thud of an actor’s shoes across the set to help us remember that everything is happening all the time.
The audience is the third pillar of theater. Watching them lean forward, hearing them laugh, seeing them have a moment that catches them off guard, and getting their feedback is vital as we continue development.
As Hermann ruminates, “It’s nothing until someone reads it.”
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Monday, August 10, 2009
A Place To Call Home
We wanted to take a moment to give a special thanks to Telsey & Co. for their generous support of our workshop. Sonnet Repertory Theatre Co. advisory board member Bernard Telsey generously agreed to allow us to use his audition studio as our rehearsal space. What a perfect fit. Centrally located in Midtown, the studio happens to be a perfect match to the theatre space we will be moving into. We have been able to map exactly where every audience member will be sitting, and play in a space that will feel very familiar when we move into the theatre. Rehearsal space in the city isn’t always easy to come by… especially when you’re making BIG NOISE… like we tend to do. So we thank Telsey & Co.
Interestingly enough, Bernie Telsey happens to be featured in this month’s Playbill Magazine. Read all about him…
Playbill.com
Interestingly enough, Bernie Telsey happens to be featured in this month’s Playbill Magazine. Read all about him…
Playbill.com
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Watching a Master at Work…
With 29 songs in the show, music is a very important part of the rehearsal process. Add to that complex harmonies, daily edits, the addition of an underscore track, changing time signatures… and you’ve got your work cut out for you! But watching Music Director Karl Mansfield at work makes it look as easy as breathing. He brings a joy and skill to the room that gives ease to the actors and allows room for questions or changes. It’s a total joy to watch him work.
Add to that the “compose on the fly” style when Wade sees an opportunity to fine tune or refine, and the rehearsal process gets very exciting. The moments of discovery are beautiful. And when the sound is full the goose bumps suddenly appear.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Enter The Magicians...
The music has been taught, the actors are on their feet working their way through the text and exploring each moment of the scene, and now we add a new element... DESIGN.
Last night Set Designer Lex, Sound Designer Justin, and Light Designer Jessica began to add color to our canvas. Lots of beautiful and exciting ideas being shared.
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Workshop - Week ONE
ONE week down... whew!
The actors read and sang through the entire script today after spending the week learning ALL the songs... Wade has certainly composed them a voluminous challenge. After the read thru on the first day, I went back to some scenes and hacked at them, added to others, and marked the moments that need something though I'm not quite sure what yet. That's why we have smart and talented actors in the room. It's so strange and beautiful to have nine voices saying things that you've spent two years listening to in your head.
We're going to start working the scenes this week and get them on their feet, which means we put 'em up and pull 'em apart to figure out what works and what doesn't. I'm looking forward to hearing everyone's questions and to finding out the answers, because that's how we're going to make this thing really sing.
-Kristin
The actors read and sang through the entire script today after spending the week learning ALL the songs... Wade has certainly composed them a voluminous challenge. After the read thru on the first day, I went back to some scenes and hacked at them, added to others, and marked the moments that need something though I'm not quite sure what yet. That's why we have smart and talented actors in the room. It's so strange and beautiful to have nine voices saying things that you've spent two years listening to in your head.
We're going to start working the scenes this week and get them on their feet, which means we put 'em up and pull 'em apart to figure out what works and what doesn't. I'm looking forward to hearing everyone's questions and to finding out the answers, because that's how we're going to make this thing really sing.
-Kristin
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
We've begun...
This week has been dedicated to music rehearsal. We are moving fast in learning all 30 songs in the show in just four days. The blend of voices are beautiful. Together they fill this room with a total wall of sound. Some moments take my breath away, harmonies are bringing tears, moments of discovery bring pure joy.
Monday, July 27, 2009
Bearing Witness by: Andy Lindberg
Nearly four years ago I was totally blissed out as cast member of the 2005 production of “One.” I filled my days and nights with the music, the imagery and the connections that formed the show. I was surrounded by friends and good feeling as we put up what was, at the time, the most current version of the show.
Tonight I was blessed to sit in as a new group of artists began their journey with what is, as of today, the NEW version of the show.
Though I knew the show, like most of the cast and crew I was hearing this new version for the first time. It gave me shivers.
The show has grown and changed greatly since 2005. An entirely new way of looking at the story brings us face to face with Hermann Hesse as he struggles to write “Siddhartha.’” The story dips and dives between the parallel journeys of the writer and his creation as they both seek to find peace in their life.
And the music has changed as well. Tonight we heard the music almost entirely in the voice of the composer, Wade. He and his Macintosh have been busy constructing symphonies and calliopes to demonstrate the new score. We heard him singing almost all the parts, often multi-tracked into a choir of singers.
And it is new. Gone is nearly every note I sang in 2005. In their place are new works that brought clarity to the story, and moved me.
It was odd, sitting on the sidelines. I was filled with excitement for the actors and the creative team as they begin to wrap themselves in the eiderdown of this new version of the show. This new version is darker, but clearer than 2005. It is more complex. It is going to take work to tease the piece apart and put it together in its new form.
But that’s the fun part.
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Ready, set, go!
Do you remember your first time in the theatre?
I can remember every detail about it. I remember driving downtown for a night at the theatre. I remember that I sat three seats from the house left aisle and we were seven rows back. I remember that I was six years old and was wearing my prettiest pink frilly dress. I remember the seats were red velvet and I remember that my mom let me walk down before the show started and look into the orchestra pit.
There were people down there. They were tuning instruments and all dressed in black dresses and tuxedos. Then suddenly the lights dimmed and mom rushed me back to our seats and rising out of the ‘orchestra pit’ came a man with a baton. Oh the anticipation. I could see his head only as he stood to thank the audience and then he turned back to the people under the stage and the lights went dark. And the music started.
The stage had a big heavy golden curtain with fringe on the bottom. And together we took a collective breath in as the curtain began to rise. It was my first musical… Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. The music made you want to dance and the costumes were beautiful. Lumberjacks in their suspenders danced and sang and whirled around their brides with brightly colored dresses whooshing past the lip of the stage.
I remember having to hold onto the arms of the seats… because mom told me we couldn’t dance in the aisle. And I remember walking out of the theatre singing and dancing and so excited.
While it probably wasn’t the most challenging piece of theatre… for a six year old, it was magical. And in the end I walked out of the theatre with 1,000 other people tapping their toes and feeling happy. It’s why we love the theatre, right? That magical moment when you take a collective sigh and want to burst out singing together. In an instant you build a community.
Four years ago I came on as the producer because I saw the seed of that magic. Together we have traveled a wonderful journey of discovery and today we take our next big step. I am so proud of Wade and Kristin and what they have created from that seed and today I sit here on the edge of that red velvet seat again with my feet dangling over the edge, holding on as the curtain begins to rise.
The conductor’s baton rises and we all take a collective sigh, as we are ready to burst out singing.
-Samantha Swaim, Producer
I can remember every detail about it. I remember driving downtown for a night at the theatre. I remember that I sat three seats from the house left aisle and we were seven rows back. I remember that I was six years old and was wearing my prettiest pink frilly dress. I remember the seats were red velvet and I remember that my mom let me walk down before the show started and look into the orchestra pit.
There were people down there. They were tuning instruments and all dressed in black dresses and tuxedos. Then suddenly the lights dimmed and mom rushed me back to our seats and rising out of the ‘orchestra pit’ came a man with a baton. Oh the anticipation. I could see his head only as he stood to thank the audience and then he turned back to the people under the stage and the lights went dark. And the music started.
The stage had a big heavy golden curtain with fringe on the bottom. And together we took a collective breath in as the curtain began to rise. It was my first musical… Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. The music made you want to dance and the costumes were beautiful. Lumberjacks in their suspenders danced and sang and whirled around their brides with brightly colored dresses whooshing past the lip of the stage.
I remember having to hold onto the arms of the seats… because mom told me we couldn’t dance in the aisle. And I remember walking out of the theatre singing and dancing and so excited.
While it probably wasn’t the most challenging piece of theatre… for a six year old, it was magical. And in the end I walked out of the theatre with 1,000 other people tapping their toes and feeling happy. It’s why we love the theatre, right? That magical moment when you take a collective sigh and want to burst out singing together. In an instant you build a community.
Four years ago I came on as the producer because I saw the seed of that magic. Together we have traveled a wonderful journey of discovery and today we take our next big step. I am so proud of Wade and Kristin and what they have created from that seed and today I sit here on the edge of that red velvet seat again with my feet dangling over the edge, holding on as the curtain begins to rise.
The conductor’s baton rises and we all take a collective sigh, as we are ready to burst out singing.
-Samantha Swaim, Producer
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
I use my guitar to kill illusion and express my souls’ voice - Tomoki Spilsbury
Introducing Tomoki.
