Byrd to Choreograph Intiman's BLACK NATIVITY, 12/10-19

Intiman Theatre announces that acclaimed choreographer Donald Byrd will join the artistic team of its popular gospel musical Black Nativity as it starts a new holiday tradition being co-presented with Seattle Theatre Group at The Moore Theatre. Performances will run December 10-26, with a preview performance on December 9.
 
To celebrate Seattle's favorite "holiday party," Intiman and Seattle Theatre Group are offering a special 15% discount on tickets for performances from December 10-19. The "pre-sale" tickets will be available from August 18 through August 31 as an online-only promotion. Ticket will range from $30-$40 and can be purchased using the password BNEARLY at http://STGpresents.org/artists/?artist=1326. 
 
Donald Byrd is the Artistic Director of Seattle's Spectrum Dance Theater, which has been widely lauded for performing bold and innovative new works under his leadership. He has also choreographed for major modern dance and classical repertory companies, as well as numerous stage productions for leading American theatres and on Broadway. He received a Tony nomination for The Color Purple, and to many he is probably best known for The Harlem Nutcracker, a reworking of the Christmas classic that toured nationally for five years. In 2011, he will choreograph the classic Rodgers & Hammerstein musical Oklahoma! for the 5th Avenue Theatre. At Intiman, Byrd previously worked with Moscou and Pastor Wright on Crowns and consulted on this season's world premiere of The Thin Place.

"I am thrilled and honored to be teamed again with Jackie and Pat," says Byrd. "My experience working with them on Crowns was a joy and I have longed for us to be able to work together again. Black Nativity is a classic and a Seattle tradition, and I am privileged to be a part of it."This month, Intiman's casting department and the artistic team will hold open auditions for African American actors (middle aged or older) who wish to audition for the role of a Narrator; singers (sopranos and male voices); and dancers. Prospective choir members should be able to sing traditional gospel music; dancers should be accomplished in contemporary dance.

Auditions for the role of the Narrator and vocal auditions will be held on August 25 and 26 from 6 pm-10 pm at the Center House Theatre on the ground floor of the Seattle Center House.  Actors will be asked to read from the text by Langston Hughes, and singers should prepare one gospel song to sing a cappella. Dance auditions will be held on August 31 from 6 pm-10 pm at the Intiman Theatre Rehearsal Studio located at 201 Mercer Street. Dancers will audition in a group call and should dress appropriately.
 
Auditions must be booked in advance. To reserve a spot or for additional information, interested singers and dancers should call 206.269.1901 ext. 129 or email devinb@intiman.org and provide the following information: name, phone number, and whether you are auditioning as an actor, singer (please indicate preferable date) or dancer. Auditions slots will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis and will be confirmed. 
 
Although Black Nativity will be performed this year-its 13th season-in its new home, which allows for greater audience capacity, Intiman will continue its commitment to family-friendly pricing to ensure that the production will remain accessible to audiences that have made it a holiday tradition.
 
Beginning September 1, patrons can purchase single ranging in price from $35-$55, with discounts available for the preview performance, patrons under age 18, and groups. Single tickets will be available from http://www.STGpresents.org. 
 
Seasonal support for Intiman Theatre is provided by ArtsFund; Intiman Theatre Foundation; Kreielsheimer Remainder Foundation; The Leading National Theatres Program, a joint initiative of the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation and the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation; The Shubert Foundation; and Washington State Arts Commission.