bareNaked LA featuring F**KING VIGWAN by Kristoffer Diaz

It's been a blast and even more successful than last year - culminating this afternoon with a screenplay adaptation of Stephen Gracia's FAST FOOD STRATEGIES and F**KING VIGWAN (OR SWAG) by Kristoffer Diaz!!!

Kristoffer Diaz is a playwright and educator living in Brooklyn, NY. His plays (including 2010 Pulitzer Prize finalist The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity, Welcome to Arroyo’s, and Fucking Vigwan, among others) have been produced and developed at The Old Globe, Second Stage, Victory Gardens, InterAct, Mixed Blood, American Theatre Company, The Orchard Project, Williamstown Theatre Festival, Atlantic Theater Company, the Hip-Hop Theater Festival, Cutting Ball Theater, The Gallery Players, The Lark, the Summer Play Festival, The Donmar Warehouse and South Coast Repertory. Diaz was one of the creators ofBrink!, the apprentice anthology show at the 2009 Humana Festival of New American Plays. He is a playwright-in-residence at Teatro Vista; a co-founder of The Unit Collective (Minneapolis); a recipient of the Jerome Fellowship, the Future Aesthetics Artist Regrant and the Van Lier Fellowship (New Dramatists); and a member of the Ars Nova Play Group.

As an educator, conference presenter, and dramaturg, Kristoffer has worked with El Puente Academy for Peace and Justice, the International Thespian Festival, Florida Thespians, Cleveland Play House, Theatre Communications Group, No Passport, Austin Scriptworks/Latino Playwright Initiative, Rising Circle Productions, Future Aesthetics Artist Dialogue, the Association for Theatre in Higher Education and the Playwrights Center. He holds a BA from New York University’s Gallatin School of Individualized Study, an MFA from NYU’s Department of Dramatic Writing and an MFA from Brooklyn College’s Performing Arts Management program.

bareNaked LA featuring ADORATION OF THE OLD WOMAN by JOSE RIVERA

We are thrilled to be continuing our working relationship with Academy Award Nominated screenwriter and playwright, JOSE RIVERA. Our 3rd entry of the bareNaked LA Reading Series will featured Rivera's ADORATION OF THE OLD WOMAN (last seen in our 2nd Annual bareNaked Reading Series at the Cherry Lane Theatre in NYC). Tonight, Thursday, Feb 23rd we present a short play by resident playwright, Tyler Fascett along with the new play by Jose Rivera. Here's a closer look at Jose and his work:

JOSE RIVERA

José Rivera is the two-time Obie Award winning author of Marisol, Cloud Tectonics, References to Salvador Dali Make Me Hot, Boleros for the Disenchanted, and many other plays. Currently in the works are Human Emotional Process, The Hours are Feminine, Lessons for an Unaccustomed Bride, The Book of Fishes, a new translation of Kiss of the Spiderwoman, and a musical for The Civilians called La Corona. Rivera was nominated for an Academy Award, a BAFTA, and a Writers Guild Award for his screenplay “The Motorcycle Diaries,” directed by Walter Salles. His screenplay of Kerouac’s “On the Road,” also directed by Salles, will premiere internationally in 2012. For HBO he’s written a pilot for a one-hour series based on Massacre (Sing to Your Children) called “Mayhem.” Also in the works is “The 33” – a film about the 2010 rescue of 33 trapped miners in Chile. “Celestina,” based on his play Cloud Tectonics, will mark his debut as a feature film director. Rivera, who is playwright in residence at the Lark Theatre and a member of the Ensemble Studio Theatre and LAByrinth, lives in New York.

bareNaked LA featuring new play by TYLER FASCETT

We're really excited about presenting resident playwright, Tyler Fascett's new short play, POUND FOR POUND on the same bill as Jose Rivera's play tonight: Thursday, Feb 23rd; 8pm at The Art Of Acting Studio.

Some of you may recognize our resident playwright from the hit band - THE PUBLIC TRUST which we are looking forward to hearing them play AGAIN following this evening's readings.

Here's a peek at Tyler and The Public Trust:

TYLER FASCETT is a writer for the stage and screen based out of Los Angeles. He's thrilled to have his work in the hands of such an esteemed group of artists as The Barefoot Theater Co.