Tomoki joins ONE as our guitar player in our small but very important orchestra. Joining a keyboard and a violin we are excited to have Tomoki on board.
Here is a little bit more about him:
Tomoki was born in Japan in 1984. He developed an early passion for guitar when his grandmother gave him his first at age 13. Guitar became a total focus of his energy and creativity during his teens. At thirteen, he was adopted by a friend in the United States, as he felt his music career was meant to take off in the USA.
He began his life in the United States in Maui, Hawaii where he studied jazz and became familiar with life and the English language in the USA. When he no longer felt challenged by the teachers on the island, he decided to move to LA to study at LA Musican’s Institute, where his professional training began in earnest. Later he felt that it was important to move to the Bay area, near San Francisco to study at Berkeley Jazz School, which he did for three years. During this time he also deeply studied private lessons with one of the most respected Jazz music teachers in the US, Charlie Banocos. He is still studying with this Jazz legend.
Tomoki recorded his first CD with Paul Van Wageningen and John Whitalla. During this same time period, Tomoki began to perform with the Danny Cao Quintet. Tomoki was very influenced by the music of Jimi Hendrix in his early explorations in music . His musical flavor of late combines many styles of music, which most recently birthed a fusion of contemporary jazz and Japanese folk melodies which he plays with his band “Neiro” featuring Tomoki on guitar, Paul Van Wageningen on drums and Kit Walker on Hammond organ.
Tomoki joins ONE as our guitar player in our small but very important orchestra. Joining a keyboard and a violin we are excited to have Tomoki on board.
Here is a little bit more about him:
Tomoki was born in Japan in 1984. He developed an early passion for guitar when his grandmother gave him his first at age 13. Guitar became a total focus of his energy and creativity during his teens. At thirteen, he was adopted by a friend in the United States, as he felt his music career was meant to take off in the USA.
He began his life in the United States in Maui, Hawaii where he studied jazz and became familiar with life and the English language in the USA. When he no longer felt challenged by the teachers on the island, he decided to move to LA to study at LA Musican’s Institute, where his professional training began in earnest. Later he felt that it was important to move to the Bay area, near San Francisco to study at Berkeley Jazz School, which he did for three years. During this time he also deeply studied private lessons with one of the most respected Jazz music teachers in the US, Charlie Banocos. He is still studying with this Jazz legend.
Tomoki recorded his first CD with Paul Van Wageningen and John Whitalla. During this same time period, Tomoki began to perform with the Danny Cao Quintet. Tomoki was very influenced by the music of Jimi Hendrix in his early explorations in music . His musical flavor of late combines many styles of music, which most recently birthed a fusion of contemporary jazz and Japanese folk melodies which he plays with his band “Neiro” featuring Tomoki on guitar, Paul Van Wageningen on drums and Kit Walker on Hammond organ.
Meet Lighting Designer Jessica Lynn Hinkle
Jessica joins ONE as the lighting designer working to create the emotion and environment of the show through light and shadow, color and contract, and sometimes a lot of imagination. We are excited to have Jessica on board. Here is a little bit more about her:
Jessica Lynn Hinkle (Lighting Designer) - NYC credits include Oberon Theater Co.'s Insecurity - The Musical as well as Much Ado about Nothing and American Rapture at Theatre Row, Sonnet Repertory Theatre's Midsummer Night's Dream, Poetry in Motion and Sound of Emptiness with Sachiyo Ito & Co, the American Girl productions of Bitty Bear's Matinee and An American Girl Holiday Celebration, the world premieres of Trailerville, The Texas Mama-Logues, The Furies, and Hollywood at Sunset. Other Off-Off Broadway lighting designs include Rosencrantz & Guildenstern..., Summer and Smoke and Vieux Carre. Jessica is also a freelance props designer, scenic artist and production designer. Her props designs and scenic artwork can be seen in the Wildlife Conservation Society's educational outreach and children's theater program, and her props were featured in Hipgnosis Theater Company's Caucasian Chalk Circle and Measure for Measure. Her production design for Transition with Reggie Watts was seen in Portland, Oregon's TBA:08 Festival.
Jessica Lynn Hinkle (Lighting Designer) - NYC credits include Oberon Theater Co.'s Insecurity - The Musical as well as Much Ado about Nothing and American Rapture at Theatre Row, Sonnet Repertory Theatre's Midsummer Night's Dream, Poetry in Motion and Sound of Emptiness with Sachiyo Ito & Co, the American Girl productions of Bitty Bear's Matinee and An American Girl Holiday Celebration, the world premieres of Trailerville, The Texas Mama-Logues, The Furies, and Hollywood at Sunset. Other Off-Off Broadway lighting designs include Rosencrantz & Guildenstern..., Summer and Smoke and Vieux Carre. Jessica is also a freelance props designer, scenic artist and production designer. Her props designs and scenic artwork can be seen in the Wildlife Conservation Society's educational outreach and children's theater program, and her props were featured in Hipgnosis Theater Company's Caucasian Chalk Circle and Measure for Measure. Her production design for Transition with Reggie Watts was seen in Portland, Oregon's TBA:08 Festival.
Lex Liang Joins ONE as Scenic Designer
With rehearsals only a few days away the creative team as been hard at work in developing concepts for the design of the world of ONE. Taking on the task of designing the world we live in is Lex Liang.
Here is a little more about Lex:
Recent New York/Off Broadway: The Shape of Metal (Brian Murray, Dir.), The Yellow Wood (BD Wong, Dir.), Secrets of a Soccer Mom (Judith Ivey, Dir.), After Luke (Irish Rep), When I Was God (Irish Rep). Recent Dance: The Distance Between Us (Gina Gibney Dance/Alvin Ailey), View Partially Obstructed (Gina Gibney Dance/Baryshnikov), International Tanzmesse, Dusseldorf, Germany. Recent Film: Love Is Hell, The Louisiana Conversation. Architectural/Interior: Sweet Priscilla's Cafe, Synergy Fitness Center, VBar Cafe, Sophia Eugene, RED Boutique, Lemonade. United Scenic Artists, Local 829.
Here is a little more about Lex:
Recent New York/Off Broadway: The Shape of Metal (Brian Murray, Dir.), The Yellow Wood (BD Wong, Dir.), Secrets of a Soccer Mom (Judith Ivey, Dir.), After Luke (Irish Rep), When I Was God (Irish Rep). Recent Dance: The Distance Between Us (Gina Gibney Dance/Alvin Ailey), View Partially Obstructed (Gina Gibney Dance/Baryshnikov), International Tanzmesse, Dusseldorf, Germany. Recent Film: Love Is Hell, The Louisiana Conversation. Architectural/Interior: Sweet Priscilla's Cafe, Synergy Fitness Center, VBar Cafe, Sophia Eugene, RED Boutique, Lemonade. United Scenic Artists, Local 829.
Jonathan Ross joins ONE as Assistant Director
We are thrilled to have J.T. on board as our assistant director working in partnership with Todd.
Here is a little bit more about J.T. in his own words:
Jonathan (J.T.) Ross was somehow born and raised in Southern California. After high school, he ventured east to attend The Boston Conservatory where he received a bachelors degree in Musical/Theater Arts and branched away from performing and into directing. He has directed productions of "Sabra Symphony", "Oh Dad Poor Dad...", "The Rue Garden", and "A Little Night Music". "One" is the first workshop of a play that he has gotten to work on and he is excited and honored for the opportunity to be dealing with new material. J.T. lives in Brooklyn and also writes for www.minorprogression.com, an online music and arts blog that you may or may not consider innapropriate.
Here is a little bit more about J.T. in his own words:
Jonathan (J.T.) Ross was somehow born and raised in Southern California. After high school, he ventured east to attend The Boston Conservatory where he received a bachelors degree in Musical/Theater Arts and branched away from performing and into directing. He has directed productions of "Sabra Symphony", "Oh Dad Poor Dad...", "The Rue Garden", and "A Little Night Music". "One" is the first workshop of a play that he has gotten to work on and he is excited and honored for the opportunity to be dealing with new material. J.T. lives in Brooklyn and also writes for www.minorprogression.com, an online music and arts blog that you may or may not consider innapropriate.
Half Way There…
With the workshop starting in less than a week, we’ve almost reached the halfway mark for our fundraising goal. Now it’s time to kick into high gear.
If all 887 of our Facebook fans dropped just $10 into the bucket, we’d hit our goal. Have you made your $10 donation yet?
As we approach our first day of rehearsal... we need you to join the journey. Join the $10 for ONE campaign today by making a $10 contribution to the workshop production of ONE. Then go out and tell 10 of your friends to do the same!
Here’s How It Works…
Step 1:
Donate $10
www.SONNETREPERTORYTHEATRE.ORG
Click Here To Support Us
Step 2:
Ask 10 people to donate $10
Send them an email - Pass on this message
Step 3:
Ask those 10 people to continue the cycle and ask 10 more people.
