August 3, 2010

The Taming of the Shrew

Lynne Johnson, Donna Glick, and Meg Campbell
Contributed by Donna Glick

On behalf of Associate Director of Education, Lynne Johnson and Education Manager, Meg Wieder, I'm writing with a special invitation to the 5th Codman Academy Shakespeare summer production. We are presenting Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew on Wednesday and Thursday, August 4th and 5th at 7:00 in the Wimberly Theatre (Calderwood Pavilion at the BCA, 527 Tremont St Boston MA). We're very excited about this year's production.

In previous years, Lynne has worked her magic to set the plays in modern day, but to celebrate the 5th year of the program, we decided to go for period costumes and set. We are also performing on two nights because of the community support that turns out for Codman productions. If we perform one night in Studio 210, to maximize space, we have little ones sitting on the floor, and still lots of standing-room-only. Also, we wanted the students to have an opportunity to learn from one performance, integrating their notes into their performances on the second night. Lynne is serving as the director and Meg is wearing a few hats as stage manager, choreographer and producer. They are doing a fantastic job.

The cast and crew are currently working in the Wimberly on tech rehearsals. I want to thank everyone who has taken a part to make this the best summer Codman production so far. Thanks especially to Dan Ramirez, Todd Williams, Nancy Brennan, Bethany Ford, Brian Sears, Jesse Caldwell Washburn, Milosz Gassan, Amy Mattulina, Sarah Spollett, Meredith Mastroianni, Kathleen Merriam, Rebecca Curtiss, Mary O'Donnell, Meg White, Barbara Crowther (Costumer), Kris Holmes, Mary Lauve, Virginia Emerson, Sondra Katz, and Joel Turnham (lighting design). And I'm going to include a shout-out to pavilion folks who will be supporting us a great deal next week. Kat Alix, Katie Most, Sarah Williams, Mark Slavin, and Joey Riddle.

The performance is a 90 minute version of the full play, free and open to the public. We hope that many of you will have a chance to attend. And, we're so excited to have high performing air-conditioning this year! If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask.

Sincerely,

Donna Glick


Addendum (from Todd):
The Huntington-Codman Summer Theatre Institute is a four-week program for Codman students and alumni that provides participants the opportunity to explore Shakespearean text and the theatrical production process in depth, with daily rehearsals, improvisational games, and theater exercises. This program is supported by My Summer in the City, a Boston Foundation Funding Initiative.


The Huntington's partnership with Codman Academy (Meg Campbell, Executive Director), celebrating its tenth anniversary this year, is the showcase of the theatre's acclaimed and wide-reaching youth, education, and community initiatives. Since 2001, the Huntington and Codman have collaborated to create an innovative, interdisciplinary Humanities program that has been recognized both locally and nationally as a model for improving urban students' reading, speaking, writing, and presentation skills. The partnership was awarded the Commonwealth Award, the state's highest award in arts and culture given by the Massachusetts Cultural Council. Codman Academy is the only public school to receive this recognition.


Read more at BroadwayWorld.com

July 23, 2010

Red Hot Summer Fun - Huntington Style

Are you bummed that we don't produce over the summer? Have no fear. There's plenty going on and we have some recommendations:

THURSDAY, JULY 29:  We're all grabbing red blankets and picnic baskets and heading to Boston Common for a Huntington flash mob of sorts at Commonwealth Shakespeare's production of Othello. Join us and show your support for Comm Shakes and your love for the Huntington. This event is sponsored by our 35 Below gang, and you can learn more about the event on Facebook, and RSVP right here. Remember to bring your RED blankets and see if you can score one of our RED buttons!

Oh yah! We built the set. Right here in our Huntington Ave Production Facilities. I went down to the Common, near the Parkman Bandstand, yesterday to check things out. All looks great -  here are a couple of photos.

The Othello set under construction on Boston Common.

Our crew taking a well deserved break from the heat, humidity and sun.

If you can't join us on the 29th, Othello runs July 28 thru August 15.

June 9, 2010

Breaking Ground: Unknown Soldier

The Huntington Theatre Company's artistic staff cordially invites you to a Breaking Ground reading of:

UNKNOWN SOLDIER
Book by Daniel Goldstein
Music by Michael Friedman
Lyrics by Daniel Goldstein & Michael Friedman

Featuring: Heidi Blickenstaff, Spencer Moses, Zachary Prince, Jennifer Simard, Erica Spyres and Clark Thorell.

A timeless search for love crosses two generations: an old letter spurs Lucie Rabinowitz to look into her grandmother Lucy's past.  Decades earlier, in the wake of World War I, Lucy seeks her husband, missing in
action.  The searches lead both women to the same lost young man, an unknown soldier.  UNKNOWN SOLDIER was commissioned with support of the Stanford Calderwood Fund for New American Plays. 

Sunday, June 13th, 2010 - 5:30 PM
Deane Rehearsal Hall
The Calderwood Pavilion at the BCA
RSVP via Survey Monkey: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/2JZX6TH