September 30, 2009

Huntington shakes up Playwriting Fellows Program


From Lisa Timmel:

The Huntington Theatre Company is accepting applications for its Huntington Playwriting Fellows program.  Go here for more information.




Here’s the short version why:

Literary Department Goals, 2009-2010:
1. Create a more transparent process for becoming a fellow
2. Streamline submission process
3. Create a more sustainable community of HPF writers

Here’s the long version why:

Let’s start at the beginning, shall we?

My first real job was at Playwrights Horizons, a theater that accepts unsolicited manuscripts.   At the time, the literary office was the size of a very small walk-in closet.  It housed then literary manager, Tim Sanford, me, one pc, an electric typewriter, about ten years of archives looming on shelves that reached the ceiling, an index card filing system, and at any given time, 800 manuscripts vying for 3 to 5 production slots.  The math is dispiriting, no?

The first two lessons I had to learn were how to be open to a diverse range of voices and the innate value of getting to know a writer by simply reading their work.  Then I learned that the supply of good plays far exceeds the demand. And finally, that good writing alone is usually not enough to get a production.  Producing a new play based only on the script is a little like giving someone a 5-carat engagement ring after the first date. 

The Huntington accepts unsolicited manuscripts from local writers because we are committed to being a well-rounded company that produces the best work of international, national and local artists.  But even in the much smaller market of Boston, the supply of good plays by local writers far exceeds our capacity. When I got here, I set about trying to figure out what it takes for a local writer to get produced by the Huntington.  It didn’t take much analysis: all our produced local writers have been Huntington Playwriting Fellows.

Applying what I learned all those years ago on 42nd street, that there needs to be a real, working relationship between a writer and a theatre before committing to a production, I realized that local writers need to be encouraged to become Fellows rather than encouraged to submit for production. Traditionally, Fellows were chosen at the discretion of the literary manager.  This wasn’t going to work for me since my knowledge of the local scene is, at this point, pretty thin and, as a process, it lacks transparency.  How was I to know who even wanted to be a Fellow? So, an application process was born.

This process forced me to spend time thinking about what I care about and what kind of theatre I want the Huntington to be, at least the 30 square feet of it that I control.  I am not, temperamentally, a fan of big arts institutions.  They can be remote from the community that they are trying to serve.  What I love about working at the Huntington is the many ways we are trying to chip away at that distance between the institution and the people.  An artist needs a platform, and a platform needs steps.  You do your best work, and we’ll do our best to find room on the step for you.

Apply for the Huntington Playwriting Fellow Program (local playwrights only).


Script submission for non-local playwrights

Comment on this post

September 16, 2009

Fences - Audience Comments

Join the conversation  - tell us what theatre means to you and add your thoughts about our production of Fences

How does this story - set in the 1950's - resonate today? Why do you think Rose wanted the fence? Did you attend a discussion before or after the performance and how did that add to your experience?

 John Beasley (Troy Maxson) in the Huntington Theatre Company production of August Wilson’s “Fences.” Playing now through October 11 at the Boston University Theatre. Photo: Eric Antoniou

Click here to comment

[Opening Night Addendum]

I had to add to the post this morning, after an incredible opening last night. It was a great performance, with a packed house full of staff, friends and family, board and subscribers, including Doris Kearns Goodwin, Phylicia Rashad, and Keith David. The after party was hosted by our friends at Legal Seafoods. Here is a small sample of what I found on Facebook (and my email) this morning:

"Congratulations to the entire Huntington Family -- tonight's Opening of "Fences" was truly magical. Phylicia Rashad, Keith David, and an even more star-studded audience, along with an amazing cast and an incredibly talented Director provided one of the best nights of theatre...I can't wait to see it again and feel blessed to be a part of the family." Meg Wieder

"What a fantastic show! Congrats, Huntington cast, crew, and staff and thank you for such a wonderful night at the theatre." Erica Spyres

"...what a fantastic season opening last night! 'Fences' was brilliant..." Justin Seward

