Weekly Update 2.26.10

February 26th, 2010
THE MAN WHO
 
This is the last weekend to experience THE MAN WHO.  The show has been a great success for NVA, both from an artistic standpoint and a financial one.  We have exceeded our budget for single ticket sales and expanded our reputation for taking exciting risks.  Big thanks go out to the amazing Scott, Ron, Sandy, Manny, Walter, Anthony, Tim, Amanda, Jason, Bonnie, Justin and everyone who worked on the show.  It was a truly collaborative effort that I am very proud of.
 
If you are free on Sunday afternoon (at 3:30), please stop by to help us strike the set - and possibly paint the new Foundry space!
 
THE HEIDI CHRONICLES
 sisterschess
Sofonisba Anguissola, Three Sisters Playing Chess, 1555.  Heidi Holland is an art historian whose work is dedicated to Women in Art.  This is one of the paintings she shares with the audience.
 
HEIDI starts Monday!  The first read thru will start at 6:30 and anyone is invited to come listen.  I’ve included a section from the press release below, so you can get a better idea of what the show is about and what Amanda Sitton (our director) will be doing with it.
 
“New Village Arts presents THE HEIDI CHRONICLES, Wendy Wasserstein’s groundbreaking play about identity, family, feminism and art.  It follows Heidi Holland (Kristianne Kurner) from insecure student at a high school dance in the 1960s to successful art historian promoting female artists in the late 1980s.  Through Heidi’s travels, we are able to peek in on the changing roles of women in our society in the last half of the twentieth century, and explore what defines success and how we go about searching for meaning in our lives.  Along for this touching and humorous journey are Heidi’s friends, including the ever-changing Susan (Jacque Wilke), the witty and supportive Peter (Brian Mackey) and the charming on-again off-again lover Scoop (John DeCarlo). 

 

THE HEIDI CHRONICLES premiered on Broadway in 1988 and won every major theatrical award, including the Pulitzer Prize, the Tony Award, the New York Drama Critics Circle Award, the Outer Critics Circle Award and the Drama Desk Award.  Personal and provocative, this play keeps its audience laughing while it celebrates the power of the individual.

 

Wendy Wasserstein is the best-known female playwright of her generation, author of the plays Uncommon Women and Others, Isn’t It Romantic, The Sisters Rosensweig, Old Money, An American Daughter, and The Heidi Chronicles, for which she received a Tony Award and the Pulitzer Prize, and of the books, Bachelor Girls and Shiksa Goddess. She was admired both for the warmth and the satirical cool of her writing; each of her plays and books captures an essence of the time, makes us laugh and leaves us wiser. Wendy Wasserstein was born on October 18, 1950, in Brooklyn, and died at the age of 55. Her daughter, Lucy Jane, lives in New York.

 

THE HEIDI CHRONICLES marks Amanda Sitton’s debut as a director, after many years as one of the most highly regarded actors in San Diego.  Ms. Sitton has won San Diego Theatre Critics Circle Awards for her acting for the past two years – for her work in San Diego Rep’s DOUBT and New Village Arts’ GOLDEN BOY.  A founding member of NVA’s Ensemble, she has appeared in the New Village Arts productions of THREE SISTERS, CRIMES OF THE HEART, SAILOR’S SONG, GOLDEN BOY, BE AGGRESSIVE and FOUR DOGS AND A BONE.

 

Leading the cast as the character Heidi is NVA’s Executive Artistic Director Kristianne Kurner.  “I’m thrilled to be sharing this role with our audiences twenty years after it was originally released.  It is such a gift to be able to look back, through Heidi’s experiences, and find that universal search we are all on for meaning and purpose in our lives.  Plus, it’s an amazing cast and creative team, lead by one of the theatre artists I respect the most, Amanda Sitton.”  Ms. Kurner last appeared on the NVA stage as Germaine in Steve Martin’s Picasso at the Lapin Agile and at Moxie Theatre as Dr. Whetstone in Mary Fengal Gail’s Drink Me.

 

Accompanying the action of the play with music will be the acclaimed San Diego performer Linda Libby.  Ms. Libby commented, “the play lives in an era of incredible music and I’m thrilled to be a reminder to those who knew this music first-hand and a messenger to those who discover this music through NVA’s production.  In a past life I played clubs and in bands and it’s wonderful to play guitar & piano again!”  This unique approach to the play will make HEIDI even more relevant to our contemporary audiences.

 

The rest of the cast consists of some of San Diego’s most popular actors, including Jacque Wilke as Heidi’s best friend Susan (last appeared in THE LAST CENTURY at Diversionary), NVA regular John DeCarlo as Heidi’s sometimes lover Scoop (with NVA: OFF THE GROUND, GOLDEN BOY, most recently MAN FROM NEBRASKA at Cygnet), Brian Mackey as Heidi’s fellow traveler (currently in LITTLE WOMEN at North Coast Rep), and in various other roles: NVA Ensemble member Amanda Morrow (BE AGGRESSIVE & SAILOR’S SONG), Kelly Iversen (WHO’S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF, Compass Theatre and THE LITTLE DOG LAUGHED, Diversionary), Frances Regal (THE JOY LUCK CLUB, Asian American Rep) and Anthony Phifer (current MiraCosta College student).

