bareNaked Reading Series (JUNE/JULY)

Our bareNaked Reading Series (no sets, no props, just words) continues with three new plays by Amina Henry, Micheline Auger and Adam Szymkowicz. Join us for three nights of #NYTheatre #EnsembleCollaborations featuring LIVE MUSIC and FREE DRINKS!!!

DOORS OPEN: 6:30pm, refreshments & live music
CURTAIN: All readings begin at 7pm
SUGGESTED DONATION: $5
RSVP: email barefootrsvp@aol.com w/ date of play you're attending in Subject line to reserve your seat (s) - HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

Monday, June 27th @ 7pm
BURNED 
by Amina Henry
Directed by 
Francisco Solorzano
 
Featuring: Gil Perez-Abraham, Gabe Fazio, Camille St. James, Jennifer Fouche & Tina Wong Lu 

Live Music: BROTHERS

SYNOPSIS:
Jamal did a bad thing – firebombed a synagogue for money – but he still feels like a normal young man. His mother and girlfriend refuse to believe otherwise.

Wednesday, June 29th @ 7pm
THE TERRORISTS 
by Micheline Auger
Directed by Shira-Lee Shalit
 
Featuring: Florencia Lozano, Trevor Long, Lisa Ramirez, Sean Carvajal, Arthur Kriklivy, Alexander Jameson, Ethan Coskay, Allison Anderegg, John Harlacher, Benjamin Manno, Maggie Belle Caplis & Nino Shengelaia with 

Live Music: THE RUNGS



SYNOPSIS:
A comedy about family, punk, smoking weed with Jesus, and stumbling upon the miracles in the every day.
  

Tuesday, July 5th @ 7pm
MERCY 
by Adam Szymkowicz
Directed by Scott Illingworth
 
Featuring: John Doman, Kathleen Littlfield, Francisco Solorzano & Ashley Marie Ortiz

Live Music: TBA

SYNOPSIS:
Orville is trying to get on with his life after his wife was killed in a car accident. His father is mostly taking care of his still unnamed infant daughter while his boss as work is aggressively trying to comfort him. Everything changes when he sees the man responsible for his wife's death. Is someone in this much pain capable of forgiveness?

ALL READINGS will take place at:
El Barrio's Artspace PS109
215 East 99th Street, bet. 2nd & 3rd Avenue

MORE INFO ON PLAYS, WHO'S WHO, ENSEMBLE MEMBERS & ARTISTIC ASSOCIATES COMING SOON!

CO-PRODUCERS/PRESENTERS
Hi-ARTS
Kamilah Forbes, Artistic Director
Tiffany Vega, General Manager
Leslie Lissaint, Project Manager

Hi-ARTS (formerly known as the Hip-Hop Theater Festival) is a leading organization within the urban arts movement. For fifteen years, Hi-ARTS has consistently broken new ground, advancing urban art by empowering artists to develop bold new works, while creating a lasting and positive impact on urban communities. Hi-ARTS is adding to the legacy of the HHTF at an exciting stage of growth that engages Hip-Hop while creating the new urban arts. With the move to our new home at PS 109, Hi-ARTS is poised to grow into new realms of artistic creativity, advocacy and service to the arts and the communities in which we live.

Our commitment to this work has developed an audience that is equally unique within the landscape which is young and ethnically and racially diverse. Located at the center of creative and community practice in El Barrio’s Artspace PS 109, Hi-ARTS engages arts and culture both locally and nationally. Our work is focused on:

Developing and produce new work through performance and the visual arts,
Serving as an incubator that provides a platform for artists while showcasing innovative work of the future,
Facilitating educational programs and opportunities that increase access, participation and diversity in the arts,
Creating a pipeline that produces important works for the field of urban arts.

2016 bareNaked Reading Series (May)

Our bareNaked Reading Series (no sets, no props, just words) is BACK and better than ever!!! The first round of 2016 plays, presented by Hi-ARTS will take place at El Barrio's Artspace PS109, in NYC. We are thrilled to be hosted by one of our favorite companies in this gorgeous, new venue.

Our first round of plays will be directed by Barefoot's Artistic Directors: Francisco Solorzano (Producing Artistic Director) and Shira-Lee Shalit (Associate Artistic Director) and introducing our newest ensemble member, Paula Pizzi-Black (Actor/Director)!

