ACT Launches Central Heating Lab Initiative

A Contemporary Theatre launches its innovative Central Heating Lab (CHL) initiative during the 2008 season. CHL is devoted to nurturing and supporting new works, new talent, and local artists spanning not only theatre, but also cabaret, music, dance, spoken word, film, and performance and visual art. Uniquely positioned to provide the space and resources to the development of new projects in a collaborative environment, ACT will partner with emerging and seasoned local artists, and give them the heat, sustenance and pressure required to experiment, grow and transform their work and reach new audiences.

Beginning with the 2008 season, ACT will dedicate significant artistic resources and space to the CHL.  CHL projects are categorized as:

New Works Development

Commissions, workshops, readings, theatrical experiments, performance art, and one-time theatrical events that are both fully rehearsed and bare-bones produced. Projects include: the new commissioning program, New Works for the American Stage (where Becky's New Car by Steven Dietz originated); The ACT New Play Award program (where Mitzi's Abortion, The K of D and Language Rooms originated); and new works developed in partnership with the Icicle Creek Theatre Festival.

Long Term Projects

Developed by collaborative artist teams for ACT's mainstage season, as well as presenting national and international touring companies. These projects, developed over a number of years and possibly culminating into a mainstage production, take a variety of forms, such as literature adaptations, short film and theatre festivals, theatre derived from non-traditional sources and community histories. Projects include: The Pacific Hwy South/Highway 99 project, The Iliad, a dance residency project by Maureen Whiting, and ongoing collaborative partnerships with presenters RAWSTOCK and The Moisture Festival.

Companion Pieces

Produced in conjunction with each mainstage play, every nook and cranny of ACT's Kreielsheimer Place will be filled with companion pieces to those productions. Building off the success of last season's pilot project The Roethke Readings: A Cabaret of Meter and Madness, these eclectic companion pieces will vary greatly and will incorporate elements of cabaret, live music, film, dance, installations, conversation cafes, bazaars and poetry slams. Projects will tap into and expand upon themes of each mainstage play.

The following events are currently scheduled as part of the 2008 CHL season. Artists and dates are subject to change:

The Ilkholm Theatre Festival – A Companion Piece

Barakat: An intimate evening of live Middle-Eastern instrumentation played by local musical virtuosos such as Gina Saìa, MB Orchestra, House of Tarab and Balkanarama, and Sufi poetry performed by slam champions Roberto Escalon, Matt Gano, Tina LaPadula and Laura Piece Kelley.
Date: March 29 at 10:00 PM, or immediately following the mainstage production White White Black Stork
Location: Bullitt Cabaret
Ticket Price: $10

The Moisture Festival's Burlesque-in-the-Round:  This delicious festival comes to ACT to showcase tantalizing burlesque artists alongside national and international comedy/varietè stars, breathtaking aerial performers and a dynamite show band. Festival will include appearances by Chica Boom, Sally Pepper and Inga Ingenue among others.
Date: April 3, 4, 5 & 6 at 10:00 PM
Location: Allen Theatre
Ticket Price: $22

The Ilkholm Theatre Festival – A Companion Piece
Barakat: An intimate evening of live Middle-Eastern instrumentation played by local musical Virtuosos such as Gina Saìa, MB Orchestra, House of Tarab and Balkanarama, and Sufi poetry performed by slam champions Roberto Escalon, Matt Gano, Tina LaPadula and Laura Piece Kelley.
Date: April 4 & 12 at 10:00 PM, or immediately following the mainstage productions of White White Black Stork and Ecstasy With The Pomegranate
Location: Bullitt Cabaret
Ticket Price: $10

The Comedy Cornucopia I
RAWSTOCK: A showcase for raw, irreverent local filmmakers. The Spring Festival, featuring 'Show & Tell' with Kevin Hyder, is all about comedy and includes a riotous lineup of 10 envelope-pushing comedic shorts.
Date: May 4 at 8:00 PM (21+ event)
Doors Open: 7:30, Drinks Available
Location: Bullitt Cabaret
Ticket Price: $10     ** Tickets on Sale April 7th

