Berkeley Rep Blog
Anna on KQED
posted by Karen McKevitt on Thu, Jun 2, 2011
in Our shows
Anna Deavere Smith gave an amazing opening night performance to an adoring audience last night -- and she still found time to give two interviews on KQED.
Yesterday, she spoke with Cy Musiker about the health-care system, and today she "appeared" on Forum with Michael Krasny.
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Bring your doggie to work day
posted by Kate Vangeloff on Thu, Jun 2, 2011
in At the theatre
There are a lot of things I love about working at Berkeley Rep. The people, the art, the playing of Nerf football when the marketing team is starting to lose it… I will miss it all dearly when my fellowship ends on July 1. However, there is one part of the office culture here that I will perhaps miss more than anything else.
As a native of the Midwest I’m not sure if this is a prevalent practice in California or simply yet another quirky trait unique to Berkeley Rep, but this company allows its employees to bring their puppies to work. Indeed, I think this is a magical, transformative notion that should spread not only to other workplaces in California (if it hasn’t already), but to the rest of the United States, and perhaps, the world. I would personally like to pay homage to the awesomeness of this concept by profiling all the pups that have made my time at Berkeley Rep that much cooler.
Hilary—perhaps the most integral to my fellowship experience, Hilary is the faithful companion of our Literary Manager and Dramaturg, Madeleine. She has her own desk in the literary office in the form of a big red sofa. I like to imagine her kicking back with a script and cup of tea when no one’s looking.
Murray—discrediting the old adage that dogs look like their owners, Murray belongs to our Director of Development, Lynn Eve. He loves babies and has more friends on Facebook than his owner. True story.
Lula—oh sweet, sweet Lula! Please don’t tell General Manager Karen Racanelli that I have plans to kidnap her dog…she may not appreciate it.
Jackson—defying pitbull stereotypes, Jackson defines the term "sweetie-pie." I actually overwhelmed him once with an enthusiastic greeting. He whimpers whenever Emiel, our facilities director, leaves his side.
Tofu—did you know your call to the box office might be monitored by a Shih Tzu? It’s true, Tofu faithfully sits next to his owner and Box Office Agent, Destiny. He’s mastered Tessitura and has a great speaking voice.
Vera—Our newest edition recently rescued from a junkyard by scene shop Carpenter Stephanie and Master Carpenter Colin. Sleepy puppy…enough said.
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Berkeley (Rep) Bowl(ing)
posted by Rachel Steinberg on Tue, May 31, 2011
in At the theatre , Backstage buzz
Before I even moved to Berkeley to begin my fellowship, I had heard of Berkeley Bowl: it was spoken of with a holy sort of reverence, praised in quiet whispers and exuberant cries of gratitude. I heard how lives were changed when a second one opened. Somehow, in the haze of a hot Toronto summer, I managed to miss a very key fact about Berkeley Bowl. I arrived here wondering why everyone in the East Bay seemed to be so oddly enthusiastic about knocking over pins with a very heavy ball. Was this an American thing?
As it turns out, East Bay bowlers do have a mecca, not in Berkeley, but in Albany. It’s where I found myself last Friday morning, surrounded by co-workers, before I’d even managed to drink my morning coffee. The day marked the revival of Berkeley Rep’s company picnic, a chance to mingle and unwind with colleagues over some strikes and spares.
After trading in one of my boots for a pair of shoes (with Velcro, because apparently no one with feet as tiny as mine could possibly be an adult capable of tying laces), I joined a team comprised of artistic, marketing, electrics, and education staff.
As it turns out, there are some very enthusiastic bowlers in the East Bay, including Marketing Director Robert Sweibel. My fellow fellows and I had heard Robert speak of his prowess on the lanes -- but could we believe him (he is, after all, director of marketing)? As it turned out, he really could walk the hard-toed-shoe walk and would helpfully give pointers to anyone who wanted to improve his or her form. No one, though, could beat the School of Theatre’s Emika Abe, who posted a commanding lead over her team. An honorable mention goes to Master Electrician Fred Geffken’s toddler daughter who, with a little help from mom and dad, managed to roll a ball almost the entire way down the lane. She’ll be one to watch out for next year.
I did not fare so well. My hot pink bowling ball could probably tell you about all of the right gutter’s chips and scratches with astounding detail. No matter. After smugly and speedily tearing off the Velcro as others struggled with their laces, I turned the corner to find a large crowd gathering. I soon learned the cause for the mob: a Dance Dance Revolution faceoff between Development Associate Sarah Nowicki and Development Fellow Wendi Gross. If you’ve ever encountered one of our beloved "Devo Ladies" you know: these women are kind, classy…and tenacious.
