In February 2009, ATL will present the World-Freakin'-Premiere of Matt Lyle's brand new twisted romantic comedy HELLO HUMAN FEMALE. Here's who's in it...

Jeff Swearingen… Blork

Arianna Movassagh… Tamela

Jeremy Whiteker… Dr. Gorn/ Mother

Becca Shivers… Timmy/ Mandy

Scott Milligan… Homeless Harry/ Gramps

Grab a shovel... and DIG IT!

We just recieved news that THE LAST CASTRATO, the little show that could by Chicago's own Andy Eninger, has been accepted to the 2008 New Orleans Fringe Festival.

Brad McEntire and Jeff Swearingen will be revising their roles as Director/Producer and Actor (respectively).

More details as they come in.

The N.O. Fringe will be November 13-16th. Info at: www.nofringe.com

It is our pleasure here at ATL to announce our new Website: www.audacitytheatrelab.com

Check it out. It is small now, but will soon grow to a mighty size. Bookmark it as the go-to place for all the info about Audacity you could ever want. Right now you can find info on THE MOST BEAUTIFUL LULLABY YOU'VE EVER HEARD as well as links to our older Audacity Productions website.

There are a few more shows left of LULLABY. Please come out and see the show. We garantee a true "experience."

Artistic Director Brad McEntire was recently interviewed about Audacity and LULLABY by Shawn Parikh for Pegasus News. Listen to the podcast here:

http://www.pegasusnews.com/news/2008/may/08/theater-spotlight-week-brad-mcentire/

Greg Romero is helping us help him. As you know, we are presenting his play THE MOST BEAUTIFUL LULLABY YOU'VE EVER HEARD this coming May 7-17. Besides being a great playwright, Greg is a resourceful, near-genius when it comes to raising funds for his projects in fun and interesting ways. Below is his latest and greatest. Help him out if you can. He'll write a play for you...

~ ~ ~

Dear Friends,

First of all-- THANK YOU!

When I recently asked your help for my project Radio Ghosts, your response was HUGE.  My collaborators and I received enough gifts to cover almost all of our costs-- a serious accomplishment considering the project ended up needing $ 2,000 to complete.

With your help we were able to pay for travel expenses, acquire necessary materials, rent rehearsal and performance venues in Philadelphia AND New York City and present a highly successful presentation in TWO cities!

Additionally, it was really nice to re-connect with many of you and re-establish a correspondance (how are you doing?).  Plus, all of the wonderful notes and cards and messages were outstanding.  I still have all of them and plan to do something highly creative with them.

In short-- You Rule.

So....I come for your help again, this time for a journey that will last the next THREE years.

Three years?

Holy Moly!

The press release below explains in more detail, but the short version is that Dallas-based company, Audacity Theatre Lab, has agreed to produce THREE of my plays over the next THREE years.

You heard that right.

Three plays.  Three years.

Yowsa!!

We're calling this project 3P/3Y and it launches in May 2008 with a production of The Most Beautiful Lullaby You've Ever Heard.

This is a HUGE undertaking and we need your help to make it happen.

:)

So how can you help, you might ask?

Audacity Theatre Lab has flown me in once to help with the production process for Lullaby.  To help out, I have volunteered to raise enough money to fly me back to Dallas for opening weekend (May 7-10!).

Thus, my immediate goal is to raise $ 300.

However-- because I am feeling ambitious, Audacity Theatre Lab and I have agreed that any additional funds raised during this ask will go directly to additional 3P/3Y needs.

With that in mind, I am setting the goal to raise $ 2,000.

And because I'm asking something from you, I want to EARN your gifts.

So, to symbolize the incredible journey ahead (and because I love road trips), here's what I want to do.....

Philadelphia and Dallas are roughly 1,500 miles apart.  I need you to donate enough miles to get me from Philadelphia to Dallas.

Using the immediate goal of $ 300, you can donate miles for 20 cents a piece!  For a dollar, you will send me five miles!  For a hundred dollars, you will send me 500 miles!

And here's the fun part:

I will map your donated miles, beginning from my house in Philadelphia towards my destination in Dallas.  And whichever city I land in (whichever city you send me to!), I will write you a play inspired by that city and send it to you in the mail.

How about that?!

I will write a play for YOU and mail it to you.

How long of a play? (you might ask).

It depends on how many states you send me through.  I will write you a page for every state that your gift makes me pass through.

