Planet Connections Theatre Festivity Announces 2012 Dates, Theaters, Staff

The Planet Connections Theatre Festivity, New York's eco-friendly/socially-conscious theatre festival, has announced its dates and theaters for 2012 and is currently accepting submissions through January 27th.

Taking place from May 30th through June 24th, the festivity will occupy both theater spaces at 45 Bleecker Street which are newly operated by The Culture Project.

Fostering a diverse cross-section of performances, the Festivity seeks to inspire artists and audiences both creatively and fundamentally, in a festive atmosphere. At the heart of the Festivity are like-minded individuals striving to create professional, meaningful theatre, while supporting organizations which give back to the community at large. During the Festivity, each show partners with a charity and some of the ways they offer support are soliciting donations at shows, holding special benefit performances, fundraisers and/or talkbacks after performances with representatives from the charity.

"Green Theatre" is also an important aspect of Planet Connections; each year they educate participating artists on how they can make a difference by continuing to create great art while reducing their carbon footprint. Lead by Producing Artistic Director/Founder Glory Kadigan, the festivity is also pleased to welcome a few additions to its Artistic Staff: David F. Chapman, Tralen Doler, Reginald Douglas & Katherine Ray:

As a director, teacher, and performer, David F. Chapman's work has taken him around the U.S. and to such far-flung places as Vietnam, France, Edinburgh, London, Hungary, Cambodia and Montreal. David has received a Jonathan Alper Directing Fellowship (MTC), a Drama League Fellowship, a Fulbright scholarship, a Chicago Area Artists Grant, a Luce fellowship, and is a member of the Soho Rep Writer/Director Lab, Old Vic / New Voices, and DirectorsLabChicago.

Reginald Douglas has worked at several notable theaters including Manhattan Theatre Club, Second Stage Theatre, Arena Stage, Shakespeare Theatre Company and McCarter Theatre. Reginald most recently served as the Assistant Director on the world premiere productions of Zach Braff's All New People, directed by Peter DuBois at Second Stage Theatre and We Live Here by Zoe Kazan, directed by Sam Gold at Manhattan Theatre Club.

Katherine Ray has worked in the entertainment industry for the past twenty years. She has worked for companies such as: Disney, Telefilm, the Maury Show and Inside the Actor's Studio. Katherine is also the former Film Commissioner for the Connecticut State Film Video and Media office, helping form the tax incentives, initiatives and union guild lines that are currently used today.

Tralen Doler has directed several musical Theater Productions in various theaters in New York City to Washington State, from New Mexico to Illinois. He has directed national tours of A Christmas Carol starring Barry Williams, Jeff Conaway and Jackée Harry; the PBS special A Century of Broadway starring opera legend Fredrica von Stade; and benefits for The New Jersey AIDS Alliance and Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.

For more information on the festivity, you can visit www.PlanetConnections.org.