The design team includes NVA resident designers Tim Wallace on set and sound and Bonnie Durben on props, with Jason Bieber creating the lighting and Renetta Lehman-Lloyd designing the costumes.”

As you can see from the above, this is going to be a very exciting production for NVA, and should produce, as my friend Eric Lotze likes to call it, “artistic whiplash”.  (it will be quite different from THE MAN WHO).

THE NEW FOUNDRY SPACE IS ALMOST COMPLETED!!!!

 

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It may not look like much now, but the new space is going to be a great addition!  Here you see the new walls and a portion of one of the artist studios.

Thanks to the hard work of the folks at Lusardi Construction Company, our new Foundry space will be ready for the artists to move in on March 1st!  The new space consists of 7 new artist studios, the full costume storage and a small performances space that will be used for classes, rehearsals and smaller scale performances (including music, poetry and new plays).  It’s another great step forward for NVA.  We’ll be painting this weekend, so check with me or Alex if you have an hour or two to spare.

SEASON ANNOUNCEMENT PARTY

Please plan to join us on Friday, March 19 from 6-8 PM to celebrate the announcement of NVA’s Season 10!  It will be here at the theatre and we have a few good surprises in store.  I’ll be sending out an “official” invitation on Monday.

NVA’s SPRING GALA: NVA TAKES BROADWAY

Our fabulous spring gala will be on Saturday, May 22 at the new Sheraton in Carlsbad.  We have David Patrone and his band playing swing music (they even bring their own dancers to help lead the way), some great auction items and a very fun menu.  The theme is the “golden age” of Broadway, which basically means we get to dress in our vintage best and dance the night away.  There will even be hotel packages for those of you who would like to make a weekend out of it.  We are currently looking for sponsors for the event as well as items for both a silent and live auction.  If you have anything you can send our way, we would greatly appreciate it!

OTHER EVENTS AT NVA

On Sunday, March 7 at 7:30 PM, the blues harmonica legend James Harman will be recording a live CD here at NVA.  Tickets are $20-25.  It’s an unbelievable chance to see an artist of this caliber in a space like NVA.  I hope some of you are able to make it.

On Saturday, March 13 at 8 PM, Scott Paulson will be bringing his Silent Movie Night to NVA (aka the “not-so-silent movie night”).  Tickets are only $10 and it is a family friendly event.  He’s going to show a series of short silent films that have trains as part of the story to honor our location (including THE GREAT TRAIN ROBBERY).  Scott and his band will be providing all the sound and music effects, and there is audience participation included as well.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

To Daren Scott on Monday the 1st!  And to Joshua Johnson on March 16th!

I hope you can make it to THE MAN WHO this weekend, or to one of the other many events we have going on at NVA.  Have a great week!

Kristianne


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Thoughts on THE MAN WHO

February 17th, 2010

We are now in the midst of the regional premiere of Peter Brook and Marie Helene Estienne’s THE MAN WHO, based on Oliver Sacks’ bestselling book THE MAN WHO MISTOOK HIS WIFE FOR A HAT.  It’s a unique production with a stellar ensemble including Ron Choularton, Sandra Ellis-Troy, Manny Fernandes and Walter Murray accompanied by the genius Scott Paulson creating music.  Below are some various reviews of the show along with random thoughts…

Audiences and Critics are raving about the unique experience that is THE MAN WHO:

“In the hands of four expert actors and a musician, these case studies spring to theatrical life at the New Village Arts Theatre in Carlsbad. Under Kristianne Kurner’s steady and sensitive direction, what might have been a tough slog of an evening becomes 90 minutes of drama you won’t soon forget…All of the actors performed admirably… [but] two that stood out for me were Mr. Coularton’s depiction of a man attempting to control his Tourette Syndrome symptoms and Mr. Fernandes’ portrayal of a man whose conversational tonal patterns belied the nonsense words that peppered his speech…Perhaps the star of the production, however, is Scott Paulson. In his sound lab, on one side of the stage, Mr. Paulson worked with the text and actors to provide sounds ranging from noises to beautiful music.” - Bill Eadie Sandiego.com

“Four outstanding actors-Ron Choularton, Sandra Ellis-Troy, Manny Fernandes and Walter Murray-take all the roles, and to enhance the production directed by Kristianne Kurner, NVA provides sound man and multi-instrumentalist Scott Paulson… The acting is amazing, insightful, restrained and touching, as each individual portrayed struggles to get it “right,” even though many will never live outside an institution. Ellis-Troy is especially endearing as the woman who’s never seen the ocean.” - Charlene Baldridge, North County Times

“NVA’s The Man Who is an excellent balance of technologic and human stagecraft…Paulson transcends. His live original score and sound design bends and breaks with the action in some of the show’s most eloquent commentary. Paulson is a priceless fixture in San Diego theater…As it is, it’s a captivating look at mental phenomena that the theater, ever the opportunist, is almost obliged to provide.” - By Martin Jones Westlin, SD CityBeat

“Recruiting Paulson was a savvy move by director Kristianne Kurner, whose sense of atmosphere is smartly in tune with the mood of the play. (Tim Wallace’s sets add a quirky retro feel, augmented by some live video.) Kurner, NVA’s executive artistic director, also deserves a tip of the hat (or is that your wife?) for staging the play in the first place. It’s a stretch for both audiences and artists, and a risk not many theaters would venture. (Or have ventured, for that matter; this is the work’s regional premiere.)” - James Hebert, San Diego Union Tribune