For example!:

When you donate 50 dollars-- at 20 cents a mile-- you've just sent me 250 miles!  Which means...you've sent me to Mount Jackson, Virginia! 

Imagine a play written just for you about Mount Jackson!  This would be a 4-page epic being that your gift sends me through Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia.

And if that's not good enough, for just over 100 bucks, I will write you a 5-page play about Blountville, Tennessee!

Or-- if you prefer, you can pick your own destination.  Say-- you want me to write you a play about Washington DC.  DC is 150 miles away!  For $ 30, I would write you an awesome play about Washington DC!  And the play would be 3 pages because I'd have to pass through Pennsylvania, Delaware and Maryland!

How fun is that?!

And all the while (let us not forget), you will be contributing to the production of THREE PLAYS over the next THREE YEARS!!

Everyone Wins!!  Could there be anything better?!!

So what do I do to hop aboard this train? (you might ask)


Here's how we make it happen:

1. Send donations (and fun notes) directly to me (by May 1st):

Greg Romero
214 Beck St
Philadelphia PA  19147

2. When I receive your gift, I will email you, confirm receipt, and let you know which city I'll write your play about (and how long the play will be).

3. I will mail you your completed play by the end of June, 2008. 

It's that simple!

A play just for you!  And THREE PLAYS over the next THREE YEARS for me!

:)

Thank you in advance for making this happen!

For further details about the project, continue reading...

..............................

DALLAS: Audacity Theatre Lab is proud to announce a special commitment to Philadelphia-based playwright Greg Romero. Called 3P/3Y, Audacity has pledged to develop and produce three of Mr. Romero's plays over the next three years.

3P/3Y kicks off this May with ATL's production of THE MOST BEAUTIFUL LULLABY YOU'VE EVER HEARD. First produced off-off Broadway by City Attic Theatre in May 2007, the play received a second production with Specific Gravity Ensemble in Louisville, Kentucky, in September. This will be the play's Regional Premiere in Dallas. A semi-finalist for the Princess Grace Award, LULLABY is a non-linear exploration of a young couple's relationship as they journey through their broken pasts, broken futures, broken skin, and across worlds to find the beautiful place together inside of the knives.

LULLABY comes to Audacity Theatre Lab at a perfect time in the play's life. Having been through two productions with it, it's time now to discover how well the play stands up on its own without too much of my parenting. I feel fortunate to be able to hand the play off to the folks of Audacity Theatre Lab, who I completely trust to carry the play through this particular rite of passage with a daring and brave production," comments Romero.

In 2009, Mr. Romero and ATL will develop and produce his play THE MILKY WAY CABARET, a work originally commissioned and produced by The Cardboard Box Collaborative in Philadelphia, of which Mr. Romero is currently a Resident Artist. THE MILKY WAY CABARET is a wonderfully careening piece with assassin clowns, an alcoholic magician, an ex-hula hooping Homecoming queen, a dildo-wielding club owner and a daughter who travels back in time, through black holes, to try to save her father's life.

Romero says," I highly anticipate the work ahead on MILKY WAY. ATL's production of this play will be MILKY WAY's second time before an audience and, through collaboration with ATL, I look forward to using what I learned from the play's original production to create an improved draft of the play. Brad and I have already begun talking about ideas for further development of the script, how to build workshop time into the production process, and for the best ways to tackle the play's second journey. A larger, more sprawling play than LULLABY, MILKY WAY will be an opportunity to work with more of an ensemble and to involve myself more within the collaboration. THE MILKY WAY CABARET is the ideal play for a second production with Audacity Theatre Lab.

The third installment in the three-year plan is an as-yet-unnamed project commissioned especially for and in collaboration with Audacity Theatre Lab.  "Of the three plays with Audacity, I might be most excited about the third one. This third production will be an opportunity to create something from scratch, inspired by the artists I am currently working with. It will be an opportunity to write something for the specific strengths (and fears) of the company, an opportunity for a deeper collaboration with the talented artists of Audacity, and a way for me to continue to stretch myself by writing a little bit inside of the performer's voice," says Romero.

ATL Artistic Director Brad McEntire says, "I believe important, dynamic art often grows out of fruitful, mutually beneficial artistic relationships. That's what we want with Greg."

