MBS Productions’ Dante: Inferno
Adapted for the stage by Alejandro de la Costa
Translated by Mark-Brian Sonna

“Why bother building a set when I’ve got good actors?” Mark Brian-Sonna has a unique creative vision that propels him into unusual stage ventures and inspires him to use his theatre casts in unexpected ways. His current production at Addison’s intimate Stone Cottage, Dante: Inferno, is a perfect illustration.

Based on the philosophically and theologically dense text of the first Canto of Dante Alighieri’s Divine Comedy as translated by Anthony Esolen, this excerpt of the narrative springs as much to life through the fantastical gyrations and vocal emanations of his six ensemble players as it does from the recitative presentations of his main characters portrayed by Frances Munoz as Vergil and Nicholas Berkley as Dante, himself. Easy to expect that so “heady” a text would end up static and wordy, probably why so few theatrical companies would take on this challenging project. Instead, MBS Productions’ staging is hugely animated, almost entirely visceral.
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SPIRIT OF UGANDA

A fundraiser benefiting Empower African Children and Dallas Children’s Theater
Produced by Empower African Children
Special Guest Emcee Brenda Teele of WFAA’s Good Morning Texas

In a riveting performance of music and dance, Dallas Children’s Theater (DCT) collaborates with Empower African Children (EAC) to present SPIRIT OF UGANDA as they conclude their 21-city, coast-to-coast United States tour, sponsored by Macy’s. SPIRIT OF UGANDA represents the liberating power of art and is comprised of 22 young ambassadors from East Africa who will invigorate and inspire an audience of all ages on Thursday, May 1, 2008 at 7:30 pm in DCT’s Rosewood Center for Family Arts.
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Audition Information

WaterTower Theatre is accepting headshots/resumes for the role of Mr. Marks in our upcoming production of Intimate Apparel. Rehearsals will begin May 5. The production runs from May 22 - June 15. Both Equity and Non-Equity actors will be considered. To be considered for the role, email your headshot and resume to info [at] watertowertheatre.org.

About the Show

Plain and unsophisticated, Esther sews exquisite lingerie for women of the boudoir and the brothel alike. When she begins a correspondence with a man from across the world, her hopes for finding companionship and love take an unexpected turn. The winner of five national awards for best play, Intimate Apparel weaves together a moving and evocative portrait of one African-American woman’s search for love at the beginning of the 20th Century.
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REACT Film Acting Workshop

with Film Acting Coaches
Michele Condrey and Nancy Chartier

April 19, 2008
9am-6pm

R.E.A.C.T. Studio is offering an “Introduction to The Meisner Method” one day workshop for only $50 so you can see if their ongoing classes are right for you!

Some topics covered:

“Don’t let the dialogue control you.”
“Learn to sight-read”
“Learn to emotionalize rather than intellectualize your preparation”

For info on R.E.A.C.T. visit http://www.reactactors.com or http://www.myspace.com/reactactors
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The Collin Theatre Center concludes their 2007-2008 season with Blithe Spirit, the smash comedy hit of the London and Broadway stages. The ingenious plot tells how novelist Charles Condomine invites into his placid country home an eccentric, breezy medium in order to learn the language of the occult. Little does Charles or his lovely second wife, Ruth, dream that the seance staged by the medium will summon back Charles’ first wife, now “passed over” for seven years. But the lady from beyond, still attractive, still mischievous, appears and torments Charles by reminding him of their days and nights together. Only Charles can see or hear her. and everyone else fears that Charles has gone mad. One of the most frequently produced comedies world-wide, Blithe Spirit is hilariously funny, brilliant, clever and about as cockeyed as a play can be! Directed by Robin Armstrong (Plano).
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Garland Civic Theatre has scheduled its final production of the 40th anniversary season, All Shook Up. Performances will be Thursday through Sunday, April 17 to May 11, 2008 at the Patty Granville Arts Center, 300 North Fifth Street, in downtown Garland. Tickets are $21 to $25 depending on performance date and time. There are discounts available for those over 60 and under 19. College students over the age of 18 can get a discount with their student identification. Special prices are also available for groups of 10 or more. Call the Arts Center box office at 972-205-2790 to secure tickets.

