Dec 082015
 

AMBASSADOR THEATER CASTING CALL:

THEY DON’T PAY, WE WON’T PAY by Dario Fo

Directed by Joe Martin

MONDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2016 6-8 PM and 8-10 PM

Please register for one of the time slot online and be ready to read from the script!

The scheduled run, March 2016, Wednesdays – Sundays

First Preview: Tuesday March 1, 2016

Thereafter, Wednesdays-Sundays to Sat., March 1-March 27, 2016

Rehearsal Schedule: Planned to start first readings January 5, 2016

Actors are not called to all rehearsals, and sometimes only for a portion of rehearsal until the runs and tech.

Sat/Sundays: Generally 1pm-6 pm No evenings until tech week February 21-February 28, 2016

Weekdays: 6:30pm – 10:30 pm will takes place on Monday – Thursday generally, unless otherwise notified

(After the first two weeks of source work—reading, workshops, and ensemble work, this will be only 3 weekday nights)

The Play:

One of the great European comedies of the 20th Century, which caused Nobel Prizing winning playwright Dario Fo to be brought to trial for incitement in this play about women a mass movement of shoplifting from food stores, due to price hikes, throughout a city.  The result is a peculiar number of pregnant-looking women in coats being pursued by the authorities everywhere. It is both physical comedy and a comedy of wit, sometimes in the “boulevard” style.  Fo has roots in Commedia dell’Arte, and the influence shows in this modern farce.

The characters:

ANTONIA is a middle-aged (40s-50s) working class woman who knows how to live dangerously in a crisis—but prone to disastrous mistakes of judgment.  She acts like she wants her husband’s approval in all she does – just enough to keep him fooled.

MARGHARITA is a working class woman in her mid-20s to mid-30s (give or take) who often follows her friend Antonia’s lead; who both enjoys mischief, but is quickly frightened in a corner.

GIOVANNI (age 40 – 55 for actors), Antonia’s husband, works in a factory.  He is angry about the outsourcing of jobs by companies overseas, and unemployment at home.  He is a moralist insofar as he supports law and order.  He thinks himself shrewd – but is easily duped.

LUIGI (late 20s to late 30s) is Marghareta’s husband, also a worker, discontent with deteriorating working conditions and prices. Quite frantic when he is told his wife is “pregnant” but just slow enough – or male enough – to believe it.

POLICE SERGEANT, UNDERTAKER, GRANDFATHER, THE STATE TROOPER: all played by the same actor.  (20s to  50s) All these characters “look mysteriously” alike.)

WE ARE ALSO LOOKING FOR ASSISTANT DIRECTOR and STAGE MANAGER – Interested, please send your resume at ambassadortheater@aticc.org

PAID!

WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING YOU AT THE CASTING CALL!

CHEERS,

Team of the Ambassador Theater

Dec 082015
 

Ambassador Theater is looking for a House/Box Office Manager for the upcoming production of “Smartphones”

They Don’t Pay? We Won’t Pay! : Shows: March 1 – March 26, 2016;

Previews: March 1, 2, 2016 at 8:00 PM, Call at 6:30 PM;

Opening March 3, 2016  at 8:00 PM, Call at 6:30 PM;

Shows: Wed-Sat at 8:00 PM Call at 6:30 pm;

Matinees: Sundays at 2:00 PM, Call at 12:30 PM;

At Flashpoint, 916 G Street, NW, Washington DC 20016

Please e-mail your resume at ambassadortheater@aticc.org

This is a paid position

We are also looking for friendly ushers to assist our patrons at each show!

If you are friendly and like to see the show, please e-mail us at ambassadortheater@aticc.org and state which days you are available!  You get additional free ticket to each show!

Looking forward to hearing from you,

Team of the Ambassador Theater

 

Dec 082015
 

Ambassador Theater is looking for Assistant Director and Stage Manager  for the upcoming production of They Don’t Pay? We Won’t Pay by Dario Fo

Produced by Hanna Bondarewska

Directed by Joe Martin

In Partnership with the Embassy of Italy and Italian Cultural Institute

Casting Call December 14, 2015 6-10 PM at FLASHPOINT, 916 G Street, NW, Washington DC

The first rehearsals are starting January 5, 2016.

The scheduled run, March 2016, Wednesdays – Sundays

Previews: Tuesday March 1, 2, 2016

Opening Thursday, March 3, 2016

Thereafter, Wednesdays-Sundays to Sat., March 1-March 27, 2016

Rehearsal Schedule: Planned to start January 5, 2016

Actors are not called to all rehearsals, and sometimes only for a portion of rehearsal until the runs and tech.