"I am highly excited about 3P/3Y." says Romero. " As a working playwright for the past eight years, I have learned the importance of creating artistic friendships that are built on trust, truth, and continued inspiration. Brad and I (and actor Jeff Swearingen) share a similar commitment to our work, our work ethic, and our vision for the theater. We are embarking on a brave commitment to continue an intense artistic conversation together over the course of three years and through the production of three plays. It is my hope and expectation that this engagement will stretch and challenge all of us in ways that will help us all become braver, sharper artists."

"It is admittedly a bold step for a new company, but we believe in Greg. He has a wonderfully unique and very theatrical way of writing and isn't afraid to tackle big themes. That's the kind of theatre we want to explore here at Audacity. It's a good fit," adds McEntire.

"I wish this kind of agreement between playwrights and producers was more commonplace and not that out-of-the-ordinary. Then again, we don't mind being trail-blazers," McEntire slyly winks. Romero adds, "It is also my hope that our commitment to 3P/3Y will serve as a successful and dynamic model for other companies and playwrights to engage with each other in the development and production of new work."

THE MOST BEAUTIFUL LULLABY YOU'VE EVER HEARD plays Wednesdays thru Saturdays, May 7^th to 17^th at the Risk Theatre Initiative Space , 3605 Ross Avenue, Dallas, TX 75204. Tickets are $10 - $15. Student and Senior discounts available. Call (214) 621-9683 for more information or to make ticket reservations. Additional information about ATL can be found at www.myspace.com/audacitytheatrelab.

Audacity Theatre Lab is dedicated to the development and production of dynamic new works for the stage. Whether bold new interpretations of existing works or the incubation and exploration of original works by emerging playwrights, Audacity seeks to present relevant, engaging stories that challenge and enrich our cultural community.

............

Thank you so much!!
Send me on a journey!
I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

Greg Romero 
Resident Artist
The Cardboard Box Collaborative
Philadelphia PA
www.gregromero.blogspot.com

NEW COMPANY MAKES BOLD COMMITMENT TO PLAYWRIGHT

DALLAS – Audacity Theatre Lab is proud to announce a special commitment to Philadelphia-based playwright Greg Romero. Called 3P/3Y, Audacity has pledged to develop and produce three of Mr. Romero’s plays over the next three years.

3P/3Y kicks off this May with ATL’s production of THE MOST BEAUTIFUL LULLABY YOU’VE EVER HEARD.   First produced off-off Broadway by City Attic Theatre in May 2007, the play received a second production with Specific Gravity Ensemble in Louisville, Kentucky, in September.  This will be the play’s Regional Premiere in Dallas. A semi-finalist for the Princess Grace Award, LULLABY is a non-linear exploration of a young couple’s relationship as they journey through their broken pasts, broken futures, broken skin, and across worlds to find the beautiful place together inside of the knives.

"LULLABY comes to Audacity Theatre Lab at a perfect time in the play’s life.  Having been through two productions with it, it’s time now to discover how well the play stands up on its own without too much of my parenting.  I feel fortunate to be able to hand the play off to the folks of Audacity Theatre Lab, who I completely trust to carry the play through this particular rite of passage with a daring and brave production," comments Romero.

In 2009, Mr. Romero and ATL will develop and produce his play THE MILKY WAY CABARET, a work originally commissioned and produced by The Cardboard Box Collaborative in Philadelphia, of which Mr. Romero is currently a Resident Artist. THE MILKY WAY CABARET is a wonderfully careening piece with assassin clowns, an alcoholic magician, an ex-hula hooping homecoming queen, a dildo-wielding club owner and a daughter who travels back in time, through black holes, to try to save her father’s life.

Romero says," I highly anticipate the work ahead on MILKY WAY.  ATL’s production of this play will be MILKY WAY’s second time before an audience and, through collaboration with ATL, I look forward to using what I learned from the play’s original production to create an improved draft of the play.  Brad and I have already begun talking about ideas for further development of the script, how to build workshop time into the production process, and for the best ways to tackle the play’s second journey.  A larger, more sprawling play than LULLABY, MILKY WAY will be an opportunity to work with more of an ensemble and to involve myself more within the collaboration.  THE MILKY WAY CABARET is the ideal play for a second production with Audacity Theatre Lab.

The third installment in the three-year plan is an as-yet-unnamed project commissioned especially for and in collaboration with Audacity Theatre Lab.