Monday, May 23rd @ 7pm
THE NEW GIRL by Israel Horovitz (curtain riser; premiere)
directed by Joli Tribuzio
CAST: Michael Pantozzi, Rocky Vega, Mackenzie Lansing, Malachy Silva
&

HELLMOUTH '89 by Mark Borkowski
directed by Francisco Solorzano
CAST: Christopher Whalen, Therese Plahen, Dan Grimaldi, Peter Collier, Marcia Haufrecht, Joan Porter, and Molly Collier.
featuring Live Music by SEBASTIAN ERAKARE


Synopsis: When a mentally disturbed father seeks forgiveness for sins against his family, he asks his son to help him take the only action he believes will fully absolve him: he wants to be crucified. His request unveils the family’s darkest secrets and forces them to confront their demons.
 
Wednesday, May 25th @ 7pm
WHAT'S WRONG WITH YOU by Jan Rosenberg
Directed by Shira-Lee Shalit
CAST: Jake Cannavale, Reyna de Courcy, David Potters, Kara Young, Kathryn Danielle, Gates Leonard and Maria Paz Alegre.
featuring Live Music by ADAM COHEN! 

Synopsis:  Following someone to the hospital after they’ve had a seizure on the L train isn’t the most ideal way to make friends, but it’s how Caden meets Mae. Suddenly he's sucked into twisted game where pain and shock value gives you the highest score. What’s Wrong With You is a play about the dangerous measures we take to seek human connection—or avoid it entirely.

Friday, May 27th @ 7pm
FABULOUS MONSTERS by Diana Burbano
Directed by Paula Pizzi-Black
CAST: Ashely Marie Ortiz, Jennifer Henriquez, Maggie Bofill, Barbara English, Domenica Salame, Brian Tarantina and Allison Anderegg.
featuring Live Music by THE RUNGS!

Synopsis: When punk rock exploded in L.A., Sally and Lou were there: feminists, Latinas, queens of noise. One went pop, one stayed punk, but sparks from their tumultuous friendship remain. Decades later, can they overcome old wounds, forgive each other, and rock as hard as they ever did?

All readings will feature pre&post show LIVE MUSIC and FREE DRINKS sponsored by Sixpoint Brewery. Suggested Donation: $5.

RESERVATIONS are HIGHLY RECOMMENDED - email barefootrsvp@aol.com with DATE of reading you'd like to attend in subject line. We will email you back ONLY if there's a problem.

STAY TUNED: June readings will future works by Micheline Auger, Amina Henry and Adam Szymkowicz.

CO-PRODUCERS/PRESENTERS - Hi-ARTS
Kamilah Forbes, Artistic Director; Tiffany Vega, General Manager; Leslie Lissaint, Project Manager

Hi-ARTS (formerly known as the Hip-Hop Theater Festival) is a leading organization within the urban arts movement. For fifteen years, Hi-ARTS has consistently broken new ground, advancing urban art by empowering artists to develop bold new works, while creating a lasting and positive impact on urban communities. Hi-ARTS is adding to the legacy of the HHTF at an exciting stage of growth that engages Hip-Hop while creating the new urban arts. With the move to our new home at PS 109, Hi-ARTS is poised to grow into new realms of artistic creativity, advocacy and service to the arts and the communities in which we live.

Our commitment to this work has developed an audience that is equally unique within the landscape which is young and ethnically and racially diverse. Located at the center of creative and community practice in El Barrio’s Artspace PS 109, Hi-ARTS engages arts and culture both locally and nationally. Our work is focused on:

Developing and produce new work through performance and the visual arts, Serving as an incubator that provides a platform for artists while showcasing innovative work of the future, Facilitating educational programs and opportunities that increase access, participation and diversity in the arts,
Creating a pipeline that produces important works for the field of urban arts.

Special thanks to Alaina Albertson, The Actors Studio, Primary Stages, LABrinth Theater Co., Hi-ARTS, Amina Henry, Cecilia Copeland, Gilberto Perez-Abraham, Dedra Woods, Adam Szymkowicz, Stephanie Elam.  

