Primary Stages ESPA To Launch New Student Performance Series DETENTION

Primary Stages Einhorn School of Performing Arts (ESPA) will launch a new monthly performance series: DETENTION, that allows students to collaborate and showcase their craft as actors, writers and directors in front of a supportive audience. The new monthly event kicks off Friday, February 4 at the Seventh Street Small Stage at Jimmy's No. 43 (43 East 7th Street) in the East Village (6 to Astor Place, R/W to 8TH Street, F Train to 2nd Ave). Performance times are 7:00 p.m. & 10:00 p.m. Admission is free. For reservations, please RSVP to litassist@primarystages.org

Each month a professional theater artist on the ESPA faculty will advise the students through specific dramatic structures, themes and communally-created restrictions, challenging participants to produce and perform completely innovative works in a collaborative environment. In cooperation with Jimmy's No. 43 in the East Village, DETENTION aims to amplify the creative stakes while preserving ESPA's constructive arts education.

The launch of DETENTION will feature work by current ESPA writing students Larkin Clark, Siobhan Gilbert, Laurel Haines, Judith Leora and Jona Tarlin, and directed by students Matt Dickson, Rose Ginsberg, Carly Hoogendyk, Alex Mallory and Jenn Womack. All plays will be cast with ESPA acting students.

Faculty member Lisa Rothe will serve as the first advisor on February 4. Upcoming advisors and dates will feature Michelle Bossy on March 4, Carl Forsman on April 1, Daniel Talbott on May 6, Jackson Gay on June 3 and Hal Brooks on July 1.

The inaugural presentation features the following ten-minute plays selected by guest advisor Lisa Rothe and ESPA Director Tessa LaNeve:

Sherry, Maybe
By Larkin Clark
Directed by Alex Mallory

The last thing that explosively pregnant and extremely cranky Ellen needs is the crass advances of a quirky barfly.

The Interview
By Siobhan Gilbert
Directed by Rose Ginsberg

A routine job interview takes a peculiar and enthusiastic turn for the musical, leaving the applicant scrambling to hide his tambourine.

Body Farm
By Laurel Haines
Directed by Carly Hoogendyk

Aided by the mischievous acts of her co-worker, Xanadu searches for hope among rotting corpses and fugitive hyenas.

Lizard Brain
By Judith Leora
Directed by Jenn Womack

The lives of three hopeful strangers are forever altered by a seemingly innocuous red beret.

I Can Has Play
By Jona Tarlin
Directed by Matt Dickson

Sex will get you everywhere and fame is only a blog entry away... or so 13-year old Amanda thought.

For additional information, please visit the website at www.primarystages.org, or by calling Kate Canary/Tessa LaNeve at (212) 840-9705.

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