The Sundance Institute News

Today in 2008, Passing Strange closed at the Belasco Theatre, where it ran for 165 performances. Passing Strange is a rock musical about a young African American's artistic journey of self-discovery in Europe, drawing on heavy elements of existentialism, metafictional comedy, and the Kunstlerroman. The musical's lyrics and book are by Stew with music and orchestrations by Heidi Rodewald and Stew. It was created in collaboration with director Annie Dorsen. The musical was developed at the Sundance Institute Theatre Lab in 2004 and 2005, one of the only works there ever to be invited back for a second round of development. It had productions in Berkeley, California and Off-Broadway before opening on Broadway in 2008, garnering strong reviews and several awards. Spike Lee filmed the musical on Broadway as a documentary, premiering the film in 2009.

Sundance Institute today announced the participants for its annual Creative Producing Labs and Creative Producing Summit, both held the week of July 29 at the Sundance Resort in Sundance, Utah. These activities are part of the Institute's year-round Creative Producing Initiative, which encompasses a series of Labs, Fellowships and other events that support independent producers.

Sundance Institute today announced the acting company, artists-in-residence and creative advisors for the seven projects being developed at its 2013 Theatre Lab, July 8-28 at the Sundance Resort in Utah. Under the supervision of Artistic Director Philip Himberg and Producing Director Christopher Hibma, the Lab is the centerpiece of the Theatre Program's year-round work and is designed to support both emerging and established artists and to create a place where their original work can be effectively mentored and challenged free from commercial pressure.

Sundance Institute and the LUMA Foundation today announced that the two organizations will collaborate to host the Sundance Institute | LUMA Foundation Theatre Directors Retreat at Domaine de l'Armelliere, July 29 - August 9, in Arles, France. Under the supervision of Philip Himberg, Artistic Director of the Sundance Institute Theatre Program, Producing Director Christopher Hibma and Program Associate Anne Kauffman, the Retreat will be the first theatre director-centered residency at the Institute.

Throughline Artists (J.J. Kandel, Executive Producer; John McCormack, Producing Artistic Director) will present SUMMER SHORTS 2013, their seventh annual festival of new American short plays from established and emerging writers, at 59E59 Theaters (59 East 59th Street). Performances will begin Friday July 19th, and continue through Saturday August 31st only.

From executive producer Denis Leary, BURN is the #1 documentary on iTunes. This riveting and inspiring film spends a year with Detroit firefighters who are charged with the thankless task of saving a city many have written off as dead.

From executive producer Denis Leary, BURN is the #1 documentary on iTunes. This riveting and inspiring film spends a year with Detroit firefighters who are charged with the thankless task of saving a city many have written off as dead.

Sundance Institute today announced the selection of 22 Fellows representing nine documentary film projects to participate in the 2013 Documentary Edit and Story Labs, June 21-29 and July 5-13 at Sundance Resort in Sundance, Utah.

Based on Juan José Plans' novel, “El Juego De Los Ninos,” COME OUT AND PLAY is Makinov's directorial debut. The elusive director, who wears a mask on set and refuses to reveal his first and last name, forged a new identity after surviving a near death experience. To this day, Makinov's true identity remains a mystery.

Profiles Theatre announces an extended run for the World Premiere of Resident Artist Neil LaBute's revised stage version of In the Company of Men, now playing at The Main Stage, 4139 N. Broadway. Directed by Profiles Resident Artist and Steppenwolf ensemble member Rick Snyder, In the Company of Men opened May 16 to critical acclaim and has been extended for another four weeks through July 28, 2013.

Cinedigm (CIDM) announced today a partnership with Slamdance that will bring a slate of feature programming to digital platforms beginning on June 11th.

The third annual Celebrate Sundance Institute Los Angeles Benefit, celebrating artistry and visionary leadership in independent film. This year, the benefit will honor the life and work of beloved journalist and film critic Roger Ebert with the Vanguard Leadership Award in Memoriam, in recognition of his advocacy of independent cinema. The award will be presented by Sundance Institute President and Founder Robert Redford and accepted by Ebert's wife, Chaz Ebert. Kerry Washington will present Ryan Coogler with the Vanguard Award, Presented by Tiffany & Co. Coogler is a director and alum of the Sundance Institute Feature Film Program. His first feature film, Fruitvale Station, was selected for Sundance Institute's Screenwriters Lab and went on to win both the Grand Jury Prize and the Audience Award at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival.

Sundance Institute and Skywalker Sound today announced that the Sundance Institute Music and Sound Design Labs at Skywalker Sound will take place at Skywalker Ranch in 2013 and 2014 and also announced the artists that will participate in the 2013 Labs. This is the first time the two organizations will collaborate to support independent filmmakers and film composers and marks a significant expansion of the Institute's existing Composers Labs to include sound design.

Plays & Players' 2013-14 season focuses on brothers and sisters; those with whom we are closest, those who share our blood, and those with whom, familiar or unknown, we seek connection. Through rituals old and new, we continue searching for those who are both distant from and deeply within us as we attempt to unwrap the simplest of notions: brotherhood.

Sundance Institute welcomes 13 projects, selected for its annual June Directors and Screenwriters Labs, taking place at the Sundance Resort in Utah from today, May 27 through June 27. Under the leadership of Michelle Satter, Founding Director of the Institute's Feature Film Program, and the artistic direction of Gyula Gazdag, the Fellows selected for this year's program include emerging filmmakers and projects from the United States, Europe, Mexico, Peru and Somalia.

Cinedigm (CIDM) has acquired all North American distribution rights to 'VISITORS,' the new film from director Godfrey Reggio, composer Philip Glass and filmmaker Jon Kane. Seven years in the making, VISITORS is the fourth film that Reggio and Glass have collaborated on following the groundbreaking, internationally acclaimed, Qatsi Trilogy formed by the films Koyaanisqatsi, Powaqqatsi, and Naqoyqatsi. Cinedigm plans to release VISITORS theatrically in 4K throughout Fall 2013 following its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival where members of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra will perform Glass's score live.

The third annual Celebrate Sundance Institute Los Angeles Benefit, celebrating artistry and visionary leadership in independent film. This year, the benefit will honor the life and work of beloved journalist and film critic Roger Ebert with the Vanguard Leadership Award in Memoriam, in recognition of his advocacy of independent cinema. The award will be presented by Sundance Institute President and Founder Robert Redford and accepted by Ebert's wife, Chaz Ebert. Kerry Washington will present Ryan Coogler with the Vanguard Award, Presented by Tiffany & Co. Coogler is a director and alum of the Sundance Institute Feature Film Program. His first feature film, Fruitvale Station, was selected for Sundance Institute's Screenwriters Lab and went on to win both the Grand Jury Prize and the Audience Award at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival.

Performance artist Taylor Mac is constantly in creative development, but Children's Theatre Company (CTC) charged him with a first - to create an engaging theatrical piece for a multigenerational audience. His work has been seen and praised at theatres, art institutes, and festivals around the world. He was named best cabaret performer of 2012 by Time Out NY. His new theatrical experience The Fre was one of 41 projects nationwide to be honored with a grant from the MAP Fund, receiving $35,000. The Fre is also one of seven projects selected for the Sundance Institute 2013 Theatre Lab. CTC Artistic Director Peter Brosius claims, 'Taylor is fearless and one of the most creative forces in American theatre today; to have this energy, his heart, and his radical vision on our stage is absolutely thrilling.'

Cinedigm (CIDM), the global leader in digital content distribution, and Universal Studios Home Entertainment, the premier home entertainment company, have entered into a multi-year agreement