Drama League Fall Directing Program 2012!!!

I am so, so very excited to announce that I have been selected to be a part of the 2012 Drama League Fall Directing Program! After a very rigorous application and interview process, I am one of four directors who have been selected for this prestegious honor this year.

It is going to be an exciting opportunity. There will be more details to follow, but for the time being, please go to the link below and learn more about Drama League and the other 2012 Drama League Directors Project Fellows:

TinyRhino & THE BEARD!!!

 Monday, March 12th, will be the featured premier of The Beard. A short play by Paul Mancini. I'm directing the piece for UglyRhino Productions, and their monthly short play series called TinyRhino. I have an amazing and vibrant cast featuring Bob D'Haene, Rebecca Gibel and Will Shaw. The Beard tells the story of a born and bred Brooklynite who is faced with an important decision during the heat of his local political campaign. Paul Mancini's play is relevent and fun.

The context of the TinyRhino event is theatre meets drinking game. Each play has preselected elements included in the play. When the audience sees or hears these elements, it's time to take a drink!!!

Sounds like fun? It IS! Click the link below for more information:

Porgy & Bess Opening Night!

Porgy & Bess has officially opened! I was so happy to have the chance to be there for the opening night performance. And even happier to have been backstage for the Gypsy Robe ceremony. Below is a photo from the pre-show ceremony. It's amazing how one still photo can capture hours of emotion:

Photo Credit: Walter McBride

In this photo is yours truly, Christopher Windom, Director elite, Diane Paulus, Assoc Dir./Stage Manager extraordinaire, Nancy Harrington and Playwright extraordinaire Suzan Lori Parks. If you could read my mind you would see a mountain of joy filling me up from within. Standing next to Diane as she was weeping, giving final encouragement to the company on opening night. Theatre is a very satisfying experience and this snapshot is my actual proof. I always want to feel this kind of excitement. I would love for everyone to experience this kind of happiness. 

Thank you Porgy & Bess! Have a fantastic run!!

Februrary House!

Next week I will begin my first new assignment of 2012! I have been asked to Assistant Direct a new musical called February House. It is a world premier with Music and Lyrics by Gabriel Kahane, Book by Seth Bockley and Directed by Davis McCallum. It will rehearse and perform at Long Wharf Theatre in New Haven, CT and is also being Co-Produced with the Public Theater in NYC. 

Below is a synopsis of the story:

"Bringing together some of the greatest and most colorful minds of a generation (W.H. Auden, Carson McCullers, Benjamin Britten, and Gypsy Rose Lee) George Davis tries to create his own utopia in a small house in Brooklyn in the 1940s.  The artists discover new ideas exploding at every turn as they find love, friendship and their own artistic voices in a time of war.  Written by up-and-coming composer Gabriel Kahane, the exciting score mixes elements of classical operetta, jazz, and musical comedy with modern folk-pop."

I'm very excited to be a part of this project and looking forward to the adventure of it all!

Porgy & Bess .... Production Assistant

Today I began part two of my PORGY & BESS experience. This past summer I was fortunate enough to serve as Produciton Assistant on a three week workshop for PORGY & BESS before it went to The A.R.T. in Cambridge, MA. Today, I'm so grateful to have the chance to help with rehearsals as it makes it's triumphant way to the Richard Rodgers Theatre on Broadway. With Diane Paulus directing, Suzan Lork Parks crafting the book and Ronald K. Brown choreographing...it's a first rate experience with a historic production.

I'm delighted to be in the room with such an amazing and inspiring creative team and cast. To learn more about the produciton click the image below: