The Happiest Medium » Women’s History Month

Women’s History Month: Celebrating Women In The Arts – Spotlight On Franca Vercelloni

Karen Tortora-Lee — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 05:15:02 +0000

These women of the arts hail from different disciplines, but they all have an indomitable spirit and a luminescent spark that makes them amazing human beings who are out there every day, doing amazing work.

Today we continue our series with Franca Vercelloni.

The first time I saw Franca she was on a stage and I was at a table in the audience, scribbling notes about her Fringe Show Classically Trained, Practially Broke. A lot of the notes which never made it into the review were things like “oh my god … me too” because in a lot of ways her story was my story. But, really, Franca Vercelloni’s story is uniquely her own.

First of all, it’s impossible NOT to fall in love with Franca as she takes to the stage; she’s astonishingly gifted as a pianist, has a sparkle that starts at her eyes but soon has hit every member of the audience, and has the beauty and brains to deliver humorous monologues that keep you in the palm of her hand.

Once I saw her I knew I had to have her as the MC of The Happiest Medium’s 1st Anniversary Party - and collaborating with her was one of the most joyful experiences I’ve known. Frankly, we laughed so much rehearsing the opening song that it’s a wonder we came off as good as we did the night of the show. But that’s the kind of woman Franca is – she’ll put you at ease, she’ll sing you a song, she’ll flash you that gorgeous smile, and after wrapping you up in her talent and charm she’ll leave you with a warm feeling that lingers long after you’ve said your goodbyes.

Now let me turn the stage over to Franca:

I believe that female performers are at a disadvantage from the getgo. “Be thin, be young, be successful by 30 so that you will still have time to have a family.” Or, “Take some classes, get yourself ready, because you’re so specific, you really won’t start to work for 5 more years.” You must be extremely careful whose opinions you listen to, because everyone has an opinion, and many of them are not worth listening to.

You must be strong, you must be innovative, you must have a sense of humor, and, most importantly, you must be a true entrepreneur who creates opportunities for yourself. Stick to your values and your vision. I’ve had weird experiences working with some men, but since I started kickboxing, I’ve found that they consider my ideas and opinions more carefully than they used to.

I was raised by three strong women, and they raised me to be strong. When I work with men or women or anyone in between, I present myself, with all my strength and assertiveness, calm and craziness, and I am not afraid of those things in others. I try to adapt to whom I am working with and treat those people as I would like to be treated: with respect and concern. It usually works out. And if it doesn’t…did I mention that I kick-box? I also write really awesome songs about how terrible people can be. Everything is material as far as I’m concerned …

UPCOMING:
I am currently writing my next musical show, collaborating on both songs and script for a children’s television program, and writing music for a soon-to-be-produced translation of a well-known French farce. Come sing show-tunes with me at the piano at Marie’s Crisis (59 Grove Street) every Tuesday from 9:30-closing and Saturday from 6-10pm. AND come hear me and the other ladies of The Main Squeeze Orchestra when we play our all-Kurt Weill program (Girls Gone Weill) on May 5 at Drom in the East Village (www.mainsqueezeorchestra.com). We were just featured on NPR’s “All Things Considered” and our debut CD is for sale on our website.

More about Franca:

Franca Vercelloni is an actor, musician, singer and writer. Classically trained in piano performance at The University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, she currently plays in piano bars and teaches piano to children and adults. Her musical solo show, Classically Trained, Practically Broke, played to sold-out houses at The Club at La Mama as part of the 2010 New York International Fringe Festival and enjoyed a 5-week run at Manhattan Theatre Source as part of the 2010 EstroGenius Festival. Other appearances include: The Hampton Playhouse; Theater for the New City; Berkshire Theater Festival; Tony ‘n’ Tina’s Wedding off-Broadway; commercials for Dunkin’ Donuts and Commerce Bank; the Housewife in Ishai Setton’s award-winning short musical comedy film The Butcher and the Housewife and Setton’s feature, The Big Bad Swim (2006 Tribeca Film Festival premiere). Stand up appearances include Stand Up New York, The Comedy Cellar, and Gotham Comedy Club. Franca plays accordion with the all-female, all-accordion Main Squeeze Orchestra (recently featured on NPR’s “All Things Considered”). Franca is a member of AEA, SAG, AFTRA and AFM Local 802.