"WOW. All personal bias aside, @Huntington's production of 'Fences' is absolutely breathtaking. Do yourself a favor and see it." Thom Dunn

"loved August Wilson's Fences at the Huntington..."
Dina Croce

"cried through the entire second act. held my breath, clenched my fists, frozen." Penney Pinnette

"It was the most amazing performance... I've seen the show twice before including on Broadway with James Earl Jones and I enjoyed this performance more - it came across as more human and multi-dimensional than in a Broadway theater.  Kudos to the cast for their honest, committed performances." David Miller

""You have to take the crookeds with the straights." Tired as hell, but had a great dinner/night at the theatre" Amanda Rota Pyne

Lisa McColgan "got a big hug from Doris Kearns Goodwin, helped Phylicia Rashad through the Opening Night throng to the box office, and is full of delicious cupcakes. She'll stick with nonprofit theatre, thanks."

Please tell us about your night at Fences: Click here to comment


Fences by August Wilson, directed by Kenny Leon, at the Huntington Theatre Company's mainstage - Boston University Theatre, 264 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02115. Buy tickets online or call our box office at 617 266-0800. Box Office locations and hours click here.

September 12, 2009

Fall Arts Preview

Our production of Fences is featured in the Boston Globe's Fall Arts Preview:



Which Huntington show are you looking forward to seeing most this season? Join the conversation - tell us which one(s) and why. Comment here

Fences by August Wilson, directed by Kenny Leon, at the Huntington Theatre Company's mainstage - Boston University Theatre, 264 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02115. Buy tickets online or call our box office at 617 266-0800. Box Office locations and hours click here.

Join the Conversation

Last night, at our first preview for Fences, we started something new.

I'm going to introduce Literary Associate Charles Haugland to tell you all about it:

Most nights this season at the Huntington you may hear a new announcement about an experiment we're trying: "After tonight's performance, there will be a post-show discussion".



Are you curious? Here's what we're thinking:

The Huntington makes theatre. People who know their Greek will tell you that the word that theatre came from meant place for seeing. Is that how this theatre works? Sure. When I buy a ticket, I am a spectator. We call those people onstage actors. Theatre's that thing that happens when we watch them.

But, when the staff talks around the office, Peter DuBois sometimes slips in this sentence: Theatre is a conversation. He says it pretty often, and it's a simple remark, so it can fly in one ear and out the other. But, the sentence sticks with me. How is theatre a conversation?

For me, it means at least two things. First, Peter is saying that watching is really active. Attention is palpable, and actors fight to get it and keep it. Are they focusing differently because I just coughed? When I laugh in a new place, does it change their rhythm? What if I react differently than they are expecting? One spectator changes a whole performance.

But more deeply, I think he's saying that people put stories onstage because they want to talk to the people that are offstage. He programs a play because he is compelled to share that story, to invite others to hear it, to talk with others about it. So when the idea was floated last spring to do discussions with the audience after the show, I said to Peter, We have to do this! Its exactly what you talk about! Theatre is a conversation.

We'll be doing six discussions a week during the run of FENCES, and the format will evolve all year long. Sometimes it will be Peter leading the discussion, sometimes its Lisa Timmel (who is the Director of New Work), sometimes it's me, sometimes it's one of the other theatre geeks who work for the Huntington. But, were not hosting the discussions so that we can tell you things -- what were most interested in is what you'll say to us and what you'll say to each other.

Conversation is not nearly as old a word as theatre - conversation only goes back about six hundred years - but it surprised me to learn today that it didn't originate from the idea of two people talking. The root actually comes from a word that means to live with. So, join us after a show, and live with the play the ideas it brings about, the feelings it brings up, the way it works on you for fifteen or twenty minutes longer.

See you there.

Charles Haugland


Last night about 70 patrons stayed afterwards and chatted with Lisa Timmel. Tonight is Charles' turn. The discussions will not take place after Saturday and Sunday evening shows, and when there are other regularly scheduled discussions scheduled (such as Sneak Previews, Humanities Forums, Actors Forum, Playwrights Forum, and Out and About Club).

