New Helvetia Theatre Announces New Venue, Associate Producer and Sacramento New Works Festival

Producing Artistic Director Connor Mickiewicz today announced three monumental changes for New Helvetia Theatre: NHT has found a home at the Studio Theatre at 1028 R Street in Sacramento, is presenting groundbreaking programming with The Eureka Project and the first annual Sacramento New Works Festival, and welcomes new Associate Producer Matthew Schneider.

“Moving into the Studio Theatre could not have come at a better time: we’re honored to join other businesses that are committed to the preservation and growth of R Street,” says Producing Artistic Director Connor Mickiewicz. He also notes that “having a permanent home allows us to greatly expand our programming while maintaining the intimate setting our audiences enjoy.”

NHT is thrilled to announce groundbreaking new programming: The Eureka Project, which is a developmental theatre lab that seeks to cultivate original works for the stage, and the Sacramento New Works Festival, which presents those works in a weekend of free, never-before-seen theatre. This programming is unlike anything in the region: for a two-week intensive, NHT provides visiting writers with accommodations in Sacramento, and the support of a director, actors, and space to rehearse, reconceive, and revise their projects.

The Sacramento New Works Festival is entirely free and open to the public at NHT’s new home at The Studio Theatre on 10th and R Street in downtown Sacramento, from July 26th to July 29th, 2012. Seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

The selections for the 2012 Eureka Project/SNWF are:

One Good Day, book and lyrics by Elizabeth Suggs, music by Rona Siddiqui, directed by Connor Mickiewicz with musical direction by Graham Sobelman. Friday July 27th, 8pm, and Saturday July 28th, 2pm.

It’s another day in Manhattan as plucky Janey Hanks attempts to right her romantic frustrations and failures. A show about hope, One Good Day is a contemporary romantic musical comedy that asks us to believe that one good day can change your life.

Schooled, written by Lisa Lewis, directed by Matthew Schneider. Thursday July 26th, 8pm and Saturday July 28th, 8pm.

A biting drama with surprising humor, Schooled follows two grad students as they vie for a competitive grant from their roguish professor in a taut threesome that tests their romantic relationship and their ethics.

To conclude the festival, the company will host the NHT 2.0 Benefit Bash on July 29th at 6pm. The evening will include the announcement of the 2012-2013 season, live performances with selections from upcoming shows, and a few surprises! General admission to NHT 2.0 Benefit Bash is available at http://www.NewHelvetia.org for $40; VIP packages are available for $100 and above, which include preferred seating, a private tour of the new theatre, and admittance to a Meet-and-Greet with SNWF’s writers. VIP packages can be purchased by calling 916-469-9850.

NHT is also thrilled to name Matthew Schneider as Associate Producer. Mr. Schneider brings over eleven years of industry experience and will provide support to the current staff, direct upcoming NHT productions, and initiate a variety of new services and programming. Matthew Schneider is a graduate of Tisch School of the Arts, New York University, where he first met NHT’s Producing Artistic Director Connor Mickiewicz. His performance credits include five national tours of Irving Berlin’s White Christmas, and over seventeen regional credits. He’s worked alongside such theater luminaries as Tony Award-winner Walter Bobbie, two-time Tony-nominee Mark Lamos, and three-time Tony-nominee Randy Skinner. Mr. Schneider directed New Helvetia’s inaugural production of Hedwig and the Angry Inch in 2009 and in 2011 he completed a directorial observership with Sacramento Music Circus’ Artistic Director Glenn Casale.