Author: HB Studio

PEOPLE WHO MAKE THEATER: The Musical Magic of Lerner & Loewe

A conversation with musicologist Dominic McHugh, a primary authority on the work of Frederick Loewe and Alan Jay Lerner, and Emily Altman, president of the Frederick Loewe Foundation. With songs performed by Tony-nominee Melissa Errico in a special guest appearance.

Mon, Nov 13, 2017 | 7pm | FREE
HB Playwrights Theatre, 124 Bank St

Join us for an in-depth conversation about the musical artistry and creative partnership of Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe, the genius pairing behind such classic works as MY FAIR LADY, BRIGADOON, CAMELOT, GIGI, and PAINT YOUR WAGON. Continue reading →

Info Session: Performance and Project Development Opportunities at HB Studio – Oct 25.

Want to know more about opportunities to perform or develop your own work at HB? Whether you are an actor, playwright, director, an individual or a member of a collective, we’ll give you a rundown of current opportunities available to HB Students to:

  • Perform
  • Audition
  • Get your info into our casting files
  • Develop a project in a rehearsal space residency
  • Submit a new play for consideration for reading or production
  • Rent space to produce your own work
…and more!
Wednesday, October 25 at 2:00PM
HB Playwrights Theatre, 124 Bank Street

 

First Floor Studio Residency – BEE

BEE Distressed image of woman with scarf over her head. By Iranian photographer Shadi Ghadirian
A First Floor Studio Residency Project

Created by Melody Erfani
Written by Sean Michael Welch

Saturdays & Sundays – November 4, 5, 11, 12, 18, 19 | 7:30 pm

BEE is the story of Izat, a young Iranian girl trapped in an abusive marriage in the 1940’s. After years of suffering both physically and mentally at the hands of her spouse, she knows the only way she will survive is if she is able to leave him. In an unprecedented move, her father is able to use his influence to secure a divorce for her. The story intertwines with interviews from immigrants who have had to make the difficult choice of leaving their homeland because their very survival was at stake.

Lower East Side Shakespeare Co. has taken on a new challenge in that they are producing new work in the vein of creating like Shakespeare. BEE created by Melody Erfani and written by Sean Michael Welch is a piece that is intended to start dialogue and discussion.

SHIRLEY VALENTINE by Willy Russell

SHIRLEY VALENTINE Poster image of a bikini on a clothes line with pots and pans against a rustic stone wall.
by Willy Russell
Directed by Carol Rosenfeld

Featuring: Antonietta Corvinelli

Assistant Director 
Kenneth Thompson
Set Designer 
Nikolay Svridchik
Light Designer
 Liz Nielsen
Sound Designer Aaron Minerbrook
Costume Designer 
Michael Massee
Stage Manager Richard Lear*
Assistant Stage Manager
 Camilo Ramirez


Saturday, October 14 at 7pm & Sunday, October 15 at 3pm

HB Playwrights Theatre, 124 Bank Street
FREE

A holiday in Greece refreshes a Liverpool housewife in more ways than one.

“Shirley Valentine” is presented by special arrangement with SAMUEL FRENCH, INC.
*Appearing courtesy of Actors’ Equity Association, Equity approved Showcase.

This program is supported in part through public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council, and many generous supporters.

Faculty News

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Laila Robins and Mark Nelson perform in a one-night performance of Bernard Shaw’s Heartbreak House with Gingold Group. Performance is on May 20 at 7:00pm.

Magaly Colimon-Christopher‘s company Conch Shell Productions’ is now distributing short films previously screened at Conch Shell International Film Fest via www.Hoopladigital.com on their new channel – CSIFF CHANNEL. Hoopladigital is a FREE digital library service that offers movies & more to public library patrons. HooplaBingepass is available to library card holders in the U.S., Canada, New Zealand, and Australia.