Please join the conversation and comment on this post

September 9, 2009

Summer Shakespeare

Hello, this is Lynne Johnson, Associate Director of Education at the Huntington Theatre Company sharing a fabulous summer experience with you from the Education Department.

This past summer the education department had the pleasure of producing our fourth Shakespearean production with Codman Academy Public Charter School during the month of July. Twelfth Night was our play of choice, set in modern day Martha’s Vineyard. It proved to be a treat for all of us involved on so many different levels.

New to the Summer Theatre Institute team was the addition of Meg Wieder, Education Manager, who served as Production Stage Manager, which really helped to round out the team needed to produce this wonderful production. In addition, the Huntington’s Production Department went above and beyond to ensure that the students were working on a larger and more detailed set than we’ve been able to achieve in past summers.


As Director of the Twelfth Night, I felt that in all of my years of directing high school students, this summer was an eye opening and particularly moving experience to be working with these students. Meg and I were blessed with a strong, talented group of focused and engaged students who put their very best work into this production.

From day one to strike, it was truly a wonderful collaboration and proves that the work we do with Codman Academy has paid off for each and every student who has been involved. And even though we were their teachers, Meg and I felt we were also students, receiving an education from our cast, which went above and beyond what we ever expected.


The cast and crew of Twelfth Night

For a little more about the Huntington and the Codman - click here and here

Comment on this post

September 8, 2009

Building Fences

Here's what we did this August



Comment on this post

Fences by August Wilson, directed by Kenny Leon, at the Huntington Theatre Company's mainstage - Boston University Theatre, 264 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02115. Buy tickets online or call our box office at 617 266-0800. Box Office locations and hours click here.

September 5, 2009

Fences - we have a problem...

...and it's a good problem to have! Our student matinee of Fences was sold out, and we had requests for another 800 seats, and we're expecting more. So we needed to add another student matinee.

There were about 40 emails back and forth trying to figure out the best solution. The only choice was to make a 9 show week. Something the actors get to approve.

So Peter and Michael wrote a nice letter, and Sondra and Justin headed over to the rehearsal hall to ask their permission. Doing this show for students, bringing them into the world of August Wilson, was something that we thought they would jump at.

Sondra and Justin didn't get the reaction they anticipated. I'll let Sondra tell it in her own words:

"Late this afternoon, I joined Justin when he went to break the news to the Fences cast. Justin's explanation was met with silence, followed by the cast protesting that they were not available, that they could not handle this additional burden, or that they simply would not agree.

After another moment of silence, with neither Justin nor I being quite sure what to say next, laughter ensued... Clearly, someone tipped Kenny off to the reason for our visit, and he decided to pull one over on us."

A fun and happy ending to a nice problem to have. Both of our student matinees are now sold out and we are offering middle and high school groups the opportunity to get into other regular performances at student matinee prices. If your school is interested in coming please contact Meg Wieder at 617 273-1558.

Heck - we'll get any group in at really good prices. If you want to bring your group contact Adam Roberts at 617 273-1525.

Comment on this post

Fences by August Wilson, directed by Kenny Leon, at the Huntington Theatre Company's mainstage - Boston University Theatre, 264 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02115. Buy tickets online or call our box office at 617 266-0800. Box Office locations and hours click here.

"Fences" - Scenic Renderings

Here are some design renderings from our production of Fences. Scenic Design is by Marjorie Kellogg. We start onstage rehearsals Tuesday and our first preview on Friday. I have some construction photos and now that the set is onstage will take more during tech rehearsals - stay tuned for another slideshow later this week. If you can't wait - log on to Facebook and take a look.



Comment on this post

Fences by August Wilson, directed by Kenny Leon, at the Huntington Theatre Company's mainstage - Boston University Theatre, 264 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02115. Buy tickets online or call our box office at 617 266-0800. Box Office locations and hours click here.