BEST BET - “an actors’ showcase, a hard look at the brain; something different and provocative (the subject matter may not be for everyone, but the performances are!)” - Pat Launer, www.sdnn.com

Thoughts from Kristianne:

The playwrights purposely kept the play very sparse.  To me, it is about the resilency of the human spirit in sometimes unimaginable circumstances.  It does not have a traditional story line or a strong build of characters.  Rather, it is a series of studies - each standing alone, that together add up to a complete experience.  It is left to the audience to fill in the blanks created by the playwrights through watching the work of the actors and musician.  It requires a lot out of an audience, and in today’s society and circumstances that can be hard to achieve.  I’m very proud to say, that for the most part, our audiences have been completely up for the adventure.  I love the play, and find more in it everytime I watch it.  I hope you are able to get to the theatre before Feb 28 to experience THE MAN WHO!!


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Opening with a Touch of Magic…

December 15th, 2009
December 12, 2009
By Kristianne Kurner, Executive Artistic Director, New Village Arts
crumpetsmall
Opening Night of THE SANTALAND DIARIES at New Village Arts Theatre in Carlsbad will not be soon forgotten to anyone in attendance.

The show started about seven minutes late, due to a packed house of patrons, critics and New Village Arts’ Ensemble members.  Daren Scott began his performance of Crumpet the Elf, and as the director of the piece, I must admit that it was his strongest work I had seen to date.  It was thrilling to watch all the time we had spent in rehearsal come together in front of an enthusiastic audience.

About two-thirds of the way through the performance, Mother Nature took over.  Carlsbad had been experiencing an unusually strong winter storm, and at 8:45 PM, the power went out - on the entire block.  At first we all froze - Daren on stage - the audience under the emergency lighting that went on.  Then I jumped up and explained that “Macy’s Santaland was undergoing technical difficulties.”  I raced back to the breakers where I met up with my Dad and Becky Pierce (our former technical director, who was in the audience that night).  Everything was as it should be, so we ran out to the street to check out the rest of the block - it was dark.  I ran back into the theatre and asked The Fabulous Earrings, a singing trio that had entertained us before the show began to come up on stage and lead the audience in some Christmas carols.  At the same time, Adam Brick (Ensemble member and sound designer), Becky Pierce, Managing Director Alex Scollon and my mom, Laura, passed out flashlights to the front row.  The front row trained those flashlights onto The Fabulous Earrings and a rousing rendition of JINGLE BELLS began.

Ted Owen, the president of Carlsbad’s Chamber of Commerce, happened to be in the audience that night and he stepped out to make some calls to see how long we might be “in the dark”.  It didn’t look good.

I met Sam Sherman (stage manager), Anthony Phifer (ASM) and Daren Scott backstage to discuss what we were going to do.  While we were discussing, The Earrings switched over to WE WISH YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS - the audience singing along.

I was so thrilled with the work that Daren was doing that I didn’t want it to stop.  “Shall we do this by flashlight?”  “Yes, we shall.”

The Fabulous Earrings led the audience in one more carol and Daren and I went back onto stage.

I explained to the audience that I wanted to see Daren finish the play - and the audience agreed with a rousing ovation.  The front row was instructed to keep their flashlights trained on Daren, I took my seat in the back row, and the magic began.

For the next twenty minutes, the audience sat transfixed by the flashlight on Daren’s face.  The jokes were funnier, the poignant moments absolutely beautiful.

At one point in the script, there are announcements made over the loudspeaker - that was out, since we didn’t have power.  From the tech booth came the voice of Stage Manager Sam Sherman, who called out the lines from above.  I don’t think I’ll ever forget the look of joy and gratitude on Daren’s face when he felt Sam with him on this adventure.

We got to the last line of the show, Daren finished the play, and the audience immediately rose to their feet, celebrating the magic of live theatre, the bravery of the performance and the unforgettable sense of being involved in an event that none of us would soon forget.

The audience was invited to carefully exit the theatre and join us in the lobby for a candlelight celebration of the night, complete with more caroling, Irish coffees and the kind of comradeship that can only happen from having a shared experience together.

Those of us on the creative team and in the Ensemble were reluctant to leave the theatre that night.  Something special had occurred, and we all felt lucky to be there.  I think it reminded all of us of why we do this - why we create theatre to share with our community.  I know I’ll never forget the experience - and I doubt that the other one hundred people there will soon forget. 

Happy Holidays to you all - thanks for all you do to keep live performance important and thriving.  There really is nothing like it.

 
As a postscript, the following night NVA hosted a sold out evening of blues music by Kim Wilson and Nathan James.  Once again, towards the end of the performance (about 3 hours into the show), the block lost power.  The musicians closed the show with an acoustic number lit by flashlight and the audience had another unforgettable experience.  We’re hoping the power stays on from here on out, but what a unique weekend.
 
With warmest wishes-
 
Kristianne
 


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Monthly Update - the joys of November

November 27th, 2009

I got behind on posting my weekly updates, so here is a re-cap of some of the best of November!  (I can’t explain why it is all underlined, apparently, my computer thinks this information is really important!)

