[Squishy] January E-News

Fri Jan 7 19:22:27 PST 2005

The New Conservatory Theatre Center
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NCTC E-News
January 2005
HOT LINKS:

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Happy New Year from the Artistic Director

The We Are Family Pride Season train has left the station and is chugging right along. I am so grateful that you're all aboard for the journey and so far, you seem to be enjoying the ride. We still have some mighty exciting shows coming your way, so it ain't over till we all say Whoop-Dee-Doo! 

It was wonderful to talk with so many of you at the Subscriber Appreciation Party at the Savoy Hotel in November. I was especially delighted to hear how happy you are with the seating upgrade in the Decker Theatre. Truthfully, I thought I was going to lose my mind during what should have been a very simple renovation project. But as I now know, simple renovations exist only in our imaginations. 

I remain heartened by your loyal patronage and generous spirit. Attendance is up this season, thanks to you inviting your friends to join the NCTC family. What's more, your generous donations have resulted in a very successful annual campaign. 

I and the NCTC team are hard at work putting together a new season and laying the groundwork of our upcoming Silver Anniversary. Yes, twenty-five years ago I had hair, an hour glass figure and I was innocent as the day is long. Those things are all gone now but in there place I have wisdom, health, and good fortune. All great reasons to keep marching forward arm-in-arm with my friends and family. 

All of you inspire us to look ahead to 2005 with great anticipation and enthusiasm. The new Terrence McNally play continues to take shape. Additional sound and lighting upgrades are in the works for all of our theatres. The Conservatory and YouthAware programs are expanding. Pride Season 11 will be announced soon and our second annual Ticket to the Tony's event will be a bash to remember -- all plenty to keep us busy for the months to come. 

So, from our family to your family, the very best wishes.  May the New Year bring us all joy and prosperity. 

Ed Decker
Artistic Director

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Rescue and Recovery Examines the Reality of Love

The New Conservatory Theatre Center presents the West Coast premiere of Steve Murray's Rescue and Recovery, on Saturday, February 5, 2005, in the Walker Theatre at 8:00 PM.  Directed by NCTC favorite Christopher Jenkins (You Should Be So Lucky and Avow), this unique dark comedy takes a deep look at the complexities of love and what it takes to get over it.  

Rescue and Recovery begins as recovering drug and alcohol addict Cameron learns to deal with life outside the closet, trying desperately to maintain a close relationship with his ex-wife Janie, for the sake of their young son.  Then into his life walks Timothy along with his partner Jay and their special friend Mark.  And before Janie can stop the madness, Cameron falls head-over-heels for Mark, and thus begins the struggle between his heart and his head.  

Full of sharp wit and insightful social satire, Rescue and Recovery explores the complications of being in love with someone we can't have and having something we don't want, all against the teetering backdrop of addiction recovery.  And with every twist and turn, Cameron comes closer to realizing the meaning of true love and the value of his bond with Janie. 

Rescue and Recovery features the outstanding talents of Bill Olson as Cameron and Jennifer Dean as Janie, along with solid support from NCTC regular Javier Galito-Cava (Breakfast with Scot), Noah Kelly (Heartbreak) and newcomer Joseph Barham as Mark.  The intriguing and provocative set was designed by NCTC Technical Director Cat Stevans (Pageant and Really Rosie), with lighting design by Ted Crimy (Significant Others), sound design by Famara Sock, stage management by the amazing Emilio Racinez and costume design by Prem Lathi.  

Previews for Rescue and Recovery begin on Friday, January 28 and the show then runs Wednesdays through Saturdays at 8:00 PM and Sundays at 2:00 PM through March 6, 2005.  Sunday, March 6th, will feature a special post-show panel discussion about addiction recovery with the cast and members of the community. 

Buy Tickets for Rescue and Recovery
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New Theatre Classes for Adults Begin in February

After 25-years of offering quality theatre education to young people, the theatre Conservatory Department is premiering classes specifically designed for adults beginning February 1st.  Hey, why should the kids have all the fun?  The program will debut with two classes, one focusing on acting, and the second exploring the basics of musical theatre. 

Act Out!  will introduce you to the basics of acting via improvisational games and scripted work.  You'll explore character development and expression in a safe, trusting, no-pressure environment -- perfect for the beginner or for those who just want to have a bit of  fun. 

Gwen Loeb, the instructor for Act Out!, has taught extensively for theatres all over the country including NCTC and the Marin Theatre Company.  In addition, Gwen has been a private acting coach for over 20-years. 