Women’s History Month: Celebrating Women In The Arts – Spotlight On Emily Owens

Karen Tortora-Lee — Tue, 22 Mar 2011 02:55:40 +0000

These women of the arts hail from different disciplines, but they all have an indomitable spirit and a luminescent spark that makes them amazing human beings who are out there every day, doing amazing work.

Today we continue our series with Emily Owens. Without exaggeration I can say that Emily paved the way for making The Happiest Medium what it is today. Way back in 2008 when I was a fledgling reviewer and still trying to figure out how to fill a weekly column quota (for another site) publicist Emily Owens contacted me about some shows she was representing. I was new to it all and eagerly accepted every show that she sent my way. ”Just you wait,” my husband (and the co-founder of The Happiest Medium) said, “One day you’ll be getting so many offers from so many publicists that you’ll be turning them away!” I couldn’t imagine what that would feel like.

Well, here we are, two and a half years later and I’m proud to say that Emily Owens and I continue to enjoy a very successful business relationship to this very day. And, Stephen was right – these days THM gets so many offers to review shows that we have to be very choosy with what we follow up on. I’m grateful … but overworked and overwhelmed at times by the amount of shows that are happening in Manhattan. Having a relationship with a someone like Emily — a publicist I can trust – ensures that The Happiest Medium is always covering the best, newest, and greatest of what’s out there. Emily has been critical in getting me together with some of my very favorite people in this industry, and – I’ll say it again – I wouldn’t be where I am if I hadn’t begun reviewing shows repped by Emily Owens. Most recently, as the publicist for the Frigid New York Festival 2011, she made it possible for The Happiest Medium to become a Media Sponsor and the relationships we were able to build during that festival were invaluable. Never mind just plain fun!

I’m in awe of her energy, her intuition and her connections. And I thank her from the bottom of my heart for what she does not only for me, but for all the talented people who count on her to publicise them the right way, every day. Now let’s hear her story …

Talk to me about being a woman who does what you do- just overall.

When you own your own business the business IS you, so everything I do or say reflects on my company in one way or another. From the clothes I wear to what I post on my Facebook status, it all affects how people perceive my company. To that end I’m sure the fact that I’m a woman does play a factor, but its not something I think about as it relates to my job. When I first started out I was more concerned about my age, as I started my company fairly young (I’m 25 now and Emily Owens PR was founded in 2006, you do the math!) I felt for a long time like I had to keep my age a secret, for fear that people wouldn’t take me seriously.

The favorite part of my job is seeing my clients succeed. I know that probably sounds cheesy but its true! The reason I do what I do is to get artists and their work exposure that they otherwise might not get without me. There is so much amazing work going on downtown that people don’t necessarily know about, and I love helping to get that work the acknowledgement it deserves.

Tells us about some of the barriers you’ve encountered.

I knew pretty early on that indie theatre was where I wanted to be, but I ran into a lot of attitude against it. The feedback I received was that press wouldn’t cover off-off Broadway shows and that I’d never be able to make a living at it.

Its still difficult to get the larger media outlets to cover shows being produced off-off Broadway and there are still people I run into from time to time who honestly have no idea what independent theatre is, but I’m much more fulfilled pounding the pavement everyday trying to get my “unknown” clients exposure then I would be if I was working for some big Broadway press agent publicizing “Die Hard: The Musical!” starring Johnny Depp.

The men that you come across / work with / interact with – do they treat you as an equal?

I’m sure my male counterparts are never referred to as the “PR girl” but I’ve always kind of liked being the PR girl! I never want to be treated differently because I’m a woman. In some cases I think people are more likely to hire me because I’m a woman (as opposed to NOT hiring me because of it) but I think that’s almost just as bad. You should hire somebody because they’re the best person for the job, not because of their gender, skin color, or sexual orientation. We’re never really going to be equals until our differences stop being a factor entirely.

You’re so busy! What are some of your upcoming projects?

Purple Rep’s Gay Plays for Straight People (and also gay people), April 8-30 @ The Paradise Factory
Iron Jaw’s Narrator 1, May 11-29 @ The Lion
The Comic Book Theater Festival, June 2-25 @ The Brick

Emily Owens is a press agent for independent theatre. Her clients include Horse Trade Theater Group, terraNOVA Collective, Flux Theatre Ensemble, Nosedive Productions, The Brick, Rachel Klein Productions, and Purple Rep. Visit her site Emily Owens PR.