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!  I hope it was filled with great food, friends and family - I know mine was!
PICASSO
 
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Tom Zohar as Einstein and Tim Parker as Picasso.  Photo by Adam Brick
Picasso continues to break all our ticket sales records - we even had a good house on Wednesday night!  We sold out every evening performance last week and only have 10 seats left tonight and 20 Saturday night - WOW.  The great reviews continue to come in.  Here are a bunch:
Hitch’s review:
“New Village Arts has yet another winner to enjoy…This is a guaranteed fun night at the theatre.”
http://www.sdtheatrescene.com/newsmaker.php?newsId=62
Charlene’s Review: BEST BET
“It’s a grand play, full of anachronisms, preposterous statements and genius. One leaves pondering the nature of fidelity and creativity and the importance (or not) of our interaction with and stimulation by others…It’s an almost flawless ensemble. Thank you, director Case.”
http://www.sdtheatrescene.com/newsmaker.php?newsId=64

Only two weekends left - if you haven’t made it to see the show yet, be sure to plan ahead - our evening performances are selling out and the matinees are very full.

SANTALAND
santa-kristianne
That’s me with the REAL Santa - in Mission Viejo, CA probably around 1980ish…Photo by Mom & Dad.

Rehearsals continue to be fabulous.  I have never directed a one-man show before, so it has been a new process for me - and such a rewarding one.  Daren is such a talented actor and we have worked together for so long that we have a kind of “shorthand” - where I can say just a few words and Daren runs with it.  It’s very exciting to work this way.  We are in the process of collecting Santa photos of our cast, designers and crew - look for a fun display in the program.
The official opening night is Saturday, December 12th - and tickets for every performance are only $20 - be sure you have your reservations!
THURSDAYS ON THE COAST ON BLACK FRIDAY
Tonight is the continuance of the THURSDAYS ON THE COAST series - the art walk thru the Carlsbad Village.  It’s from 5:30 - 7:30 tonight, so come by to walk off some of the turkey - and maybe even stay for Picasso tonight - if you can get a seat!
CARLSBAD VOLUNTEERS OF THE YEAR ARE SOME OF NVA’S FINEST!!!
aurorapath
From Playboy of the Western World - actor Aurora RuPert with Volunteer of the Year Pat Hansen.  Photo by Brian Meagher.
Each year, the City honors 2-3 residents for their outstanding contributions in Carlsbad, and this year they are all associated with NVA!  Former Board Member and volunteer extraordinaire Pat Hansen and her husband Jim will receive the honors as well as Advisory Board member Bobbie Hoder.  I can’t imagine better people - the ceremony will be on Tuesday, December 8th at 3 PM at City Hall - come celebrate these great people with us!

Three quotes of the week (or things to make you go “hmmm…”):

“Human speech is like a cracked kettle on which we tap crude rhythms for bears to dance to, while longing to make music that will melt the stars.” - Flaubert
“Theatre should not be a pastime for the privileged but a source of joy and inspiration for everybody” - paraphrase of the beliefs of Joe Papp, the founder of NYC’s Public Theatre and Free Shakespeare in the Park, and a personal hero of mine.  There is a great new book out called “Joe Papp, The Public and The Greatest Theater Story Ever Told” - a gift for anyone theatrically inclined or interested.
Replacing “science museum” with “theatre”:
“What should we expect from a science museum?  Do we want to be carefully tutored in a scientific discipline?  Do we seek to be entertained in a vaguely enlightening way?  Do we hope to be urged to adopt particular policies or practices?  My own desire is simpler than any of these, though far less often encountered.  I hope for wonder.
     Wonder is not puzzlement, bewilderment or confusion.  But it is also not satisfaction, completion or understanding.  It is more open-ended, even a little unsettling.  There is an element of calm, poised detachment in wonder but also a restless amazement.  In the wake of wonder, we are literally moved.  We cannot remain still.  We are spurred to explore.”  - NY Times 11/4/09 by Edward Rothstein.
December Birthdays
Anthony Phifer (ASM for Picasso & Santaland and Stage Manager for The Man Who): December 13th
Rachel White (House Manager): December 15th
Amanda Sitton (Ensemble Member, Director of Heidi Chronicles): December 17th
Adam Brick (Ensemble Member, Sound Design for Picasso & Santaland): December 28th

OTHER NEWS
  • Santaland rehearsals are well under way.  Daren Scott is absolutely priceless as Crumpet the Elf - I’m sure this is going to be a big hit.
  • We’re exploring new ways to expand the education program.  Of the fall Master Classes, the Meisner class taught by Lisa Berger was the definite favorite, so we will start offering a weekly Meisner class taught by Lisa in January.  The KidsAct classes are also picking up - we had a performance of their work this week and filled the theatre.  I’ve also been meeting with the theatre teacher at Pacific Ridge School and we will be partnering with those students in 2010.
  • Alex and I have been doing lots of meetings with potential donors, other arts groups and others to continue building NVA.
  • Joshua is doing very well in NYC - he had a great meeting with the playwright of THINGS WE WANT, Jonathan Marc Sherman
  • Kelly and I went to see Ensemble member Ron Choularton in THE SEAFARER at San Diego Rep.  He was fabulous - the show runs through mid December.
  • Ensemble member Amanda Sitton will be starring in IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE: THE RADIO PLAY at Cygnet - she gets to sing in this one!

Hope you all had an excellent November - here’s to a great start to this holiday season!