Paul Pryce is invited as a special guest to attend the inaugural Cross Continental Co-Production Forum (CFF) in Barbados and Trinidad. This forum brings together media executives and high level producers from Canada, UK, South Africa, and several Caribbean countries, aiming to encourage collaboration, business development, and co-productions. This year’s focus will be ‘Decolonizing the co-production process for the benefit of the Global South.’

Snezhana Chernova is performing in Dialogue Theater’s Life is Sad, Life is Beautiful in dedication to the 125th Anniversary of Vladimir Nabokov’s birthday. Performances run April 26 & 27 at HB Playwrights Theatre.

Executive & Artistic Director, Edith Meeks and Ilse Pfeifer will be presenting on theater process and the actor’s art of embodying a role. The idea is to share knowledge about mind-body connections. Our co-presenter, Joseph Roach, will be speaking about Eloquence and Happiness at Yale University’s International Symposium on Embodied Cognition.

Lucille Lortel Award’s 2024 Nominations was announced on April 4. Christopher Abbott was nominated for Outstanding Lead Performer in Danny and the Deep Blue Sea, and Frank Wood Outstanding Featured Performer in Toros.

Stephen DeRosa performs in the blockbuster Off-Broadway production of LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS.

In conjunction with Coward 125, a celebration of the 125th birthday of Noël Coward, HB Board Member Alan Pally has curated MEN ABOUT TOWN: AL HIRSCHFELD DRAWS NOËL COWARD, an online exhibition presented by the Al Hirschfeld Foundation.

Maria Fontanals and her creative team in RADOJKA at Repertorio was nominated as Best NY Hispanic Production at Talia Premios Gala in Madrid, Spain.

Nehassaiu deGannes performs in the THE HOUSE THAT WILL NOT STAND at Shaw Festival in Ontario, Canada. Runs June 12–Oct 12.

Christopher Abbott plays Alfie Blessington in The Oscar-winning film, POOR THINGS.

Austin Pendleton is directed the 25th Anniversary of his play ORSON’S SHADOW at Theater for the New City. Runs through Mar 31.

Theresa McElwee is the dialect coach for Off-Broadway’s OH MARY! by Cole Escola at Lucille Lortel Theatre. The dark comedy play has been extended to May 12.

David Maurice Sharp‘s A BELL FOR MAURY’S BICYCLE won a 2024 First Place Book Award in the Children’s Books category from BooksShelf.

Magaly Colimon-Christopher directs The Tank NYC’s premiere of SEARCHING FOR ABUELO an award winning solo play written & performed by Puerto Rican artist Gretchen Suarez-Pena. Performances are March 5, 6, 7, & 9th 7pm. Use promo code: CSP5 for a $5 discount.

Theresa Buchheister and Ryan William Downey received an OBIE AWARD for their work with The Brick Theatre.

Lonny Price directs the North American Tour of a reimagined version of PETER PAN, additional materials provided by Larissa FastHorse. Christian Kelly-Sordelet coordinated the Fight Choreography.

David Deblinger performs in a RAYNE, a play he co-wrote with Ben Snyder, plays at Stella Adler’s Center for the Arts. Runs Feb 2–24.

David Deblinger will guest star in upcoming episodes of POWER BOOK III: Raising Kanan on STARZ and AMERICAN HORROR STORIES on HULU.

Mark Nelson performs in THE LEHMAN TRILOGY at Harmon’s Hall in D.C. Runs Feb 22–Mar 24.

Austin Pendleton performs in Tennessee Williams’s THE NIGHT OF THE IGUANA at The Pershing Square Signature Center, The Irene Diamond Stage. Runs through Feb 25.

David Maurice Sharp‘s children’s book about financial literacy, A BELL FOR MAURY’S BICYCLE won a 2023 Royal Dragonfly Book Award in the Picture Books 6 & Older category.

Jermaine Rowe is the Associate Director of WATCH NIGHT, an immersive exploration of justice and forgiveness in the face of deadly rage. Performing at Perelman Performing Arts Center on Nov 3–18.