From our Familia at Hi-ARTS...

We HIGHLY recommend this event TONIGHT!!!  From our familia at Hi-ARTS: NYCasitas Panel Discussion with Martha Cooper

 May 3rd | 7:30pm

@ El Barrio's Artspace PS109

215 E. 99th Street New York, NY 10029

 

Join Martha Cooper to discuss her current exhibition at Hi-ARTS  for a very special talk about the history and culture of 

NYC Casitas with invited guests Bill Aguado, Joseph Sciorra, Jane Weissman and Taller Boriqua.  Moderated by Raymond Codington.

Martha Cooper's seldom seen 1980's images of casitas, small Caribbean style homes found in Puerto Rico that were recreated on vacant lots throughout the city. Cooper's photos shot in Spanish Harlem, the Bronx, Brooklyn and the Lower East Side, capture the resilient Puerto Rican communities that built these casitas and gardens for social gatherings, birthdays, domino games, cookouts and performances. 

 

This exhibition is currently up at the Hi-ARTS Gallery. Open viewing through May 28, 2016 | Gallery Hours: Wednesday, Friday and Saturday 12:00-6:00pm @ Hi-ARTS Gallery 304 E. 100th St. NY, NY 10029

2016 AUDITIONS (Barefoot Theatre Co.)

WE are welcoming the new season with great news, events and collaborations.

First up, we're holding AUDITIONS for our upcoming 2016 bareNaked Reading Series, workshops, residencies, full productions and Artistic Associate positions!!!

To be considered, please EMAIL a Headshot & Resume to Barefoottheatre@aol.com with 'AUDITION REQUEST' in the subject line. 

Auditions will take place on Tuesday, April 12th from 1pm till 7pm by APPT ONLY.  Slots will fill up fast - email us ASAP - we will accept materials until all appt. slots are taken. 

If chosen for an audition, we will contact you with a time slot, location and instructions to prepare a 2 min (MAX) monologue of your choice.  Present at the auditions will be Francisco Solorzano (Founder/Producing Artistic Director) & Shira-Lee Shalit (Director/Associate Artistic Director) and members of our ensemble.

We will also be hosting a party on Tuesday, April 26th in the west village to introduce our ensemble members, announce 2016 line-up of new plays, films and more (visit our FB page for more info on location and time).  https://www.facebook.com/events/1535491910087504/

In 1999, Barefoot Theatre Company was founded by a multicultural group of artists determined to produce vital, thought-provoking works, both new and lesser-known existing works. Led by Actor, Francisco Solorzano, the BAREFOOT THEATRE COMPANY is now in its 17th season, developing theater and film (via sister co. Barefoot Studio Pictures) in New York and LA. Recent collaborations with award winning writers include, Jose Rivera, Jesse Eisenberg, Kristoffer Diaz, Hilary Bettis, Adam Szymkowicz, Amina Henry, Frank Pugliese, Mike Reiss, Joe Pintuaro, Israel Horovitz, Ben Snyder, and actors Bobby Cannavale, Gina Gershon, Ethan Hawke, John Doman, Richard Kind, Mickey Sumner, Anna Chlumksy, Lynn Cohen, Annabella Sciorra, Michael Stuhlbarg, Craig muMs Grant, Will Rogers, Tala Ashe, Caitlin FitzGerald, Alfredo Narciso, to name a few.  Recent productions Off-Broadway include premieres of TEETH OF THE SONS, a stage adaptation of the film DOG DAY AFTERNOON, NYC Revival of Joe Pintauro’s RAFT OF THE MEDUSA, the workshop of Israel Horovitz's GLOUCESTER BLUE, as well as the 70/70 HOROVITZ PROJECT, a yearlong worldwide festival that featured 70 of Horovitz's plays on the occasion of his 70th birthday.  Our work has been seen across the globe including regional theaters, Gloucester Stage Co., Orlando Shakespeare Theatre, and notable NYC companies, Rattlestick Playwrights Theater, The Actor's Studio, LAByrinth Theater Co., INTAR, Cherry Lane Theater, Theatre Row Theatres, Ensemble Studio Theatre and many others.

NY/LA based ACTOR DRIVEN theatre company dedicated to collaboration between Actor, Director, and Playwright.

