PRESS RELEASE — GATES McFADDEN STEPS DOWN AS ARTISTIC DIRECTOR OF ENSEMBLE STUDIO THEATRE/LA

GATES McFADDEN STEPS DOWN
AS ENSEMBLE STUDIO THEATRE/LA
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

Gates McFadden is stepping down from the position of Artistic Director for Ensemble Studio Theatre/Los Angeles effective immediately, it was announced today.

“I only meant to do it for six months,’ said McFadden, “but five years later, with a newly-built theatre space, 12 productions, a repertory season, and many readings of new plays under my belt, I am ready to pass the proverbial baton.” She continued, “Being a producer along with building and running a theatre company in Los Angeles was without a doubt the hardest challenge of my career. Artistic Directors of a non-profit theatres in LA have no time, little money, barely any staff, and nowhere near enough grant support. On the positive side, I have a mother’s love for the powerful, vivid productions we created over the last five years.”

McFadden concluded, “The actors, writers, and designers I have been lucky enough to work with at EST/LA have been like a unique, intoxicating perfume whose scent will never leave me.” Plays produced or directed under McFadden’s leadership include Tree, Mlle God, The House of the Rising Son, House of Gold, The Many Mistresses of Martin Luther King, Belle of Belfast, Rabbit, The Ugly One, Crack Whore Galore, The Fisherman’s Wife, Does Anyone Know What A Pancreas Is?, and Land Line.

McFadden’s successor will be announced soon.

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10-31-14

Announcing: Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Announces 2013 Nominations

LOS ANGELES DRAMA CRITICS CIRCLE
ANNOUNCES 2013 NOMINATIONS

The Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle has announced its 2013 nominations and special awards for excellence in Los Angeles, Orange County and Ventura County theatre. The 45th Annual Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Awards ceremony will take place on Monday, March 17, 2014 at The Colony Theatre, located at 555 N. Third Street in Burbank. Tickets are $40 (plus service fee) and are available online at http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/565317. Doors open at 6:30pm for pre-show appetizers and a no-host bar, and the ceremony begins at 7:30pm. For more information, visit www.ladramacriticscircle.com.

James Roday (Red Dog Squadron, Co-owner of the Circle Theatre) is currently scheduled to host. Performing at the event will be Constance Jewell Lopez (nominated for lead performance in Dreamgirls), and LA theatre favorites Beth Malone and Lowe Taylor. There will also be a special performance from LA Theatre Works, recipient of this year’s Margaret Harford Award for sustained excellence in theatre. Presenters will include David Kurs (Deaf West), Gates McFadden (Ensemble Studio Theatre/LA), Nicole Parker (nominated for lead performance in Funny Girl), Stephen Sachs (Fountain Theatre), and Lisa Wolpe (LA Women’s Shakespeare Company). Additional performers and presenters will be announced at a later date.

The LADCC is grateful to the organizations who have graciously agreed to sponsor the special awards this year. Awards will be given in 19 categories, along with six special awards.

The 2013 special award recipients are as follows:

• The Ted Schmitt Award for the World Premiere of an Outstanding New Play will be awarded to Kemp Powers for One Night in Miami … The award is accompanied by an offer to publish by Samuel French, Inc.
• The Polly Warfield Award for an Excellent Season in a Small to Midsize Theatre will be awarded to Actors Co-op. The award is accompanied by an honorarium, funded by the Nederlander Organization.
• The Margaret Harford Award for Sustained Excellence in Theatre will be awarded to LA Theatre Works. The award is accompanied by an honorarium, funded by The Knitting Factory Entertainment Company.
• The Joel Hirschhorn Award for Outstanding Achievement in Musical Theatre will be awarded to David Elzer. The award is accompanied by an honorarium, funded by an anonymous donor.
• The Milton Katselas Award for Career or Special Achievement in Direction will be awarded to Bart DeLorenzo. The award is accompanied by an honorarium, funded by The Beverly Hills Playhouse.
• The LADCC is pleased to announce the creation of a new award, The Kinetic Lighting Award for Outstanding Achievement in Theatrical Design. Kinetic Lighting is an award-winning rental house that supplies and supports the theatre community throughout Southern California. The inaugural recipient of the Kinetic Lighting Award is Angela Balogh Calin for her sustained achievement in costume design.

The Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle was founded in 1969. It is dedicated to excellence in theatrical criticism, and to the encouragement and improvement of theatre in Greater Los Angeles.

The 2013 nominees are:

Production

1. A Family Thing, Chris Fields and Lauren Bass, The Echo Theater Company at Stage 52
2. One Night in Miami…, John Perrin Flynn and Roxanne Hart, Rogue Machine Theatre
3. Our Class, Son of Semele Ensemble, Atwater Village Theatre
4. The Nether, Center Theatre Group, Kirk Douglas Theatre
5. The Scottsboro Boys, Center Theatre Group, Ahmanson Theatre
6. Walking the Tightrope, Debbie Devine and Jay McAdams, 24th Street Theatre
7. We Are Proud to Present a Presentation About the Herero of Namibia, Formerly Known as Southwest Africa, From the German Sudwestafrika, Between the Years 1884–1915, Joseph Stern and The Matrix Theatre Company, The Matrix Theatre

McCulloh Award for Revival

1. A View From The Bridge, Valerie Havey, Julianne Figueroa, Sara Newman-Martins, Robert Cannon, and Marilyn Fox, Pacific Resident Theatre
2. Dreamgirls, Mike Abramson and Dolf Ramos, DOMA Theatre Co. at The MET Theatre
3. The Fantasticks, South Coast Repertory
4. The Normal Heart, Deborah Lawlor and Stephen Sachs, The Fountain Theatre

Direction

1. T.J. Dawson, Parade, 3–D Theatricals at Plummer Auditorium
2. Amanda Dehnert, The Fantasticks, South Coast Repertory
3. Nancy Keystone, Alcestis, The Theatre @ Boston Court
4. Jessica Kubzansky, R II, The Theatre @ Boston Court
5. Matthew McCray, Our Class, Son of Semele Ensemble at Atwater Village Theatre
6. Todd Nielsen, Master Class, International City Theatre

Writing

1. Johnna Adams, Gidion’s Knot, Furious Theatre Company at Carrie Hamilton Theatre at Pasadena Playhouse
2. Allen Barton, Years to the Day, Skylight Theatre Company at Beverly Hills Playhouse
3. Stephen Adly Guirgis, The Motherfucker With the Hat, South Coast Repertory
4. Jennifer Haley, The Nether, Kirk Douglas Theatre

Writing (Adaptation)

1. Richard Alger, Track 3, Theatre Movement Bazaar and Bootleg Theater at Bootleg Theater
2. Nancy Keystone, Alcestis, The Theatre @ Boston Court

Musical Score

1. John Kander and Fred Ebb, The Scottsboro Boys, Ahmanson Theatre

Music Direction

1. Eric Heinly, A Midsummer Saturday Night’s Fever Dream, Troubadour Theater Company at Falcon Theatre
2. Corey Hirsch, A Man of No Importance, Good People Theater Company at Lillian Theatre
3. David Lamoureux, Parade, 3–D Theatricals at Plummer Auditorium
4. Chris Raymond, Dreamgirls, DOMA Theatre Co. at The MET Theatre
5. Ross Seligman, One Night With Janis Joplin, Pasadena Playhouse

Choreography

1. Matthew Bourne, Matthew Bourne’s Sleeping Beauty, Ahmanson Theatre
2. Tina Kronis, Track 3, Theatre Movement Bazaar and Bootleg Theater at Bootleg Theater
3. Kelly Todd, Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson, Chance Theater
4. Rae Toledo, Dreamgirls, DOMA Theatre Co. at The MET Theatre

Lead Performance

1. Tony Abatemarco, Red, International City Theatre
2. Gigi Bermingham, Master Class, International City Theatre
3. Tim Cummings, The Normal Heart, The Fountain Theatre
4. Mary Bridget Davies, One Night With Janis Joplin, Pasadena Playhouse
5. Dana Delany, The Parisian Woman, South Coast Repertory
6. Constance Jewell Lopez, Dreamgirls, DOMA Theatre Co. at The MET Theatre
7. Perry Ojeda, The Fantasticks, South Coast Repertory
8. Nicole Parker, Funny Girl, 3–D Theatricals at Plummer Auditorium
9. Jeff Skowron, Parade, 3–D Theatricals at Plummer Auditorium
10. Paige Lindsey White, Walking the Tightrope, 24th Street Theatre
11. Michael Yavnieli, Years to the Day, Skylight Theatre Company at Beverly Hills Playhouse