Christopher Abbott performs in DANNY AND THE DEEP BLUE SEA at Lucille Lortel Theatre. 10 Week of performances starting Oct 30.

David Maurice Sharp‘s children’s book about financial literacy, A BELL FOR MAURY’S BICYCLE is available on Amazon.

Jermaine Rowe‘s new play LEGEND OF THE ROLLING CALF: A DUPPY STORY is a selection for The Team’s Petri Projects.

Jean-Marc Berne is the narrator for the audiobook of THE DEVIL TAKES YOU HOME by Gabino Iglesias.

Keith David voices Commander Zavala in the DESTINY 2.

Magaly Colimon‘s short film I MARRIED A BLACK REPUBLICAN, directed by Pat Golden was selected as part of New York Women in Film & Television’s 6th Annual Online Shorts Festival presented by iWomanTV!

Rachel Christopher perform on Broadway at MTC’s production of JAJA’S AFRICAN HAIR BRAIDING. Run begins Sept 12.

Francesca Ferrara will play Melanie Harper, a melanoma survivor, in the new play ONION SKIN at the Capital Fringe Fest in Washington, DC. Runs July 16–21.

Snezhana Chernova performs (in Russian) THE HUMAN VOICE by J. Cocteau as a part of the Equation with Two Unknowns performance.

Daniel Carlton‘s play HIDDEN INSIDE, co-written with Nambi E. Kelley and directed by Christopher Burris is featured in Keen Teen’s Festival Of New Work. Runs May 19–21.

Jessica Hecht is nominated for a Tony for Lead Actress in a Play in SUMMER, 1976.

David Maurice Sharp is featured in the podcasts THE TABLE READ and STOCKS FOR BEGINNERS.

PlayCo produces Sarah Einspanier‘s play LUNCH BUNCH. Performs at 122CC, runs Mar 15–Apr 15.

Lorraine Serabian directs a reading of THE TRIP TO BOUNTIFUL by Horton Foote on March 11, 7pm, at Studio 353 (353 West 48th Street). The cast features HB Artists: Letty Ferrer, Damian Graham, Michelle Leicht, Steve Saracino, Elena Clark, Louis Sciancalepore, and Gavin McDonough. Free admission.

Mark Blum‘s short film, AUDITION TO HELL, directed by George Port, featuring Austin Pendleton is now available to watch on Youtube. The short went on to the film festival circuit, winning 5 Best Animation Awards, 3 Honorable Mentions, and a Best Actor Award for Mark.

Jessica Hecht performs in David Auburn’s SUMMER, 1976 at Manhattan Theatre Club. Performances start Apr 4.

Jessica Hecht performs in Signature Theatre’s LETTERS TO MAX by Sarah Ruhl. Runs Feb 7–Mar 19.

Eduardo Machado directs the World Premiere of his new play NOT ABOUT ME at Theatre for the New City. Runs Jan 13–Feb 5. Features HB Artists: Charles Manning, Ellis Charles Hoffmeister, and Moshe Henderson.

Anya Turner & Robert Grusecki have been named the 2022 recipients of THE ASCAP FOUNDATION JAMIE deROY & FRIENDS AWARD, recognizing outstanding work and dedication to the craft of songwriting.

Snezhana Chernova performs in Dialogue Theater’s production of AT THE LIMIT OF FEELINGS at HB Playwrights Theater, 124 Bank Street Theater.

Snezhana Chernova is featured in LAW & ORDER: ORGANIZED CRIME, EPISODE 301, playing the role of Mariel Marchenko.

Jessica Hecht returns to Arlekin Player’s THE ORCHARD premiering the production in Boston, Nov 4–13.

Lorraine Serabian directs 4-ONE ACT PLAYS by TENNESSEE WILLIAMS: Moony’s Kid Don’t Cry, The Lady of Larkspur Lotion, The Case of the Crushed Petunias, Hello From Bertha at Theatre Row on November 2–12. Special ticket offer: $18 tickets if you email: clareannelorenz@gmail.com to reserve.