OBJECTIVES:  TO PRODUCE THOUGHT PROVOKING THEATRE by choosing a wide variety of plays which target contemporary and relevant issues in our world today; TO SUPPLY CHALLENGING OPPORTUNITIES IN THE THEATRE AS WELL AS A SAFE AND NURTURING ENVIRONMENT FOR EMERGING ARTISTS by constantly seeking new and young talent; TO COLLABORATE ON A DIVERSE LEVEL WITH PEOPLE OF ALL ETHNIC BACKGROUNDS by supporting the idea of color-blind casting in our productions; TO DEVELOP NEW AND EXCITING ENSEMBLE PLAYS by offering workshops with playwrights, actors and directors; TO SUPPORT THE ADVANCEMENT OF WOMEN IN THEATRE by fostering opportunities to work as playwrights, actors, directors, and designers to women of all ages, socio-economic levels, and ethnic backgrounds.

WWW.BAREFOOTTHEATRECOMPANY.ORG

pictured (top: bareNaked LA Reading Series featuring Rock, Paper, Scissors by Ben Snyder with Wade Alaine-Marcus & Juan Pacheco at the Art of Acting Studio LA; below: Vassallo Awards Honorees, Daniel Talbott and Stephen Adly Guirgis with Francisco Solorzano at the Gala & Vassallo Awards Ceremony).  

Barefoot Studio Pictures

Barefoot Theatre Company's sister co., Barefoot Studio Pictures launches Crowdfunding Campaign via Seed & Spark to help with Post Production costs on As Constant as the Northern Star written and directed by Francisco Solorzano, starring Lynn Cohen and the Barefoot Theatre Company ensemble. 
 
Most recently, the short screenplay of As Constant as the Northern Star was acknowledged as a semi-finalist at the 2015 Hollyshorts Film Festival in Hollywood, CA.   The crowdfunding campaign for Post Production cost is now LIVE via Seed&Spark: 

http://www.seedandspark.com/studio/as-constant-as-the-northern-star#team
Founded by a small group of Ensemble Members from New York City's critically acclaimed Barefoot Theatre Company, Barefoot Studio Picutres is an LA & NYC based independent company dedicated to the production and development of feature, short and viral films. Francisco Solorzano (left) & Christopher Whalen (right) are the Co-Founders and Executive Producers.

Reminiscent of the gritty, visceral and character driven pictures from the late 60's and early 70's era, we explore stories from a truthful place that ignite passion, incite laughter, and provoke discussion. As bold, commanding and powerful as its theatrical partner, Barefoot Studio Pictures promises to take artistic risks to bring a memorable cinematic experience to life.

Completed Debut Short Film: Floating Sunflowers, winner of several awards including Best Short, Best Director & Best Actress for lead Anna Chlumsky (Nashville Film Fest, Newport Beach Film Fest, Big Apple, Hollyshorts Film Festival, and many others) with follow-up short film, The Girl With The Jacket written and directed by Caitlin FitzGerald (Masters of Sex, It's Complicated) soon to be released.  Several projects in development including the feature film version of As Constant as the Northern Star and the screen adaptation of a play by Barefoot Theatre Company ensemble member, Jennifer Skura to be directed by Francisco Solorzano starring Christopher Whalen.

Collaborations with Broadway, Film and Television stars include Jesse Eisenberg, Annabella Sciorra, Gina Gershon, Bobby Cannavale, Mark Ruffalo, Julianne Moore, John Doman, Mickey Sumner, Anna Chlumsky, Lynn Cohen, Richard Kind, Ethan Hawke, Chris Cooper, Caitlin FitzGerald and many others. 

Photo Credit: Stefan Blomquist.

bareNaked Reading Series 2015-2016

Now that Submissions are officially closed and we've spent several months reading the wonderful plays submitted - Barefoot Theatre Company will finally be announcing the official selection for the 2015-2016 bareNaked Reading Series this Fall.  We are proud to be presenting new, unproduced plays that are ready for an audience. Barefoot plays offer a multicultural perspective and are truthful, raw and entertaining. Since its founding in 1999, Barefoot has produced over 75 productions, workshops, and readings, with collaborations from some of the world's most esteemed actors, directors, and artists.

