The Artisan Theatre Project

Aesop and Icarus: In Production in New York

artisantheatre — Tue, 26 May 2009 22:21:09 +0000

Thanks to Everyone who came out to Party for Artisan!

artisantheatre — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 23:42:25 +0000

On March 29 several friends came out to The Irish Rogue at 44th St. and 9th Ave in Manahattan, to share a drink, hear some tunes and show their support at the Party for Artisan. Over $200 was raised to help support our NYC premiere of “Aesop & Icarus.” Check out some pictures from the event!

Photos courtesy of our favorite photographer…Shawn McGinnis, New York/New Jersey Wedding and Event Photographer.

Scott Effman and Jason Smukler played a sweet set for everyone… Click on their names above and follow the links to hear their sounds.

Artisan Producing Director, Jennifer Wills, gets ready to toast the fans.

Congrats to Melinda Faust and the other raffle winners! They won tickets to Off-Broadway shows at New World Stages, The York Theatre Company and of course, to Aesop & Icarus.

If you missed out in March, don’t worry…we’re hoping to do another party for Artisan in late April. Stay tuned for more details!

Artisan to make its New York Debut!!!

artisantheatre — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 06:26:39 +0000

We are thrilled to announce, after a successful December run in Chicago, Aesop & Icarus was accepted into the Manhattan Repertory Theatre’s NY Amazing Play Festival 2009!

A short festival showcasing new plays from different companies and artists around the country, Aesop & Icarus will have three performances…

May 6th, 7th & 8th at 9:00PM.

Save the date! More details to come soon!

A change in the wind

artisantheatre — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 06:51:06 +0000

We are living in a wonderful time! A time when change is popularly recognized as GOOD! Or at least accepted as necessary. May our theatre pounch upon this opportunity to invigorate audiences who are purchasing responsibility for breakfast. May we encourage the blossoming imaginations of the people through work that understands creativity, collaboration and compassion. Let us all work together, painters, dancers, writers, actors, musicians and all artists alike, to develop work that inspires audiences to pursue and open mind and open heart with courage and conviction.

My New Year’s Resolution

artisantheatre — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 23:12:28 +0000

“Perhaps the sad and empty language that today’s flabby humanity pours forth, will, in all its horror, in all its boundless absurdity, re-echo in the heart of a solitary man who is awake, and then perhaps that man, suddenly realizing that he does not understand, will begin to understand.”
– Arthur Adamov

Longfellow ain’t no Wrongfellow

artisantheatre — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 22:45:07 +0000

For when the heart goes before, like a lamp, and illumines the pathway, many things are made clear, that else like hidden in darkness.

Let me essay, O Muse! to follow the wanderer’s footsteps: — Not through each devious path, each changeful year of existence, But as a traveller follows a streamlet’s course through the valley: Far from its margins at times, and seeing the gleam of its water here and there, in some open space, and at intervals only; Then drawing nearer its banks, through sylvan glooms that conceal it, Though he behold it not, he can hear its continuous murmur; Happy, at length, if he find the spot where it reaches an outlet.

Feeling is deep and still; and the word that floats on the surface is as the tossing buoy; that betrays where the anchor is hidden. Therefore trust to thy heart, and to what the world calls illusions.

- Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, “Evangeline”

Rehearsal pictures from Aesop and Icarus!

artisantheatre — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 05:52:11 +0000

Works and Days

artisantheatre — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 19:26:15 +0000

“Thick are the wits of the man who says that his wagon’s already finished; the fool doesn’t know there are hundreds of planks in a wagon. Make it your business to have these planks in your house for the future.”
- Hesiod

Ask, and ye shall receive.

artisantheatre — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 04:58:17 +0000

Artists like questions. They intrigue us. Actors often search for the mystery of a character, and when they touch upon it, they handle it with great care, cautious not to unravel it too quickly, holding their breath as they penetrate the darkness, tingling with excitement, not knowing what they will find. For the actor, its not about the answer, its about the question. For essentially, it is what we are: question-askers. As artists, we sympathize, we empathize, we dare not moralize, but we compulsively synthesize the world around us, and if we’re very quiet, we can behold its naked form. A mirror is broken. The curtain opens. We breathe it in and smile. And then the questions begin.

Find and ye shall seek…

artisantheatre — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 19:20:12 +0000

How much Aesop and Icarus has taught me! Proverbs like “How often do we provide our enemies the means of our own destruction.” “Kindness effects more than severity.” “Union gives strength.” Directing technique like “Don’t speak just yet, let the actress struggle for a day, maybe she’ll find something more interesting than what you would have said.” Imagination exercise that helped us find eagle monsters, how an Old Man flies, the sound of clouds, the attitude of the sun. Professional insight: “Artists come from another planet. They will always be late. Plan accordingly.” Personal insight: “Befriend your actors.” “Do with love.” Yet so much more to be learned. What will we discover on our next journey into the dark forest?