THE PUBLIC TRUST

Formed in Los Angeles in 2010, The Public Trust is a raw and raucous dose of swagger, soul, rock and roll. Laden with infectious hooks and driving rhythms, this runaway rocket is crewed by Mike Rossi (vox), Tyler Fascett (guitar), Ben Bostick (guitar/harmonica), Jordan Goldenberg (bass/keys), and The Wizard--Dallas Ybarra (drums). 2011 marked the release of the band's dual EP's, which are available now on Itunes. The Public Trust brings together rock and funk to create a sound that's undeniably fresh.

bareNaked LA ....

We're on day 3 of our bareNaked Reading Series at the Art Of Acting Studio and here's a peek at who will be directing our reading of ADORATION OF THE OLD WOMAN by Jose Rivera:

SCOTT ILLINGWORTH (Director) is a freelance director and teacher of movement and acting in the NYU Grad Acting Program. He is also a regular teacher of Masterclasses for LAByrinth Theater Co. Recent directing credits include the Off-Broadway world premiere of Beyond Words (Urban Stages), the premiere of Across the Water by Mona Mansour (NYU), Termination of Species by Ken Urban (Collaboraction), Israel Horovitz’s New Shorts (LAByrinth and Gloucester Stage), Deep Trees (LAByrinth), Lake Effect (Geva Theatre Center), and Chicago Summer (Collaboraction at Steppenwolf). He served as Associate Director to Mark Wing-Davey on the Off-Broadway productions Passion Play by Sarah Ruhl (EPIC), UNCONDITIONAL (LAByrinth), and The Singing Forest (The Public). Regionally Scott worked with Mr. Wing-Davey on Passion Play (Goodman and Yale Rep), and served as Assistant Director to Philip Seymour Hoffman on The Long Red Road (Goodman). www.directorsnote.com

JASON FURLANI (resident playwright)...

tonight's bareNaked LA Reading Series continues with A LONG HARD RAIN by Barefoot Theatre Company resident playwright, Jason Furlani and directed by Co-Artistic Director, Nicole Haran.

JASON FURLANI

A native of Schenectady, NY, Jason Furlani has asserted himself as a ten-year veteran in the New York theatre world, having had successful productions of his work with various companies and on numerous stages in NYC.

Most recently, the Blue Collar Theater Company presented Jason’s full-length comedy The Big Vig at the Bank Street Theatre for a month-long run. Prior to that, the Blue Collar Theater Company presented his full-length play LEADED at the West End Theatre, as well as his ten minute play Susan is a Pinhead, which had its debut as part of the Blue Collar “Shorts” Festival.

Other companies that have produced Jason’s work include: Zena Group, Real to Reel Productions and The 42^nd Street Workshop, and at present, his full length drama A Long Hard Rain is under consideration by various companies in NYC. Additionally, the film rights to A Long Hard Rain have been optioned by Propeller Productions in L.A. It is currently being adapted for the screen by the playwright. Jason’s newest work, Family Trees, is under consideration for the 2007 O’Neil Playwrights Conference.

Along with his work in the theatre, the thirty-six year old writer has penned the script for both of the Families of Freedom fundraising events (a 9/11 charity) hosted in successive order by Chevy Chase and Carol Kane.

A proud father and loving husband, Jason splits time between Los Angeles and his home base in Brooklyn, NY, with his wife Emily and daughter Eva.

LIVE MUSIC by SATU MAKEDA

our bareNaked LA Reading Series continues tonight with a new play by resident playwright, Jason Furlani. Join us for free drinks sponsored by CROWN BAR and NEW BELGIUM BREWING and live music by Satu Makeda. Here's a little bit about our musician for tonights presentation!!!

SATU MAKEDA
Born in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Satu started out as a TV host in New York City for Fashion Week and Fangoria TV. She studied broadcast journalism at the University of North Carolina, Wilmington. Satu is a graduate of the Stella Adler Studio of Acting, New York. Past theater credits: Julia, Two Gentlemen of Verona (Oxford Shakespeare Company), and Helen of Troy, Trojan Women. TV credits: Dawson's Creek, Flight of the Conchords. Upcoming feature films: The Coalition, ’94, Slumberland. She can be seen performing with her rock band, Modern Time Machines.