Fathers and Sons – A Companion Piece
Black and Tan – A Juke Joint: This Poetry Slam will include readings of both new and published works of poetry about relationships among family members. Curated by Laura Piece Kelley.
Date: May 3, 10, 16, 24 at 10:00 PM, or immediately following the mainstage production Fathers and Sons
Location: Bullitt Cabaret
Ticket Price: $10     ** Tickets on Sale April 7th

The Comedy Cornucopia II
Miss Mamie vs. Golden Robot Army: A night of musical madness, featuring the bands Golden Robot Army and Miss Mamie Lavona the Exotic Mulatta and her White Boy Band.
Date: May 11 at 8:00 PM (21+ event)
Doors Open: 7:30, Drinks Available
Location: Bullitt Cabaret
Ticket Price: $10     ** Tickets on Sale April 7th

The Comedy Cornucopia III
Dart Mondo: Standup and improv comedy collide in one sidesplitting evening of fun.
Date: May 18 at 8:00 PM (21+ event)
Doors Open: 7:30, Drinks Available
Location: Bullitt Cabaret
Ticket Price: $10     ** Tickets on Sale April 7th

The Comedy Cornucopia IV
Black Daisy: A Seattle-based comedy duo thing and night of crazy featuring local comedian, Andy Peters.
Date: May 25 at 8:00 PM (21+ event)
Doors Open: 7:30, Drinks Available
Location: Bullitt Cabaret
Ticket Price: $10     ** Tickets on Sale April 7th

A Marvelous Party – A Companion Piece
The Closeted American Songbook: This exploration, presented in a Cabaret setting, will touch on the closeted lives of many of this country's most respected composers. It is curated by Wade Madsen.
Date: June 20, 21, 27, 28; July 4, 5, 11, 12 at 10:00 PM, or immediately following the mainstage production, A Marvelous Party
Location: Bullitt Cabaret
Ticket Price: TBD     ** Tickets on Sale in May

Eurydice – A Companion Piece
Seattle Dance Project: Julie Tobiason and Timothy Lynch are returning to ACT after their sold out show, Project One. This production will use modern dance to examine Eurydice and other Greek myths.
Date: Sept. 13, 19, 20, 26, 27; Oct. 3 & 4 at 10:00 PM, or immediately following the mainstage production, Eurydice
Location: Bullitt Cabaret
Ticket Price: TBD      ** Tickets on Sale in August

Becky's New Car – A Companion Piece
"Awesome" - The Cycle: Local theatrical band "Awesome" presents their latest performance. Just like Becky, "Awesome" - The Cycle lets loose and celebrates life.
Date: Oct. 24, 25, 31; Nov. 1, 7, 8, 14, 15 at 10:00 PM, or immediately following the mainstage production, Becky's New Car
Location: Bullitt Cabaret
Ticket Price: $15    ** Tickets on Sale in September

About ACT

For the past 43 seasons, ACT's mission has been to present a broad spectrum of the very best of contemporary theatre that speaks to audiences of all backgrounds. A significant part of ACT's mandate is to commission new works and to foster the development of those works in a supportive and inspiring workplace. Through The Central Heating Lab, ACT seeks to heat things up and create a conversation with its season that reaches for a deeper impact.

ACT gratefully acknowledges the following for their generous support of the 2008 season: 4Culture; ArtsFund; The Boeing Company; Kreielsheimer Remainder Trust; The Mayor's Office of Arts & Cultural Affairs; Microsoft Corporation; Nesholm Family Foundation; The Paul G. Allen Family Foundation; PONCHO; The Shubert Foundation; The Seattle Foundation; Washington State Arts Commission. 

Need more Seattle Theatre News in your life? Sign up for all the news on the Spring season, discounts & more...