The Dirty Blondes presents
DETROIT, NY
June 19-22, 2014
4th Street Theatre
4th Street Theatre
|
The Dirty Blondes presented DETROIT, NY a collaboration between artists in Detroit and New York City. Seven playwrights were selected to write short plays around the theme of “What is Detroit?”
The evening featured seven ten-minute plays by Detroit based playwrights, directed by New York based directors and starring New York based actors. The plays were complemented by live music, and theatrical interludes. The goal of the project is to let Detroit speak for itself. The mission of the festival is multifaceted. At its core, it is a direct response to the off-the-cuff, soapbox proclamations of the “problem with Detroit” by well-intentioned, but uninformed New Yorkers; it is a defense of the need for art, art makers, story tellers, and theater even in the most dire economic circumstances; it is an opportunity to shed a spotlight on the stories and storytellers of America’s beloved but neglected city. It is an opportunity for New York theater goers to think outside of themselves and hear stories they just aren’t hearing firsthand. The most important part of the mission of DETROIT, NY is to give Detroit artists the opportunity to speak for themselves. We should all be talking about Detroit, and when we do, we should keep in mind the people and the artists that continue to call Detroit home.
|
|
PRESS
StageBuddy caught up with co-producer Elizabeth Sarkady, who shared her thoughts on putting the festival together, "ruin porn," and how the festival can help the city of Detroit.
-StageBuddy
THE PLAYSGHOST TOWN by Shawntai Brown
OLD CITY APARTMENTS by Mike McGettigan RUIN PORN by Maureen Paraventi TAILYPO by Micealaya Moses CAN I GET THERE ON MY BIKE? by Melissa Clay PARIS OF THE WEST by David MacGregor DO YOU SEE IT COMING? by the Matrix Theatre Writers' Circle |
Read the full program online here
|
CREATIVEPRESENTER, The Dirty Blondes
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, Elizabeth Sarkady ARTISTIC DIRECTOR, Ashley J. Jacobson FESTIVAL ARTISTIC DIRECTOR, Darren Johnston LIGHTING DIRECTOR, John Wilder STAGE MANAGER, Melanie Aponte TECHNICAL DIRECTOR, Stephen M. Cyr PIANIST, Eric Thomas Johnson |
ARTISTS
|
PLAYWRIGHTS
Shawntai Brown Melissa Clay David MacGregor Matrix Theatre Writers' Circle Mike McGettigan Micealaya Moses Maureen Paraventi |
DIRECTORS
Rod Gailes OBC Courtney Harge Neal Kowalsky Molly Beach Murphy Courtney Laine Self Cezar Williams |
ACTING COMPANY
Ayomide "Ayo" Akinsanya Andi Foster Ryan Guess Derrick Marshall Violeta Picayo Bello Pizzimenti LaTonia Phipps Glenn Quentin Antwon Smallwood Chelsea Wolocko |
Photo by Lalita Chemello
Thank you to all of you who were compelled to donate to bringing the voices of Detroit to New York City. We could not have done it all without you. Our sincerest gratitude to our supporters and friends.
SUPPORTERS
|
SPECIAL THANKS3 Voices Theatre
BAM Melanie Berg Philip Bucaro Sam Byron Lalita Chemello Stephen Cyr Founders Brewing Co. Evelyn Jacobson Michael Lopetrone Magenta Giraffe Theatre Company Dominique Morisseau New York Theatre Workshop Megan Sass Smith & Nephew Swift Hibernian Lounge Tectonic Theater Project T Tara Turk Jenn Tufaro |