Women’s History Month: Celebrating Women In The Arts – Spotlight On Kathleen Warnock

Karen Tortora-Lee — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 20:15:47 +0000

These women of the arts hail from different disciplines, but they all have an indomitable spirit and a luminescent spark that makes them amazing human beings who are out there every day, doing amazing work.

Today we continue our series with Kathleen Warnock.

Kathleen Warnock is a playwright and editor. She is company manager of the Playwrights Circle at Emerging Artists Theater, and curates the Robert Chesley/Jane Chambers Playwrights Project for TOSOS Theater. She curates the Drunken! Careening! Writers! reading series at KGB Bar the third Thursday of every month. She is also series editor for Best Lesbian Erotica (Cleis).

She is tired.

I certainly would be too! I had the opportunity to sit on a panel with Kathleen last year and have been trying to find a time when we could feature her here on The Happiest Medium. Well, thank you Women’s History Month! You finally got this very tired, very talented, very wonderful woman to share her story with me. I’m thrilled that I’m finally able to celebrate all the wonderful things that Kathleen Warnock is doing, every day. I’ll let her take it from here …

Kathleen Warnock

As I said, I’m tired. But interested. One thing always leads to another: whether it’s helping produce The Secretaries for TOSOS in last year’s Fringe (and extension), or working with the Playwrights Circle at EAT. My day job, editing travel guides for Frommer’s, also takes me around the world from my cube in Hoboken.

The days that make a difference are always an Opening Night of mine; those are the best days. I also get a similar buzz from attending Opening Nights for friends of mine, particularly when I’ve helped out with the production. The days that make me think “I’m too old for this shit,” are when I have a lot of production-related stuff at the same time I have a big project due at work, or when I’ve got 2 or 3 deadlines within the same, say 72-hour period! Does anyone know where I can get Adderal?

I’ve often been the only girl in the room: I was sports editor of my college newspaper, worked for the Baltimore Orioles and Colts, and became a sports journalist after I graduated from college. I made it my business not so much to be one of the guys, but to focus on the work, and usually ended up with the respect of my colleagues. I’ve tried to operate that way since. Sometimes, when I’m one of the few women at a production meeting, I just do the same thing and say what I need to say, and do it in a constructive, positive way, to make sure that an issue is addressed. And often, I realize that my presence reminds people that there are women playwrights, women who run theaters, etc.

I wouldn’t work with someone who treated me as less than an equal. Of course, I have the “luxury” of working for little or no money off-off, so if someone’s an ass, I can walk away from the project. The people that I choose to work with most often, and who have chosen to work with me are the likes of Paul Adams, artistic director of Emerging Artists Theatre, who has given me many opportunities as a playwright; and Mark Finley, artistic director of TOSOS, who is like my twin-from-another-mother. Doric Wilson, founder of TOSOS is someone who recognized me as a playwright and a colleague, and has often opened doors for me, and promoted my work.

As a playwright who is a woman and a woman who is a playwright, I find resource websites/lists to be extremely helpful. I have a bulletin board that I’ve been maintaining online for 8 years, called “En Avant Playwrights,” on which I list all the opportunities I find in a format based on play length, and whether it’s for production, staged reading, contest, etc. We’ve had nearly 1.7 million pageviews since I started it. I am also a member of the yahoo group “Playwright Binge,” founded by Patrick Gabridge, a smart, talented Boston playwright who has shared his process of marketing his work, and created a place that supports all playwrights who want to know about getting their work out there. The group does semi-annual “Binges” where they commit to sending out their work every day for a month, then reporting back to the group.

I have a short play, Staying Put, running in Series A at EATfest (TADA Theatre, 15 W. 28th St., subway: N/R) through March 20. It runs Monday, Thursday at 7pm and Saturday at 9pm. The other plays in the series are by two playwrights whose work I love: Barbara Lindsay and Audrey Cefaly. Tickets can be purchased here: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/154363 and are $18 (reduced for students, seniors). In addition, my latest full-length play, “Outlook,” was just read as part of the “First Taste” series for company playwrights on March 15, at 8:45. It was directed by Mark Finley, and featured Meghan Cary, Robin Cloud, Irene Longshore & Danielle Quisenberry.