Spread the word and join the $10 for ONE campaign.
Make your donation today at www.SONNETREPERTORYTHEATRE.ORG
Donations are tax deductible.
Or make your check out to “Sonnet Repertory Theatre, Inc.” and send to:
SRT, Inc. / ONE
Attn: Office of Development
PO Box 772
New York, NY 10108
If all 887 of our Facebook fans dropped just $10 into the bucket, we’d hit our goal. Have you made your $10 donation yet?
As we approach our first day of rehearsal... we need you to join the journey. Join the $10 for ONE campaign today by making a $10 contribution to the workshop production of ONE. Then go out and tell 10 of your friends to do the same!
Special thanks to our donors: Sean Sweeney & Tom Barreto
Here’s How It Works…
Step 1:
Donate $10
www.SONNETREPERTORYTHEATRE.ORG
Click Here To Support Us
Step 2:
Ask 10 people to donate $10
Send them an email - Pass on this message
Step 3:
Ask those 10 people to continue the cycle and ask 10 more people.
Spread the word and join the $10 for ONE campaign.
Make your donation today at www.SONNETREPERTORYTHEATRE.ORG
Donations are tax deductible.
Or make your check out to “Sonnet Repertory Theatre, Inc.” and send to:
SRT, Inc. / ONE
Attn: Office of Development
PO Box 772
New York, NY 10108
Sunday, July 19, 2009
The Countdown...
8 days and counting… and then our first rehearsal begins. Everything is buzzing with anticipation and deadlines. Scripts are being finalized for the start of rehearsal, pages of sheet music are being generated, and final tweaks and edits are falling into place.
Designers are gathering together Monday to prepare designs and get concepts in place.
The rehearsal studio is reserved, the marketing outreach has begun and SRT is in the final stages of fundraising.
Everything is a buzz and we are so excited for the entire team to be in one place for the start of this next adventure. Let the workshop begin!
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Monday, July 13, 2009
Tonight... Get A Sneak Peak
Are you in NY City and ready to get a sneak peak of ONE. Head out to support SRT and spend an evening celebrating the works of recent graduates of the nation's foremost drama programs... plus cap the evening with a sneak peak of ONE. It's all happening tonight!!!!
JUST GO!
Sonnet Repertory Theatre, Inc.
Join us on Monday, July 13 at 7PM
Collaborative Series 2009
SRT’s Collaborative Series assembles both recent graduates of the nation’s foremost drama programs and veterans of New York theater for an evening of 15-minute plays. The goal is two-fold: first, to offer young artists an opportunity to perform, and second, to welcome those new to the realm of professional theater into the community that awaits them.
Over 24 hours this summer, twelve actors and three directors will read, rehearse, and perform three 15-minute plays. These actors and directors are unfamiliar to each other. These plays, inspired by a theme from classic literature, have never before been produced. Our audience will be privy to an evening of theater predicated on collaboration, risk, and instinct.
Collaborative Series Details:
Theme for the Playwrights
"There are times when lying is the most sacred of duties"
- EUGENE LABICHE c. 1861
Playwrights
Greta Gerwig
Jim Knable
Sean Kent
Directors
Jeremiah Maestas
Robyne Parrish
Michael Lluberes
Actors
Matt Harrington (NYU)
Julie Sharbutt (NYU
Maechi Aharanwa (Julliard)
Anthony Wofford (Julliard)
Leah Walsh (Julliard)
Luke Robertson (Yale)
Teresa Avia Lim (Yale)
Laura Esposito (Yale)
Kristopher Alexander (UNSCA)
Ben Yannette (UNSCA)
Andy Hassell (UNCSA)
Aleque Reid (UNCSA)
A SNEAK PEEK OF ONE BY CREATOR WADE MCCOLLUM WILL FOLLOW ALONG WITH A NEW CAMPAIGN INITIATIVE!
Monday, July 13 at 7PM
The Goldman-Sonnenfeldt Auditorium
JCC in Manhattan
334 Amsterdam Avenue, at 76th Street
$5 General Admission
Tickets are limited. Reserve by emailing your request to info@sonnetrepertorytheatre.org with “Collaborative Series" in the subject line.
JUST GO!
Sonnet Repertory Theatre, Inc.
Join us on Monday, July 13 at 7PM
Collaborative Series 2009
SRT’s Collaborative Series assembles both recent graduates of the nation’s foremost drama programs and veterans of New York theater for an evening of 15-minute plays. The goal is two-fold: first, to offer young artists an opportunity to perform, and second, to welcome those new to the realm of professional theater into the community that awaits them.
Over 24 hours this summer, twelve actors and three directors will read, rehearse, and perform three 15-minute plays. These actors and directors are unfamiliar to each other. These plays, inspired by a theme from classic literature, have never before been produced. Our audience will be privy to an evening of theater predicated on collaboration, risk, and instinct.
Collaborative Series Details:
Theme for the Playwrights
"There are times when lying is the most sacred of duties"
- EUGENE LABICHE c. 1861
Playwrights
Greta Gerwig
Jim Knable
Sean Kent
Directors
Jeremiah Maestas
Robyne Parrish
Michael Lluberes
Actors
Matt Harrington (NYU)
Julie Sharbutt (NYU
Maechi Aharanwa (Julliard)
Anthony Wofford (Julliard)
Leah Walsh (Julliard)
Luke Robertson (Yale)
Teresa Avia Lim (Yale)
Laura Esposito (Yale)
Kristopher Alexander (UNSCA)
Ben Yannette (UNSCA)
Andy Hassell (UNCSA)
Aleque Reid (UNCSA)
A SNEAK PEEK OF ONE BY CREATOR WADE MCCOLLUM WILL FOLLOW ALONG WITH A NEW CAMPAIGN INITIATIVE!
Monday, July 13 at 7PM
The Goldman-Sonnenfeldt Auditorium
JCC in Manhattan
334 Amsterdam Avenue, at 76th Street
$5 General Admission
Tickets are limited. Reserve by emailing your request to info@sonnetrepertorytheatre.org with “Collaborative Series" in the subject line.
Sunday, July 5, 2009
59E59 Theaters
We are excited to be heading to the stages at 59E59 Theaters. After a four-week workshop process we will perform for a week in theatre C.
59E59 Theaters is a brand new, state-of-the-art theater complex in a spectacular location on 59th Street between Park and Madison Avenues in Manhattan.
Owned and operated by the Elysabeth Kleinhans Theatrical Foundation, a not-for profit operating foundation, 59E59 Theaters has set an invigorating policy of bringing new, challenging and experimental work to a new neighborhood.
Thank you for hosting us 59E59… tickets on sale soon!
The Mirror's Reflection
In ONE, some of the actors play two characters, the person they are in the world of 1920 where Hermann lives, and the mirror character that they are in the created world of his book. For example, Pearl Sun plays both Maria, Hermann's wife, and Kamala, the woman in the book who Siddhartha meets in the city. Paolo Montalban plays Gunther, Hermann's best friend, and Govinda, Siddhartha's best friend. Each actor bounces back and forth between the two roles to illuminate how each acts on the other. And in the case of Howard Kaye, he will be playing a whole series of characters that both Hermann and Siddhartha meet along their respective tracks, each so different but based on a common thread.
