Announcing: David Crosby & Graham Nash in Concert to Benefit The Blank Theatre

DAVID CROSBY AND GRAHAM NASH
SET TO PERFORM BENEFIT CONCERT SUNDAY, JULY 17
FOR THE BLANK THEATRE
NOAH WYLE HOSTS AT THE MUSIC BOX HOLLYWOOD

Two-time Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees David Crosby and Graham Nash will play an intimate acoustic concert at the beautifully restored Music Box Hollywood, benefitting The Blank Theatre’s 20th Anniversary Season, on Sunday, July 17, 2011 at 7:30pm. The event will be hosted by The Blank’s Artistic Producer Noah Wyle, and tickets go on sale Friday June 10 at 10am.

About The Blank Theatre

Started in 1990 by Founding Artistic Director Daniel Henning, The Blank Theatre is Hollywood’s regional theatre, consistently offering some of the most high quality and entertaining productions in the area. In its 20-year history, The Blank has won hundreds of awards including every major award in Los Angeles for Outstanding Production, such as the LA Drama Critics Circle, Ovation, LA Weekly, NAACP, and Back Stage Garland awards. The Blank has been at the forefront of providing high quality productions with a risk-taking sensibility and entertaining experiences. With programs such as its Living Room Series and its annual nationwide Young Playwrights Festival, The Blank Theatre is committed to developing excellence in artistic talent and providing the opportunity for artists to take bold risks. For more information, please visit: www.TheBlank.com.

BENEFIT CONCERT INFORMATION

DATE/TIME: Sunday July 17 at 7:30pm

ADMISSION: $75 Reserved, $50 General. (A limited number of Gold Circle tickets, which include post-show reception with David Crosby, Graham Nash, and Noah Wyle; and Silver Circle preferred seating, are also available.)

TICKETS: Online at www.TheBlank.com or by calling (323) 661-9827.

LOCATION: The Music Box Hollywood, 6126 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, 90028.

For more information on David Crosby and Graham Nash, visit www.crosbynash.com.

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06-08-11

Announcing: Blank Theatre Company’s 19th Annual Young Playwrights Festival Kicks Off June 2

THE BLANK THEATRE COMPANY’S 19TH ANNUAL NATIONWIDE
YOUNG PLAYWRIGHTS FESTIVAL CHOOSES WINNERS

12 Plays By The Nation’s Brightest Teenaged Playwrights
Will Be Performed At The Stella Adler Theatre In Hollywood Throughout June, 2011

The Blank Theatre Company’s 19th Annual Nationwide Young Playwrights Festival has chosen 12 plays by teenaged playwrights, aged 14 -19, from six different states. These plays will be presented by professional actors and directors in this year’s month-long festival at the Stella Adler Theatre in Hollywood, beginning June 2, 2011.

“Ever since I acted in the first Young Playwrights Festival, I have always had a special place in my heart for these extremely talented teenagers, “ says Blank Artistic Producer Noah Wyle. “The issues tackled, and the depth of emotion and understanding these kids have is remarkable. I wish I knew as much as they do when I was their age!”

This year’s winning plays are: LOCKDOWN by Nicole Acton, Grandville, MI Age 17; LIVING BY NUMBERS by Lucy Portman, Interlochen, MI, Age 17; EISEGESIS by Nickolas Mecikalski, Madison, AL Age 17; THE ADVENTURES OF BOY AND GIRL AS TOLD BY INTERRUPTED MONOLOGUES by Alex Grossman, New York, NY, Age 16 and Rachel Kaly, Forest Hills, NY, Age 15; PLATFORM NINE by Rebecca Moretti, Los Angeles, CA, Age 15; WASH by Delali Ayivor, Interlochen, MI, Age 18; YOU ARE SO BEAUTIFUL by Layla Treuhaft-Ali, Jackson Heights, NY, Age 15; INK AND PAINT GIRLS by Emma Steinkellner, Santa Barbara, CA, Age 16; WALK TO THE VET by Cathy Mayer, Santa Monica, CA, Age 17; TANOSHINDE by Alex Nunnelly, Cambridge, MA, Age 19; LIKE A DOG IN SPACE by Aliza Goldstein, Jacksonville, FL, Age 19; and SPIDERMAN: TURN ON THE LIGHTS by Adam Brodheim, New York, NY, Age 17.

A panel of theatre professionals chose from plays submitted by teenagers across the nation. Winning playwrights are next assigned a mentor, and then a professional director who will help them hone their scripts for four public performances with professional actors. This year’s mentors include Steinberg/ATCA New Play Award-winner E.M. Lewis, and television producers Adam Belanoff (The Closer), David Rambo (V, CSI), and Jeff Greenstein (Desperate Housewives). In the past 18 years, The Blank has produced 208 plays by teenaged playwrights. Eleven of those plays or playwrights have gone on to be presented on The Blank’s mainstage, including Speech & Debate by Stephen Karam, a three-time winner in The Blank’s YPF.

