Lessac Voice and Body Training Workshop, May 14-15

Workshop announcement from Nancy Wagner, an actor who has appeared on our stage and has been a supporter of Actors’ Theatre:

We’ve just finalized the plans for this special workshop here in Grand Rapids, being led by one of the few Lessac Master Teachers in the world.  This is an incredible opportunity for members of our theatre community to get an introduction to this approach to voice/movement for the actor from someone who has been engaged in this work directly with Arthur Lessac for 40 years, without having to travel!  Anyone who is interested in improving his/her speaking voice, breathing and physical awareness will want to take advantage of this.

Click below to download a pdf flier about the upcoming event:

Actors at Actors’ – This Thursday Night

Actors’ Theatre was built by, and created for, Grand Rapids performers and artists.  Twenty nine years ago when Actors’ was still just a twinkle in Fred Sebulske’s eye, he dreamed of a place that would bring thought provoking, innovative, challenging and entertaining shows to West Michigan.  His idea was to support community performers not only by paying them, but at the same time, giving them the opportunity to do the kinds of shows that weren’t happening anywhere else in Grand Rapids at the time.

Continuing in the tradition of bringing great theatre to the very people that make it happen, Actors’ is proud to present: Actors at Actors’. This Thursday, March 25th, all actors, directors, stage hands, producers, designers, dancers, and more are invited to come to the theatre and get student rush rate tickets for The Little Dog Laughed!  If you help create performing art in West Michigan, we want to thank you with a your own special night of theatre.

All you have to do is bring a local community performing arts program with your name in it,  or your resume and head shot, to the Spectrum Theatre box office.  Rush seats are just $8 and available on a first come – first served basis Thursday, March 25th only.  Tickets must be purchased in person at the box office and are only available for the night of the show.

You are the people who help make Grand Rapids arts come alive – let us thank you and invite you to join us for Actors at Actors’!

A Scene In Between – Tonight at Schuler Books

This evening join cast members of our current production of The Little Dog Laughed at Schuler Books & Music Downtown. The Chapbook Cafe is now offering beer and wine, so grab a glass and join us for a discussion of the production, the creative process, and anything else you want to know!

Monday, March 22 at Schuler Books and Music Downtown.
Discussion: 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM.

And don’t forget – there is still time to catch the show! The Little Dog Laughed runs next weekend, Thursday, Friday and Saturday). Tickets for The Little Dog Laughed range from $22.00 for adults to $8.00 for student rush tickets an hour prior to performances.  The box office number to reserve tickets is 616.234.3946, or click below to order your tickets now!

March 25, 26 & 27 – Show begins at 8 PM

Actors’ Theatre is dedicated to bringing the best in entertaining, innovative, challenging and thought-provoking theatre to West Michigan. We believe in the inclusion of all.

The Grand Rapids Press Review of ‘The Little Dog Laughed’

Be sure and read the rest of the article on www.mlive.com

‘Little Dog Laughed’ is cockeyed, haphazard comedy

By Sue Merrell | The Grand Rapids Press
March 19, 2010, 8:02AM

Is everybody happy?

They are in the cockeyed, Hollywood ending of Douglas Carter Beane’s Tony-nominated comedy, “The Little Dog Laughed,” which Actors’ Theatre opened Thursday for a small, but satisfied audience of about 100.

Mitchell played by Calin Skidmore, left, gets to know his new found friend Alex played by John Piedmonte while hanging in his hotel room during Wednesday dress rehearsal of "Little Dog Laughed." (Paul L. Newby, II | The Grand Rapids Press)

At times, the haphazard story feels as bizarre as the nursery rhyme about the cow jumping over the moon, but by the time the dish runs away with the spoon it all makes perfect sense. Beane has penned some delightfully funny lines that slice through to the truth with shocking ease.

It’s all about the contrast between what appears to be and what is, even when people aren’t exactly sure what they want. Mitchell (Calin Skidmore) is an up-and-coming actor who struggles with homosexual desires, but the world thinks he’s madly in love with Diane, (Sherryl Despres) the sharp-tongued agent who’s his date at the Academy Awards.

Then Mitchell meets Alex (Taylor John Piedmonte), a sex-for-money “rent boy” who tries not to think about what he does for a living. He goes home to girlfriend Ellen (Lizzy Sulkowski), who entertains an older gentleman for the use of his charge card….

See the rest of the review here on www.mlive.com

Tickets for The Little Dog Laughed range from $22.00 for adults to $8.00 for student rush tickets an hour prior to performances. For Thursday performances, a second ticket is $10.00 with the purchase of the first ticket at full price. The box office number to reserve tickets is 616.234.3946, or click below to order your tickets now!

March 18, 19 & 20 and March 25, 26 & 27. Show begins at 8 PM.

Actors’ Theatre is dedicated to bringing the best in entertaining, innovative, challenging and thought-provoking theatre to West Michigan. We believe in the inclusion of all.

It’s Opening Night! Plus an Opening Night Reception After the Show.

Tonight is Opening Night for The Little Dog Laughed!

Join us for a fantastic evening of great theatre.  Nominated for the Best Play Tony Award in 2007, The Little Dog Laughed is a wickedly funny play all about relationships and the entertainment industry.  Read more about the show here.

After the show, meet the cast and crew in the lobby at our free Opening Night reception.  West Michigan Catering, the official caterer of Actors’ Theatre, will be serving up some wonderful appetizers and there will also be wine and punch served by our Board members.  So come join us and raise a glass with the cast!

Tickets for The Little Dog Laughed range from $22.00 for adults to $8.00 for student rush tickets an hour prior to performances. For Thursday performances, a second ticket is $10.00 with the purchase of the first ticket at full price. The box office number to reserve tickets is 616.234.3946, or click below to order your tickets now!

March 18, 19 & 20 and March 25, 26 & 27. Show begins at 8 PM.

Also this weekend, don’t miss:

Living on The Edge
Saturday, March 20, 2010
10:00 AM at the Spectrum Theater – 160 Fountain St NE

This year marks the seventh edition of Actors’ Theatre’s 10 minute play festival, Living on the Edge and, once again, we are presenting a public reading of fifteen of the scripts submitted! The theme this year that writers were asked to respond to was Making Art/Making Money.

The reading of the fifteen scripts will take place on March 20 at 10:00 AM at the Spectrum Theater.  At the public reading playwrights will receive 5 minutes of verbal feedback on their piece that all guests are encouraged to participate in.  Admission is free to the public with general admission seating.

Following the reading the Living on the Edge committee will choose five finalists from the plays read at the public reading which will be presented in full production in June 2010 in the “black box” performance space (Room 201 – Spectrum Theater Building).

The writers whose scripts are chosen for final production will receive $100.

The Scripts Presented at the Public Reading are…

How To make A Mobile
Selling It
Encore
Indelible
Painted Over
The Time Machine
Extra-Curricular Activities
A Very Lovely Dress
First Steps
Public Domain
Two Weeks Rent
Doodling for Dollars
Voices
When Rhinoceroses Wear Tuxedos
Canvas