Pearl Sun
Pearl's Credits Include:
Broadway:
Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! - Original Broadway Production, 2006
Happiness - Lincoln Center Theatre
The Nightingale - Pre-Broadway Workshop
Legally Blonde - Pre-Broadway Workshop
Off Broadway:
Walmartopia - Original Off Broadway Production
The Seven - Original Off-Broadway Production, 2006
The Oak Tree - Perry Street Theatre
R.A.W. - The Actor’s Loft
Paolo Montalban
Paolo's Credits Include:
Film:
Cinderella with Whitney Houston, Brandy & Bernadette Peters
Broadway:
Pacific Overtures - Broadway Roundabout Revival, 2004
The King & I - Neil Simon Theatre Broadway Revival, 1996
Off Broadway:
Romance of Magno Rubio - Culture Project
The King and I - St. Louis MUNY Production, 2006
Cinderella - Paper Mill Production, 2005
Two Gentlemen of Verona - Off-Broadway Revival, 2005
Jenny and Me - York Theatre
The King and I - Paper Mill Production, 2002
Howard Kaye
Howard's Credits Include:
Broadway:
Mama Mia - North American Touring Company
Miss Saigon - Broadway
Fiddler On The Roof - Broadway Revival
Man Of La Mancha - Broadway Revival
Peter Pan w/ Sandy Duncan
Jesus Christ Superstar - European Tour
Off-Broadway:
Silence! The Musical - NY Fringe Festival
Manhattan Madcaps of 1924 - Symphony Space Off Broadway
God Bless You Mr. Rosewater - Off Broadway
The Little Prince - Original Off Broadway
Ever After - Off Broadway Workshop
Pearl Sun
Pearl's Credits Include:
Broadway:
Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! - Original Broadway Production, 2006
Happiness - Lincoln Center Theatre
The Nightingale - Pre-Broadway Workshop
Legally Blonde - Pre-Broadway Workshop
Off Broadway:
Walmartopia - Original Off Broadway Production
The Seven - Original Off-Broadway Production, 2006
The Oak Tree - Perry Street Theatre
R.A.W. - The Actor’s Loft
Paolo Montalban
Paolo's Credits Include:
Film:
Cinderella with Whitney Houston, Brandy & Bernadette Peters
Broadway:
Pacific Overtures - Broadway Roundabout Revival, 2004
The King & I - Neil Simon Theatre Broadway Revival, 1996
Off Broadway:
Romance of Magno Rubio - Culture Project
The King and I - St. Louis MUNY Production, 2006
Cinderella - Paper Mill Production, 2005
Two Gentlemen of Verona - Off-Broadway Revival, 2005
Jenny and Me - York Theatre
The King and I - Paper Mill Production, 2002
Howard Kaye
Howard's Credits Include:
Broadway:
Mama Mia - North American Touring Company
Miss Saigon - Broadway
Fiddler On The Roof - Broadway Revival
Man Of La Mancha - Broadway Revival
Peter Pan w/ Sandy Duncan
Jesus Christ Superstar - European Tour
Off-Broadway:
Silence! The Musical - NY Fringe Festival
Manhattan Madcaps of 1924 - Symphony Space Off Broadway
God Bless You Mr. Rosewater - Off Broadway
The Little Prince - Original Off Broadway
Ever After - Off Broadway Workshop
Meet Hermann & Siddhartha
Meet ONE characters Hermann and Siddhartha. Hermann is a German philosopher, artist, and author working in the early twentieth century. He’s hard at work on a new book and the process isn’t going as smoothly as he would like. Siddhartha is the main character of said book. He’s a Brahmin in ancient India who decides to leave all the privilege he’s ever known in pursuit of the greater truth and has many adventures along the way. The musical explores the relationship between creator and creation, and wrestles with the idea of who actually writes whom.
Michael Winther
Michael's Credits Include:
Broadway:
33 Variations - Original Broadway Production, 2009
The Crucible - Broadway Revival, 2002
Mamma Mia! - Original Broadway Production, 2001
1776 - Roundabout Revival, 1997
Damn Yankees - Broadway Revival, 1994
Artist Descending a Staircase - Original Broadway Production, 1989
Off Broadway:
Songs From an Unmade Bed - Original Off-Broadway Production, 2005
Radiant Baby - Original Off-Broadway Production, 2003
Pretty Faces - Original Off-Broadway Production, 1990
Hapgood
Berlin to Broadway with Kurt Weil - Original Off-Broadway Production
The Predator’s Ball
Forever Plaid
Tony ‘N’ Tina’s Wedding - Original Company / Co-Creator
Manu Narayan
Manu's Credits Include:
Film:
The Love Guru with Mike Meyers
Broadway:
Bombay Dreams by A.R. Rahman (Broadway Original Cast- 2004) - Drama League nomination, New York
Off Broadway:
subUrbia by Eric Bogosian (revival-2006) - Second Stage Theater, New York City
SIDD: The Musical by Andrew Frank (World Premiere-2006) - New World Stages, New York City
The People Next Door by Henry Adam (American Premiere-2006) - Yale Repertory Theater, New Haven
Metamorphoses by Mary Zimmerman (2003) - The Repertory Theater of St. Louis, St. Louis MO
Fucking A by Suzan-Lori Parks (world premiere-2003) - The Joe Paap Public Theater, New York City
Indian Ink by Tom Stoppard (east coast premiere-2002) - The Wilma Theater, Philadelphia, PA
Romeo and Juliet by Shakespeare (2001) - Shakespeare and Company, Lenox MA
Michael Winther
Michael's Credits Include:
Broadway:
33 Variations - Original Broadway Production, 2009
The Crucible - Broadway Revival, 2002
Mamma Mia! - Original Broadway Production, 2001
1776 - Roundabout Revival, 1997
Damn Yankees - Broadway Revival, 1994
Artist Descending a Staircase - Original Broadway Production, 1989
Off Broadway:
Songs From an Unmade Bed - Original Off-Broadway Production, 2005
Radiant Baby - Original Off-Broadway Production, 2003
Pretty Faces - Original Off-Broadway Production, 1990
Hapgood
Berlin to Broadway with Kurt Weil - Original Off-Broadway Production
The Predator’s Ball
Forever Plaid
Tony ‘N’ Tina’s Wedding - Original Company / Co-Creator
Manu Narayan
Manu's Credits Include:
Film:
The Love Guru with Mike Meyers
Broadway:
Bombay Dreams by A.R. Rahman (Broadway Original Cast- 2004) - Drama League nomination, New York
Off Broadway:
subUrbia by Eric Bogosian (revival-2006) - Second Stage Theater, New York City
SIDD: The Musical by Andrew Frank (World Premiere-2006) - New World Stages, New York City
The People Next Door by Henry Adam (American Premiere-2006) - Yale Repertory Theater, New Haven
Metamorphoses by Mary Zimmerman (2003) - The Repertory Theater of St. Louis, St. Louis MO
Fucking A by Suzan-Lori Parks (world premiere-2003) - The Joe Paap Public Theater, New York City
Indian Ink by Tom Stoppard (east coast premiere-2002) - The Wilma Theater, Philadelphia, PA
Romeo and Juliet by Shakespeare (2001) - Shakespeare and Company, Lenox MA
Noah Jordan Joins the Production
Noah and Wade have been collaborating on a variety of projects over the past 4 years and as we prepare for a workshop production, Noah will be joining us to support the creative team. As an assistant to Wade & Kristin we are excited to have Noah’s passion, enthusiasm, and energy helping us grow.
For those of you who don’t know Noah… here’s a little bit about him.
Noah holds an MFA in Spiritual Psychology from The University of Santa Monica and a BFA from New York University's Tisch School of the Arts where he studied at The Experimental Theatre Wing and The Circle in the Square Theatre School. As an actor, his credits include the European tour of HAIR, STARLIGHT EXPRESS in Germany, ASSASSINS and Mary Zimmerman's METAMORPHOSIS at Artists Repertory Theater, the JAW WEST Playwright’s Festival at Portland Center Stage, SALAAM SHALOM with The Cornerstone Theatre Company, Anne Bogart's DANTON'S DEATH, and Mabou Mines' COLD HARBOR. He has appeared in numerous national commercials and ad campaigns. Noah's association with ONE began in 2005 when he joined both the cast and Insight Out Theatre Collective's fundraising team. Later he became a collaborator on Wade McCollum's debut album BEAUTY IS A STREETLIGHT. As an educator Noah has enjoyed working with "at risk" youth facilitating therapeutic playwriting workshops with Playwrite, Inc. in Portland Oregon. Noah is a member of Actor's Equity, The Screen Actor's Guild, and The American Federation of Television and Radio Artists.
For those of you who don’t know Noah… here’s a little bit about him.
Noah holds an MFA in Spiritual Psychology from The University of Santa Monica and a BFA from New York University's Tisch School of the Arts where he studied at The Experimental Theatre Wing and The Circle in the Square Theatre School. As an actor, his credits include the European tour of HAIR, STARLIGHT EXPRESS in Germany, ASSASSINS and Mary Zimmerman's METAMORPHOSIS at Artists Repertory Theater, the JAW WEST Playwright’s Festival at Portland Center Stage, SALAAM SHALOM with The Cornerstone Theatre Company, Anne Bogart's DANTON'S DEATH, and Mabou Mines' COLD HARBOR. He has appeared in numerous national commercials and ad campaigns. Noah's association with ONE began in 2005 when he joined both the cast and Insight Out Theatre Collective's fundraising team. Later he became a collaborator on Wade McCollum's debut album BEAUTY IS A STREETLIGHT. As an educator Noah has enjoyed working with "at risk" youth facilitating therapeutic playwriting workshops with Playwrite, Inc. in Portland Oregon. Noah is a member of Actor's Equity, The Screen Actor's Guild, and The American Federation of Television and Radio Artists.
$10 For ONE
Art happens through the support of a community and as we take our next steps in developing ONE we need you to join the journey. Join the $10 for ONE campaign today by making a $10 contribution to the workshop production of ONE. Then go out and tell 10 of your friends to do the same!