Additionally, many of the plays have been nominated for LA theatre awards including: an Ovation Award for Best Writing—World Premiere, and an LA Weekly Award for Best One- Act Playwriting.

“Alumni” playwrights are populating the nation’s theatres and sound stages with their work. Many YPF winners have gone on to successful writing careers creating TV shows, filling regional stages, teaching writing to others, and founding regional Young Playwrights Festivals. This year, 21-year-old Adam Cochran (a two-time winner in YPF) was nominated for a Drama Desk Award in NYC for Outstanding Music in a Play.

This year’s festival is made possible by The Harold & Mimi Steinberg Charitable Trust, The Plum Foundation, Los Angeles County Arts Commission, and City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs.

The Blank Theatre Company’s 19th Annual Young Playwrights Festival runs June 2 – 26 at the Stella Adler Theatre, 6773 Hollywood Boulevard, in Hollywood. The performance schedule is Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at 8pm and Sunday at 2pm. Each week’s program includes three plays, and admission is $17 for adults and $12 for students. Festival passes, which are good for one ticket each week of the festival, are $56. Tickets may be purchased in advance online at www.TheBlank.com, or via phone by calling (323) 661-9827.

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05-12-11

Announcing: David Crosby to Perform at Blank Theatre Benefit

LEGENDARY SINGER-SONGWRITER AND ACTIVIST
DAVID CROSBY
SET TO PERFORM HIS FIRST SOLO SHOW IN 20 YEARS
TO BENEFIT THE BLANK THEATRE COMPANY
MONDAY, DECEMBER 13 AT AVALON HOLLYWOOD

Two-time Rock and Roll Hall of Fame honoree David Crosby (The Byrds; Crosby, Stills & Nash) will give a rare, intimate concert to benefit The Blank Theatre Company, at Avalon Hollywood on Monday December 13, 2010 at 7:30pm. Hosted by The Blank’s Artistic Producer Noah Wyle, the evening will be David Crosby’s first solo Los Angeles performance in 20 years. The evening will feature new unrecorded material and fan favorites.

Said Crosby, “My friend Noah Wyle took me to see a few of The Blank’s shows. I was duly impressed by the quality of production and the daring nature of the work. Supporting The Blank is just one small way that I can help.” Added Wyle, “When David told me he wanted to play a benefit show for us, I was so touched that he felt inclined to respond to our work with his music. It is a rare and humbling honor for our organization.”

Tickets for the concert are priced at $250 (includes premium floor seating and exclusive after-show reception with David Crosby and Noah Wyle), $100, $75 and $50. They can be purchased online at www.TheBlank.com, or by calling (323) 661-9827. The Blank is a 501c3 non-profit arts organization; the ticket price is tax-deductible, Federal Tax ID# 95-4309846. The benefit is being produced by The Blank Theatre Company in conjunction with Black and Tan Entertainment and The Guacamole Fund.

Avalon Hollywood is located at 1735 N. Vine Street, in Hollywood.

About David Crosby

A California native, David Crosby is a legendary guitarist, singer, and songwriter. He is also an activist and a philanthropist. In addition to his solo career, he was a founding member of three bands: The Byrds, Crosby, Stills & Nash (who are joined by Neil Young sometimes), and CPR. Crosby is a two-time member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for his work in The Byrds and CSN. Crosby also performs often with his band-mate and dear friend Graham Nash on record and on tour. In 1971, Crosby released his first of four solo albums, If I Could Only Remember My Name, featuring contributions by Nash, Young, and Joni Mitchell, along with members of Jefferson Airplane, the Grateful Dead, and Santana. The album was recently named by The Vatican on its top ten list of all-time albums.

Crosby is also a long-time activist supporting a multitude of social issues. His second book entitled Stand and Be Counted chronicles music activism and social awareness. It was also a critically acclaimed two part documentary television film that aired on TLC. Besides his recent induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, Crosby was MusiCares, NARAS’ (The Grammys) philanthropic arm, first Person of the Year.

For further information regarding David Crosby, contact Michael Jensen at (626) 676-9590 or via email at info@jensencom.com.

About The Blank Theatre Company

Now in its 20th year, The Blank’s productions have consistently garnered rave reviews, audience acclaim, and numerous theatrical honors. Over the years, The Blank has been nominated for 23 Ovation Awards and won five including Best Musical; 15 L.A. Drama Critics Circle Awards, winning 13 including Outstanding Production; 24 L.A. Weekly Awards, winning seven including Musical of the Year; 12 NAACP Theatre Awards, winning four including Best Production; and won 17 Back Stage Garland Awards. The Blank was awarded the Hollywood Arts Council’s coveted Charlie Award for “pursuing artistic excellence, nurturing the next generation of playwrights, and challenging itself with a grand vision.” The Drama League called The Blank one of the “Best Regional Theatres in America.”

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11-15-10