Running concurrently, Sing Out! (Musical Theatre Basics) will be a wild and fun romp through the world of cabaret and the American musical.  Whether you were in the school choir years ago, or just like to sing in the shower, this class will nurture your inner-Broadway muse.  Each week the class will alternate between solo and group work to give students the best of both worlds. 

Leading the class, Richard "Scrumbly" Koldewyn has been on the NCTC stage many times (Sex Kittens in HiFi and Goldfield & Koldewyn) and has taught musical theatre to Conservatory students for many years here.  He is also a founding member of the infamous Cockettes, and an all-around musical genius. 

To enroll in either of these classes, please contact Andrew Nance, Conservatory Director at (415) 861-4914, or drop him an email at andrew at nctcsf.org. ( mailto:andrew at nctcsf.org ) 

Act Out! & Sing Out!
Tuesdays, February 1 - March 22 (8-weeks)
6:30-9:30 pm Fee: $200

Read More About Adult Theatre Classes
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NCTC YouthAware Gets Real

While Mambo Italiano occupies NCTC's Decker Theatre by night this month, YouthAware Educational Theatre will be performing to packed houses by day as they present two of the program's perennial favorites, Get Real! and Buzz!  YouthAware, NCTC's acclaimed theatre-in-education program, presents two performances of Get Real! daily, Monday through Thursday, at 10:00 and 11:30 AM, from January 24 to February 10, 2005, and then from February 14 to March 10, 2005, we'll present Buzz! at the same times Monday through Thursday as well. 

Designed for grades four and five, Get Real!, by Doug Holsclaw, is an intelligent collection of original sketches that uses humor to present relevant HIV and AIDS prevention techniques, dispelling common misconceptions about the disease while encouraging safe behavior choices.   Each performance is followed by a post-show discussion facilitated by HIV+ educator, Juan Wulff.  This fast-paced show was conceived in 1987 after NCTC Founder and Artistic Director Ed Decker lost a close friend to AIDS.  Since then, Get Real! has been presented to over 50,000 students in the greater Bay Area for hundreds of different schools. 

Buzz!, by Andrew Alty, is an interactive play that tells the story of Cally, a bored teenager who tries a new drug called "Buzz", personified by a treacherous character of the same name.  Throughout each performance, the audience is invited to advise Cally with her struggle.  Created for middle school students, Buzz! joined our repertoire YouthAware shows in 2001. 

As directed by YouthAware Program Director, Sara Staley, both Get Real! and Buzz! present a fresh and accessible take on two of the most pressing issues affecting young people today.  The talented cast for both shows features John Cavellini, Wesley Cayabyab, Lisa Jenai Hernandez, Kim Medici and Patrick Moreira. Tickets for both Get Real! and Buzz! are $7 for students, $10 for adults and $5 per person for groups of 10 or more. To book you your group today, or for more information, contact Sara at (415) 861-4914 or e-mail her at sara at nctcsf.org ( mailto:sara at nctcsf.org ) .  There will be no performances on President's Day, Monday, February 21, 2005. 

Find Out More About YouthAware
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Behind the Scenes with Conservatory Director Andrew Nance

This past summer I took a sabbatical.  I highly recommend it. 

For nine weeks I traveled and studied.  I wandered all around Italy and Switzerland for six weeks and then studied directing for three weeks with the well-known New York theatre Company, La MaMa.  Twenty five directors from all over the world, including China, the Netherlands, Lebanon, Israel, Norway and India congregated to learn from five directors who are considered masters in our field. Our home was outside of Spoleto in a 500 year old convent surrounded by forests, vineyards and olive groves. Out in meadows, under shady trees and in studios we studied mask making, Shakespeare, political theatre, Chinese opera and traditional theatre.  The feeling of community, inspiration and safety I felt at La MaMa Umbria is something I will never forget. 

Coming back to NCTC this past August, I have tried to remember those feelings. One of my main goals as the Conservatory Director has always been to create a safe place where young people can explore their most creative selves. Whether it is making sure snacks are provided on the first day of a program or when I hire an instructor that makes me laugh, fills me with confidence or talks a mile a minute - I look for a teacher who has that certain something that makes people feel safe. 

My time away also reminded me that I need to continue to grow as an artist.  This year I will have directed two plays at NCTC.  One, And Then They Came for Me, finished a successful run this past October to sold-out houses, and this February I direct the one-man YouthAware show Party Daze, featuring NCTC regular John Atwood in this multi-media play that examines the consequences of teen date rape.  The show is aimed at students in grades 8 thru 12. Book now!  In March I continue my work as an actor in the Terrence McNally project slated for an October 2005 opening. 