Sat/Sundays: Generally 1pm-6 pm No evenings until tech week February 21-February 28, 2016

Weekdays: 6:30pm – 10:30 pm will takes place on Monday – Thursday generally, unless otherwise notified

(After the first two weeks of source work—reading, workshops, and ensemble work, this will be only 3 weekday nights)

Interested, please e-mail your resume at at ambassadortheater@aticc.org

These are paid positions

Looking forward to working with you!

Cheers,

Team of the Ambassador Theater

Oct 272015
 

“*****”Smartphones is one of the smartest, sharpest satires I’ve seen. It’s also one of the shortest—the subtitle’s “pocket-size” doesn’t lie. And in its refreshing brevity is soul of its conspicuous wit.” John Stotlenberg.

Sep 222015
 

Washington, DC, September 20, 2015

–For immediate release—

In Partnership with the Embassy of Spain and SPAIN arts & culture  

Ambassador Theater Presents

SMARTPHONES, A Pocket-Size Farce

By Emilio Williams

…One of the funniest and cleverest pieces of absurd theater…

Produced by Hanna Bondarewska

Directed by Joe Banno, Helen Hayes awarded director

Music/Sound by Gabriel Dib

Set & Lights Design by David Ghatan

Costumes by Lynly Saunders

Production Stage Manager Michelle Taylor

Featuring:

Ariana Almajan, Moriah Whiteman, Shravan Amin, Tekle Ghebremeschel and Hanna Bondarewska

WHERE: Mead Theatre Lab at FLASHPOINT

916 G Street NW, Washington DC

WHEN: October 20 – November 15, 2015; Thursdays – Saturdays at 8:00 pm; Matinees: Saturdays & Sundays at 2:00 pm

Oct. 20, 21 Previews at 8 pm; Oct. 22 at 8 pm, Opening & Reception follows

Press Night: Sat, Oct. 24, 8 pm; Special Q&A after the show with the author, Emilio Williams, director, Joe Banno and actors

TICKETS ONLINE: $20 – $40 Online: http://www.aticc.org/home/category/get-tickets

For 16 + Audiences

Media/Press: please e-mail us to reserve your tickets!

Welcome to the World of the Absurd and the Ridiculous and get ready to reflect on your own, in Emilio Williams’s quirky pocket-size farce ‘Smartphones’. Two couples addicted to social media and self-gratification get too close for comfort stuck in a house of their elusive friend, who may never arrive. While waiting for Fede and pestering their smartphones to ‘death’, the group begin to lose their cool. The lies are exposed, masks dropped, secret desires revealed in this fast paced comedy too ridiculous to be true, or is it?

The Team of Ambassador Theater is thrilled to present the play, Smartphones, by a Spanish playwright and director Emilio Williams. Williams’ plays have been produced in Spain, Argentina, France, Estonia, the United Kingdom and the United States (including productions and performances in Chicago, New York, Washington DC, and Los Angeles). His most recent comedy “Your Problem with Men” was produced by Teatro Luna in Chicago, and has traveled to New York City, Los Angeles and the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. In 2012, his one woman show “Medea’s Got Some Issues” received “Best International Show” at United Solo Festival, Off Broadway, New York City. That same year, his comedy “Smartphones – a pocket-size farce,” received its world premiere at Trap Door Theatre in Chicago. The book was published as part of the anthology New Plays from Spain by Siegel Center. In 2010, his “dramedy” “Tables and Beds, an unromantic comedy“was selected among 80 plays from 12 countries as the winner of the 4th Premio el EspectáculoTeatral. Emilio has degrees in journalism and in film and video. In the 1990’s, he worked for CNN in Atlanta and Washington. He worked for The Johns Hopkins University between 2001 and 2011. In 2011, he moved permanently to Chicago, the city where his father was born. He currently works for The University of Chicago developing the international business of its healthcare enterprise.

Ambassador Theater’s mission is to build international cultural awareness, provide a high standard of international repertoire based on close relations with the diplomatic and cultural representatives of different countries in the United States, and provide international interactive educational programs for the youth of the District of Columbia, the D.C. Metro area, and around the United States.