Here’s How It Works…
Step 1:
Donate $10
www.SONNETREPERTORYTHEATRE.ORG Click Here To Support Us
Step 2:
Ask 10 people to donate $10
Send them an email - Pass on this message
Step 3:
Ask those 10 people to continue the cycle and ask 10 more people.
Spread the word and join the $10 for ONE campaign.
Make your donation today at www.SONNETREPERTORYTHEATRE.ORG
Donations are tax deductible.
Or make your check out to “Sonnet Repertory Theatre, Inc.” and send to:
SRT, Inc. / ONE
Attn: Office of Development
PO Box 772
New York, NY 10108
Here’s How It Works…
Step 1:
Donate $10
www.SONNETREPERTORYTHEATRE.ORG Click Here To Support Us
Step 2:
Ask 10 people to donate $10
Send them an email - Pass on this message
Step 3:
Ask those 10 people to continue the cycle and ask 10 more people.
Spread the word and join the $10 for ONE campaign.
Make your donation today at www.SONNETREPERTORYTHEATRE.ORG
Donations are tax deductible.
Or make your check out to “Sonnet Repertory Theatre, Inc.” and send to:
SRT, Inc. / ONE
Attn: Office of Development
PO Box 772
New York, NY 10108
Meet the Chorus of the Collective Unconscious
The Collective Unconscious is a concept brought to us by psychologist Carl Jung. Simply, it is the pool of universal ideas and experiences that humanity shares. We’ve brought this idea to life in ONE with a phenomenal chorus of actors that will move through the piece as that idea, shifting in and out of an assortment of voices to serve as the library of concepts that characters check books out of and add their own books to.
Meet the Chorus of the Collective Unconscious
Laiona Michelle
Laiona's Credits include:
Off Broadway:
Lo She Comes—Cherry Lane Theatre
Regional Theatre:
Merrimack Rep Theatre, Alabama Shakes, Arena Stage, Theatre Works, Syracuse Stage, Laguna Playhouse, Florida Studio, Cincinnati Playhouse, New Rep Theatre, Colorado Shakes, Westin Playhouse, Paramount Theatre
Julianna Jaffe
Julianna's Credits Include:
Regional Theatre:
Portland Center Stage, PCPA Theatrefest, Anonymous Theatre, Ithaca Theatre, Las Vegas Theatre, Marion Theatre, Severson Theatre
Roles of Note:
Fatima— ONE, 2005 Insight Out Theatre Collective
Dana Musgrove
Dana's Credits Include:
Off Broadway:
Brunch The Musical — Original Off Broadway Production
Unsung — Lucille Lortel Theater
Regional Theatre:
Weathervane Theater, Cohoes Music Hall, Mount Washington, PCPA Theatrefest
Roles of Note:
Karuna— ONE, 2005 Insight Out Theatre Collective
Sydney James Harcourt
Sydney's Credits Include
Film / TV:
Hi-5
Disney’s Enchanted
American Idol Season 5
MTV’s Making the Band
Broadway:
The Lion King — New Amsterdam Theater, Broadway Cast
Off Broadway:
Radio City Christmas Special
Showboat— Carnegie Hall
Camelot — Avery Fisher Hall
Bells Are Ringing — Plymouth Theater
Sweet Smell of Success — New Duke Theater
Victor/Victoria — North Shore Theater
The Man of La Mancha — Goodspeed Opera House
Meet the Chorus of the Collective Unconscious
Laiona Michelle
Laiona's Credits include:
Off Broadway:
Lo She Comes—Cherry Lane Theatre
Regional Theatre:
Merrimack Rep Theatre, Alabama Shakes, Arena Stage, Theatre Works, Syracuse Stage, Laguna Playhouse, Florida Studio, Cincinnati Playhouse, New Rep Theatre, Colorado Shakes, Westin Playhouse, Paramount Theatre
Julianna Jaffe
Julianna's Credits Include:
Regional Theatre:
Portland Center Stage, PCPA Theatrefest, Anonymous Theatre, Ithaca Theatre, Las Vegas Theatre, Marion Theatre, Severson Theatre
Roles of Note:
Fatima— ONE, 2005 Insight Out Theatre Collective
Dana Musgrove
Dana's Credits Include:
Off Broadway:
Brunch The Musical — Original Off Broadway Production
Unsung — Lucille Lortel Theater
Regional Theatre:
Weathervane Theater, Cohoes Music Hall, Mount Washington, PCPA Theatrefest
Roles of Note:
Karuna— ONE, 2005 Insight Out Theatre Collective
Sydney James Harcourt
Sydney's Credits Include
Film / TV:
Hi-5
Disney’s Enchanted
American Idol Season 5
MTV’s Making the Band
Broadway:
The Lion King — New Amsterdam Theater, Broadway Cast
Off Broadway:
Radio City Christmas Special
Showboat— Carnegie Hall
Camelot — Avery Fisher Hall
Bells Are Ringing — Plymouth Theater
Sweet Smell of Success — New Duke Theater
Victor/Victoria — North Shore Theater
The Man of La Mancha — Goodspeed Opera House
Sonnet Repertory Theatre
In only a few weeks, more than 20 artists will gather in a mid-town rehearsal studio to begin a workshop of ONE, produced by Sonnet Repertory Theatre. So we thought it was time to introduce you to SRT.
Sonnet Repertory Theatre, Inc. is dedicated to classic theatre for the modern planet. SRT promotes classic plays and adaptations, providing forums for collaboration between emerging artists and established professionals. With Classics in the Classroom, SRT aims not only to entertain, but also to educate young people by engaging them with timeless literature through expressive theatre.
On July 13th, SRT will be hosting their Collaborative Series and you’re invited.
Join us on Monday, July 13 at 7PM
Collaborative Series 2009
SRT’s Collaborative Series assembles both recent graduates of the nation’s foremost drama programs and veterans of New York theater for an evening of 15-minute plays. The goal is two-fold: first, to offer young artists an opportunity to perform, and second, to welcome those new to the realm of professional theater into the community that awaits them.
Over 24 hours this summer, twelve actors and three directors will read, rehearse, and perform three 15-minute plays. These actors and directors are unfamiliar to each other. These plays, inspired by a theme from classic literature, have never before been produced. Our audience will be privy to an evening of theater predicated on collaboration, risk, and instinct.
Collaborative Series Details:
Theme for the Playwrights
"There are times when lying is the most sacred of duties"
- EUGENE LABICHE c. 1861
Playwrights
Greta Gerwig
Jim Knable
Sean Kent
Directors
Jeremiah Maestas
Robyne Parrish
Michael Lluberes
Actors
Matt Harrington (NYU)
Julie Sharbutt (NYU
Maechi Aharanwa (Julliard)
Anthony Wofford (Julliard)
Leah Walsh (Julliard)
Luke Robertson (Yale)
Teresa Avia Lim (Yale)
Laura Esposito (Yale)
Kristopher Alexander (UNSCA)
Ben Yannette (UNSCA)
Andy Hassell (UNCSA)
Aleque Reid (UNCSA)
A SNEAK PEEK OF ONE BY CREATOR WADE MCCOLLUM WILL FOLLOW ALONG WITH A NEW CAMPAIGN INITIATIVE!
Monday, July 13 at 7PM
The Goldman-Sonnenfeldt Auditorium
JCC in Manhattan
334 Amsterdam Avenue, at 76th Street
$5 General Admission
Tickets are limited. Reserve by emailing your request to info@sonnetrepertorytheatre.org with “Collaborative Series" in the subject line.
Sonnet Repertory Theatre, Inc. is dedicated to classic theatre for the modern planet. SRT promotes classic plays and adaptations, providing forums for collaboration between emerging artists and established professionals. With Classics in the Classroom, SRT aims not only to entertain, but also to educate young people by engaging them with timeless literature through expressive theatre.
On July 13th, SRT will be hosting their Collaborative Series and you’re invited.
Join us on Monday, July 13 at 7PM
Collaborative Series 2009
SRT’s Collaborative Series assembles both recent graduates of the nation’s foremost drama programs and veterans of New York theater for an evening of 15-minute plays. The goal is two-fold: first, to offer young artists an opportunity to perform, and second, to welcome those new to the realm of professional theater into the community that awaits them.
Over 24 hours this summer, twelve actors and three directors will read, rehearse, and perform three 15-minute plays. These actors and directors are unfamiliar to each other. These plays, inspired by a theme from classic literature, have never before been produced. Our audience will be privy to an evening of theater predicated on collaboration, risk, and instinct.