And if that's not enough, this winter we are increasing our programming yet again!  With Stephanie Temple by my side (our fabulous new Youth Programs Associate), we are offering a teen playwriting class which will begin next Saturday, January 15th.  

Now for the BIG NEWS:  for the first time we will be offering two adult theatre classes!  The first is Act Out! an improvisation class for the beginner taught by acting goddess, Gwen Loeb. The second is Sing Out! is a singing class for the beginner taught by the incredible Scrumbly Koldwyn.   Both are at 6:30pm until 8pm on Tuesdays beginning February 1 until March 22. Sign up now! 

So as you can tell, I am energized and ready to bring NCTC's Conservatory into our 25th year with renewed inspiration! So my advice:  take a sabbatical-you won't regret it. 

More About La MaMa
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At a Glance with Lance Lookout

Lance's New Year's Resolutions: 

1. Learn to tango.  Because really, why not?
2. Limit alcohol consumption to after 6 p.m.  While the mid-day cocktail has its merits, I think it shows extreme strength and resolve to wait until the sun has begun to set.
3. A lad's got to have standards.  What better time to have them kick in. 

That done and said, I'm sure you, my gentle readers, were expecting that old column standby, the year in review.  And so I say, such standards are so passé.  Plus, due to pre- number two resolution, it's all a bit of a haze to Lance I'm afraid.  December's a tad clearer to me though.  Some memorable events: 

The Great NCTC Blackout of 2004.  Who was there when the lights went out at NCTC?  It seems to be a bit of an annual tradition around that time of year.  While the Kinsey Sicks entertained the sold-out crowds with some fabulous impromptu stand-up comedy, the intrepid cast of Significant Others continued to perform with nothing but flash lights and emergency lighting.  The show must go on!  Unfortunately, emergency lighting only lasts so long, and both shows had to be rescheduled for later dates.  The drama! 

Also an annual event at NCTC: our yearly religious right phone message, urging us to give up our "preaching and teaching of the homosexyism".  Got to love that mastering of the English language.  To which I must add to my first item: 

4. Preach and teach the homosexyism. 

Thanks for reminding me, guys. 

Another memorable event was the opening of skies in the Decker Theatre.  Our dear newly refurbished theatre was flooded by a sinkhole in the above Hickory Alley.  It's raining, men!  Thanks to our fearless leader, Ed Decker, who took immediate action to save his namesake, the City and County of SF had it all fixed by 10 p.m.  Don't fret boys and girls; it's begun to dry up, and sets for the upcoming Mambo Italiano go in as scheduled this week. 

Speaking of Mambo Italiano (which smells like a blockbuster to Lance), my spies tell me of an exciting special affair for the show.  The February 13th matinee will be followed by a special wine tasting event and post-show reception.  Now, Lance trusts it'll take place after 6 p.m., kids.  What an exceptional way to start off Valentine's Day activities.  For many of us, it might even be a special anniversary as well.  How romantic!  Oenephiles and wine novices alike will enjoy some wonderful Italian wines and schmooze with the Mambo cast.  Book your tickets now at the box office for this free event. 

And finally, with three shows running and lots of work to do, the oh-so-busy staff at NCTC had no time at all to take a break for office holiday festivities this year.  See what we do for art?  I do hear reports, however, of a spectacularly epic game of Twister that took place in the lobby on the 23rd.  Congratulations to the NCTC Twister Champion of 2004, Andrew Nance (beloved Conservatory Director and frequent actor).  I trust a fair game was played by all. 

Best wishes for 2005 to one and all.  That's tricks for now.  Over and out.  Now, only seven hours 'till cocktails...

READ ABOUT GENIUS MILTON BRADLEY
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Save on Preview Tickets for Mambo Italiano

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January Performance Calendar

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Buy Tickets On-Line

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Big Savings on Our Winter Subscriptions!

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New Theatre Classes for Adults

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For more information on any of the articles in this month's edition of the E-News, please call (415) 861-8972 or visit our website: www.nctcsf.org ( http://www.nctcsf.org ) 

E-NEWS CONTRIBUTORS:  Lauren Elaine Davidson, D. Robert Foster, Mark Gagne & Andrew Nance 

E-NEWS STAFF:  Scott Cox, Lauren Elaine Davidson, D. Robert Foster, Mark Gagne, Jackie Jordan & Sara Staley

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