"Of the three plays with Audacity, I might be most excited about the third one.  This third production will be an opportunity to create something from scratch, inspired by the artists I am currently working with.  It will be an opportunity to write something for the specific strengths (and fears) of the company, an opportunity for a deeper collaboration with the talented artists of Audacity, and a way for me to continue to stretch myself by writing a little bit inside of the performer’s voice," says Romero.

ATL Artistic Director Brad McEntire says, "I believe important, dynamic art often grows out of fruitful, mutually beneficial artistic relationships. That’s what we wanna do with Greg.

"I am highly excited about 3P/3Y." says Greg Romero. " As a working playwright for the past eight years, I have learned the importance of creating artistic friendships that are built on trust, truth, and continued inspiration.  Brad and I (and actor Jeff Swearingen) share a similar commitment to our work, our work ethic, and our vision for the theater.  We are embarking on a brave commitment to continue an intense artistic conversation together over the course of three years and through the production of three plays.  It is my hope and expectation that this engagement will stretch and challenge all of us in ways that will help us all become braver, sharper artists."

"It is admittedly a bold step for a new company, but we believe in Greg. He has a wonderfully unique and very theatrical way of writing and isn’t afraid to tackle big themes. That’s the kind of theatre we want to explore here at Audacity. It’s a good fit," adds McEntire.

"I wish this kind of agreement between playwrights and producers was more commonplace and not that out-of-the-ordinary. Then again, we don’t mind being trail-blazers…," McEntire slyly winks. Romero adds, "It is also my hope that our commitment to 3P/3Y will serve as a successful and dynamic model for other companies and playwrights to engage with each other in the development and production of new work."

THE MOST BEAUTIFUL LULLABY YOU’VE EVER HEARD plays Wednesdays thru Saturdays,  May 7^th to 17^th at the Risk Theatre Initiative Space , 3605 Ross Avenue, Dallas, TX 75204. Tickets are $10 - $15. Student and Senior discounts available. Call (214) 621-9683 for more information or to make ticket reservations. Additional information about ATL can be found at www.myspace.com/audacitytheatrelab.

NEW AUDACITY ON THE ARTS LANDSCAPE!

DALLAS – Audacity is back. Audacity Theatre Lab is proudly kicking off it’s first season in the Dallas-Ft. Worth area with the regional premiere of Greg Romero’s THE MOST BEAUTIFUL LULLABY YOU’VE EVER HEARD.

Previously known as Audacity Productions (1999-2006), the company participated in many DFW area fests such as the Festival of Independent Theatres and Out of the Loop, represented north Texas at the New York International Fringe Festival multiple times, produced works for Austin’s FronteraFest and mounted over 50 plays - large and small - in the Dallas area. The leaders of this little theatre absorbed a lot, often learning by doing, from this earlier garage-band-sized Audacity. Audacity Productions filed articles of dissolution in the summer of 2006, when Artistic Director Brad McEntire headed off for more than a year abroad, living and working primarily in Hong Kong. McEntire is now back in the Metroplex and Audacity is taking it up a notch from the considerable benchmarks made in the past. Audacity Productions was the pilot program, so to speak, for the new Audacity Theatre Lab.

And to kick off the new company and the inaugural season, there is a special project on the immediate horizon. In May ATL presents the regional premiere of Philadelphia playwright Greg Romero’s THE MOST BEAUTIFUL LULLABY EVER HEARD. The piece is an engaging nontraditional theatrical romance that begins with a Man and a Woman. They each breathe in the possibility of a blank sheet of paper. The paper becomes a sailboat and their breath becomes a journey over impossible distances. LULLABY is a hilarious, touching, meta-theatrical exploration of what is inside the human heart when a person falls in love with another equally and beautifully broken individual. LULLABY will be directed by ATL Artistic Director Brad McEntire and will feature actors Jeff Swearingen (recent winner: Best Actor DFW Critics Forum Award for last season’s THE GNADIGES FRAULEIN and THE BOXER as well as a "Best Actor (Non-Equity)" Column Award) Tyson Rinehart and Paula Wood.

THE MOST BEAUTIFUL LULLABY YOU’VE EVER HEARD plays Wednesdays thru Saturdays,  May 7^th to 17^th at the Risk Theatre Initiative Space , 3605 Ross Avenue, Dallas, TX 75204. Tickets are $10 - $15. Student and Senior discounts available. Call (214) 621-9683 for more information or to make ticket reservations. Additional information about ATL can be found at www.myspace.com/audacitytheatrelab.