LIVE MUSIC by THE PUBLIC TRUST

Join us next week in Los Angeles, California as we present some of the freshest new plays by both emerging and established playwrights in the business!!! During our bareNaked LA Reading Series you'll also enjoy free drinks and LIVE MUSIC! Check out one of our bands returning this year at the Art Of Acting Studio. Guitarist, Tyler Fascett will also have a new play featured on Thursday, Feb 23rd on the same bill as Jose Rivera's new play. The Public Trust will be seen/heard during the bareNaked LA Reading Series on Tuesday, Feb 21st and Thursday, Feb 23rd.

THE PUBLIC TRUST

Formed in Los Angeles in 2010, The Public Trust is a raw and raucous dose of swagger, soul, rock and roll. Laden with infectious hooks and driving rhythms, this runaway rocket is crewed by Mike Rossi (vox), Tyler Fascett(guitar), Ben Bostick (guitar/harmonica), Jordan Goldenberg (bass/keys), and The Wizard--Dallas Ybarra (drums). 2011 marked the release of the band's dual EP's, which are available now on Itunes. The Public Trust brings together rock and funk to create a sound that's undeniably fresh.

writer and producer of THE SIMPSONS...

Our bareNaked LA Reading Series will open next week with a new play by MIKE REISS, I'M CONNECTICUT featuring the Barefoot Theatre Company Ensemble as well as special guest artists including JOYCE DeWITT.

For more info on our exciting line-up: join us on FACEBOOK:

http://www.facebook.com/events/293550404039658/

Mike Reiss

Mike Reiss is has won four Emmys and a Peabody Award during his eighteen years writing for “The Simpsons”. In 2006, Reiss received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Animation Writers Caucus. Reiss co-created the animated series “The Critic” and created Showtime’s hit cartoon “Queer Duck” (about a gay duck). “Queer Duck” was recently named one of “The 100 Greatest Cartoons of All Time” by the BBC. “Queer Duck: the Movie” was released to rave reviews in July 2006. The film won awards in New York, Chicago, Sweden, Germany and Wales. Reiss’s other TV credits include “It’s Garry Shandling’s Show”, “ALF”, and “The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson”. “My Life in Ruins”, a film inspired by his travels to 61 countries, was released in 2009. Reiss was also co-wrote ‘The Simpsons Movie” and “Ice Age 3”, with a combined world-wide gross of $1.5 billion. His caveman detective story “Cro-Magnon P.I.” won an Edgar Award from the Mystery Writers of America. He has published fourteen children’s books, including the best-seller “How Murray Saved Christmas” and the award-winning “Late for School”. Reiss also composes puzzles for “NPR”, and “Games Magazine”.

As a professional speaker, Reiss has lectured at over one

hundred colleges and institutions, on six continents. His topics include “The Simpsons”, comedy and Judaism, and the sorry state of television. Reiss is a former president of “The Harvard Lampoon” and editor of “The National Lampoon”. He has been happily married for twenty-one years. Like most children’s book authors, he has no children.

www.barefoottheatrecompany.org

bareNaked LA featuring....

We're thrilled to announce this addition to our directors and cast for bareNaked LA...

Joyce DeWitt

Miss DeWitt is most widely known to audiences for her starring role as "Janet Wood" in the ABC Television hit series Three's Company. She also has an extensive background in the Theatre, working both as actress and director in a Stage career which spans over forty years.

Miss DeWitt has starred in numerous theatrical productions including most recently Love Letter’s with Tab Hunter, It’s Connecticut by The Simpson’s writer Mike Reiss, Miss Abigail’s Guide to Dating, Mating and Marriage!, A Scattered, Smothered and Covered Christmas Musical the Canadian premieres of the 2000 Pulitzer Prize winning play Dinner With Friends and Alfred Uhry's Tony Award-winning play The Last Night of Ballyhoo. Other recent stage performances include the North American premiere of the Australian comedy Daylight Savings, the British farce Noises Off, the revival of Cole Porter's Anything Goes, and the Broadway musical Olympus on My Mind, for which she completed the cast recording - her first record album.