Francesca Ferrara performs in Acting Out’s THIS IS THIS. August 19–21 in HB’s Playwrights Theater.

Magaly Colimon‘s film AFTERSHOCK: A TETRA OF OUR TIMES is having an online screening on July 30, 2022 at 2:00pm.

Craig MacArthur Dolezel‘s one-man show, MARROW by Brian Quirk, directed by Melissa Firlit. Performs 59E59’s East of Edinburgh Fringe July 12–14, before their run at Edinburgh Fringe Festival in August.

THE WILD ONE featured at Tribeca Film Festival is an autobiographical Documentary about the late Jack Garfein. World Premieres on June 11, and two additional screenings on June 14 & 19 at Village East by Angelika: Theater 1.

Austin Pendleton directs BETWEEN RIVERSIDE AND CRAZY by Stephen Adly Guirgis at Second Stage’s Hayes Theatre.

Austin Pendleton is nominated for an Outer Critics Circle’s “Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play” Award, for his role as Mr. Oldfield in THE MINUTES on Broadway.

Mark Nelson and Jessica Hecht perform in THE ORCHARD, a new adaptation of Anton Chekhov’s The Cherry Orchard, at Baryshnikov Arts Center. Performances begin May 30.

David Deblinger‘s short play, HOT TEA is being produced as a film to be shot in late April.

David Deblinger is working on a new play called CHARNA RIVKA that will be read at LAByrinth’s barn series on Sunday 4/10 at 7pm.

David Deblinger
 booked a role on a few episodes of a new show on Paramount plus’s TULSA KING, produced by Sylvester Stallone, Taylor Sheridan(1883, Yellowstone) Terence Winter(Boardwalk Empire, Sopranos).

Peter Francis James plays Florenz Ziegfeld in FUNNY GIRL on Broadway.

Austin Pendleton performs in Steppenwolf’s production of THE MINUTES on Broadway. Performance begin April 2, 2022.

Barbara Bleier & Austin Pendleton‘s HOLIDAY HANGOVER performs on January 11, 2022.

Maria Fontanals is performing in LA VIDA ES SUEÑO at Teatro Círculo. Runs November 26-December 12, 2021.

Ben Mehl stars in Season 3 of YOU on Netflix—premieres October 15, 2021, and in the first episode you’ll find a beautiful tribute to Mark Blum.

Ashish Pant‘s film THE KNOT (ULJHAN), which he also directs, was selected in competition at the International Thai Film Festival, October 7-17, 2021 and the Heartland International Film Festival, September 17-30, 2021.

Steven Eng will perform in the original musical GOLD MOUNTAIN with Utah Shakespeare Festival this November, 2021.

Laura Esterman performs in THE WOMAN’S PARTY, streamed for free with Clubbed Thumb through September 23, 2021.

Ashish Pant‘s film THE KNOT (ULJHAN), which he also directs, was selected in competition at the Asian American International Film Festival, August 11-22, 2021 and the Indian Film Festival of Cincinnati, August 5-August 21, 2021.

Vincent Pastore stars in the new film THE BIRTHDAY CAKE opposite Ewan McGregor, Val Kilmer and Shiloh Fernandez.

Robert Grusecki and Anya Turner published the book WORDS MATTER, a collection of their song lyrics, essays, monologues, and photographs.

David Deblinger performed in BACKSEAT, which he also wrote, with Labyrinth Theater Company, June 25-27, 2021.

Magaly Colimon‘s company Conch Shell Productions will produce RESERT SERIES 2021 on July 24 & 31, 2021.

Austin Pendleton directs the New York concert premiere of the new musical BLUE ROSES with York Theatre Company, October 18, 2021.

Ashish Pant‘s film THE KNOT (ULJHAN), which he also directs, was selected in competition at IFFLA, May 20-27, 2021, NYIFF, June 4-11, 2021 and Shanghai International Film Festival, June 11-20, 2021.