All the best-

Kristianne


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Weekly Update 10.30.09

October 30th, 2009
Happy Halloween!  I hope you all have something fun planned for the weekend.
 
It’s been another crazy busy week here at NVA.  Here’s a quick wrap-up:
  • On Saturday, we had a wonderful team of volunteers come in to help move all the costumes down to the rehearsal foundry for the Costume Sale on Sunday.  The Sale itself was a big success.  We are continuing the sale thru Sunday, so come on down to the theatre if you haven’t picked out your costume yet - or if you are just looking for a fabulous pair of shoes or newish suit.  Good stuff.
  • Some of us went to see Kelly in WHO’S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF (she was great) and then Amanda Morrow in the Culture Shock hip-hop show on Saturday - she was flippin all over the place - so much fun.
  • Josh held his Master Class on Sunday night on scene study and how to approach a role - the students loved it.
  • Rehearsals for PICASSO are continuing very well - we have a run thru today at 1 for the designers.
  • The City of Carlsbad celebrated the work of the Redevelopment Office on Wednesday.  There was a film at the Carlsbad Village Theatre, a still photo display at NVA and tasty treats set up in the corner parking lot.  The wind was blowing like crazy, so people really enjoyed coming into NVA to warm up some.
  • Joshua’s going away party was Wednesday night.  We had a DJ playing some vinyl, lots of good friends and a very entertaining dance party by the end of the night.  Lots of good love sent Joshua’s way.  He actually leaves on November 4th, so be sure you have a chance to wish him well!
  • Last night, we had another “Thursdays on the Coast”.  We had over 250 people come through, so that’s pretty good for a blustery evening.
UPCOMING:
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NVA’s resident Scenic Designer Tim Wallace with his lovely wife (and NVA Ensemble Member) Amanda Sitton’s horde of costumes purchased at NVA’s Costume Sale.
  • 1:30 - 5:30 today and 9-12 Saturday: Costume Sale is open.  All during the street faire on Sunday as well.
  • Sunday, Nov 1: Most importantly, Jonah turns 11, but also the Carlsbad Street Faire is going on and NVA is open.  I think we still need some volunteers to help, so let Laura know if you are available.  I’ll be here from 2-6
  • Sunday, Nov 1: 6-10 PM: We are having an amazing Improv Workshop with Ali Davis at the theatre.  If you have any interest in acting, you should join us.  Let me know if you have any questions.  Thanks again to Norine for housing Ali while she is in town.
  • Friday, Nov 6: 12 NOON: Brown Bag Lunch with Kristianne.  Come have lunch at the theatre and talk about everything going on here.  It’s a casual, fun way to spend your lunch break.
  • Saturday, Nov 7 & 8: Tech for PICASSO
  • Sunday, Nov 8: Master Class with Lisa Berger on the Meisner Technique of acting.
  • Saturday, Nov 14: Opening Night of PICASSO!  Get your tickets now - they are going fast.
Have a great weekend!
 
Kristianne


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Weekly Update 10.23.09

October 23rd, 2009

retouched-21

Tom Zohar as Einstein, Amanda Morrow as Suzanne and Tim Parker as Picasso.  Photo by Daren Scott.
 
WORK SHOULDN’T BE THIS MUCH FUN…
The rehearsals for PICASSO AT THE LAPIN AGILE are thrilling!  It’s a great cast, an outstanding director and being in Steve Martin’s strange little world is quite fun.  I can’t wait to share this production with you all, and bring you, as the audience, into the world of the Lapin Agile.  Just about anything can happen there - and you will be amazed at what does happen.  It’s sure to be a magical performance - I think this is one that people are going to want to see more than once.  Tim Wallace’s set is starting to be built (Juan Castaneda is building it for us), Mary Larson’s costumes are coming together beautifully and we look forward to adding Ashley Jenks’ lighting and Adam Brick’s sound to the mix in the next few weeks.  And prop master extraordinaire Bonnie Durben is out searching for those perfect bar settings for 1904!
 
We are asking for volunteers to help with the set build tomorrow (Saturday) from 10-2, so if you’d like to help build the parisian bar, please come by.
 
NEW BOARD MEMBER!
Welcome to NVA’s newest board member, Joe Charest.  Joe works with the public relations firm of Katz and Associates and has previously served on a number of non-profit boards, including the San Diego Symphony.  Here’s a bit more info on Joe - what a great addition to the NVA family:
 

Joseph Charest is a communication professional with more than 30 years of experience in corporate and agency public relations, advertising and marketing. He specializes in developing multidisciplinary communication programs designed to raise awareness of issues and frame public debates.  Joe’s experience includes work in the transportation, health care, non profit and environmental fields. His skills have been recognized with two national Silver Anvil awards, the PR profession’s highest honor.

 

TIME FOR A LITTLE SHOPPING

The Costume/Rummage Sale at NVA is this Sunday from 9-12.  We are putting almost our entire costume stock on sale at great prices, so make your plans to come by!  It’s been a lot of fun to go through our stock and see all the costumes from shows past.  Make sure you tell all your friends - it’s a great way to get an amazing halloween costume!