Featured Performance

1. Christian Barillas, The Motherfucker With the Hat, South Coast Repertory
2. Sabrina Elayne Carten, One Night With Janis Joplin, Pasadena Playhouse,
3. Nate Dendy, The Fantasticks, South Coast Repertory
4. Michael Nehring, Our Class, Son of Semele Ensemble at Atwater Village Theatre
5. Welton Thomas Pitchford, Dreamgirls, DOMA Theatre Co. at The MET Theatre
6. Elizabeth Regen, A Family Thing, The Echo Theater Company at Stage 52
7. Patrick Stafford, Red, International City Theatre

Ensemble Performance

1. One Night in Miami…, Rogue Machine Theatre
2. Our Class, Son of Semele Ensemble at Atwater Village Theatre
3. The Fantasticks, South Coast Repertory
4. The Scottsboro Boys, Ahmanson Theatre
5. We Are Proud to Present a Presentation About the Herero of Namibia, Formerly Known as Southwest Africa, From the German Sudwestafrika, Between the Years 1884–1915, Matrix Theatre

Solo Performance

1. Lorenzo Pisoni, Humor Abuse, Mark Taper Forum

Set Design

1. Lez Brotherston, Matthew Bourne’s Sleeping Beauty, Ahmanson Theatre
2. Danny Cistone, Cops and Friends of Cops, VS. Theatre
3. Adrian W. Jones, The Nether, Kirk Douglas Theatre
4. Jeanine A. Ringer, Pericles, Prince of Tyre, A Noise Within

Lighting Design

1. Ken Booth, Pericles, Prince of Tyre, A Noise Within
2. Paule Constable, Matthew Bourne’s Sleeping Beauty, Ahmanson Theatre
3. Christopher Kuhl, The Nether, Kirk Douglas Theatre
4. Jeremy Pivnick, R II, The Theatre @ Boston Court

Costume Design

1. Lez Brotherston, Matthew Bourne’s Sleeping Beauty, Ahmanson Theatre
2. Shon LeBlanc, Parade, 3–D Theatricals at Plummer Auditorium
3. Sharon McGunigle, A Midsummer Saturday Night’s Fever Dream, Troubadour Theater Company at Falcon Theatre
4. Michael Mullen, Dreamgirls, DOMA Theatre Co. at The MET Theatre

Sound Design

1. Peter Bayne, The Normal Heart, The Fountain Theatre
2. John Zalewski, R II, The Theatre @ Boston Court
3. John Zalewski, The Nether, Kirk Douglas Theatre
4. John Zalewski, Walking the Tightrope, 24th Street Theatre

Video Design

1. Adam Flemming, The Normal Heart, The Fountain Theatre
2. Matthew G. Hill, Walking the Tightrope, 24th Street Theatre
3. Kaitlyn Pietras (Projection Design), R II, The Theatre @ Boston Court
4. Jason Thompson (Projection Design), Heart of Darkness, The Actors’ Gang

Movement/Fight Choreography

1. Ned Mochel, Cops and Friends of Cops, VS. Theatre
2. Nenad Pervan, Tender Napalm, SIX01 Studio

Illusions/Magic Design

1. Jim Steinmeyer, The Fantasticks, South Coast Repertory
2. Johnny Thompson, Play Dead, Geffen Playhouse

Total Nominations by Production:

A Family Thing (2)
A Man of No Importance (1)
A Midsummer Saturday Night’s Fever Dream (2)
A View From the Bridge (1)
Alcestis (2)
Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson (1)
Cops and Friends of Cops (2)
Dreamgirls (6)
Funny Girl (1)
Gidion’s Knot (1)
Heart of Darkness (1)
Humor Abuse (1)
Master Class (2)
Matthew Bourne’s Sleeping Beauty (4)
One Night in Miami… (2)
One Night With Janis Joplin (3)
Our Class (4)
Parade (4)
Pericles, Prince of Tyre (2)
Play Dead (1)
R II (4)
Red (2)
Tender Napalm (1)
The Fantasticks (6)
The Motherfucker With the Hat (2)
The Nether (5)
The Normal Heart (4)
The Parisian Woman (1)
The Scottsboro Boys (3)
Track 3 (2)
Walking the Tightrope (4)
We Are Proud to Present a Presentation About the Herero of Namibia, Formerly Known as Southwest Africa, From the German Sudwestafrika, Between the Years 1884–1915 (2)
Years to the Day (2)

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01-27-14

Announcing: EST/LA Presents ‘The Ugly One’ by Marius Von Mayenburg – Opens Feb. 15 – Atwater Village Theatre Speakeasy

“You are ugly. It’s a fact. I can’t believe you didn’t know.”

