Jessi D. Hill News

For the seventh consecutive season, terraNOVA Collective presents its annual celebration of solo performers with the soloNOVA Arts Festival. The soloNOVA Arts Festival is the longest running festival for solo performers in New York City which celebrates innovative individuals who push the boundaries of what it means to be an artist, aims to redefine the solo form and uniquely invigorates the audience through the time-honored tradition of storytelling. soloNOVA has previously been home to such diverse artists as Taylor Mac (The Be[a]st of Taylor Mac), Kim Wayans (A Handsome Woman Retreats), Roger Bonair-Agard (Masquerade: calypso and home), Madi Disefano (Popsicle's Departure 1989), Julia May Jonas (Take Heart), Kate McGovern (Dreaming of Kitchens) Jeff Grow (Creating Illusion), Red Bastard (Red Bastard is a Star), and Mike Daisey (2009 soloNOVA Artist of the Year). This year, eight performers will round out the mainstage offerings with comedy, dance theatre, storytelling, music, multi-character thrillers, musical comedies, and bilingual cabaret.

For the seventh consecutive season, terraNOVA Collective presents its annual celebration of solo performers with the soloNOVA Arts Festival. The soloNOVA Arts Festival is the longest running festival for solo performers in New York City which celebrates innovative individuals who push the boundaries of what it means to be an artist, aims to redefine the solo form and uniquely invigorates the audience through the time-honored tradition of storytelling. soloNOVA has previously been home to such diverse artists as Taylor Mac (The Be[a]st of Taylor Mac), Kim Wayans (A Handsome Woman Retreats), Roger Bonair-Agard (Masquerade: calypso and home), Madi Disefano (Popsicle's Departure 1989), Julia May Jonas (Take Heart), Kate McGovern (Dreaming of Kitchens) Jeff Grow (Creating Illusion), Red Bastard (Red Bastard is a Star), and Mike Daisey (2009 soloNOVA Artist of the Year). This year, eight performers will round out the mainstage offerings with comedy, dance theatre, storytelling, music, multi-character thrillers, musical comedies, and bilingual cabaret.

For the seventh consecutive season, terraNOVA Collective presents its annual celebration of solo performers with the soloNOVA Arts Festival. The soloNOVA Arts Festival is the longest running festival for solo performers in New York City which celebrates innovative individuals who push the boundaries of what it means to be an artist, aims to redefine the solo form and uniquely invigorates the audience through the time-honored tradition of storytelling. soloNOVA has previously been home to such diverse artists as Taylor Mac (The Be[a]st of Taylor Mac), Kim Wayans (A Handsome Woman Retreats), Roger Bonair-Agard (Masquerade: calypso and home), Madi Disefano (Popsicle's Departure 1989), Julia May Jonas (Take Heart), Kate McGovern (Dreaming of Kitchens) Jeff Grow (Creating Illusion), Red Bastard (Red Bastard is a Star), and Mike Daisey (2009 soloNOVA Artist of the Year). This year, eight performers will round out the mainstage offerings with comedy, dance theatre, storytelling, music, multi-character thrillers, musical comedies, and bilingual cabaret.

RED FERN THEATRE COMPANY, Artistic Director, Melanie Moyer Williams, and curator, Dominic D'Andrea will end its run of +30NYC on March 21st.

terraNOVA Collective will present three new plays from its 2009 Groundbreakers Playwrights Program February 22nd and March 1st & 8th at Performance Space 122 (150 First Avenue at 9th Street). All readings begin at 7pm. Admission is open to the public with a $5 suggested donation.

The Red Fern Theatre Company presents seven new plays imagining the New York of 30 years from now with angst and wit.

RED FERN THEATRE COMPANY, Artistic Director, Melanie Moyer Williams, and curator, Dominic D'Andrea are pleased to announce the world premiere production of +30NYC in a three-week limited engagement at Center Stage NY (48 West 21st Street, 4th Floor).

FRIGID New York presents the New York premiere of It or Her written by Alena Smith. Directed by Jessi D. Hill and featuring Brian McManamon, the show can be described as somewhere between Pee-Wee's Big Adventure and The Tell-Tale Heart. The provocative dark comedy explores the basement of a suburban home where Andrew has devoted himself unconditionally to his incredible collection of figurines. Suffering the loss of The Red One, he seeks to uncover The Ultimate Arrangement before his hideout is invaded, and his dark secret is revealed.

terraNOVA Collective will present three new plays from its 2009 Groundbreakers Playwrights Program February 22nd and March 1st & 8th at Performance Space 122 (150 First Avenue at 9th Street). All readings begin at 7pm. Admission is open to the public with a $5 suggested donation.