 

ADULT ACTING CLASSES

Sunday evening from 6-10 PM we will be having a Master Class taught by Joshua Everett Johnson on scene study and rehearsal techniques.  This is the last chance to study with Josh before he heads off to NY!  Please contact me if you are interested in taking the class - it is sure to be a great evening.  Next Sunday, November 1, we have an amazing improvisation teacher, Ali Davis, coming down from LA to do a four hour improv class.  I went to undergrad with Ali at William & Mary and she is a highly accomplished comedian and writer.  If any of you saw the inaugural episode of the Late Show with Conan O’Brien, Ali was the shop owner of the Victorian doll shop on Conan’s run from the east coast to the west coast.  Big thanks to Norine Sigafoose for donating a room in her beautiful Seashore on the Sand for Ali to stay in while she is in town.  There is a discounted price for the master classes for Ensemble, Board and Staff members, so please contact me if you are interested.

 

SHOWS AROUND TOWN

Monday night you should be at the Carlsbad Playreaders production of LOBBY HERO by Kenneth Lonergan (who wrote THE WAVERLY GALLERY that NVA produced years back).  Josh is directing the show as well as acting in it alongside Ensemble member Manny Fernandes, box office manager Kelly Iversen and Mark Broadnax (a great local actor). The show starts at 7:30 PM at the Dove Library.  More info can be found at www.carlsbadplayreaders.org.  I really enjoyed reading the play, and think it will be even better to hear it live.

 

Last weekend to catch Kelly in WHO’S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF at Compass Theatre.  I saw it last night and it’s a thrill to see the American classic that up close and personal.  www.compasstheatre.com

 

Two weekends left for MAN FROM NEBRASKA at Cygnet with Ensemble members Sandra Ellis-Troy, Jack Missett & Amanda Sitton.  www.cygnettheatre.com

 

Amanda Morrow will be pop, lock and droppin’ it with Culture Shock Dance Theatre on Saturday night at the CA Center for the Arts Escondido - Jonah and I can’t wait to watch her go!   www.cultureshockdance.org

 

I apologize if I left anyone else’s shows out - let me know and I can include them next time!

 

CELEBRATE THE SUCCESS OF REDEVELOPMENT

On Wednesday, October 28th from 5-7:30 PM there is a free celebration going on in the Village for the redevelopment program.  NVA is considered one of the shining examples of the program, and we are proud to host a photography exhibit of the changes in Carlsbad Village.  There will also be opening remarks at the Village Theatre (across the street) and refreshments served by the fountain on the corner of State & Grand.  Be sure you wear your NVA t-shirts or name badges if you come by.

 

I think that’s plenty for now.  Have a great week and I hope to see you at one of the many events going on!

 

All the best-

 

Kristianne


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Weekly Update 9.25.09

September 25th, 2009
THINGS WE WANT received Critics Choice in the San Diego Union Tribune!
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Tim Parker and Adam Brick in THINGS WE WANT.  Photo by Daren Scott.
 
Here’s a link to the full review:
http://www3.signonsandiego.com/stories/2009/sep/22/8216things-we-want8217-delivers-goods-new-village-/?uniontrib
And another good one in the San Diego Reader:
http://www.sandiegoreader.com/events/ongoing/18667/
 
It’s a great cast and the director, Lisa Berger (who made her NVA debut with this show) has been amazing to work with.  There is a possibility that we will do a Monday night show (on October 5th) for all of you who are in shows elsewhere.  I hope to have that confirmed later today.
 
Opening night was a great success.  I made it to the theatre just in time for the curtain call (I had to speed up here from the show I am doing in La Jolla) and was able to experience the enthusiastic response.  The catering by Mike Briley, aka The Hardcore Chef, was delicious (the sea scallops wrapped in bacon being a particular crowd favorite) and Wiens Winery brought their various wines, which were gone by the end of the night - thanks to Tom Estok and Phil Cabibi for the donation of real wine glasses.  It was great to have so many of our board members there!
 
Shows continue through October 11, so please help to spread the word!
  
Crazy Monday
Lots going on this past Monday night.  Laura was here at NVA running the Off-Night Music Event with the Fabulous Earrings.  It was a wonderful performance - the patrons who were there really enjoyed it - not the biggest crowd in the world, but for a last minute addition, very successful.  I was in La Jolla performing in the “actors night” for Moxie and Alex was at the San Diego Performing Arts League’s Star Awards.  The Star Awards are the annual award show to honor performing arts organization’s volunteers.  We had planned to honor Jason Medina this year, but then he went into the hospital.  He’s home now and recovering nicely, so we hope to have him in shape to accept the award next year.
 
Thursdays on the Coast
We had another Art Walk in the Village last night.  Again, highly successful.  Hundreds of people came through and some who had never been to the theatre before were most impressed.  We picked up a good number of walk-ins to see THINGS WE WANT as well.  If you haven’t been to this event yet, it is a nice way to spend the evening - all the galleries and art venues in Carlsbad are open for the evening with free snacks and drinks and you can take a walking tour of all of them.
 
Jonah’s in a Show!
distracted
My son Jonah will be appearing in the regional premiere of Lisa Loomer’s DISTRACTED at MiraCosta College Oct 1 - 11.  He’s playing Jesse, a boy with severe ADD - the play is  about how his parents choose to deal with the situation.  Other NVA alums in the show are Amanda Dane (pictured above) playing Jonah’s mom and Sassan Saffari as some of the doctors.  If you would like tickets, they can be purchased at www.miracostatheatre.com. 
 