And the deadline for Best Lesbian Erotica 2012 is coming up April 1! For submission guidelines, visit my website at www.kathleenwarnock.com.

~~~

More about Kathleen Warnock:

Her works produced in New York include: “Grieving for Genevieve” (MITF); “Rock the Line” (EAT); “Some Are People” (EAT NYC, Ireland); “The Adventures of…” (EAT, NYC, Ireland, Provincetown). She is a member of The Dramatists Guild.

Women’s History Month: Celebrating Women In The Arts – Spotlight On Penny Pollak

Karen Tortora-Lee — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 17:00:53 +0000

These women of the arts hail from different disciplines, but they all have an indomitable spirit and a luminescent spark that makes them amazing human beings who are out there every day, doing amazing work.

Today we continue our series with Penny Pollak. I picked this photo above ‘specially for her: “DON’T let your woman announcer be too agressive. She will antagonize all men, and many women. She must, however, speak with authority, either form experience or special knowledge of the product. A woman announcer is always a hazardous risk and few can please all viewers.” (snicker.)

If you’re part of the downtown NYC scene and an emerging artist (or a seasoned artist who just needs a comfortable place to work through some new material) then chances are you know Penny Pollak best as the producer and host of “Penny’s Open Mic“. Yes, Penny is the ringleader – but she’s so much more. Ms. Pollak welcomes the crowd, sets the tone, supplies the rules (there are very few, but they matter) and keeps the night humming along at a solid pace. You only need to attend one of these open mics to find yourself hooked.

Hearing each performer refer to Penny’s Open Mic as “Home” before they launch into their own song, story, routine or reverie is to understand that you’ve walked into a sacred space where magic happens week after week - and while regulars count on the rituals and habits the truth of it is – no two nights are ever the same. And therein lies the reason people come back time and again. To rediscover the joy of the first time – every time.

Penny Pollak herself is a gifted actress, a talented writer, but most of all, an all encompassing spirit that moves artists every week to dig deep and hone their craft, share their heart, and sharpen their skills. The world could use a million more like her, but for now I’m grateful that the one Penny Pollak we’ve been alotted this time around has been put straight in my path. I’m honored to showcase her here :

Talk to me about being a woman who does what you do- just overall.

Honestly, I don’t think about it that often. My parents did a really good job raising me to be completely independent; supporting the idea that I could be anything I wanted. But of course the world doesn’t work that way and I still find myself surprised and offended by the double standards and the simple language difference. For example, a man who is in charge and exerts his authority is strong and just doing his job whereas a woman who does the same thing is a diva, a cold princess or just a bitch. I’m very lucky that the men who surround my shows and projects don’t see the world that way, and when I work I feel I’m treated as an equal. But the inequality is so ingrained into our society — and the fight is far from over — which is why I’m delighted you’ve made this issue a feature this month.

Are there days it makes a difference – good or bad?

These days not as much; I’m in a great place in my life now and surrounded by amazing people. The fact that I do more theater now than bartending is the biggest change. A few years ago I used to manage a bar on First Avenue for a short time which is actually where I started my open mic before I moved it to UNDER St. Marks Theater. Managing a bar I was constantly presented with those problems. By patrons as well as management. In fact that’s the reason why I quit working there. I’ve butted heads for months with the owner over the women I hired and so forth. He wanted me to base my decision on the picture they sent in rather than the resume. Oh – and I wasn’t allowed to hire men as bartenders, only barbacks. Then one day he told me to fire three of our very talented bartenders because “They weren’t hot enough”. That was it for me, not only did I quit but I told everyone who worked there. Everyone quit immediately and in protest we all stayed in the bar all night drinking his booze until he came in the next morning apologized and begged us ALL to take our jobs back. It was a small triumph but it felt pretty good at the time.

Are there barriers you fought against in the past that are now becoming easier?

As writers we are taught to above all, write what we know. I am a woman, so my writing reflects that. There have been a few instances where a piece I think is universal and human has been remarked as being ‘woman’s issues’ and ‘Men just can’t connect.’ There may be some truth to that but I think it’s just a lazy way of thinking. My play No Traveler (which will be in the Winnipeg Fringe Festival this summer) addresses themes such as suicide, abuse, self-destruction and control brought together in a very dark humorous way. I think our society allows woman to connect more freely to these subjects but they really do touch everyone in some way, male or female. As I’ve taken it around to different festivals and countries I was very excited to receive those responses. One goal I’d like to achieve with my writing is to express that ‘woman’s issues’ are actually human issues and affect everyone.

Oh, and one more thing about Penny? My dad is completely smitten with her.