RED FERN THEATRE COMPANY, Artistic Director, Melanie Moyer Williams, and curator, Dominic D'Andrea are pleased to announce the world premiere production of +30NYC in a three-week limited engagement at Center Stage NY (48 West 21st Street, 4th Floor).

terraNOVA Collective will present three new plays from its 2009 Groundbreakers Playwrights Program February 22nd and March 1st & 8th at Performance Space 122 (150 First Avenue at 9th Street). All readings begin at 7pm. Admission is open to the public with a $5 suggested donation.

FRIGID New York presents the New York premiere of It or Her written by Alena Smith. Directed by Jessi D. Hill and featuring Brian McManamon, the show can be described as somewhere between Pee-Wee's Big Adventure and The Tell-Tale Heart. The provocative dark comedy explores the basement of a suburban home where Andrew has devoted himself unconditionally to his incredible collection of figurines. Suffering the loss of The Red One, he seeks to uncover The Ultimate Arrangement before his hideout is invaded, and his dark secret is revealed.

I support the promotion of local playwrights, especially women. However, 'Lucinda's Bed' plays into every stereotyped moment of a woman's life: self-consciousness, violence, guilt, fear. Don't get me wrong. A stereotype is a stereotype because there is some kernel of truth to it. Who hasn't had to reread Camille Paglia on occasion? However, McCullough seems to allow her heroine's life to be defined by one moment and by doing that, the play became as predictable as Lifetime Television. I accept McCullough's choice to have her lead dissolve into an anti-hero. Some of the greatest female roles in theatre history are anti-heroes, but Lucinda becomes an anti-hero by giving up. And when she does give up, I stopped caring.

I support the promotion of local playwrights, especially women. However, 'Lucinda's Bed' plays into every stereotyped moment of a woman's life: self-consciousness, violence, guilt, fear. Don't get me wrong. A stereotype is a stereotype because there is some kernel of truth to it. Who hasn't had to reread Camille Paglia on occasion? However, McCullough seems to allow her heroine's life to be defined by one moment and by doing that, the play became as predictable as Lifetime Television. I accept McCullough's choice to have her lead dissolve into an anti-hero. Some of the greatest female roles in theatre history are anti-heroes, but Lucinda becomes an anti-hero by giving up. And when she does give up, I stopped caring.

terraNOVA Collective is thrilled to announce the new members of its Groundbreakers Playwrights Group. Groundbreakers is a six month long program in which playwrights work on a specific project with the intent to create a completed draft.

soloNOVA Arts Festival May 6-30 @ DR2 Theatre & D-Lounge, 103 East 15 Street, East of Union Square Tickets, $20 general admission, $15 students/seniors, and Festival Passes ($100 for all shows) may be purchased online at www.terranovacollective.org or at the DR2 Box Office.

Following the success of their acclaimed production of Ragtime this winter, Astoria Performing Arts Center is pleased to announce the production of Lillian Hellman?s THE CHILDREN?S HOUR, directed by Jessi D. Hill, 75 years after its premiere on Broadway.. THE CHILDREN?S HOUR will play a 3-week limited engagement at the Good Shepherd United Methodist Church (30-44 Crescent St, Astoria, NY 11102. Entrance on 30th Road.)

The Astoria Performing Arts Center (APAC) is pleased to announce the appointment of Tom Wojtunik as Artistic Director. Wojtunik, who last year directed Proof for APAC, brings a wealth of talent and experience plus an influx of humor, passion for storytelling, generosity and inspiration to the new season line-up.

DCT GREEN ROOM 2008 presents Cassandra Medley's DAUGHTER, Kristine M. Reyes's QUARTER CENTURY BABY, and Lydia Stryk's THE LAST STANDING PROTESTER. Featuring Drama Desk Nominee Amy Warren (The Adding Machine) at the Ensemble Studio Theatre.

Andrew Bergh's KISSES Starring Tony Award Winner Marian Seldes, directed by Steven Ditmyer and Maxine Kern's EMILY'S WILL Will Cumpsty (Copenhagen, Sunday in the Park), directed by Obie Award Winner Ching Valdes Aran will both play at the Ensemble Studio Theatre, 549 West 52nd Street, 2nd Floor