Ensemble Studio Theatre/LA
Presents the West Coast Premiere of
THE UGLY ONE
By Marius von Mayenburg
English Translation By Maja Zade
Directed by Gates McFadden

OPENS FEBRUARY 15
AT THE SPEAKEASY
ATWATER VILLAGE THEATRE

Ensemble Studio Theatre/LA has announced the West Coast premiere of The Ugly One, a comedy by Marius von Mayenburg (English translation by Maja Zade), directed by Gates McFadden. Starring Robert Joy, Tony Pasqualini, Eve Gordon, and Peter Larney, The Ugly One will play one preview performance on February 14 and is set to open Saturday, February 15 with performances at 5pm and 8pm. The limited engagement will run through March 24.

The Ugly One is a comedy that tells the story of Lette, a successful engineer who after decades of contentment is suddenly confronted with the news that he is, in fact, unspeakably ugly. He sets out to change his looks and finds out that nothing can be taken at face value. The Ugly One is a whip-smart social satire from one of Germany’s most exciting contemporary playwrights that lampoons our culture’s quest for beauty.

Marius von Mayenburg is a playwright, translator, dramaturg, director and one of the most widely produced German playwrights. His plays have received productions at the Schaubühne/Berlin, the Royal Court Theater in London, and other major theaters around the world. His first play Fireface (Feuergesicht), premiered at the Kammerspiele in Munich and was subsequently produced at the Kleist Theater in Frankfurt and at the Deutsches Schauspielhaus Hamburg. For Fireface, Mayenburg received the Award for Emerging Playwrights Kleistförderpreis für junge Dramatiker and the prize of the Frankfurt Writer’s Foundation Preis der Frankfurter Autorenstiftung. All of Mayenburg’s plays (more than 10) have been produced in Germany as well as worldwide. He is currently dramaturg and playwright-in- residence at the Schaubühne/Berlin.

Translator Maja Zade was raised in Germany and Sweden and studied English literature at London University and Queen’s University in Canada. She has translated works by Marius von Mayenburg, Roland Schimmelpfennig, Lars Norén and Falk Richter into English.

Director Gates McFadden is also Artistic Director of EST/LA. Plays produced under her tenure include Julie Hebert’s Tree, Nicholas Kazan’s Mlle. God, Tom Jacobson’s House of the Rising Son, Crack Whore Galore and House of Gold. Her acting credits include six years and four films portraying Dr. Beverly Crusher in Star Trek: The Next Generation, Taking Care of Business, and The Hunt for Red October. McFadden’s numerous acting credits include Cloud Nine, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, How to Say Goodbye, Emerald City, The Homecoming, To Gillian On Her 37th Birthday, Viva Detroit, and EST/LA’s The Shore. On TV: Marker, Mad About You, and numerous guest roles. A well-known teacher of the techniques of Jacques Lecoq, her faculty positions have included AADA, Brandeis, Harvard, NYU, Tisch School of Arts, The Stella Academy in Hamburg, and University of Pittsburgh.

Set and projection design for The Ugly One are by Hana S. Kim, lighting design is by Pablo Santiago, costume design is by Catherine Baumgardner, sound design is by Joseph ‘Sloe’ Slawinski, and the stage manager is Marissa Drammissi. Producers for EST/LA are Mina Sharpe and Gabrieal Griego.

There will be one preview performance of The Ugly One on Friday, February 14 at 8pm and opening is set for Saturday, February 15 with performances at 5pm and 8pm. The running schedule will be Saturdays at 5pm and 8pm, Sundays at 7pm, and Mondays at 8pm through March 24. Preview tickets are $15 and regular tickets are $25. All seats are general admission and may be purchased online at www.EnsembleStudioTheatreLA.org or www.brownpapertickets.com/event/556574 or by calling (323) 644-1929. The Speakeasy at Atwater Village Theatre is located at 3269 Casitas Avenue, in Los Angeles.

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01-22-14