A Civil War Christmas - Model Photos

Here are the model photos of A Civil War Christmas. Scenic design by Dan Ostling. The model is really beautiful, huh? The design makes use of the architecture of the theatre - not really a lot of built units - and we don't hide much. So Dan put his modeling energy into recreating the interior of the Boston University Theatre and took these great photos.

I love being in the theatre when it's empty, no set onstage, the walls and the rigging in plain view. For me it speaks of the promise of what it yet to come, the potential for theatre magic, something new and full of possibilities, taking you anywhere your imagination leads. It's a beautiful space, right? I can't think of a better place to set this play - come see where it takes you.





We'll start set construction in the next week or so, right along with the set for A Long and Winding Road (I'll dig up a sneak preview on that for you soon).

Comment on this post


A Civil War Christmas - An American Musical Celebration by Paula Vogel. Music supervised, arranged, and orchestrated by Daryl Waters. Directed by Jessica Thebus. At the Huntington Theatre Company's main stage; The Boston University Theatre, 264 Huntington Ave, Boston MA, 02115. Runs November 13 through December 13, 2009. Box Office 617 266-0800 or buy online at HuntingtonTheatre.org

A Civil War Christmas - Costume Design Prelims

Here are some prelim costume renderings from designer Miranda Hoffman for our upcoming production of A Civil War Christmas - An American Musical Celebration by Paula Vogel.



I was lucky to listen in on a great design conversation yesterday with the entire artistic team; playwright Paula Vogel, director Jessica Thebus, scenic designer Dan Ostling, costume designer Miranda Hoffman, lighting designer T.J. Gerkens, sound designer Ben Emerson and music supervisor Daryl Waters.

Now that they have settled on a scenic design (next post) conversations have begun on how to integrate the ideas into the other design areas. There was a lot of talk about finding the balance between being specific and detailed with some characters and keeping an overall simplicity for the entire piece. There will be more conversations and this design will certainly evolve in the next couple of weeks. If there's another round of renderings I'll share those with you - and certainly you'll get to see the end product. Enjoy

Comment on this post

A Civil War Christmas - An American Musical Celebration by Paula Vogel. Music supervised, arranged, and orchestrated by Daryl Waters. Directed by Jessica Thebus. At the Huntington Theatre Company's main stage; The Boston University Theatre, 264 Huntington Ave, Boston MA, 02115. Runs November 13 through December 13, 2009. Box Office 617 266-0800 or buy online at HuntingtonTheatre.org

September 4, 2009

B.U. Theatre Re Rigged

This summer the Huntington replaced and improved the counterweight line set system in the Boston University - our main stage. The line set system is 43 permanently installed pipes, rigged to arbors that hold counterweights, used to hang our lights and scenery. Our old fire curtain was replaced, and some of the structural steel in the theatre was reinforced. Some of the equipment upgraded was original to the theatre, other parts replaced were from upgrades made in the 50s and 70s. The system is now easier, safer, and more efficient to use, and we can put more weight on each batten.



Enjoy this slide show of the project.

The project is funded by a matching grant from the Massachusetts Cultural Facilities Fund. The grant also funded a complete replacement of the sound system in the B.U. Theatre including new speakers, amps, and digital control systems. These systems had not seen significant improvement in over 20 years. Surround sound capacity was added, along with upgrades to FOH communication and Assisted Listening equipment. Our wireless headsets and microphone equipment was also replaced in order to be compliant with new FCC regulations.

It's been a great project, and while it's not one that people might notice when they come see a show, it has put people to work and provided significant improvement to our production infrastructure. We're still looking for additional matching funds for the project and we could use your support. Please take a moment to donate here.

Comment on this post

Photos by Brian Sears and Adam Godbout, slideshow by Adam Godbout

Behind the Scenes Video

Take a look at this behind the scenes tech video from Santa Fe Opera. I didn't embed it here as you'll want to read the lyrics along with the video.

Great job! I think we may have a national video battle in the works!