Contact: Hanna Bondarewska, Artistic Director

(703) 475-4036; HannaB@aticc.org

or Eliza Anna Falk, Literary Director

(703) 618-1160; eliza.falk@aticc.org

ATICC is a 501(c)3 Nonprofit Organization. For more information, visit www.aticc.org

Contact: Hanna Bondarewska, Artistic Director

(703) 475-4036; HannaB@aticc.org

or Eliza Anna Falk, Literary Director

(703) 618-1160;

eliza.falk@aticc.org

Washington, DC, September 20, 2015

–For immediate release—

In Partnership with the Embassy of Spain and SPAIN arts & culture

Ambassador Theater Presents

DC Premiere of

SMARTPHONES, A Pocket-Size Farce

By Emilio Williams

…One of the funniest and cleverest pieces of absurd theater…

Produced by Hanna Bondarewska

Directed by Joe Banno, Helen Hayes awarded director

Music/Sound by Gabriel Dib

Set & Lights Design by David Ghatan

Costumes by Lynly Saunders

Featuring: Ariana Almajan, Moriah Whiteman, Bruce Rauscher, Shravan Amin, and Tekle Ghebremeschel

WHERE: Mead Theatre Lab at FLASHPOINT

916 G Street NW, Washington DC

WHEN: October 20 – November 15, 2015; Thursdays – Saturdays at 8:00 pm; Matinees: Saturdays & Sundays at 2:00 pm

Oct. 20, 21 Previews at 8 pm; Oct. 22 at 8 pm, Opening & Reception follows

Press Night: Sat, Oct. 24, 8 pm; Special Q&A after the show with the author, Emilio Williams, director, Joe Banno and actors

TICKETS: $20 – $40 Online: http://www.aticc.org/home/category/get-tickets

For 16 + Audiences

Media/Press: please e-mail us to reserve your tickets!

Be prepared for the Absurd and the Ridiculous, as well as moments of thoughtful reflection, in Emilio Williams’s quirky pocket-size farce ‘Smartphones’. This modern surreal play deconstructs relations between four egocentric individuals addicted to social media and self-gratification. Two couples and their precarious worlds get too close for comfort stuck in a house of their elusive friend, who may never arrive. While waiting for Fede and pestering their smartphones to ‘death’, the group begin to lose their cool. The lies are exposed, masks dropped, secret desires revealed in this fast paced comedy too ridiculous to be true, or is it?

The Team of Ambassador Theater is thrilled to present the play, Smartphones, by a Spanish playwright and director Emilio Williams. Williams’ plays have been produced in Spain, Argentina, France, Estonia, the United Kingdom and the United States (including productions and performances in Chicago, New York, Washington DC, and Los Angeles).

His most recent comedy “Your Problem with Men” was produced by Teatro Luna in Chicago, and has traveled to New York City, Los Angeles and the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. In 2012, his one woman show “Medea’s Got Some Issues” received “Best International Show” at United Solo Festival, Off Broadway, New York City. That same year, his comedy “Smartphones – a pocket-size farce,” received its world premiere at Trap Door Theatre in Chicago. The book was published as part of the anthology New Plays from Spain by Siegel Center. In 2010, his “dramedy” “Tables and Beds, an unromantic comedy“was selected among 80 plays from 12 countries as the winner of the 4th Premio el EspectáculoTeatral. Emilio has degrees in journalism and in film and video. In the 1990’s, he worked for CNN in Atlanta and Washington. He worked for The Johns Hopkins University between 2001 and 2011. In 2011, he moved permanently to Chicago, the city where his father was born. He currently works for The University of Chicago developing the international business of its healthcare enterprise.

Ambassador Theater’s mission is to build international cultural awareness, provide a high standard of international repertoire based on close relations with the diplomatic and cultural representatives of different countries in the United States, and provide international interactive educational programs for the youth of the District of Columbia, the D.C. Metro area, and around the United States.

ATICC is a 501(c)3 Nonprofit Organization. For more information, visit www.aticc.org

Mar 182014
 

Message of World Theatre Day 2014

Brett Bailey’s Message

Wherever there is human society, the irrepressible Spirit of Performance manifests.

Under trees in tiny villages, and on high tech stages in global metropolis; in school halls and in fields and in temples; in slums, in urban plazas, community centres and inner-city basements, people are drawn together to commune in the ephemeral theatrical worlds that we create to express our human complexity, our diversity, our vulnerability, in living flesh, and breath, and voice.

We gather to weep and to remember; to laugh and to contemplate; to learn and to affirm and to imagine. To wonder at technical dexterity, and to incarnate gods. To catch our collective breath at our capacity for beauty and compassion and monstrosity. We come to be energized, and to be empowered. To celebrate the wealth of our various cultures, and to dissolve the boundaries that divide us.

Wherever there is human society, the irrepressible Spirit of Performance manifests. Born of community, it wears the masks and the costumes of our varied traditions. It harnesses our languages and rhythms and gestures, and clears a space in our midst.

And we, the artists that work with this ancient spirit, feel compelled to channel it through our hearts, our ideas and our bodies to reveal our realities in all their mundanity and glittering mystery.