The bareNaked Reading Series has taken place monthly at the West Beth Artists Community in the West Village for the past couple years as well as at the Art Of Acting Studio in Los Angeles, CA. The event includes live music, free drinks, and a professional presentation of the play directed by a notable director and performed by the Barefoot Ensemble and special guests.   Keep an eye out for plays from last season's readings to come back this year as workshops and full productions!!!  We will also be announcing our new Literary Team & Producers - most recently introduced Shira-Lee Shalit as our Associate Artistic Director and we couldn't be more thrilled about the news...

Previous series collaborators include Adam Szymkowicz, Kristoffer Diaz, Israel Horovitz, Greg Paul, Mariah MacCarthy, Ben Snyder, Amina Henry, Mike Reiss, Richard Kind, Anna Chlumsky, Lynn Cohen, Colbie Minifie, Hilary Bettis, Mel Nieves, Mando Alvarado, Jose Rivera, Jennifer Skura, Craig 'muMs' Grant, Jesse Eisenberg and Joe Pintauro, among many others. 

Photo Credit: Bully by Amina Henry and directed by our Associate Artistic Director, Shira-Lee Shalit.  

Be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Tumblr and stay up to date on all of our activities and what we have to offer you.

Without YOU there can be no us.  

Sincerely, 

Barefoot Theatre Company

HOROVITZ/SOLORZANO (The Collective NY's C:10)

Please join us at The Collective NY Ten Minute Play festival including a special event featuring ensemble members HOROVITZ & SOLORZANO collaboration: BREAKING PHILIP GLASS by Israel HOROVITZ and directed by Francisco SOLORZANO.  Ensemble Member/Associate Director, Joli Tribuzio is also on board as assistant director featuring the cast: Nina Mehta and Marcus Naylor.  

Francisco Solorzano is currently appearing in the New England Premiere of Horovitz' latest full-length play, Gloucester Blue at Gloucester Stage Company and they're both working on another future collaboration.  Barefoot Theatre Company ensemble members are proud to be among such talented playwrights, directors and actors at this year's C:10.  We HIGHLY recommend you get your tickets before they're all gone (several performances already SOLD-OUT)!!! 

MORE INFO at: https://www.facebook.com/events/1128025493897058/
 
This year's Collective:10 plays will be presented the week of September 29 - October 4, 2015, including a special event: BREAKING PHILIP GLASS, the newest play by award-winning playwright, Israel Horovitz ( The Indian Wants The Bronx, Line)! One additional play, Daniel Kennedy's ODD MAN OUT, will premiere in December and will be published along with the other twelve plays in third volume of The Collective:10 Play Anthology.
FESTIVAL SCHEDULE:
The plays will be presented in rep in two programs of six plays each: Program A and Program B.

PROGRAM A performs
TUE, SEPT 29 @ 8pm + talkback
THU, OCT 1 @ 7pm
FRI, OCT 2 @ 7pm
SAT, OCT 3 @ 7pm
SUN, OCT 4 @ 2pm

PROGRAM B performs
WED, SEPT 30 @ 8pm + talkback
THU, OCT 1 @ 9pm
FRI, OCT 2 @ 9pm
SAT, OCT 3 @ 3pm & 9pm


PROGRAM A - the odds
----------------------------------------------------------
AND IT CAME TO PASS IN THOSE DAYS by Kitt Lavoie
Directed by Robert Z Grant, featuring Lacy Marie Meyer and Khan Baykal

BREAKING PHILIP GLASS the newest play by Israel Horovitz
Directed by Francisco Solorzano, featuring Nina Mehta and Marcus Naylor*

DEAD MONKEY by Mark Borkowski
Directed by Richard Masur, featuring Booker Garrett and Marc Menchaca

MORNING BECOMES NEITHER by Greg DePaul
Directed by Kevin Kane, featuring Maggie Champagne* and John Norwell

RAJA by Thomas C. Dunn
Directed by Jacqueline Knapp, featuring Chris Beetem and Francis Benhamou*

SCHADENFREUDE by Timothy Brady
Directed by Brandon T. Snider, featuring Karen Chamberlain, Swann Gruen, Josh Greenwood, Brian Hotaling*, and Rock Kohli*