~~~

More about Penny:

“PENNY POLLAK earns major points for her creativity in her dark and fascinating No Traveler” (stagebuzz.com)
No Traveler a comedy about suicide written and performed by Pollak received glowing reviews in this year’s Edinburgh Fringe Festival and NYC Frigid Festival. She recently starred in Broken Dog Legs a one-woman play by Emily Conbere.

For almost three years now she has hosted and produced Penny’s Open Mic, (featured in The New York Times, New York Magazine, Backstage.com, NY Press and Time Out NY) a weekly show at UNDER St. Marks Theater dedicated to supporting artists of every kind to experiment and workshop in a safe environment.

A past resident of Horse Trade Theater Company she has produced and performed in just about every performance venue, bar and street corner in the east village since she moved here in 2007. She graduated with a degree in Theater and a minor in Sociology. After graduation she studied at the TVI London theater intensive program at Rose Bruford College, UK. She was nominated for Best Actress in this year’s Strawberry Festival and has won awards for her writing as well as been featured in a number of readings in NYC.

Women’s History Month: Celebrating Women In The Arts – Spotlight On Carol Carpenter

Karen Tortora-Lee — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 11:03:57 +0000

These women of the arts hail from different disciplines, but they all have an indomitable spirit and a luminescent spark that makes them amazing human beings who are out there every day, doing amazing work.

Today we continue our series with Carol Carpenter. What can I say about Carol Carpenter? On the surface she and I couldn’t be more different and yet somehow when we met we clicked immediately. Carol has a wry smile and a glint in her eye; her writing is sharp, smart, some times biting, some times touching but always truthful. It’s that truth that has made her the recipeint of numerous awards.

Carol is also a loyal colleague; despite the fact that she was ON HER WAY TO PARIS when I sent out a call to participate in this series she promised she’d do what she could, and (true to her word) she sent me her thoughts from her lovely vacation spot. If that’s not the real deal, I don’t know what is. In her own words:

I’ve always had a hard time discussing issues through the lens of my gender, because it has so rarely defined the way I look at the world. I think this reality comes from many different sources: from having parents who assumed I could do anything I wanted, to having been a competitive childhood athlete who saw aggression as compatible with being female, to being raised in an area of the country where bragging is an art form (the Texas border) and approaching life from a place where victimization is considered weak.

I carry all of these cultural influences and assumptions with me as I navigate the world, and yet I know that my gender brings differences in opportunities that I am probably too solipsistic to see. It’s strange: on a macro level, I do see the world in terms of power dynamics and how they play out in the world. My politics are aligned with this awareness, and I constantly see gender dynamics play out in how horrifically gay men are treated, and in how sexualized women are. But on a micro, personal level, I feel like these dynamics don’t apply to me. They do, of course; I’m intellectually aware enough to know that. But I don’t feel them.

I feel as though I am an equal in the boxing ring of life, and if a guy takes a punch at me, I’m going to punch back.