But, in this era in which so many millions are struggling to survive, are suffering under oppressive regimes and predatory capitalism, are fleeing conflict and hardship; in which our privacy is invaded by secret services and our words are censored by intrusive governments; in which forests are being annihilated, species exterminated, and oceans poisoned: what do we feel compelled to reveal?

In this world of unequal power, in which various hegemonic orders try to convince us that one nation, one race, one gender, one sexual preference, one religion, one ideology, one cultural framework is superior to all others, is it really defensible to insist that the arts should be unshackled from social agendas?

Are we, the artists of arenas and stages, conforming to the sanitized demands of the market, or seizing the power that we have: to clear a space in the hearts and minds of society, to gather people around us, to inspire, enchant and inform, and to create a world of hope and open-hearted collaboration?

More information about Brett Bailey

JOIN AMBASSADOR THEATER MARCH 27th WORLD THEATER CELEBRATION

Get Your Tickets today, the ticket includes the show and a wine reception after the show!

at FLASHPOINT, 916 G Street, NW

 

Apr 262013
 

 

Ambassador Theater invites all kids and parents to an
OPEN DRAMA CLASS
Celebrating the Culture of Ancient Egypt
With a short presentation by our Voyagers
Join their adventures in fun theater games and have fun with our
Star Drama Instructor, Ms. Lilia Slavova
Join our pot-luck reception after the presentation in the beautiful lobby of CONVERGENCE
Wednesday, May 1, 2013 at 6 pm
At Convergence
1819 N. Quaker Lane, Alexandria VA 22302
Please RSVP

Check out our Summer Educational Programs: HERE

Apr 032013
 
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Type: Theatre
Pay: Paid
Union: Union/Non-Union

Audition/Casting Date(s): Wednesday, April 10, 2013
Start/End Time: 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Location: Ambassador Theater at Durant Arts Center, Room #3/4 1605 Cameron St. – Alexandria, VA 22314 (Near King Street Metro)

Please e-mail your photo/resume at ambassadortheater@aticc.org
REGISTER ON LINE FOR YOUR AUDITION: EVENTBRITE, pick your time slot/ticket

Breakdown/Description:
Ambassador Theater is holding a casting call for three plays: The Third Breast by Ireneusz Iredynski, Protest by Vaclav Havel, and Dyskolos by Menander. The plays will be produced at Mead Theater Lab at Flashpoint and at the George Washington Masonic Memorial Theater;

The Third Breast: Performances: July 10 – August 4, 2013 Thursdays-Sundays at Mead Theater Lab at FLASPOINT
Ewa– a woman, leader, attractive
George– Good looking young male, (27-40s) singer and preferably guitar player
Thomas– An Older Man, late 30s-40s and up
The Third Breast is a classic example of one of Iredynski’s favorite scenarios in which human weaknesses, insecurities and obsessions paired up with power, lead to manipulation, cruelty and violence. The play invites us into a closed, almost cult like community of nature lovers, whose charismatic spiritual leader, Ewa, unexpectedly grows a third breast and unable to have it removed, becomes depressed and unsure of her future leadership ability. After failed suicide attempt she manipulates her closest allies, a commune founder Thomas and her new lover George, into killing two community members who know her secret and as such pose a threat to her leadership status. George gains Ewa’s total trust by playing a key role in the “accidental” killings, and as her favorite and only lover, begins to feel his growing power. What follows makes the plot even more unexpected and shocking…

Protest: October 2013
2 Male and 2 female actors: young and older
In Protest we meet a dissident on return home from prison, getting involved in a campaign to protest against the government by getting people to sign a petition calling for a change in the way things are done in his country. In our version, the two male characters will also have counter characters echoed in 2 females. One character is the protesting artist who suffered for his beliefs, the other a compromising
and compromised playwright. The play was written in the 1970′s by acclaimed human rights activist and the first president of the Czech Republic.

Dyskolos: December/January 2013/2014
We are casting young Female/Male actors, movement/flexibility is a plus, acting in masks ability
A wealthy young man falls in love at first sight with a beautiful, but poor farmer’s daughter. The only thing that stands in the way of their happiness is the woman’s violent, misanthropic father. This play will be performed in an updated mask style drawing upon such diverse influences as Ancient Greek, Commedie Francaise, and The Three Stooges. Experience with physical acting, masks, pantomime and classical text are all helpful skills.

FOR YOUR AUDITIONS:
Prepare one/two monologues: one dramatic, one comedic
Bring your photo/resume and be ready to move and read from the scripts !

Audition Address:
DURANT ARTS CENTER
1605 Cameron St. – Alexandria
Alexandria VA 22314

Contact Information:
Hanna Bondarewska
ambassadortheater@aticc.org