Miss DeWitt's other Theatre credits include starring roles in Chapter Two, Sweet Charity, Damn Yankees, Middle of the Night, Star Spangled Girl, The Crucible, Medea, Tartuffe, A Hatful of Rain, Desire Under the Elms, MacBeth, The Mikado, LiI' Abner, South Pacific, The Man Who Came To Dinner, Peter Pan, Brigadoon, All the Way Home, A Month in the Country, The Tempest, The Impossible Years, Dracula: An Original Rock Musical, Stop the World, I Want To Get Off, and Same Time, Next Year.

Her other television credits include singing and dancing in numerous specials having had the pleasure of appearing with such wonderful talents as Greer Garson, Ann Miller, Perry Como, Bill Cosby, Anne Murray, Tony Randall, Rich Little, Cheryl Ladd, John Ritter and Steve Martin. She has also made numerous guest-starring appearances on popular Television programs including The Loveboat, The Osmonds, Hope Island, Cybill, Twitch City, and Living Single, as well as starring in the Television Movies With This Ring and Spring Fling.

Miss DeWitt holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Ball State University and a Master of Fine Arts Degree from UCLA where she was awarded the Master of Fine Arts Fellowship as well as the Clifton Webb Scholarship.

Born in Wheeling, West Virginia, on April 23rd, Miss DeWitt is one of four children. Her childhood years were divided between West Virginia and Indiana.

Having had the good fortune to work with such wonderful human beings as Valerie Harper and Dennis Weaver, whose dedication to ending hunger and homelessness in our world and support of environmental issues is boundless, Miss De Witt participated with members of the House and Senate at the Capitol Hill Forum on Hunger and Homelessness and has hosted presentations for the Family Assistance Program of Hollywood. She is most grateful for having been allowed the privilege of hosting the International Awards Ceremony at the White House for the Presidential End Hunger Awards, as well as co-hosting, with Jeff Bridges, the World Food Day Gala at the Kennedy Center. She was recently honored to be asked to participate in Broadway Cares.

FOR MORE INFO ON OUR WEST COAST RESIDENCY VISIT: http://www.facebook.com/events/293550404039658/

from Artistic Associate, Minna Taylor...

As a theater artist in New York City, I find it can be difficult to foster the type of community that will not only keep you inspired to continue working is such a saturated field, but also challenge you to engage in your work conscientiously and holistically while providing a supportive environment in which to do so. What Barefoot has offered me is a place to witness beautiful theater artists engage in their craft and a home where I can do the same. That is a rare entity.

Since I have been introduced to Barefoot, I have had the opportunity to perform in staged readings, ASM a show, build a community, and explore new works as well as beautiful revivals like this years Raft of the Medusa. The support I have been given, simply as a friend and supporter of their company, has been overwhelming and I really cannot express what it means to be invited in as an Artistic Associate. I feel invigorated and blissfully optimistic about what the future holds. Through commitment, craft, and community, anything is possible.

Bio stuff:

Minna Taylor is an actress living and working out of New York City. She earned her BFA from NYU Tisch in association with The Atlantic Theater Company and was awarded her MFA from Brooklyn College. Minna has appeared in film, theater, and the occasional commercial. Most recently she participated in the LAByrinth Theater Company Ensemble Workshop, which resulted in the development of an ambitious theater collective. The goal of which is producing self-generated new work. Along with fellow Barefoot member, Samantha Fontana, she co-founded a short film production company, S&M. Minna also works as a speech and voice coach. More information can be found at www.minnataylor.com OR www.energizeyourvoice.net

ARTISTIC ASSOCIATES

We're thrilled about having one of our own Ensemble Members join us on the Artistic Associate team!!!

