Tempo

For an out-of-this world experience, connect beyond the bounds of earth with the Trenton-based Open Book Theatre Company’s virtual one-to-one presentation of playwright Joe Zarrow’s “Love Space.” The 10-minute original work, commissioned for OBTC, takes place in outer space, where Captain Talosi, played by Jeremy Kucharek, is under attack by aliens, and reaches out to an earthly contact to make a vital human connection. Artistic director Krista Schafer Ewbank said that while Trekkies and sci-fi fans will appreciate some of the … [Read more...] about ‘Love Space’ takes virtual theater where it has never gone before

With adaptability and resiliency, Theatre and Dance at Wayne has created a way for its dance students to perform in pandemic time, with its virtual “Dynamic Perspectives,” a showcase of student fall semester work, offered online. “Dynamic Perspectives” is a virtual storytelling event that combines fall student work, using dance and dialogue, to explore themes of healing, collective humanity, and awareness in the present moment. “Through adaptability in our field, we were ability to produce this display of resilient student … [Read more...] about Adaptability and versatility: WSU offers virtual dance performance in pandemic time

  Women represent half the population, yet they are under-represented in the directorial ranks, from Broadway to community theater, for reasons ranging from financial to outdated mindsets. A study published in 2018 by the Wellesley Centers for Women found multiple causes, ranging from cultural bias to financial limitations. It noted that selection committees are biased toward choosing men for leadership positions, and stated that work-life balance is difficult to achieve in a field that requires long, irregular hours and … [Read more...] about Enter stage right: Women fight for equitable representation in directorial ranks

Providing a glimpse into the life of a pandemic helper is the focus of Open Book’s next virtual one-to-one live theater offering, “Home Less,” available Mondays and Thursdays, Jan. 7 to 25, via Zoom. The fourth of six offerings in the Trenton-based Open Book Theatre Company’s season, the 10-minute play is performed live for each unique subscriber, providing the immediacy of live theater without the viral risk of being in the same room. Playwright Emily Rosenbaum, who wrote OBTC’s 30-minute summer driveway theater production, … [Read more...] about OBTC continues 1-to-1 virtual theater season with ‘Home Less’

  Whether one is escaping into a character or learning more about one’s self through a role, theater has always provided the opportunity for growth, learning, self-expression and forging friendships. For Dan Johnson, an actor familiar to patrons of Trenton’s Open Book Theatre Company, theater has become an experience characterized by transcendence and remembrance. “As an actor, I approach theater instinctively, trying to erase myself to take on a particular character – how they move, breathe and see the world,” he … [Read more...] about Transcendence and remembrance: How theater has changed lives

  From providing a creative outlet, changing one’s perspective, and giving one the courage to be true to themselves, participation in theater has changed many lives. For Players Guild of Dearborn actress Tiffany Mullins of Livonia, who was bitten by the theater bug as a child, theater has provided her with an invaluable outlet. “It has allowed me to do two of my favorite things: to laugh, and make others laugh,” she said. “When tears are streaming down my cheeks from laughing so hard, I adore that, but even more, I love … [Read more...] about How theater has changed people’s lives

  In theater, each “save” is unique unto itself, yet each represents a moment of quick, panic-driven inspiration to cover up a missed cue, forgotten line, late entrance or technical malfunction. For Julie Ballantyne Brown, viral-induced laryngitis caused a moment of panic when she tried to sing her solo, as one of the Liebeslieder Singers, at the start of the second act of Stephen Sondheim’s “A Little Night Music,” in 2013 at the Players Guild of Dearborn. “I was fighting a rotten virus the second weekend, and I tried … [Read more...] about Keeping in character: Impromptu moves that saved the scene

  Anyone who has ever set foot on a stage is familiar with the rush of adrenaline, the moments of fear and the thrill of audience laughter and applause. Sometimes, though, the funniest moments are completely unscripted. Actor Alan Ball, a graduate of Wayne State University’s graduate Hilberry Company, said he’s probably forgotten more stories than he can remember, but he recalls one humorous story that occurred when he was playing John Adams in the musical “1776.” He said they were doing nine performances a week, and as … [Read more...] about Unscripted: When unplanned events lead to laughter

  Setting the stage for seasonal cheer As holiday traditions adapt to pandemic precautions, area performing arts aficionados have found a virtual way to spread holiday cheer with an online seasonal concert featuring local musicians and singers. A 30-minute musical holiday show, sponsored by the Dearborn Community Fund and the city of Dearborn, features talent from the Dearborn Symphony Orchestra, the Henry Ford College Chorus, the Blue Fusion Vocal Jazz Ensemble, the Vanguard Virtual Voices and the Players Guild of … [Read more...] about Players Guild performers, others add musical joy to virtual holiday concert

  When the stage is dark, the wings are quiet and the classrooms are online, theatrical learning at the collegiate level requires a new level of improvisation and creativity to impart learning to future theater professionals. The University of Detroit Mercy Theatre Company launched three mock theater project this fall, pairing students with guest artists and professional mentors to create, on paper and online, three theatrical productions. The three shows, diverse in topic yet equally rich in opportunity, included … [Read more...] about U of D Mercy Theatre Company’s mock production projects provide lessons, learning