Other Openings
A number of our Ensemble members are appearing in MAN FROM NEBRASKA at Cygnet Theatre (directed by former NVA Artistic Director Francis Gercke) - Sandra Ellis-Troy, Jack Missett and Amanda Sitton.  The show is in previews now and runs through November 1st.  Tickets are available at www.cygnettheatre.com.
 
Kelly Iversen will be appearing in WHO’S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF at Compass Theatre.  Tickets are available at www.compasstheatre.com.
 
I’m sure I’ve missed some others - our Ensemble is working all over town right now!
 
Two new additions to NVA’s Season!
I’m so pleased to announce that Bonnie Durben has joined us as our properties designer for the entire season and Tim Wallace will be our resident set designer for the rest of the season.  Both are talented, creative artists who will bring the look of the play to life.  The three of us will be working together to create exciting and interesting designs for the remaining shows.  I’m so proud to have both of them working with NVA.  And I don’t know if I mentioned it last week, but we also have Sam Sherman as our Production Manager!
 
Quote on acting that I like
 
“I love actors and by extension, the theater.  I love the minutia that surrounds them both.  I love listening and telling Green Room war stories.  I love the onstage triumphs and yes, I love even the disasters.  I love the adrenaline that shoots thru every actor onstage when something goes wrong, and the relief that sweeps thru when some heroic actor saves the day.  I love performance.  That time when the human beings onstage interact with the human beings in the audience and together they create the event of performance.  It’s one of life’s most civilized experiences.
 
It has been said that an actor must have the hide of a rhinoceros, the courage and audacity of a lion, and most importantly, the fragile vulnerability of an egg.  It also has been said, and I’m not sure by whom, that the moment of not knowing is the moment that has the greatest potential for creativity.  The professional and private lives of most actors are filled to the brim with moments of not knowing.  Actors are survivors and will continue to strive because they have the need to celebrate, in performance, that sacred communion between actor and audience.”
 
-Robert Prosky, 1930-2008
 
Brown Bag Lunch next Friday
I will be continuing the Brown Bag Lunch series next Friday (10/2) and will be joined by Ensemble member Dana Case, who is directing PICASSO AT THE LAPIN AGILE for NVA.  We’ll talk about that, the current show and basically anything else that people would like to discuss about NVA.  If you are in the area, please join us.
 
That’s all for me this week - go see some great theatre!
 
All the best-
 
Kristianne


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Weekly Update 9.18.09

September 21st, 2009
stellacharlie1THINGS WE WANT OPENS THIS WEEKEND!
Above: Ensemble Members Rachael VanWormer and Tim Parker in THINGS WE WANT.  Photo by Daren Scott.
 
Last night’s preview performance of THINGS WE WANT went very well.  We have a few technical aspects to fix tonight, but other than that, the show looks great.  It’s really a “slice of life” play - we get to peer into these four people’s lives.  The direction and acting are super strong.  One more preview tonight at 8 PM and then Opening Night tomorrow at 8 (followed by a Sunday matinee at 2).
 
For opening night, we have the Hardcore Chef doing the catering - it’s going to be so yummy - and Wiens Winery on site for wine tastings.  We are starting a new program with Season 9, which is that we are pairing up with a local (usually Temecula) based winery for each show.  So, each time you come to the theatre, you will get to do a tasting of a different winery’s selections - it should be very popular.  Wiens was the winery we used at Julie & Peder Norby’s house and it is a very excellent wine.
 
MEETINGS, MEETINGS EVERYWHERE…
Lots of productive meetings this week.  The Board Meeting was held on Thursday and went very well (and quickly!!).  Alex and I have spent a lot of time on stage this week - painting, building, designing, decorating - and when we weren’t there, we were meeting with other potential sponsors and supporters.  The big news of the week is our $25,000 matching grant opportunity - thanks to the support of PC Chao, Tom Estok & Philip Cabibi and Hap L’Heureux.  We are attempting to match the $25,000 by December 31st.
 
OFF NIGHTS starts on Monday!
This coming Monday (the 21st) I have a show at Moxie and Alex has to be at the Star Awards, so we were a bit concerned about starting our off-night series on that night.  But Laura Kurner stepped up (of course) and filled the space with a musical group that will be very popular - The Fabulous Earrings.  It’s Kathy Herbruck’s singing group and they perform standards and more in a similar style to the Andrews Sisters.  They are amazingly good and so much fun to listen to.  That concert will start at 7 PM and is pay-what-you-can.
 
BIG WEEKEND IN CARLSBAD
Next weekend (the 26 & 27) is a big one in Carlsbad.  ArtSplash is a big chalk art festival (and more) that takes place on Armada Drive above the Flower Fields and the Carlsbad Music Festival will be in town at the same time.  The founder of the Carlsbad Music Festival, Matt McBane, brings the most exciting contemporary classical composers and performers to Carlsbad for the weekend - and the shows are always great.  
 
That’s all from me right now - I have to go finish getting ready for both shows this evening!  Have a great week.
 
Kristianne


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Weekly Update 9.4.9

September 4th, 2009
Happy Bithday today to Elaine Gingery and Pat Hansen!!
 