Mark von Sternberg

is a Brooklyn-based playwright, screenwriter and director whose stage plays have received numerous productions across New York City. Credits include The Zen Cynic, which premiered at Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts (wrote and directed); Rats! at the DUMBO Art Festival (2000); Lost in Buenos Aires produced by The Queens Players at The Secret Theatre (2011) and The Pump (a staged reading at Theater for the New City). Mark served as a script reader for Manhattan Theatre Club during their 2005-2006 seasons, and since 2007, he has been an ensemble member of Barefoot Theatre Company, a multi-cultural troupe that has theater residencies in New York and LA. In 2008, Mark wrote and directed the coming-of-age romance, Love Simple, which received tremendous feedback on the 2009-2010 festival circuit and was hailed by Variety as an “engaging neighborhood pic... with genuine flair and wit.” The film co-stared internationally acclaimed playwright Israel Horovitz in a rare acting performance and was released on iTunes in the spring of 2010 and distributed by Synergetic in November. Being one of the first films to portray a main character who suffers from lupus, Love Simple has partnered with the international Lupus Research Institute and other local lupus organizations to help raise funds and awareness for the disease. In addition to Love Simple, Mark has written six screenplays, ranging from slap-stick comedy to psychological thriller, some of which are currently in various stages of review at production houses on the West Coast. Mark is a graduate of Brooklyn College with a B.F.A. in Acting (2000). He and his wife, Denise, own two cats and are the proud parents of their three-year old son, Dylan.

Statement

"I am honored to be joining the Barefoot Theatre Company as an Artistic Associate. Having worked with Barefoot since its inception back in 1999, it has been a thrill to watch the company grow in scope, size and creatively with each production and season. Theatre is a tough business, and year after year, the entire Barefoot family has been tenacious in showing up with engaging and quality theatre. It is exciting to have the opportunity to contribute to the company in a more intimate capacity."

2nd annual bareNaked LA Reading Series!!!

2011-2012 has been an amazing season so far!!! This past Fall produced our STRIPP3D Festival - a collaboration with East 3rd Productions. We presented a new play by award winning playwrights Israel Horovitz and Kristoffer Diaz as well as a world premier play by Chicago playwright, Randall Colburn and the revival of Joe Pintauro's critically acclaimed drama, Raft Of The Medusa.

After a short break during the holidays and beginning of Winter Season - we returned last night with the staged reading of Horovitz's OBIE Award winning THE HONEST-TO-GOD SCHNOZZOLA at Central Bar, NYC and announced our upcoming bareNaked LA Reading Series Line-up!

Later this month we continue our collaboration with the Art Of Acting Studio in Los Angeles, CA as we present a week of new plays and workshops.

Our Residency at the Art Of Acting Studio will take begin on Monday, Feb 20th through Friday, Feb 24th. We are thrilled to announce our playwrights, directors and ensemble:

Monday, Feb 20th, 2012

Ensemble Workshop with Art Of Acting Studio

and Barefoot Theatre Company Ensemble Members

Tuesday, Feb 21st, 2012

POUND FOR POUND by Tyler Fascett

&

I'M CONNECTICUT by Mike Reiss

directed by TBA

Wednesday, Feb 22nd, 2012

A LONG HARD RAIN by Jason Furlani

directed by Nicole Haran

Thursday, Feb 23rd, 2012

I SWALLOWED A TRIANGLE by Trish Harnetiaux

directed by Francisco Solorzano

&

ADORATION OF THE OLD WOMAN by Jose Rivera

directed by Scott Illingworth

Friday, Feb 24th, 2012

Stephen Gracia's FAST FOOD STRATEGIES

screenplay adaptation by Francisco Solorzano

&

F**KING VIGWAN by Kristoffer Diaz

directed by Francisco Solorzano

FEATURING

Dedra McCord-Ware, Jeremy Brena, Christopher Whalen, Angelina Fiordellisi, Francisco Solorzano, Samantha Fontana, Anika Solvieg, Students of Art Of Acting Studio, more barefoot ensemble members and SPECIAL SURPRISE GUESTS!!!

and LIVE MUSIC by THE PUBLIC TRUST

More info on WHO'S WHO and ENSEMBLE MEMBERS coming soon!!!

from Emmy and Golden Globe winner...

Check out what Jimmy Smits had to say about our Ensemble and work:

"I am so proud of what the Barefoot Theatre Company has achieved in such a short time. This talented young ensemble does innovative and professional work that is on par with many established companies in New York City. I wish these talented young artists were at Brooklyn College with me when I was a student. We missed each other in school but I catch them now and I recommend that you do too!

BRAVO! Que Viva Los Descalzados! Support BAREFOOT and be a part of the family!"

- Jimmy Smits (NY Theatre actor, EMMY & Golden Globe winner)