Theater-Con Set for Norfolk Comedy Festival, 7/8-21

Theater-Con, the annual summer theater conference returns to Hampton Roads this July with more classes and a comedy festival headliner. In its third year, the two-week conference is an initiative by multiple area theaters and performance groups to engage community participation in live theater through free classes, workshops, panel discussions and ticketed events. Running from July 8th to 21st, the conference is expected attract over 500 participants from across the region.

Participating organizations are members of the Hampton Roads Theater League, also known as HRTL, which began as an informal collaboration designed to foster cooperation and to pool resources and training. Organizations are invited to present a class or workshop, or facilitate a panel discussion of a relevant topic of their choice. "Several area theaters -- such as, Generic Theater, Little Theatre of Norfolk, Little Theatre of Virginia Beach, and Virginia Stage Company -- have been collaborating for quite some time, sharing props, costumes, set pieces, actors and other resources. Its been especially important in this economic recession we all hope we're pulling out of," says Jeannette Rainey, president of the board of directors at The Generic Theater. "The conference allows us to further facilitate this kind of collaboration in the community." "LTVB is delighted to participate in the Theater Con 2013," says MaryLou Mahlman, president of the board of The Little Theatre of Virginia Beach. "This conference, with events hosted in Norfolk and Virginia Beach, showcases the wide variety of venues and talent that thrive throughout Hampton Roads. We are excited that the educational classes and panels can provide an opportunity for the general public to become more involved with their local theaters." Philip Odango, executive director of The Generic Theater, also agrees. "The Generic's visionary pillars as an organization are to entertain audiences, to enrich the region, to educate through classes and training, and to empower artists. Theater-Con is the vehicle that empowers outreach into the Hampton Roads community." Theater-Con presenting organizations include Plan B, The Pushers, The Generic Theater, The Little Theatre of Virginia Beach, CORE Theatre Ensemble, Hutson Talent Agency, Mailbox Brickers Productions, The Norfolk Institute of Burlesque, Iron Street Productions and individual instructors and panelists.

Classes and workshops will take place between The Generic Theater and The Little Theatre of Virginia Beach. They will be taught by professionals fluent in their craft, and will include topics such as stage combat, stand-up comedy, an introduction to Chicago style long-form improv, method acting, stage lighting design, stage management, and auditioning and acting for the camera. Core Theatre Ensemble will offer a $5 workshop on July 14 to address the actor's movement and overall body awareness in relation to space, time, other actors, and audience. The workshop will introduce basic level Viewpoints training combined with other compulsory movement exercises

Conference participants are invited to paneled discussions among area theatre thought leaders. "Directing Theatre: Behind the Curtain" will examine what directors look for in auditions, different directing styles and inspirations, and how a production comes together, and will be facilitated by renowned theatre directors in Hampton Roads. "Hampton Roads African American Actors and Creatives" explores the challenges and opportunities for African-American artists in the performing arts, and ways to increase regional visibility, participation and recognition. "State of the Hampton Roads Theater Industry" discusses the economic and social climate of theatre arts, including arts fundraising, arts education and opportunities for increased collaboration and inter-city support. All panels are open to the public, and participants are invited to ask questions.

One of the largest attractions of Theater-Con is the Open Community Audition on July 21st, where actors perform a prepared monologue and musical selection for the area's top directors and producers for consideration for their respective productions.

Ticketed events on the conference schedule include the opening night performance of "RENT" at Little Theatre of Virginia Beach, "Misconception: The Lost Gospel of Christmas" at The Perry Family Theatre at The Hurrah Players, and an evening of "Greenlight Burlesque" inspired by F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel "The Great Gatsby" presented by Lily Liqueur and the Norfolk Institute of Burlesque. The newly launched New Plays & Experimental Work division of The Generic presents a showcase of three one-acts entitled "WICKED GAMES" on Saturday July 13. Selections include Sam Cooper's "PsychoSocial", Angela Best's "Room 21F" and an evening with Shakespeare's Lady Macbeth in "She Sleeps No More". Each show is $5.

The featured event of Theater-Con is the 3-day Norfolk Comedy Festival co-presented with renowned sketch and improv comedy group The Pushers. The Pushers have appeared at both The Charleston Comedy Festival and The North Carolina Comedy Arts Festival. In New York, they have performed at The People's Improv Theater, The Upright Citizen's Brigade and at The Kraine Theater in New York's East Village. In its second year, the Norfolk Comedy Festival returns with headliner Kevin Allison from MTV's "The State" who will present his storytelling comedy show "Risk!" The Norfolk Comedy Festival features a local sketch and improv showcase, standup comedy, and the participation of comedic groups Cats Hugging Cats, Plan B, Absolute Uncertainty, The Richmond Comedy Coalition and Bone Cracker.

To see the complete schedule of conference events details, and to register for classes and workshops, visit www.hrtheatreleague.org. Join the online conversation at facebook.com/TheaterCon

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