Mark Jackson News

Berkeley's acclaimed Aurora Theatre Company, now in its 17th season, celebrated both the company's start of construction on its expansion and the commencement of the public phase of its $2.1 million capital campaign with a wall-breaking ceremony held on January 12, 2009. Over 100 VIPS and local luminaries attended the event, including Berkeley Mayor Tom Bates, Berkeley City Manager Phil Kamlarz, and City Councilmembers Jesse Arreguin, Laurie Capitelli and Kriss Worthington. After enjoying cocktails and a sumptuous buffet of Ahi tuna tartar, Saumon Poch?e, and Quenelle Souffl?, courtesy of Bistro Liaison, guests watched lead donor Deborah Ruth, hammer in hand, break through the ceremonial brick wall constructed especially for the event; the expanded space will be named The Nell and Jules Dashow Wing in honor of Deborah Ruth's parents. The new expansion is the final project of the late acclaimed theater architect Gene Angell (with his partner Brian Rawlinson). Construction by general contractor Oliver & Company, Inc., with construction management by Edward Van of E.J. Van Company, Inc., began January 13. After opening remarks from Aurora Theatre Company Board President and co- capital campaign committee chair Robert B. Hetler, guests listened to heart-warming speeches about the history and future of the Aurora from Artistic Director Tom Ross and founding Artistic Director Barbara Oliver, as well as an enthusiastic proclamation from Mayor Bates officially declaring January 12th 'Aurora Theatre Company Day.' Aurora Theatre Company Technical Director/Production Coordinator Chris Killion led guests on a tour of the new space, where co-campaign committee chair Carolyn Weinberger gave a rousing champagne toast. On hand to lend their support were Rawlinson along with Gene Angell's widow, Pat Angell. Also attending were campaign committee members John Caner, Alison Teeman, and Muffy Thorne, as well as Board Vice President and President-elect Ellen Levine and Board members Joel Altman, Fred Feller, Jim Fowler, Tony Hawthorne, Wendy Markel, Carol Neil, Hillary Reinis, Leigh Robinson, Cindy Snow, and Diane Verducci.

Berkeley's acclaimed Aurora Theatre Company announces the appointment of Deborah Banks as its new Development Director. Banks comes to the Aurora with more than 20 years of development experience in the Bay Area, working with the Alameda County Art Commission and such nonprofit organizations as San Francisco Opera, San Francisco Conservatory of Music, Habitot Children's Museum, and Building with Books. Banks has served as Aurora Theatre Company's Interim Development Director since July and will officially step into her role as Development Director effective January 1, 2009.

Berkeley's acclaimed Aurora Theatre Company concludes its American trilogy with the West Coast Premiere of BETRAYED, winner of the 2008 Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Play. Filled with dignity, humor, and defiance, this provocative theatrical adaptation of journalist George Packer's eye-opening 2007 essay in The New Yorker follows three Iraqi translators who risk their lives to aid the American war effort.

Berkeley's acclaimed Aurora Theatre Company concludes its American trilogy with the West Coast Premiere of BETRAYED, winner of the 2008 Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Play. Filled with dignity, humor, and defiance, this provocative theatrical adaptation of journalist George Packer's eye-opening 2007 essay in The New Yorker follows three Iraqi translators who risk their lives to aid the American war effort. BETRAYED plays at the Aurora Theatre in Berkeley January 23 through March 1. Robin Stanton (Permanent Collection, The Busy World is Hushed) helms this astonishing play, featuring Bobak Cyrus Bakhtiari, Keith Burkland, Denmo Ibrahim, Alex Moggridge, Amir Sharafeh, Khalid Shayota, and James Wagner. For tickets and information ($28-50) the public can call (510) 843-4822 or visit auroratheatre.org.

Currently celebrating its 17th season, Berkeley's acclaimed Aurora Theatre Company announced today the company's plan to expand its Addison Street space. More than halfway through a $2.1 million capital campaign, Aurora will officially break through the wall connecting its current space to an adjacent space during a ceremony to be held on January 12, 2009. Once completed, the expansion space will add 2,600 square feet to the 7,200 square feet the company currently occupies, and will house a new rehearsal space for main stage productions, readings, and workshops of new productions, as well as artistic offices; the expansion will also increase space for in-house set-building. The projected completion date of the expansion project is summer 2009.