It was a well-deserved almost-end-of-season break for a staff I’ve discovered to be among the most hard-working and most fun-loving folk around.
Oh, and then we had a potluck, a collaborative, gustatory production in true Berkeley Rep style: ambitious, eclectic, but altogether delicious. I wondered where everyone got the ingredients for their dishes. I hear there’s a guy named Joe around here that trades stuff for food? You Berkeleyans are so progressive.
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Read another interview with Anna
posted by Karen McKevitt on Fri, May 27, 2011
in Our shows
Hot on the heels of yesterday's Chronicle interview, the Contra Costa Times publishes its interview with Anna Deavere Smith. If you think that when you've read one, you've read them all, think again! Karen D'Souza asks some insightful questions about her artistic process as well, and also about the health-care debate. Read on!
Anna Deavere Smith's Let Me Down Easy starts tomorrow! Get more info.
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Anna lands the Ovation
posted by Karen McKevitt on Thu, May 26, 2011
in Our shows
Did ya catch the Chronicle's "Ovation" cover story today? Yep, that's Anna Deavere Smith, just in time for the first performance this Saturday of Let Me Down Easy. Robert Hurwitt interviews Anna about her past Bay Area performances and more, how Let Me Down Easy evolved, and of course, about her TV career.
What's that? Paper is passe? Well, check out the interview right here!
And, y'all heard we extended the show by two weeks even before it opened, right? So, if you're thinking of reserving seats, don't wait too long and be let down! Reserve your seats here.
Photo of Anna Deavere Smith by Mary Ellen Mark.
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What do Anna Deavere Smith and Green Day have in common?
posted by Karen McKevitt on Mon, May 23, 2011
in Our shows
They have the top two advance sales in Berkeley Rep's 43-year history! Yep, Anna Deavere Smith's new show, Let Me Down Easy, is second only to the blockbuster premiere of Green Day's American Idiot.
So, we're extending Let Me Down Easy before it even opens! It now runs two additional weeks, from May 28 through July 10. Premium seats are now available, but going fast. Check out the buzz and buy tickets now.
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"Carpenter strikes acting gold"
posted by Karen McKevitt on Mon, May 16, 2011
in Our shows
As our critically acclaimed production of Sarah Ruhl's new version of Three Sisters enters its final week, Bay Area News Group published this glowing article about one of the members of the exemplary ensemble of actors. No stranger to regular Bay Area theatregoers, James Carpenter has been acting on local stages (and regionally) since 1984.
Here's a snippet:
"Carpenter, 58, estimates that he's been in nearly 100 plays in his 27 years in local theater. But he's whimsical about being perceived as a thespian treasure."
Photo: James Carpenter, Thomas Jay Ryan, Heather Wood, and Bruce McKenzie. Courtesy of mellopix.com.
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Announcing our Limited Season, plus a special event!
posted by Karen McKevitt on Wed, May 11, 2011
in News , Our shows
We just announced our Limited Season! We’ve got two premieres plus a special presentation starring legendary performer Mikhail Baryshnikov.
Following its success with Brief Encounter, Britain’s celebrated Kneehigh Theatre Company returns to the Bay Area for the American premiere of The Wild Bride. Then we debut Black n Blue Boys, a powerful world premiere written and performed by Pulitzer Prize-finalist Dael Orlandersmith, which will be staged by Obie Award-winner Chay Yew. To top it off, Baryshnikov performs next spring in a special event: tickets for In Paris, a dazzling romance from visionary director Dmitry Krymov, will go on sale to our subscribers before they’re available to the general public. These new shows round out an incredible schedule that already includes three world premieres, a classic Molière comedy, and a remarkable script that won the Tony Award for Best Play.
Want more information? How about information on subscribing?