Collaborative Series Details:
Theme for the Playwrights
"There are times when lying is the most sacred of duties"
- EUGENE LABICHE c. 1861
Playwrights
Greta Gerwig
Jim Knable
Sean Kent
Directors
Jeremiah Maestas
Robyne Parrish
Michael Lluberes
Actors
Matt Harrington (NYU)
Julie Sharbutt (NYU
Maechi Aharanwa (Julliard)
Anthony Wofford (Julliard)
Leah Walsh (Julliard)
Luke Robertson (Yale)
Teresa Avia Lim (Yale)
Laura Esposito (Yale)
Kristopher Alexander (UNSCA)
Ben Yannette (UNSCA)
Andy Hassell (UNCSA)
Aleque Reid (UNCSA)
A SNEAK PEEK OF ONE BY CREATOR WADE MCCOLLUM WILL FOLLOW ALONG WITH A NEW CAMPAIGN INITIATIVE!
Monday, July 13 at 7PM
The Goldman-Sonnenfeldt Auditorium
JCC in Manhattan
334 Amsterdam Avenue, at 76th Street
$5 General Admission
Tickets are limited. Reserve by emailing your request to info@sonnetrepertorytheatre.org with “Collaborative Series" in the subject line.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Meet our newest member of the team...
Jeremiah Maestas
Jeremiah will be joining our workshop production to help us behind the scnes and we are so excited to have him on the team.
Jeremiah is a Colorado native who moved to California in 1994 to study at the University of San Diego. It was in San Diego that he found the Old Globe Theatre, one of the nation's top regional theatres, and it was there that his career in the theatre truly began.
Jeremiah began work at the Old Globe within the Development Department. There he assisted in the beginnings of a capital campaign, planned fundraising events, managed board meetings, and aided in the redefining and restructuring of the institution. During this transitionary period for the Old Globe Jeremiah began service in the Executive Offices, acting as Executive Assistant to the Managing Director, and coordinated many Board and Executive Committee functions. For the Education Department at the Globe, Jeremiah preformed as a "Play Guide", an interactive educator within the San Diego schools, helping to make Shakespeare more accessible to students of all ages. It was also during this time that he became associated with the Globe's Artistic Director, Jack O'Brien ("The Full Monty", "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels", "The Coast of Utopia", "Hairspray", etc.). For the past 7 years Maestas has served as Mr. O'Brien's personal assistant, bringing him East to New York and Connecticut to function in a variety of capacities both artistic and managerial.
Maestas is an actor of the stage and screen, a theatre technician, an educator and an aspiring director and producer. He has worked with theatre companies from coast to coast.
Welcome to the project Jeremiah... we know you are going to be an exciting creative addition to the team!
Jeremiah will be joining our workshop production to help us behind the scnes and we are so excited to have him on the team.
Jeremiah is a Colorado native who moved to California in 1994 to study at the University of San Diego. It was in San Diego that he found the Old Globe Theatre, one of the nation's top regional theatres, and it was there that his career in the theatre truly began.
Jeremiah began work at the Old Globe within the Development Department. There he assisted in the beginnings of a capital campaign, planned fundraising events, managed board meetings, and aided in the redefining and restructuring of the institution. During this transitionary period for the Old Globe Jeremiah began service in the Executive Offices, acting as Executive Assistant to the Managing Director, and coordinated many Board and Executive Committee functions. For the Education Department at the Globe, Jeremiah preformed as a "Play Guide", an interactive educator within the San Diego schools, helping to make Shakespeare more accessible to students of all ages. It was also during this time that he became associated with the Globe's Artistic Director, Jack O'Brien ("The Full Monty", "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels", "The Coast of Utopia", "Hairspray", etc.). For the past 7 years Maestas has served as Mr. O'Brien's personal assistant, bringing him East to New York and Connecticut to function in a variety of capacities both artistic and managerial.
Maestas is an actor of the stage and screen, a theatre technician, an educator and an aspiring director and producer. He has worked with theatre companies from coast to coast.
Welcome to the project Jeremiah... we know you are going to be an exciting creative addition to the team!
An Interview with Todd Loyd
Todd is the Co-Artistic Director of Sonnet Repertory Theatre and will be the director of this summer's workshop production. We thought you might like to get to know him a little.
Todd Loyd (Director) — Todd has worked on and off Broadway, including the Broadway production of La Boheme and The Color Purple, and with such festivals as NYMF and NAMT. He has toured the country as an actor and has worked as both actor and director at The Kennedy Center, The Eugene O’Neill Playwright’s Conference and Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet Company, among others. Portions of Todd’s directing work have aired nationally on PBS, and some of his notable directing credits include Burn This and Sight Unseen. He is a graduate of the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, and serves as Co-Artistic Director of Sonnet Repertory Theatre.
What is your favorite part of working on a new piece?
The energy of the writers and actors. It's an exciting process and if you're lucky enough to find the "right" people, the opportunities for discovery and growth are endless. By "right" people, I mean those who are trying to tell a story in a new and fresh way while bringing an openness and willingness to the process. As this is a workshop production, the opportunity for taking more risks exist and that's very exciting to me.
I had the opportunity to work on The Color Purple and I'm constantly thinking about my time spent on that show while working on ONE. In many ways, The Color Purple experience has prepared me for this venture. It will be a fast-paced, creative and collaborative environment. We've got a creative team that I really believe in, we have all the necessary tools to make ONE a successful endeavor.
What do you think will be the most exciting part will be about working on ONE?
The story. Siddhartha's relationship to the world - spiritually, mentally, physically and socially and Hermann's relationship to his art and what he's willing to give up and/or compromise is a story that is translatable to everyone.
We live in a society where people are searching for something - I moved to New York in search for something. Along the journey, one can compromise a great deal in order to achieve. The question is, was it worth it - did you make the "right" choice? Were you following your intuition or motivated by desire? Intuition is never wrong, in my opinion, but we can often mistake intuition for desire. We don't attempt to answer these questions but we do present our take on one individual's journey.
How did you come to the piece?
I had been following the various incarnations of ONE, throughout the years, via the internet. When Wade moved to New York, I asked to read the script and hear some of the music. He sent me both, within hours, and I immediately wrote an e-mail to my partner in the company (Sonnet Repertory Theatre), Tiffany Little Canfield, and said I think we have to be a part of this - what are your thoughts?
It became clear to me that not only was this a worthwhile project, it fit our mission perfectly. I asked to get involved and in days was on a conference call with Wade, Kristin Steele (Book) and Samantha Swaim (Producer) and here we are, only a few months later.
After a long day of rehearsal where can we find you enjoying a post-work cocktail?
If I'm feeling cute and fancy, Bar Centrale on 46th Street - it's a treat.
What is your cocktail of choice?
Dirty Vodka Martini or a Vodka Gimlet
What theatre have you seen lately that you think everyone MUST see?
Rock of Ages because it's so much fun, August Osage County is the best play I've seen on Broadway and I'm looking forward to seeing Next to Normal.
Favorite place to dine in the city?
I love Mexican food. I like Esperanto and Barrio Chino is a new place that I recently discovered but you can't really go wrong with Mexican food in my opinion.
How can folks support this endeavor?
Support the not-for-profit arts by supporting ONE in NYC.
All donations are tax-deductible! www.sonnetrepertorytheatre.org
or you can mail a check to:
Sonnet Repertory Theatre, Inc.
PO Box 772
Attention: ONE
New York, NY 10108
Todd Loyd (Director) — Todd has worked on and off Broadway, including the Broadway production of La Boheme and The Color Purple, and with such festivals as NYMF and NAMT. He has toured the country as an actor and has worked as both actor and director at The Kennedy Center, The Eugene O’Neill Playwright’s Conference and Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet Company, among others. Portions of Todd’s directing work have aired nationally on PBS, and some of his notable directing credits include Burn This and Sight Unseen. He is a graduate of the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, and serves as Co-Artistic Director of Sonnet Repertory Theatre.
What is your favorite part of working on a new piece?
The energy of the writers and actors. It's an exciting process and if you're lucky enough to find the "right" people, the opportunities for discovery and growth are endless. By "right" people, I mean those who are trying to tell a story in a new and fresh way while bringing an openness and willingness to the process. As this is a workshop production, the opportunity for taking more risks exist and that's very exciting to me.
I had the opportunity to work on The Color Purple and I'm constantly thinking about my time spent on that show while working on ONE. In many ways, The Color Purple experience has prepared me for this venture. It will be a fast-paced, creative and collaborative environment. We've got a creative team that I really believe in, we have all the necessary tools to make ONE a successful endeavor.
What do you think will be the most exciting part will be about working on ONE?
The story. Siddhartha's relationship to the world - spiritually, mentally, physically and socially and Hermann's relationship to his art and what he's willing to give up and/or compromise is a story that is translatable to everyone.
We live in a society where people are searching for something - I moved to New York in search for something. Along the journey, one can compromise a great deal in order to achieve. The question is, was it worth it - did you make the "right" choice? Were you following your intuition or motivated by desire? Intuition is never wrong, in my opinion, but we can often mistake intuition for desire. We don't attempt to answer these questions but we do present our take on one individual's journey.