Berkeley's acclaimed Aurora Theatre Company announces the four plays chosen as winners for the Global Age Project (GAP), the company's new works initiative that promotes the creation of forward-looking theatre: The First Grade by Joel Drake Johnson; Birnham Woods by Wendy MacLeod; Right? by Dan Hoyle; and and when we awoke there was light and light by Laura Jacqmin. The selected plays will be presented as staged readings in a four-week festival at the Aurora Theatre, Mondays, February 2-23, 7:30pm, coinciding with the company's fully-staged West Coast Premiere of George Packer's provocative Lucille Lortel-winning play Betrayed (January 23-March 1).

Berkeley's acclaimed Aurora Theatre Company announces the appointment of Deborah Banks as its new Development Director. Banks comes to the Aurora with more than 20 years of development experience in the Bay Area, working with the Alameda County Art Commission and such nonprofit organizations as San Francisco Opera, San Francisco Conservatory of Music, Habitot Children's Museum, and Building with Books. Banks has served as Aurora Theatre Company's Interim Development Director since July and will officially step into her role as Development Director effective January 1, 2009.

SFB-SHOTGUN PLAYERS PRESENTS 'MACBETH' at the Ashby Stage

Audiences and critics agree: THE DEVIL?S DISCIPLE is one helluva show. Berkeley?s acclaimed Aurora Theatre Company announces extension performances of its production of George Bernard Shaw?s THE DEVIL?S DISCIPLE, directed by Aurora Theatre Company founding Artistic Director Barbara Oliver.

SFB-SHOTGUN PLAYERS PRESENTS 'MACBETH' at the Ashby Stage

Aurora Theatre Company continues its American trilogy with THE DEVIL'S DISCIPLE from the master of English wit George Bernard Shaw.

Aurora Theatre Company continues its American trilogy with THE DEVIL'S DISCIPLE from the master of English wit George Bernard Shaw.

Berkeley's acclaimed Aurora Theatre Company announces extension performances of its critically acclaimed production of Gore Vidal's 'The Best Man'. Aurora Theatre Company Artistic Director Tom Ross helms this seminal political nail-biter starring Tim Kniffin, Charles Shaw Robinson, and Charles Dean, and featuring Elizabeth Benedict, Michael Cassidy, Jackson Davis, Deb Fink, Michael Patrick Gaffney, and Emilie Talbot. 'The Best Man' plays now through September 28, with added performances on September 9, 16, and 23 at the Aurora Theatre in Berkeley.

Just in time for the fall election, Berkeley's acclaimed Aurora Theatre Company opens its 17th season with Gore Vidal's fascinating political nail-biter THE BEST MAN.

Just in time for the fall election, Berkeley's acclaimed Aurora Theatre Company opens its 17th season with Gore Vidal's fascinating political nail-biter THE BEST MAN.

Just in time for the fall election, Berkeley's acclaimed Aurora Theatre Company opens its 17th season with Gore Vidal's fascinating political nail-biter THE BEST MAN.

Just in time for the fall election, Berkeley's acclaimed Aurora Theatre Company opens its 17th season with Gore Vidal's fascinating political nail-biter THE BEST MAN.

Closing Aurora Theatre Company's 16th season is the Professional West Coast Premiere of Keith Bunin's new play 'The Busy World is Hushed' beginning June 13th.

Berkeley's acclaimed Aurora Theatre Company proudly announces the lineup for its 17th season. The regular season will be staged August 2008 through May 2009 at the intimate Aurora Theatre in the downtown Berkeley arts district. For tickets (previews $28, regular performances $40-42, limited opening night seating $50) or subscriptions ($130-210), the public can call (510) 843-4822 or visit www.auroratheatre.org.

San Francisco State University Theatre Arts presents Don Juan as its main stage production, adapted and directed by Mark Jackson. Performances are March 6-16.