Carol Carpenter

~~~

DANG Carol! I sure as heck do NOT want to ever be next to the guy who takes that first swing at you – just in case he ducks and I get the punch instead. Yeah – that would wipe me out completely.

Here’s a little more information on Carol Carpenter:

Sweet, Sweet Spirit June 25 at the Robert Moss Theater
Village Fall 2012 at American Southwest Theater
Good Lonely People info at www.carolcarpenterwrites.com

Carol Carpenter, Dramatist

Exploring American Conflict through the Intersections of Left & Right, Urban & Rural, Religious & Secular ~ And Finding Grace in the Moments that Bind.

Winner, Best Playwriting @ Planet Connections / Audience Favorite @ NewBorn Play Fest / Semi-Finalist @ Pandora Productions of Louisville & Editor’s Pick NY Daily News.

Women’s History Month: Celebrating Women In The Arts – Spotlight On Alex Bond

Karen Tortora-Lee — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 16:08:21 +0000

These women of the arts hail from different disciplines, but they all have an indomitable spirit and a luminescent spark that makes them amazing human beings who are out there every day, doing amazing work.

Today we continue our series with Alex Bond – a woman I’ve had the pleasure to experience in many ways – as an actress, a singer and most fortunately, as a friend. When I sent Alex a few questions for this Q&A Ms. Bond – being the storyteller that she is – sent back a history that only she could write. ”Dear Karen,” she began, “as always, you bring up a hot topic which elicits brutal honesty. Here we go…” Here we go, indeed —

THE JOURNEY TO LOVING MY OWN SEX . . . By Alex Bond

The subject of “women” (and being one) is a tough one for me. I have always been one, even though while growing up in the 1950’s my name was considered to be a man’s name. My mother would sign me up for some activity and there would always be the question on enrollment day, “Alex Bond, is HE here?” I would reluctantly raise my hand.

But let’s start at the beginning. When I was 18 months old, my mother dropped me on my head (oh, THAT explains it) and I had my first Traumatic Brain Injury. We won’t go into the physical or emotional ramifications (another treatise altogether), but suffice it to say that for six months after the skull fracture I would not allow my mother to hold me, change my diapers, or feed me. Thus began my distrust of the female sector of the species – of which I am a member. Hmmmm.

I went to an all-girls’ school K- 12 where my mother taught. I was the “Glee”- like non-athletic (yes, field hockey was uber-important) artsy-fartsy girl in my class with the geeky boy’s name. K-12 girls can be real mean. My distrust was re-enforced. Senior year I had a second skull fracture — from a car accident this time — (that REALLY explains it all) and the insecurities from the first TBI returned.

I continued my education by going to an all-girls’ college for a year and a half. Finally, I mustered the courage to tell my mother that I wanted to go to a co-ed school where I might have the opportunity to discover the other half of the species. I had had my fill of females! Voila! I finally had friends, and they were male — the guys in the Radio/TV department. This began a long, abiding appreciation of “techies” — smart, quiet men, interested in solving puzzles. (My dear husband Leon is a techie.)

In graduate school in theatre in Texas, I discovered gay men — the girlfriends I had never had! In fact, I was told by “the boys” numerous times that I was really a gay man in a woman’s body. My own mother even said to me on one occasion when we were discussing homosexuality, “I am sure that if you had been born a boy you would have been gay.” I took it as a compliment. And in grad school I met gay women (Lesbians if you prefer), women who were no-bullshit, honest, and intelligent. Both of these groups were non-threatening (emotionally and sexually), and we were all “different”, so I began to enjoy friendships that have lasted now for years — those remaining friends that AIDS did not steal. And it is because of these men and women that I finally started taking baby steps toward making “straight” female friends – including making myself my friend. It was “okay” for me to be a woman. What a breakthrough!

I am 60 now and am delighted I am a female. I have extraordinary friends – female and male, straight and gay, old and young. My friends have been carefully chosen. (Please consider yourself one, Karen.) And I love them and support them as best as I can. I can trust all my friends not to drop me on my head.

So, this exposé doesn’t really answer your questions. But it does provide the background for what I will now confess.

I am an actress/writer/former dancer/former leather bar chanteuse. I see life as a smorgasbord and I have been fortunate to have had many marvelous and varied dining experiences. In my profession as an actress, I have on occasion experienced penis envy because there are, quite simply, more roles for men. As a writer, I think I would be taken more seriously if I were a man. As a former dancer, I wish I still could. And as a former leather bar chanteuse, no one but THIS LADY could have been THAT WOMAN!

I have never experimented with the corporate world – I have no interest whatsoever. I am content to have always been “in the Arts” and I am content to be a Woman in the Arts. (I can say though that I would have made more money if I were a man – period, end of sentence.) I am so fortunate to have a devoted male partner (my Leon) who shares the bounty of life with me and who loves me for the woman I have become because of my journey.

If reincarnation is what’s next, I make the request here and now to come back as a woman. I also ask that I not be dropped on my head. I’d like thicker hair, too. (Ha, as though the hair thing will come through!)

What’s next in this life? I have the privilege of doing a monologue from Doric Wilson’s A Perfect Relationship for the 50th anniversary of his life as a playwright @ The West Bank Café on March 16th at 9:30pm. It’s a fund raiser for TOSOS.

And I am reading (with the fabulous David Carson) selections from my book “LATE NIGHTS WITH THE BOYS: confessions of a leather bar chanteuse” for a one-night-only book reading as part of the 2011 Planet Connections Festivity. This is the first time we will have 80 minutes, so if you listened to us before, come back, we will have more “Anna stories” for you. Please check out www.alexbond.org for more details.

