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."

ARTISTIC ASSOCIATES

We are proud to introduce Lisa Anderson, one of our Artistic Associates!!!

Lisa Anderson is originally from California and moved to New York to attend Brooklyn College, where she received her BFA in Acting. In New York, she has acted in numerous productions includingThe Coming World by Christopher Shinn (Stable Cable Lab Co.), No One Is Excused from the Trouble of Living by Julia May Jonas (Columbia University), The Children’s Hour(Compassion Theater Co.), Much Ado About Nothing (Theater Smarts), and several others. Lisa was a member of the Hangar Theater Lab Co. in 2010 where she performed in the premiere of Jeff Tabnick’s The Idiot, as well as two children’s show for the Hangar Kidstuff summer series. Lisa is currently devising a new play with Stable Cable Lab Co.

With Barefoot Theatre Company, Lisa has acted in several staged readings including West Asheville by Tim Plaehn, Balm in Gilead by Lanford Wilson (Darlene), Waiting for “Waiting for Godot” by Mike Reiss, and The Beginning and the End by Kristin Wheeler. She was an acting instructor for Barefoot Theatre Kids and has participated in many of the director’s labs. Since graduating from Brooklyn College, Barefoot has felt like a family to Lisa and she looks forward to continuing to be a part of their endeavors.

ARTISTIC ASSOCIATES

Meet Cristina Pitter, one of our newest Artistic Associates that we are excited to be working with!

CRISTINA PITTER

A native New Yorker, Cristina is a graduate of Suffolk County Community College's Theatre Arts Program, and will be graduating this year with a BFA in Acting from CUNY Brooklyn College. For the past two years she has performed in Gi60: International One Minute Play Festival playing multiple roles and also played Rust in Barefoot's staged reading of Balm in Gilead. Along with acting, Cristina is also an avid dancer, singer, writer and theatrical make-up artist. Cristina is blessed and honored to explore and grow as an artist with the wonderful family at Barefoot.

Cristina joins the Artistic Associate team announced so far: Gillian Rougier, Eric Vigdorov, Jennie West, Minna Taylor...a few more to announce!!!

ARTISTIC ASSOCIATES

We're getting closer to announcing our line-up for our bareNaked LA Reading Series!!! But here's another one of our incredible Artistic Associates that we're proud to introduce and give you a closer look at:

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

Welcome Eric Vigdorov! We're thrilled to announce yet another of our handful of Artistic Associates.

ERIC VIGDOROV- Eric is a native New Yorker, born and raised in Brooklyn. Ever since he was a child, Eric wanted to be an actor. As his career began to develop he found many avenues for his art. He is now finishing up his final credits at CUNY Brooklyn College where we will receive a B.F.A in Acting. Eric was most recently seen performing at the Cherry Lane Theatre during Barefoot Theatre Company’s Stripp3d Festival, where he played the role of office worker in Kristoffer Diaz’s F**king Vigwan (Or Swag). Other credits in New York include Reefer Madness, Dorothy in Oz both produced by Adam Roebuck Productions and BEAST which was featured in The Figment Festival. Eric would like to thank Frank Solorzano and the rest of the Barefoot Theatre Company family for helping him grow and work on his craft, and his wonderful family for their love.

Barefoot experience blurb:

I first heard of the Barefoot Theatre Company when I was a sophomore at Brooklyn College studying in the B.F.A Acting program. A professor of mine had told me that this company was changing the land scape of the New York Theater world. The best part about that, is when I found out the company started from former graduates of the BFA and MFA programs at Brooklyn College. I knew that I had to be apart of them. After speaking to Frank Solorzano I instantly fell in love with his drive and passion for theater. I asked him if there was anyway that I could help the company, and he told me to show up, volunteer and support. Which I did regularly until Frank contacted me to be a Associate Producer on the Stripp3d Festival this past Fall.

Working with the Barefoot Theatre Company has been one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve had in my life. Barefoot is more then just a theatre company - it is a real family. Every time I attend a rehearsal, a meeting, and talk to other members, I feel the warmth and welcome. Every person who is involved with the company has a true passion for the art of theatre. I seemed to have landed myself in a place where I was free to share my ideas and offer a contributing hand. I am forever grateful to the kindness of this family, and very excited to be working as an Artistic Associate for the rest of the 2011-2012 season!

ARTISTIC ASSOCIATES

Currently working on future projects but in the meantime, here's more on our ARTISTIC ASSOCIATES!!! We are thrilled to have Ensemble Member, Jennie West work a little closer with programming of our current and future seasons.

JENNIE WEST started performing at a very young age most notably singing private audience for former first lady Bess Wallace Truman. She has honed her craft at such institutions as The Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts and The New School. Her work, based in the Meisner Technique, won her the Best Performance Award at the Dusty Film Festival for her leading role in Resonance and distinction as a "standout" in stage productions. Jennie began working with Barefoot Theatre Company on their production of Balm in Gilead as "Babe".

Other roles include "Alma Weinmiller" in Eccentricities of A Nightingale, ensemble work in various exciting original works curated by Mabou Mines and the Puerto Rican Traveling Theatre. Most recently, Jennie performed in Dramatic Question Theatre’s Bar Play Series as the lead in Pink Bunny Slippers and DoubleStoly , Ensemble player in Dialogue with Three Chords podcast production of The Krampus and Barefoot Theatre Company’s workshop production as “Quellz” inFucking Vigwan by Kristoffer Diaz.

Jennie is truly grateful to be working with Barefoot Theatre Company.

Barefoot has given her an unparalleled opportunity to grow and explore her craft, work with masterful playwrights and participate in other valuable aspects of production while supporting a valuable mission. She has found a home with an amazing group of dedicated, talented and risk taking artists.

ARTISTIC ASSOCIATES

We are extremely excited to introduce you to one of our Artistic Associates, Gillian Rougier!!! On behalf of the entire Barefoot Theatre Company, WELCOME Gillian!

Gillian Rougier:

is proud to have worked with The Barefoot Theatre Company this past fall! She played The Temp in the workshop production of Kristoffer Diaz’s “Fucking Vigwan” or “Swag.” She was privileged to play Nairobi in the premiere revised edition of Joe Pintauro’s“Raft of the Medusa.” She also did a staged reading with the company of Balm in Gilead. She was recently named Artistic Associate and looks forward to working with the company in this capacity. She holds a BFA in Acting from Brooklyn College (CUNY.) She was born and raised in Trinidad and Tobago.