How did you come to the piece?
I had been following the various incarnations of ONE, throughout the years, via the internet. When Wade moved to New York, I asked to read the script and hear some of the music. He sent me both, within hours, and I immediately wrote an e-mail to my partner in the company (Sonnet Repertory Theatre), Tiffany Little Canfield, and said I think we have to be a part of this - what are your thoughts?
It became clear to me that not only was this a worthwhile project, it fit our mission perfectly. I asked to get involved and in days was on a conference call with Wade, Kristin Steele (Book) and Samantha Swaim (Producer) and here we are, only a few months later.
After a long day of rehearsal where can we find you enjoying a post-work cocktail?
If I'm feeling cute and fancy, Bar Centrale on 46th Street - it's a treat.
What is your cocktail of choice?
Dirty Vodka Martini or a Vodka Gimlet
What theatre have you seen lately that you think everyone MUST see?
Rock of Ages because it's so much fun, August Osage County is the best play I've seen on Broadway and I'm looking forward to seeing Next to Normal.
Favorite place to dine in the city?
I love Mexican food. I like Esperanto and Barrio Chino is a new place that I recently discovered but you can't really go wrong with Mexican food in my opinion.
How can folks support this endeavor?
Support the not-for-profit arts by supporting ONE in NYC.
All donations are tax-deductible! www.sonnetrepertorytheatre.org
or you can mail a check to:
Sonnet Repertory Theatre, Inc.
PO Box 772
Attention: ONE
New York, NY 10108
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Casting Has Begun
The casting call has been put out and the headshots and resumes have been pouring in. The auditions are being set and the director anticipates seeing a total of 130 people to play the 9 parts in the show! The talent that has been submitting for the show is mind-blowing.
Here is the casting call that was put out:
Sonnet Repertory Theatre
Co-Artistic Directors: Todd Loyd and Tiffany Little Canfield
ONE SYNOPSIS:
ONE is an original rock musical based both on the iconic novel Siddhartha and the uniquely personal story of its author, Herman Hesse. Employing eastern and western musical influences, ONE explores the timeless quest for human understanding, the lines that separate fact and fiction, and the singular responsibility an artist holds in service of their art.
SRT is only accepting submissions for ONE. Strong rock and pop voices with excellent harmony abilities are encouraged to submit. Experience with East Indian styles of music is a plus. We are looking for a rich multicultural cast. ONE will be presented under the AEA Showcase Code, approval pending.
Auditions for ONE will be held on June 27 and 28, by appointment only. Rehearsals begin on July 27 and will perform at 59E59 Theaters for one week beginning on Tuesday, August 24 through to Sunday, August 30.
Music & Lyrics: Wade McCollum
Book: Kristin Steele
Musical Director: Karl Mansfield
Director: Todd Loyd
For more information regarding the company, please visit us online at www.sonnetrepertorytheatre.org
Musical Director
Similar to the role of Director, the Musical Director is key to helping shape and develop the piece. The Musical Director is in charge of directing all things that are musical. This means helping to prepare the music for rehearsal, leading musical rehearsals, teaching and directing singers and musicians, and shaping and playing with each and every aspect of the music.
With any musical, the Musical Director is an important job. Often times they are the only part of the creative team on board through the entire production. Unlike the Director or Choreographer, the Musical Director will stay involved through an entire run. Often times they lead the orchestra, they run brush up rehearsals, or they prepare an understudy for a last-minute change.
We are very excited to be working with a fantastic Musical Director… Karl Mansfield.
Karl Mansfield (Music Director) — Karl’s Broadway credits as conductor and keyboardist include Xanadu, La Boheme, 13, Dracula, Coram Boy, and Sweet Charity. His Off-Broadway credits include Grey Gardens, Toxic Avenger, Shafrika the White Girl, and Altar Boyz. Regional conducting and keyboard credits include Zhivago and Thoroughly Modern Millie at La Jolla Playhouse, The Boswell Sisters and Rough Crossing at The Old Globe, A New Brain at Portland Center Stage, The Rivals at Denver Center, and The Mambo Kings at Golden Gate Theater in San Francisco. Karl’s original music and sound design have been heard in productions at Oregon Shakespeare Festival, California Shakespeare Festival, Portland Center Stage, Yale Repertory Theater, The 52nd Street Project in New York, and The Haven Project in Portland. Karl is a recent participant in the BMI Music Theater Writers’ Workshop in New York.
With any musical, the Musical Director is an important job. Often times they are the only part of the creative team on board through the entire production. Unlike the Director or Choreographer, the Musical Director will stay involved through an entire run. Often times they lead the orchestra, they run brush up rehearsals, or they prepare an understudy for a last-minute change.
We are very excited to be working with a fantastic Musical Director… Karl Mansfield.
Karl Mansfield (Music Director) — Karl’s Broadway credits as conductor and keyboardist include Xanadu, La Boheme, 13, Dracula, Coram Boy, and Sweet Charity. His Off-Broadway credits include Grey Gardens, Toxic Avenger, Shafrika the White Girl, and Altar Boyz. Regional conducting and keyboard credits include Zhivago and Thoroughly Modern Millie at La Jolla Playhouse, The Boswell Sisters and Rough Crossing at The Old Globe, A New Brain at Portland Center Stage, The Rivals at Denver Center, and The Mambo Kings at Golden Gate Theater in San Francisco. Karl’s original music and sound design have been heard in productions at Oregon Shakespeare Festival, California Shakespeare Festival, Portland Center Stage, Yale Repertory Theater, The 52nd Street Project in New York, and The Haven Project in Portland. Karl is a recent participant in the BMI Music Theater Writers’ Workshop in New York.
The Graphic Design
After a complete re-write it seemed only right that we would need new graphic design to tell the story of the piece in its current incarnation. Something that represented the spirit of the work, something that was simple and elegant, yet told a story. So we called in the support of designer Chris Barela and his team at www.3linedesign.com.
After several creative meetings, several drafts, and revision we are very excited about our current design. Thank you to Chris and his team at www.3linedesign.com.
Are you a fan of ONE the musical on Facebook yet? It’s a quick and easy way to stay in touch… let us know what you’re thinking, receive event invites, track our development, and get the latest news. Help us to spread the word.
Become a fan: CLICK HERE
Now invite your friends and family to also become a fan. With your help we can really get the word out about ONE.
What is a workshop production?
A workshop is a playground for the creative team. This workshop will be an opportunity for Wade and Kristin to see and hear the script, finally getting it off the paper and into the hands of talented New York actors and theater creatives.
A workshop is the process taking a look at the big picture to see what’s missing or what can be left behind, and also the process fine-tuning what is already working. It will be an opportunity to ask questions, to follow and examine each character, to make changes and more changes, to edit, revise, and rewrite.
You take talented people, put them in a room with the material, and see what kind of magic happens. In this workshop we will spend 4 weeks with 9 actors, 3 musicians, 3 designers, a director, a musical director, an assistant director, and a stage manager all with the goal of playing with each moment to ask ourselves… does this work?
At the end of the four weeks we will stage what we’ve worked on for an audience. This will allow us the opportunity to invite new people into the piece, to get feedback, and to add an audience—a crucial element for any piece of theater.
What have we been doing?
As many already know, ONE has been produced in a variety of incarnations along the West Coast... with the last production taking place in Portland in 2005.
When that production closed, we knew it was time to add to the creative team in order for the piece to grow. While Wade focused his time on performing, we let the piece sit for some time... knowing that in order to take the next steps we needed to add a book writer.
In the meantime... Wade was off to LA. While in LA he had the opportunity to work with folks at Disney on a workshop production where he spent a lot of time watching the creative partnerships at work in the development of a new musical.Shortly thereafter he was cast in the touring company of the Broadway hit, "Jersey Boys." And it was off to New York for an intense 4-week rehearsal and then back to the West Coast for a San Francisco opening.
While in San Francisco, we began the search for a new book writer. Talking to many folks along the way, Wade kept returning to conversations with Kristin Steele. Kristin is a writer from Portland that had been involved in the 2005 production and had sat through some late-night script revisions.
After a Friday show of "Jersey Boys" Kristin and Wade sat with cocktails and discussed the possibility of working together on ONE. Kristin agreed to return to the source material and to think about the possibility of coming on as a book writer.
A few weeks later Kristin returned to San Francisco and the work began. For three intense days Wade and Kristin reviewed previous incarnations of scripts and music and agreed to start by returning to the novel "Siddhartha" by Herman Hesse and to sit down with a blank page.
For two years they dove into research, with periods of intense writing and re-writing. In the meantime, Wade was performing in "Cabaret" in Portland and in Rochester and eventually moved to New York City. Wade took on new projects, performing in "Jeffrey" and "Spitfire Grill" while Kristin continued work on two novels and the research for a third as well as two new plays.