~~~

Thank you so much, Alex, for sharing your story with us for Women’s History Month! As always, your wit, intelligence and sparkle shine right through your work. I’m honored to be your friend. (And you correctly surmised – I will not bonk you on the head).

A little more about Alex:

ALEX BOND has appeared in MTWorks’ productions of Barrier Island by David Stallings and A Home Across the Ocean by Cody Daigle. Off-Broadway Ms. Bond appeared in Luigi Creatore’s Flamingo Court as Clara, Marie, and Chi-Chi.

Regional theatre work: DFW Fringe Festival at the Hub Theatre, Provincetown Theatre, New Harmony Theatre, Depot Theatre, Buffalo Studio Arena, Virginia Stage Company, Theatre Virginia, South Jersey Regional Theatre, Dallas Theatre Center, Theatre Three. Numerous national commercials.

Whenever and wherever possible Ms. Bond performs readings from her novel “LATE NIGHTS WITH THE BOYS: confessions of a leather bar chanteuse” with David L. Carson; their work has received the ‘Producer’s Pick Award’ from the 2007 Dallas/Ft. Worth Fringe Festival and the ‘Best Literary Staging’ from the 2008 San Francisco Fringe Festival, and Fruit of Distinction Awards in 2009 from The Fresh Fruit Festival/All Out Arts.

She and Mr. Carson fight intolerance with humor and truth one reading at a time. Ms. Bond is delighted and honored to be part of MTWork’s and TOSOS’s acting companies.

Women’s History Month: Celebrating Women In The Arts – Spotlight On Robin Rice Lichtig

Karen Tortora-Lee — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 16:51:28 +0000

These women of the arts hail from different disciplines, but they all have an indomitable spirit and a luminescent spark that makes them amazing human beings who are out there every day, doing amazing work.

Today we continue our series with Robin Rice Lichtig. Robin is no stranger to The Happiest Medium; I’ve had the opportunity to review her work as well as sit on a panel with her last December to discuss the role of women in Off-Off Broadway. But when you’re as prolific a playwright as Ms. Lichtig a few months makes a world of difference so I’m pleased she’s joining us again to give us an update on her work, as well as share with us her experience of what it’s been like to be a woman in her business. I’ll let Robin tell you in her own words:

Robin Rice Lichtig

Things are bursting at the seams these days. Playwrights have a rough row to hoe — rougher even if you’re a woman. I can offer as encouragement these facts: I was fortunate last year with world premieres of full length plays in New York and South Africa, a reading in Berlin, and a number of workshops and reading in New York.

So far, 2011 is jam packed with short play productions and my full-length PLAY NICE! opened last night at 59E59 Theatre in New York. (It runs through March 27) I would like to encourage women playwrights to get their short plays into festivals whenever they can. It was through a ten-minute play presented for only two nights at Abingdon Theatre in New York that the producer of PLAY NICE! found me. Ego Actus is also going to produce FRONTIER in the Planet Connections Theatre Festivity in New York in June. At a meeting of the Planet Connections personnel early last Sunday morning, it was exciting to see that about 99 per cent of the people running this large, eco-friendly event are women.

We all know that the percentage of plays written by women is abominably low. Add ageism to that and anyone without fierce drive and focus will quit in a heartbeat. It’s an uphill climb, but it’s not impossible. I suggest joining the International Centre for Woman Playwrights and get on their listserve — a very supportive group.

Last Monday the League of Professional Theatre Women had a benefit to raise money for the organization at New World Stages in New York. Not only the writers, but the producers, backstage workers and technical people were women. Over 200 people were in the audience at $50 a ticket. The atmosphere was charged. It was a fabulous evening celebrating successful women in theater. I was also part of a SWAN Day production in Ontario, Canada, last weekend. SWAN Days are taking place all over the country this month, giving shouts out to women in theater. Loads of encouraging new things happening.