Jessica Hecht and Mark Nelson star in chekhovOS /an experimental game/ by Zero Gravity (zero-G) Virtual Theater Lab, now through June 24, 2021. Jessica Hecht also stars in Season 2 of SPECIAL.

Amanda Quaid‘s new one-act opera THE EXTINCTIONIST premiered with Heartbeat Opera in May and is available to stream online.

Continue reading →

Herbert Berghof: A Birthday Celebration 

September 13, 2017

– CLICK HERE TO BUY TICKETS –

“Fine acting is the pure use of yourself for living, nothing else.”

 

Celebrating our founder, Herbert Berghof, on his 108th birthday, HB Studio presents a reading of A Betrothal by iconic American playwright Lanford Wilson featuring *Rochelle Oliver, *George Morfogen, and directed by *Austin Pendleton.

Dedicated by Lanford as a valentine to Berghof and his wife and partner, Uta Hagen, this one-act explores the encounter between two rivals at a flower breeders’ competition. The evening will also feature readings from Herbert’s letters, remembering him through his own words and reflections.

September 13, 2017

7:00 pm

HB Playwrights Theater

124 Bank Street, NYC 10014

 

$250 – Premiere Tickets

$150 – Preferred Tickets

  $25 – HB Student Tickets

 

– CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE TICKETS –

 

A Betrothal is presented by special arrangement with Dramatists Play Service, Inc., New York.

Continue reading →

Summer FUNdraising Bash

August 24, 2017  |  7:00 pm

Help HB reach our summer FUNdraising goal!

Celebrate end-of-term with HB friends, faculty and staff, hanging out in the HB Playwrights Theater and garden on a warm summer night. Enjoy free food, cash bar, and LIVE MUSIC with

Vinny Pastore’s

Gangster Squad Jam

featuring Killer Joe

 

Thursday, August 24

124 Bank Street | NYC 10014

Doors open at 7:00 pm

 

TICKETS $15 

Includes one free drink

Continue reading →

First Floor Studio Residency – One, Two and Then Three, By Eleanor Herman

ONE, TWO AND THEN THREE 
A First Floor Studio Residency Project

By Eleanor Herman
Directed by Arthur French

5:30 pm | Saturday August 5, 12, 19, & 26
6:30 pm | Sunday August 6, 13, 20, & 27

A young man deals with important events that have affected his life in the past and now have become a destructive influence in the present.

Cast: Sean C. Turner, Donna Svennevik, Maurice Singletary, Malinda Logan, Vickie Thomas, Cooki Winborn, and Christina L. Williams

Stage Manager: Sirlouis A. Jones
Production Assistants: Andrew Tsai & Camilo Ramirez

Costumer: Katherine Roberson

First Floor Studio Residency – [50/50] old school animation

[50/50] old school animation 
A First Floor Studio Residency Project

By momgrab

8pm | Saturday July 29

A work-in-progress showing from momgrab (Peter Mills Weiss and Julia Mounsey). A presentation on misogyny, cruelty, and agency, [50/50] old school animation is an unnerving exploration of what it means to feel in control.

Peter Mills Weiss is a monologuist, theater artist, and founding member of GRANDMA. His work has been seen at Little Theatre at Dixon Place, CATCH Performance Series, and PS122’s COIL Festival. MAKE PEOPLE, his last show with GRANDMA, was presented as part of LaMaMa’s 2015 -16 season. He has performed with or for artists such as New Saloon, 600 Highwaymen, and Clare Barron. Recent sound design credits include Julia Jarcho’s Every Angel is Brutal at Clubbed Thumb’s Summerworks.

Julia Mounsey is a poet and performance artist. Her poetry has been published in The Silo, Bodega, and The Washington Square Review. Her performance work has been seen at the Silent Barn, New Skin//Old Ceremony at Cloud City, Little Theatre at Dixon Place, and The Cocoon Theater in Poughkeepsie. Julia was an assistant director & dramaturge on Young Jean Lee’s Straight White Men, and is a member of GRANDMA.