Into a square little town in a square little state rides a guitar- playing roustabout who changes everything and everyone he meets in this hip-swiveling, lip-curling musical fantasy that’ll have you jumpin’ out of your blue suede shoes with such classics as “Heartbreak Hotel”, “Jailhouse Rock,” and “Don’t Be Cruel.” The book is by Joe Dipietro, the author of “I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change” and “Over the River and Through the Woods”.
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Area Premiere

For Mature Audiences Only

Core Performance Manufactory presents Freakshow by Carson Kreitzer at the Bath House Cultural Center, 521 East Lawther, Dallas 75218, April 30 - May 17. For directions to the Bath House Cultural Center, see http://www.bathhousecultural.com/contactus.html.

The show runs every Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 8pm, with opening night on Wednesday, April 30. Tickets are $20, and may be purchased at coreperformancemanufactory.com or by calling 214-893-3009.

The creative team includes Elizabeth Ware, director; Kim Corbet, Sound; and actors Morgana Shaw, Lulu Ward, Kent Williams, Daniel States, Shane Hurst, Sachin Patel and Leslie Patrick.

Director Elizabeth Ware says “Freakshow examines otherness and the idea of being an outsider, something we all can relate to. Rejected by the “normal” world, these people have created their own family. Their home is not always safe. They love each other and betray each other. They can be monsterous. They are like any other family.”

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Psychology of Acting
Instructor: Mark-Brian Sonna
Saturdays, April 12 through May 17 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
$175.00 ($25.00 discount for returning Rover Dramawerks students!)

Ever have a hard type “wrapping your head” around a character? Fully understanding a character’s motivations? Have a hard time becoming and internalizing the character? This course will not only teach you how to analyze the character so as to be able to portray it vividly, but also explore your own personal psychological barriers that may be prevent you from being able to portray the role effectively. The class will include a low impact, body strengthening warm-up at the beginning of each session, and the six week course will end with a performance showcase.
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THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST
Plano Community Theatre
1301 Custer Road at 15th, Plano, TX 75075

Directed by Brad McEntire

AUDITIONS are Saturday, April 5 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Bring a resume and headshot. Cold readings will be available. Call backs April 7 from 7-9PM. No appointment needed.

Rehearsals begin Mid-April. Casting adults, ages 18 and above for all roles. Actors will earn a stipend. The six performances will be the weekends of June 13-22.

For information call: 972-422-2575

CASTING FOR:

John (”Jack”) Worthing: In love with Gwendolen. English Bachelor. mid-20’s to 30’s.

Algernon (”Algy”) Moncrieff: English Bachelor. Nephew of Lady Bracknell. mid-20’s to 30’s

Lady (Augusta) Bracknell. 40’s-plus

Gwendolen Fairfax: daughter of Lady Bracknell. Early to mid-20’s

Cecily Cardew: Ward of Jack Worthing. Early to mid-20’s

(The roles of Miss Prism and Rev. Chasuble have been cast)
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McKinney Repertory Theatre
111 North Tennessee Street, Suite 305A
McKinney, TX 75069
www.mckinneyrep.org

Audition Announcement

MOVE OVER, MRS. MARKHAM, a British comedy by Ray Cooney and John Chapman
Directed by Pamela Harden

Auditions will be Friday May 2nd, 6:00-8:00 pm, and Saturday May 3rd, 1:00-4:00 pm, 2008 at the McKinney Performing Arts Center, 111 N Tennessee St, McKinney, TX. Call-backs to be held Monday, May 5th at 7:00 pm. Email info [at] mckinneyrep.org to schedule an audition appointment.

Readings will be from the script. Please bring picture and resume. Cast consists of 4 men and 5 women, age ranges 20’s and up. This is a broad comedy.
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