The two continued their collaboration with the help of technology. Drafts and revisions were emailed. Weekly and sometimes daily work sessions were held over Skype, music was sent from iPod to iPod as mp3 files, and a few trips to New York and to Portland allowed the two to work in person.
And now after two-and-a-half years of collaboration with Kristin on book and Wade on music and lyrics there is a draft. A script that is about to move into workshop. Stay tuned as we take the next big step...
When that production closed, we knew it was time to add to the creative team in order for the piece to grow. While Wade focused his time on performing, we let the piece sit for some time... knowing that in order to take the next steps we needed to add a book writer.
In the meantime... Wade was off to LA. While in LA he had the opportunity to work with folks at Disney on a workshop production where he spent a lot of time watching the creative partnerships at work in the development of a new musical.Shortly thereafter he was cast in the touring company of the Broadway hit, "Jersey Boys." And it was off to New York for an intense 4-week rehearsal and then back to the West Coast for a San Francisco opening.
While in San Francisco, we began the search for a new book writer. Talking to many folks along the way, Wade kept returning to conversations with Kristin Steele. Kristin is a writer from Portland that had been involved in the 2005 production and had sat through some late-night script revisions.
After a Friday show of "Jersey Boys" Kristin and Wade sat with cocktails and discussed the possibility of working together on ONE. Kristin agreed to return to the source material and to think about the possibility of coming on as a book writer.
A few weeks later Kristin returned to San Francisco and the work began. For three intense days Wade and Kristin reviewed previous incarnations of scripts and music and agreed to start by returning to the novel "Siddhartha" by Herman Hesse and to sit down with a blank page.
For two years they dove into research, with periods of intense writing and re-writing. In the meantime, Wade was performing in "Cabaret" in Portland and in Rochester and eventually moved to New York City. Wade took on new projects, performing in "Jeffrey" and "Spitfire Grill" while Kristin continued work on two novels and the research for a third as well as two new plays.
The two continued their collaboration with the help of technology. Drafts and revisions were emailed. Weekly and sometimes daily work sessions were held over Skype, music was sent from iPod to iPod as mp3 files, and a few trips to New York and to Portland allowed the two to work in person.
And now after two-and-a-half years of collaboration with Kristin on book and Wade on music and lyrics there is a draft. A script that is about to move into workshop. Stay tuned as we take the next big step...
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
ABOUT US
Wade McCollumWade McCollum (Music & Lyrics) — Wade is a graduate of the Pacific Conservatory for the Performing Arts, and has worked nationally as a performer and composer with Utah Shakespeare Festival, Celebration Theatre, Portland Center Stage and more. He made a huge splash in Los Angeles with his award-winning performance in Hedwig and the Angry Inch and also performed with the Broadway touring production of Jersey Boys. McCollum’s first solo album, “Beauty is a Streetlight”, was produced in the legendary Kung Fu Bakery and has sold thousands of copies independently.
Kristin SteeleKristin Steele (Book) — Kristin is a Portland-based writer who teaches playwriting to at-risk youth, and leads creative writing workshops for adults in domestic violence shelters, public housing projects, and community spaces. She holds a B.A. in English from Portland State University and an M.F.A. in creative writing from Goddard College. Steele’s stage work has been produced in Los Angeles, and her fiction and non-fiction works have appeared in magazines, newspapers, and literary anthologies.
Thank you for joining us on this journey. We have lots of exciting things happening everyday and we want to keep you posted as we take our next steps in the evolution of ONE. Stay tuned...
Monday, June 15, 2009
PORTLAND’S ROCK MUSICAL, ONE, GETS NYC WORKSHOP PRODUCTION
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE New York Contact: Katrina Kent
katrina@sonnetrepertorytheatre.org / 917 406 4862
Portland Contact: Samantha Swaim
sam@samanthaswaim.com / 503 449 3391
PORTLAND’S ROCK MUSICAL, ONE, GETS NYC WORKSHOP PRODUCTION
Sonnet Repertory Theatre Presents ONE, Opening August 25
NYC’s Sonnet Repertory Theatre (SRT) announces plans for an August workshop production of ONE, an original rock musical based both on the iconic novel Siddhartha and the uniquely personal story of its author, Herman Hesse. Originally produced by Portland’s Insight Out Theatre Collective in 2005 at the Wonder Ballroom, ONE employs eastern and western musical influences, exploring the timeless quest for human understanding, the lines that separate fact and fiction, and the singular responsibility an artist holds in service of their art.
The success of ONE has been driven by its Portland fans. SRT invites West Coast supporters to celebrate the project’s New York debut, helping to facilitate the creators in reshaping and refining their work, and bringing ONE to the next level. ONE will be staged for the public, along with potential producers and backers, at 59E59 Theatres, the week of August 25th. Tickets will be on sale soon. SRT is also implementing its Ten for ONE campaign, a grassroots program whereby contributors are encouraged to invite all of those around them to invest just $10 in the future success of ONE. Those who wish to support through participating in SRT’s Ten for ONE campaign, can send a tax-deductible $10 donation (check made out to Sonnet Repertory Theatre) to: SRT’s Ten for ONE, PO Box 772, New York, NY 10108. Donations are also accepted online at www.sonnetrepertorytheatre.org, on the Support Us page.
Music and lyrics for ONE are by WADE McCOLLUM, a composer and performer who has worked nationally with the Utah Shakespeare Festival, Celebration Theatre, and Portland Center Stage, and is known for his award-winning performance in the L.A. production of Hedwig and the Angry Inch. McCollum is a graduate of the Pacific Conservatory for the Performing Arts, and his first solo album, “Beauty is a Streetlight,” was produced independently in the legendary Kung Fu Bakery.
ONE’s book is by KRISTIN STEELE, a Portland-based writer who teaches playwriting to at-risk youth, and leads creative writing workshops for adults in domestic violence shelters, public housing projects, and community spaces. A graduate of Portland State University and Goddard College, Steele’s stage work has been produced in Los Angeles, and her fiction and non-fiction works have appeared in magazines, newspapers, and literary anthologies.
Music Director for ONE is KARL MANSFIELD, a recent participant in the BMI Music Theater Writers’ Workshop who’s Broadway work as a conductor and keyboardist includes Xanadu, La Boheme, 13, Dracula, Coram Boy, and Sweet Charity. Off-Broadway work includes Grey Gardens, Altar Boyz, and regionally at the La Jolla Playhouse, The Old Globe, Portland Center Stage, Denver Center, and Golden Gate Theater. Additionally, Mansfield’s original music and sound design have been heard at Oregon and California Shakespeare Festivals, Yale Rep, The 52nd Street Project, and The Haven Project.
TODD LOYD, SRT’s current Co-Artistic Director, will direct the production. Loyd has worked on and off Broadway, including the Broadway productions of La Boheme and The Color Purple, and at The Kennedy Center, The Eugene O’Neill Playwright’s Conference, Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet Company, NYMF and NAMT, among others.
SRT, a non-profit company dedicated to classic theatre for the modern planet, is now in its seventh consecutive season.
Casting is to be announced, and Broadway talent is slated. For more information, visit www.sonnetrepertorytheatre.org .
ONE
59E59 Theatres (59 East 59th Street, b/n Park and Madison in Manhattan)
Tuesday, August 25 at 7:30pm / Wednesday, August 26 – Saturday, August 29 at 8:30pm
Matinees on Saturday, August 29 at 2:30pm and Sunday, August 30 at 3:30pm
General Admission Tickets are $18
Reserve online at www.59e59.org (click on Box Office) or call 212.279.4200 (Tickets on sale soon)
ABOUT SONNET REPERTORY THEATRE
Sonnet Repertory Theatre, Inc. is dedicated to classic theatre for the modern planet. SRT promotes classic plays and adaptations, providing forums for collaboration between emerging artists and established professionals. With Classics in the Classroom, SRT aims not only to entertain, but also to educate young people by engaging them with timeless literature through expressive theatre.
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Saturday, April 11, 2009
Things are bubbling...
Lots of exciting things are in the works... stay tuned for news on an upcoming workshop.
Friday, April 3, 2009
Kristin: Harvesting Snow
Sometimes seeds can grow in winter.
This year Portland has had its own fair share of snow. Some of the plants out in the yard made it through. Some look like they’ve given up. And still others look like they’ve been liquefied by alien gunfire.
I took losing the script as a sign. Of what, I’m not exactly sure. But sometimes roadblocks lead to new directions. So I just sat back and watched big white usher in a quiet not found any other way. I let ideas grow—not so much on the page, as in my bones.
Some ideas made it through, others I’m giving up. And the aliens took their fair share. But what remains is what should remain.
Act two is starting to take shape.
Stay tuned.
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