Please join us from 10am to 12:30pm in the AVT blackbox theatre for staged readings of three scenes and short plays from local writers.  Each staged reading will be followed by commentary and feedback from our directors, techies, and actors.  Fellow writers and the general public are welcome to join in the discussion.

Our playwrights expos are FREE and open to the public.  Our blackbox is built into the garage of a private residence near 65th W. and L-8 in Quartz Hill. Please send us an email at productions@avthespians.org to receive the address as well as parking information.

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180 DEGREES
by Eric Martin
Racial and ideological tensions simmer beneath the surface in this short play that is at once subtle and jarring.

UNCOMFORTABLE SEX
by Lorin Howard
A character portrait of two seniors starting over provides both endearing humor and contemplation on our later years.

MAGIC BOX, EVIL EYE
by Jordan Young
The sometimes thorny relationship between native peoples and the photographers who portray them is explored though the characters of an old Navajo man and a young photojournalist.

However, with the experience and lessons learned of two full-length productions behind us, and an increased awareness of our individual strengths and weaknesses when working as a team, we  believe that we have hit upon a company structure and team breakdown that will bring our talents effectively and efficiently to the stage.

Our Operational Plan, version 4.1, is now available for download.

Company-level authority is held in the stewardship of three directors: Operational, Producing, and Artistic.  They are supported by three production-level strategic personnel: the Production Stage Manager, the Dramaturg, and the Technical Team Lead.  A six-member technical team provides the creative implementation of the Artistic vision of each production.

AVT PRODUCTION TEAM
Operations Director: Courtney Marietta
Producing Director: Nalin A. Ratnayake
Artistic Director: Kara McCollum
Dramaturg: Anna Delrosario
Production Stage Manager: Karen Gruca
Technical Team Lead: Kevin J. Hogan
Technical Team:  Sarah Bialobroda, Jeremy Bryon Gruca, Jessica Katzman, Juliana Katzman, Lucas Nemeth, Kelly Lynn Regan

Our production philosophy is twofold: 1) Provide a framework to seed, develop, and produce quality original work from playwrights in the local community, and 2) produce published work from outside the community that brings in new perspectives and provides a standard to which our local writers can aspire.  If a play has already been produced in the community and we are not able to define anything artistically new that we could bring to the work, you will not see that play on our stage.

Dramaturgically, we adhere to three general principles: our productions will be 1) character-driven, 2) unique, and 3) thought-provoking.  We believe that theatre is first and foremost an artistic medium for providing insight into the human condition and secondarily an educational tool for enhancing and growing the cultural and artistic awareness of the local community.

We appreciate the audience members who make up our community of supporters, as well as our Supporters who make this company possible.

One year ago, on June 20th, 2009, a small group of friends calling themselves “Antelope Valley Thespians” opened a short, public-domain production called VOICES. Back then, the garage was not black, we had no official status, and we operated with minimal organization. But after two “sold out” free showings for our friends, we got all the encouragement we needed to continue and expand.

You can indulge in a bit of nostalgia in the archived blog post for VOICES or at the VOICES photo album on Facebook.

Today, it is one year later. And crafted out of love, sweat, tears, duct tape, and a rather alarming volume of coffee, a small guerilla theatre company fights the good fight in our local community of Quartz Hill – so much further beyond where we were yet with a dazzling array of possibilities before us.

AVT has many “birthdays”… is it when the first fragments of the idea started to take form on an online discussion board in January 2009? Or this day in June when we first put something together? Or August when we legally formed as a company? Or perhaps later when we achieved nonprofit status, or early this year when we opened our first full-length production?

Any of these days may serve for reflecting on how far we have come on this crazy idea. But today, for me, is the one from which I take the most personal meaning. On this day one year ago, we proved to ourselves that it was possible – that we could take the simplest elements and the smallest of budgets, and combine them with talent and passion to create something meaningful for the community.

Like any creative venture, AVT has been and always will be continually in the process of becoming. We have undergone 3 major revisions to our Operational Plan, and you will soon see another released for your consideration. The learning curve has been steep as we have built this company from the ground up – we have had to learn many lessons the hard way, and also develop an understanding of our strengths and weaknesses as members of a team. I believe this latest revision should last us a good while, and I can’t wait to share it with you.

I also want to be sure to acknowledge the role our Patrons have played in helping us build this company.

After seeing VOICES, Jeri Meyers and Dawn Dopler became our very first Patrons on the spot, donating our first income of any sort. After we incorporated and sent a letter asking the Quartz Hill Chamber of Commerce for their support, Thom Lapworth stepped in and personally paid for our first year’s membership in the Chamber, the benefits of which we continue to enjoy. Jason and Rose Gonella participated in our first playwrights expo and donated in-kind hardware in the form of a fog machine and fluid, which our tech team is itching to get an excuse to use.

As funds ran dangerously low in the face of numerous unexpected expenses for CRIME AND PUNISHMENT, Senaka and Lalani Ratnayake stepped in with a generous donation that kept us afloat. Michael and Deberah Hogan, impressed with our first full-length production, became Patrons of AVT to support our fledgling theatre company. Farmer’s Insurance agent Dave Owens not only has provided AVT’s liability insurance at a killer rate, but he donated his entire commission on the contract and personally bought-out a show of our first two full-length productions!

Gwen and Andy Joseph as well as Bob and Lois Douglass stepped in with donations when AVT needed equipment upgrades to support BEYOND A REASONABLE DOUBT as well as our first Musicians Night. Al Bowers joined the Patrons club following a great time at the Musicians Night, which actually ended with him being called up to the stage for an impromptu rendition of Fleetwood Mac’s “Landslide” with featured musician and mutual friend Jimmy Lee Young!

Starting with BEYOND A REASONABLE DOUBT, we have been privileged to benefit from the support of local fine-artist AJ Currado, who now donates her time and talents to AVT for poster and program artwork. Our latest individual patrons, Mark and Liz Longanbach, drove in all the way from Arizona to see BEYOND A REASONABLE DOUBT. Convinced of our value to community theatre and impressed by our ingenuity, they signed checks of support the very next day.

Finally, I would be seriously remiss if I did not acknowledge the early and unwavering support of Eric and June at Sagebrush Cafe in Quartz Hill. Since the days when AVT was nothing but a concept, this eclectic coffee and art house has believed in us. More than that, they give us a great deal one of the most critical and precious resources for a theatre company: delicious coffee. AND they provide a hub for our advertising and, more recently, our physical ticketing.

And of course, each and every member of this company deserves more thanks than I can bestow for their unwavering commitment and tireless efforts on behalf of AVT. Sarah, Anna, Karen, Jeremy, Kevin, Jessica, Juliana, Courtney, Kara, Lucas, and our additional actors Steve, Joe, and Derric have comprised the AVT family.

Ticket revenue brings in only about 65% of what it takes to operate AVT; it is people like you who are the champions of the arts in our community, and donate your time and money to help this company do what it does. In appreciation for your support, we are tentatively planning to hold our first AVT Patron’s Reception in early December. Company members and Patrons will be invited to mingle and recap the 2010 Season with this celebration.

It is a rough road ahead of us… money remains tight, most people who have not seen our work remain skeptical, we continue to insist on producing very challenging plays that inevitably turn into trials by fire, and often its not certain how we will make it to the next event or production. But time and time again, even in our most difficult moments, we have shown that our passion, when rallied, is unstoppable – even in the face of daunting odds.

We would not be where we are today without all of you. It is with utmost sincerity and deep pride in what we have accomplished in the last year that I offer you my thanks for stepping forward to become a real part of what we have created together.

Here’s to our next year of unique, original, and experimental theatre in the high desert!

N.

–
Nalin A. Ratnayake
Chief Executive Officer
Producing Director
Antelope Valley Thespians

AVT is looking for short works by local playwrights to be considered for limited workshop production to be held in the AVT Blackbox on July 24. Each scene or short selected for this Expo will be given a reading and limited staging by actors and AVT’s artistic director (all who will have had advance reading of the scripts to develop basic characters) followed by discussion to receive feedback from actors, techies, directors, fellow writers, audience members, and AVT’s dramaturg.

Submissions should have no more than 4 characters and be no more than 20 minutes long (typically 1 page of pure dialogue in standard type is about 1 minute of stage time).

Submissions are due to the dramaturg (anna@avthespians.org) no later than June 26th for consideration.  Please see our Playwrights Page for more information on our process for accepting original work for full production.

The stage lights will be up, the sound system patched in, and free hors d’oeuvres will be served.  Beverages will be provided as a donation courtesy of our host.  This concert is for our fans age 21 and older.  Experience live music by award-winning musicians a close setting, meet with AVT crew and actors, and mingle with fellow art lovers from around the Valley.

Admission to this event is $10, or $8 for AVT Patrons.

Musician bios and online ticket reservations are now available on our Appearing Live page.

So what is ScriptFrenzy?  The basic concept is that you write 100 pages of scripted material in 30 days.  Simple right?  For the month of April, join those of us who are theatre geeks, writing nerds, have no life, or are just plain insane, and live out your lifelong dream (or passing fancy) of being a playwright.  It’s exciting, glamorous, loads of fun, highly masochistic, and pays absolutely nothing.  Just like being a real writer.

Similar to NaNoWriMo, the theory is that the major hurdle in writing is just getting something out there, no matter how trite or inane.  There will be time for editing later.  For now, get that story and those killer (or God-awful) lines down, and give yourself a starting point for later refinement.

And need we remind you that AVT is constantly on the lookout for quality original work?  One of our goals is to be able to produce at least one full-length play by a local playwright every single year.  We have annual calls-for-scripts on specific themes, host irregular playwrights expos, and we also accept work on any subject at any time for production consideration.  Oh yeah, and we pay.  Like, money.  Yeah, I know.  Intrigued? Check out our Playwrights Page for more info.

And if you’re looking for the perfect place to find your muse and mingle with other over-caffeinated nerds, then why not head over to Sagebrush Cafe in Quartz Hill?  Our one-and-only business patron boasts fine coffee, an arsty atmosphere, and free WiFi for all your wrighting needs.

This April, stop watching.  Start writing.  Register now at ScriptFrenzy.org.

Just a quick update on the business end of things.

The most exciting news I have is the official approval of our 501(c)(3) status.  We are now a recognized not-for-profit organization, so any donations (either monetary or in-kind products) are tax deductible! Yay!

Preliminary accounting for Crime & Punishment are very encouraging.  Look for an update soon for the final report on the show.

We are in the process of putting together AVT’s contribution to the Almond Blossom Festival in Quartz Hill.  If you have any suggestions about what you think we should include, feel free to drop me an email at cam@avthespians.org.

I think that’s all from me for now!