Gotta run. Submissions to make, networking to do. Speaking of which, conferences are an excellent way of getting your name out there. Hope to see some of you at Humana the first weekend in April.

~~~

Thanks so much, Robin – we celebrate you today!

A little more about Ms.Lichtig:

Robin Rice Lichtig – See www.dramamama.net for details on upcoming gigs, synopses, and other cool stuff.
March 8-27: PLAY NICE! at 59E59 Theatre, NYC.
March 20: MOM from LISTEN! THE RIVER. Cornelia Street Cafe, NYC.
Spring: ALICE IN BLACK AND WHITE. Staten Island, NY.
June: FRONTIER. Planet Connections Theatre Festivity. NYC.
June 18: SECRETS ON A CHINESE BED. Marblehead Little Theatre, Marblehead, MA.
In the works: SUKI LIVINGSTON OPENS LIKE A PARACHUTE.

Women’s History Month: Celebrating Women In The Arts – Spotlight On Glory Kadigan

Karen Tortora-Lee — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 21:52:46 +0000

March is Women’s History Month and The Happiest Medium would like to take the opportunity to highlight, showcase and celebrate just a fraction of the wonderful women we’ve had the great good fortune to cross paths with over the last year. These women of the arts hail from different disciplines, but they all have an indomitable spirit and a luminescent spark that makes them amazing human beings who are out there every day, doing amazing work.

We kick off our series today with Glory Kadigan – Executive Director/Artistic Curator of the Planet Connections Theatre Festivity. Ms. Kadigan has served as the Planet Connections Theatre Festivity’s Executive Director for two seasons. Prior to founding Planet Connections, she worked as the Artistic Director and as the Managing Director of various other theater festivals. She has also worked extensively as a Special Events Coordiator, Box Office Manager, Stage Manager, Director, and Internship Coordinator.

The Happiest Medium was honored to be a sponsor of Planet Connections last year and we hope to continue that partnership for years to come! I’ll let Glory tell you more . . .

Glory Kadigan

Talk to me about being a woman who does what you do.

I don’t want to glamorize it and say that it is always easy and perfect – it isn’t. But I do believe that more people like me should step up to leadership positions because not everyone in a capitlist society thinks about their community. I’m very passionate about my community. My ability to care about the world, and about other people, has sometimes been viewed by my competitors as a weakness – but really – it is a great strength and should be valued.

Are there days it makes a difference – good or bad?

Definitely. I know that me and my team always make a difference not only to the artists we support but to the causes they have elected to champion and to the enviroment over all which means we have global impact.

Are there barriers you fought against in the past that are now becoming easier?

I’m not affected as much by the challenges – but yes, there are still barriers. It is never easy to lead anything – but, I believe its important to use whatever strengths you were given, to help others – and Planet Connections – as well as directing plays – is how I do that.

The men that you work with and interact with – do they treat you as an equal?

Well I’m not really sure that any straight man I’ve EVER met has thought of me as his equal – one way or the other. When I meet this man, I’d like to go on a date with him.

For more information about Glory you can visit her website and also see what’s happening at the Planet Connections Festivities site.

A little more about Ms. Kadigan:

She is an alum of the Lincoln Center Directors Lab and of The Labyrinth Theater Company’s Master Class. Ms. Kadigan is an associate member of the Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers and has been the recipient of the Meritorious Achievement Award in Direction from the Kennedy Center A.C.T.F.

Among her directing credits are: Always Family (The Kirk Theatre at Theatre Row), The Picture of Dorian Gray (Robert Moss Theatre), Two Rooms (Active Theatre Company at The Workshop Theatre), North of Providence (Altered Stages), Serenading Louie (Stella Adler Black Box) Anomal (ATA-Off Broadway), Avalon (Looking Glass Theatre), The Tempest, Measure For Measure, The Snow Queen, Special Delivery, Foursome (HERE), Evening with Family (The Brick), Golem Stories (Chashama), and the Maternal Instinct (Workshop Theatre).

Regional Credits Include: The Glass Menagerie, Pippin, Joseph and his Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Uncommon Women and Others, Brighton Beach Memoirs, The Lady of Larkspur Lotion, The Effects of Gamma Rays on Man in The Moon, Marigolds, and Ten Little Indians.

Besides directing, Ms. Kadigan is an actress and playwright. Her work as a playwright has been performed at The Public, The Looking Glass Theatre, The Players Club, and Playwrights Horizons. As an actress she has performed at The Bleecker Street Theater, TADA, and The Connelly.

Outside of theater, Ms. Kadigan has been an active supporter of her community. She works in a soup kitchen, leads a Girl Scout Troop in Harlem and has raised thousands of dollars for Breast Cancer research and other causes. Ms. Kadigan is also part of The New Orleans Initiative and has traveled to New Orleans to work with Katrina survivors.

Thank you so much, Glory, for sharing a little bit about yourself with us today, and for helping us kick off our celebration of Women in the Arts.

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