Vali Forrister News

Kim Bretton, easily one of the best actors to be found anywhere, makes an auspicious Nashville debut as a director-that places her firmly among the upper echelons of that particular field of endeavor-with her thoughtful and intriguing mounting of Donald Margulies' Time Stands Still for Actors Bridge Ensemble.

Kim Bretton directs the Nashville premiere of Donald Margulies' Time Stands Still, presented by Actors Bridge Ensemble at Belmont University's Black Box Theatre, tonight May 11 through May 20.

Gina D'Arco interviews Nashville actor Bryan Schlanger about the process of bringing Donald Margulies' Time Stands Still to the stage under the direction of Kim Bretton.

Kim Bretton directs the Nashville premiere of Donald Margulies' Time Stands Still, presented by Actors Bridge Ensemble at Belmont University's Black Box Theatre, May 11-20. Her cast includes Actors Bridge cofounders Vali Forrister and Bill Feehely, together onstage again for the first time in several years. They are joined in the four-character piece by Jillian Gottlieb and Bryan Schlanger.

Vali Forrister, producing artistic director of Actors Bridge Ensemble, talks about Act Like a GRRRL. Act Like a GRRRL, Inc., is an autobiographical writing and performance program for teenage girls. Based in Nashville, the program offers space and support for young women to gain a public voice, work with professional female mentors in a variety of creative fields, and foster friendships with peers from diverse backgrounds.

Vali Forrister retuns to the stage for the first time since her 2006 triumph in How I Learned to Drive to lead the cast of Actors Bridge Ensemble and the Belmont University Department of Theatre and Dance's production of Frederico Garcia Lorca's The House of Bernarda Alba. Jessika Malone, artistic associate at ABE, directs the cast of Emily Mann's adaptation of Lorca's work which has been described as 'a cross between Downton Abbey and The Bachelor with an added splash of Mommie Dearest.'

Tyrannical and imperious, Bernarda Alba rules her five daughters with an iron-fisted vehemence in Actors Bridge Ensemble and Belmont University Theatre's presentation of Federico Garcia Lorca's The House of Bernarda Alba, which marks the return to the stage of Vali Forrister, Actors Bridge producing artistic director, after a far too long six-year absence.

Vali Forrister retuns to the stage for the first time since her 2006 triumph in How I Learned to Drive to lead the cast of Actors Bridge Ensemble and the Belmont University Department of Theatre and Dance's production of Frederico Garcia Lorca's The House of Bernarda Alba. Jessika Malone, artistic associate at ABE, directs the cast of Emily Mann's adaptation of Lorca's work which has been described as 'a cross between Downton Abbey and The Bachelor with an added splash of Mommie Dearest.'

Jessika Malone, artistic associate at ABE, directs the cast of Emily Mann's adaptation of Lorca's work which has been described as 'a cross between Downton Abbey and The Bachelor with an added splash of Mommie Dearest.' Opening, Friday, February 17, and running through February 26, The House of Bernarda Alba plays Belmont University's Troutt Theatre at 2100 Belmont Boulevard. General admission tickets are $18, with tickets for seniors at $12.

Vali Forrister retuns to the stage for the first time since her 2006 triumph in How I Learned to Drive to lead the cast of Actors Bridge Ensemble and the Belmont University Department of Theatre and Dance's production of Frederico Garcia Lorca's The House of Bernarda Alba. Jessika Malone, artistic associate at ABE, directs the cast of Emily Mann's adaptation of Lorca's work which has been described as 'a cross between Downton Abbey and The Bachelor with an added splash of Mommie Dearest.'

Playwright Nate Eppler, Mas Nashville's FIVE, the Boiler Room Theatre, Lipscomb University's Hairspray, ACT 1's American Buffalo and the national touring company of Memphis, the Musical were the top winners at Sunday night's Midwinter's First Night at Nashville's Keeton Theatre, which also featured the presentation of the BroadwayWorld.com Nashville and Tennessee theatre awards.

Sideshow Ensemble is comprised of 12 self-proclaimed theatre 'freaks' that form a proverbial melting pot of emerging Nashville artists. Sideshow, a ten-month training immersion and theatrical cross training program, strengthens the core disciplines and bolster additional skills by providing opportunities for the 'freaks' to train and exhibit skills outside of their current artistic disciplines. The Flu Season will be their first foray into full-scale production together.

Sideshow Ensemble is comprised of 12 self-proclaimed theatre 'freaks' that form a proverbial melting pot of emerging Nashville artists. Sideshow, a ten-month training immersion and theatrical cross training program, strengthens the core disciplines and bolster additional skills by providing opportunities for the 'freaks' to train and exhibit skills outside of their current artistic disciplines. The Flu Season will be their first foray into full-scale production together.

Sideshow Fringe is a Nashville-based four-day performing arts extravaganza connecting innovative artists with adventurous audiences and showcasing Nashville's diverse talent. The festival will be housed in the Belmont Black Box Theatre, Bongo Java After Hours Theatre, Belmont University's Troutt Theatre, and on an outdoor stage on Compton Avenue sponsored by the Belmont-Hillsboro Neighborhood Association.

Sideshow Fringe is a Nashville-based four-day performing arts extravaganza connecting innovative artists with adventurous audiences and showcasing Nashville's diverse talent. The festival will be housed in the Belmont Black Box Theatre, Bongo Java After Hours Theatre, Belmont University's Troutt Theatre, and on an outdoor stage on Compton Avenue sponsored by the Belmont-Hillsboro Neighborhood Association.

When the last performers had sung the final song and the late honoree had been feted, the crowds at Belmont University's Troutt Theatre for the presentation of First Night, the Nashville Theatre Honors' 2011 Gala Concert, headed downtown to Cummins Station for the After-Party at The Listening Room Cafe.

One of the new events added to the line-up for 2011 First Night, The Theatre Honors was The Women In Theatre Luncheon - which saluted the inaugural eight recipients of The First Night Star Award - held Tuesday, August 30, at The Listening Room Cafe in Cummins Station. Co-chaired by Corrie Miller and Neely O'Brien Green, the event was produced by Jeffrey Ellis, founder and executive producer of First Night.

Six of the leading lights of the theater world in Tennessee will be recognized as members of the 2011 Class of First Night Honorees August 27-September 4 as First Night, the Nashville Theatre Honors hosts a series of theatrical events to celebrate their achievements and accomplishments.

First Night: The Honors Gala is set for Sunday, September 4, at the Troutt Theatre at Belmont University, which kicks off at 5:30 p.m. with the Red Carpet Event, hosted by Jennifer Richmond and Trey Palmer, with fashion commentary by Cary Street, Joshua Waldrep and Lisa Garner Harrison. Impresario Johnny Delarocco (aka John Pyka) will produce a special Red Carpet performance by his company just for First Night.

Six of the leading lights of the theater world in Tennessee will be recognized as members of the 2011 Class of First Night Honorees August 27-September 4 as First Night, the Nashville Theatre Honors hosts a series of theatrical events to celebrate their achievements and accomplishments.