Hope everyone is doing well and finding ways to stay cool - going to the theatre is always a good option - nice, air conditioned space for a few hours in the evening - and if you come to NVA you can even go take a dip in the ocean after the show (if you are feeling adventurous).  Maybe that should be some kind of special package to encourage ticket sales - great theatre and a late night swim.  Hmmm….
 
As always, it’s been very busy here with lots of good things happening.  We have both the season brochures and the THINGS WE WANT flyers available at the theatre now - stop by any time between 1:30 and 5:30 Tues - Fri to pick up your stash.
 
Update on Jason
jasonmedina
One of NVA’s favorite volunteers and supporters, Jason Medina, has been in the hospital for the past week and a half with pneumonia.  He has now been moved from the ICU and is slowly healing.  He’s still on a lot of drugs and various IVs, but they expect he should make a good recovery within a month or so.  We miss him and his fabulous spirit here at NVA and send lots of love his way.
 
Things We Want
I was able to sit in on some of the rehearsals for Things We Want, NVA’s regional premiere of Jonathan Marc Sherman’s play that opens Season 9 - it is going to be so much fun to watch.  The actors are putting themselves through all kinds of paces - the play deals with alcoholism and other various addictions,  and as an audience we are going to feel like we are peering into these three young men’s lives - and the beautiful neighbor who lives upstairs.  I am very excited to open the season with this play - it is intimate, intense, funny and thought provoking - just the way we like ‘em at NVA!  Opening Night is Saturday, Sept 19 at 8 PM.  If you don’t have your tickets yet, get them now - for the party we have a great new caterer and Wiens Winery is going to be on hand with their award-winning wines.  Of course, the main attraction will be the show - but the perks are nice too.
 
Brown Bag Lunch Series
Today at 12 Noon we are continuing our new Brown Bag Lunch Series.  The first Friday of every month, we will hold a casual lunch here at the theatre for patrons and company members to discuss everything NVA.  Bring your own lunch and some good questions and we’ll have an informative hour.  The next one will be Friday, Oct 2.  Hope to see you today or next month.
 
NVA at MOXIE
As you know, I am acting in Moxie’s current production of Drink Me, or the Strange Tale of Alice Times Three in their residency at the La Jolla Playhouse.  The day after Things We Want opens we will have an NVA group at Moxie. It’s Sunday, Sept 20 at 3 PM.  Tickets are $25, and the price supports both Moxie and NVA.  You can make reservations on our website or by calling Kelly during box office hours.  Why not make a theatre weekend of it - Things We Want on Saturday night and Drink Me on Sunday.  You’ll have so much to talk about all week.  And seem so cultural and cool at work on Monday.
 
That’s it for this week - have a great Labor Day Weekend!
Kristianne
 


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Weekly Update 7.31.09

July 31st, 2009
What a great time at NVA!  We had our first preview of TIME FLIES last night, with a huge crowd that LOVED the show, and opened the Art Foundry at New Village Arts with a big crowd for THURSDAYS ON THE COAST.  If you haven’t seen the new space yet, I hope you can come to one of the two opening nights this weekend - thanks to donations by Lusardi Construction and all our new artists, the space looks wonderful.
 
rachaelmachine
Ensemble Member Rachael VanWormer in SOAP OPERA, one of the short plays that makes up TIME FLIES.  Photo by Daren Scott.
 
So yes, folks, we have not one but TWO opening nights this weekend, and we still have tickets left for both (especially Sunday night).  Both evenings are going to be great events, and I hope you can ALL join us there (I know, some people have shows and vacations and such, but still…)
 
Saturday, August 1 at 8 PM: TIME FLIES opens - with great party after sponsored by Flippin Pizza and Karl Strauss Brewery
Sunday, August 2 at 7:30 PM: SURE THING/PROM NIGHT opens - with a smaller but still fabulous reception - meet the playwright!
 
Also, on Wednesday, August 5, Playwrights Project is having a reception for PROM NIGHT with a talk back after the show with playwright Emily Reit. 
 
wendyattenborough
Ensemble Member Wendy Waddell as David Attenborough in TIME FLIES.  Photo by Daren Scott.
 
COMIC CON NORTH
The NVA lobby is now full of super heroes and villains.  The current art show is a group exhibit of artists who now work for DC Comics (although we do have some Marvel characters spread around).  Come by the theatre anytime during box office hours (1:30 - 5:30 Tu-Fri) or for a show to geek out.  It’s quite fun.
 
NEW PERK FOR SEASON PASS HOLDERS
Starting on Friday, August 7, I am starting a new BROWN BAG LUNCH series at high noon.  Basically, the first Friday of every month, I will be having an open lunch hour here at NVA to talk to any season pass holder about the plays that are running, the upcoming shows and anything else the group would like to discuss.  I’ll invite special guests to join me each time.  I think it will be a good way to keep everyone involved in the many things happening at the theatre and in the Art Foundry.  If you’d like to join us, just bring your own lunch and meet at the theatre at Noon. 
 
SECOND NVA SUMMER CAMP GOING STRONG
We have the teenagers in the theatre this time.  Camp is Monday - Friday from 1-5 this week and next week.  The group ranges in age from 11 to 16 - we are all looking forward to seeing the final show on Friday August 7th.
 
That’s all for me today - please be sure to make your opening night reservations for Saturday and Sunday - call us at 760-433-3245 or send an email to kelly@newvillagearts.org.
 
See you soon!
 
Kristianne


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