COMING UP IN 2012

We are half-way through our 20th Anniversary Season, and had a very busy and very exciting Fall!

BUT WE ARE IN NEED OF A QUICK INFUSION OF CASH TO HELP US TAKE FULL ADVANTAGE OF WHAT WE ACCOMPLISHED SO FAR THIS YEAR. Here's a brief look at what we've done so far, and how your $20 donation (for 20 years) will help us do more!  (Of course, feel free to donate more if you can!)  Use the NETWORK FOR GOOD option on the Home Page, OR this PayPal button!

1.) On September 25th we hosted an amazing panel, SHOUTING FROM THE ROOFTOPS: Supporting Women's Voices in Theatre, moderated by the wonderful Maxine Kern and featuring an extraordinary presentation from Harriet Fraad on how our society got to its present woeful economic and social justice place.  It was truly eye-opening.  Harriet's presentation was followed by a panel of current and past NPTC Women's Work writers.

• We're working on getting excerpts up on You Tube now, and plan to have a follow-up gathering in March.
• YOUR GIFT will help us with the editing process and hosting the next event!

2.) The panel launched this year's WOMEN’S WORK SHORT PLAY FESTIVAL, with the theme of “Justifed” running September 26 to October 1. It featured new plays by current LAB members France-Luce Benson, Marisa Petsakos, Cynthia Robinson and Heather Violanti, directed by Celia Braxton, Melody Brooks, Jenny Greeman, and Elysa Marden.  We also had readings of Tunnel Vision by Andrea Lepcio and Marla and Her Prayers by Kim Merrill, two full-lengths in progress.

• We are now working on self-publishing the "best" short plays developed in the Women's Work LAB over the last 4 years, to be ready this summer for distribution to college Theatre and Women's Studies Departments, as well as artists and companies around the U.S.
• YOUR GIFT helps with publishing costs and the Program Manager's time to collect and edit the scripts.

3.) On Tuesday, October 18th we kicked off this season's Theatre Is Served program with MACBETH at the glorious House of the Redeemer!  This is our signature Shakespeare production (we've done 4 mainstage productions and 5 school tours since 1995)

• We have scheduled additional TIS offerings from NPTC's 20-year repertoire that represent our accomplishments with new play development, but are falling behind schedule due to a diminished staff.
• YOUR GIFT helps provide support staff to get the word out, procure a great dinner, and create our unique educational playbills for each event.

4.) We now have another successful collaboration with Banana Boat Productions under our belt, with the sold-out run of WOMEN IN TRANSITION October 26 to November 6.  Featuring two short plays by Trinidadian playwright Zeno Obi Constance, author of our acclaimed co-production The Ritual, we were forced to add extra chairs for the final week's performances!

5.) On Saturday, December 3rd, we premiered The Sonnet Man!  with the amazing Devon Glover.  Devon's success as a performer and educator allowed us to add him to our Teaching Artist Roseter for NPTC's residency at the School for Classics, and resulted in our developing a special multi-media performance project that showcases all aspects of his work.

• We are continuing to develop this special performance for young people and families, working with "DJ Mario", a young visual artist and multi-media guru that we met last June, and who has become a key contributor to many projects this fall.  We are planning to create "The Hip-Hop Sonneteer Institute" later this spring, which will train kids and performing artists alike in "translating" Shakespeare into Hip-Hop, without losing anything in the translation!
• YOUR GIFT really goes a long way with this project, helping support all the bells and whistles for the production and the foundational work necessary to get the Institute off the ground.

6.) Thanks to all who Joined us on December 18th for our Annual Holiday Party, and who got to experience The Sonnet Man's brilliance first hand.  And extra special thanks to those who support the Holiday Cookie Fundraiser this year.

COMING UP IN 2012

YOUR GIFT NOW WILL HELP ENSURE THIS ALL HAPPENS AS PLANNED!

Voices From the Edge Festival, celebrating new works by African American writers and performers (Feb-April)

New Women's Work LAB convenes with 4-6 new writers (March)

School for Classics students perform Macbeth (May 10-12)

Women's Work Full-Length Play Reading Series (May)

BIRTHDAY BASH (June) featuring A BOOK ABOUT NPTC and a Multi-Media Review of our 20 years!