2011-12 SEASON SCHEDULE
Rita Moreno: Life Without Makeup
Main Season Play #1 – Roda Theatre
World premiere
Written by Tony Taccone
Directed by David Galligan
September 2 – October 30, 2011
How to Write a New Book for the Bible
Main Season Play #2 – Thrust Stage
World premiere
Written by Bill Cain
Directed by Kent Nicholson
October 7 – November 20, 2011
The Wild Bride
Limited Season Play #1 – Roda Theatre
American premiere
Adapted and directed by Emma Rice
December 2, 2011 – January 1, 2012
Ghost Light
Main Season Play #3 – Thrust Stage
World-premiere production
Conceived and developed by
Jonathan Moscone and Tony Taccone
Written by Tony Taccone
Directed by Jonathan Moscone
January 6 – February 19, 2012
A Doctor in Spite of Himself
Main Season Play #4 – Roda Theatre
Written by Molière
Adapted by Christopher Bayes and Steven Epp
Directed by Christopher Bayes
February 10 – March 25, 2012
Red
Main Season Play #5 – Thrust Stage
Written by John Logan
Directed by Les Waters
March 16 – April 29, 2012
In Paris
Special Presentation – Roda Theatre
Adapted from the short story by Ivan Bunin
Directed by Dmitry Krymov
April 25 – May 13, 2012
Black n Blue Boys
Limited Season Play #2 – Thrust Stage
World premiere
Written and performed by Dael Orlandersmith
Directed by Chay Yew
May 25 – June 24, 2012
Photo: Emma Rice and Kneehigh Theatre Company return to the Bay Area for the American premiere of The Wild Bride. (Photo courtesy of Kneehigh Theatre)
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Anna Deavere Smith introduces Let Me Down Easy
posted by Karen McKevitt on Tue, May 10, 2011
in Our shows
Anna Deavere Smith comes to Berkeley Rep starting May 28 with her new show, Let Me Down Easy. She's racked up some terrific reviews for the show in San Diego. Check out what they're saying:
A "vitally important, wide-ranging and ultimately very moving solo piece." LA Times
A "captivating solo play about matters of body and soul." San Diego Union-Tribune
And be sure to also check out the NPR feature.
Or, hear about the show straight from Anna herself:
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Teens engage with the White House
posted by School of Theatre on Fri, May 6, 2011
in School of Theatre
By Allison Whorton
Education Fellow
The phone rang promptly at 5:15pm on Wednesday afternoon, and the 14 Berkeley Rep teens in the room jumped up and down with excitement and anticipation.
“Hey, this is Kal over at the White House,” said the voice over the speakerphone.
We were on the phone with the White House as a part of the President’s 100 Roundtables with Young Americans, started in an effort to have young Americans across the country engage in discussions about and brainstorm solutions to issues that are important to them. Members of the White House Administration were tasked with participating in at least 100 roundtable conversations with youth across the country. Information from each roundtable will be sent to the President’s Domestic Policy Council.
Through our Arts Advocacy Committee, which was started this year, the teens have been researching and reflecting upon the importance of the arts and arts education and they have already met with representatives about this subject. I registered our monthly Teen Council meeting for the White House’s roundtable initiative back in March, requesting that a member of the White House Administration join us. And, lo and behold, we received an email from Kalpen Modi, the associate director of the White House’s Office of Public Engagement and the White House’s liaison for Young People and the Arts (better known to the teens for his roles in the Harold and Kumar movies and the TV series House), asking if he could phone in on our conversation all the way from Washington, DC.
To start off the conversation, we went around the table and shared our names and where we’re from. When we were finished, Kal, who attended grad school at Stanford, said, “All of this talk of Berkeley and the Bay Area makes me miss Zachary’s Pizza” (to which everyone laughed).
Kal went on to say that he “is the product of public arts education,” hence his particular interest and investment in our conversation. “This generation of young people is particularly giving, intelligent, innovative, and civically engaged,” he continued. President Obama started the 100 Roundtables because he wanted young peoples’ voices to be represented in national dialogues, as Obama wants all Americans to have “a seat at the table.”
Teen Council members talked about their interests and concerns. The teens spoke personally about the impact the arts have had on them, and why they believe it’s essential that the arts are considered a core subject in Congress’ reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. We spoke about the significance of the “STEM to STEAM” movement (adding the “A” for arts to our country’s current emphasis on science, technology, engineering, and math in education). We discussed the innovative skills students gain from arts education, and how the divergent and creative thinking garnered from arts participation is vital for a forward-thinking nation.
As our hour-long conversation (that was originally only supposed to be 20 minutes!) came to a close, Kal wanted to make clear that while there have been cuts to government arts funding in recent months as part of overall government belt-tightening within this financial climate, it doesn’t mean that the government is trying to give up on an entire program. “Arts are critical to this White House,” Kal said. He went on to give us advice as Teen Council furthers its arts advocacy efforts, suggesting that we continue with our current initiatives and engage in grassroots conversations. “This is a very impressive group,” he said. “Celebrate the work you’ve done and don’t undermine the voices you have.”
Our conversation with Kal was the culmination of a lot of hard work throughout the year. After the call ended, the teens clapped and cheered. Emboldened and inspired, the teens relished this proud moment, and I did too.