ON THE LOOKING GLASS STAGE APRIL 5-28, 2010
A New Comedy by Terri McKinstry
Directed by Chanda Calentine
April 5 - 28, 2010
Looking Glass Theatre, proudly presents 70 MILLION TONS, a new family-friendly comedy about the environment written by Terri McKinstry and directed by Chanda Calentine, as part of its exciting Spring 2010 lineup. 70 Million Tons is slated to open at The Looking Glass Theatre (422 West 57th Street) on Monday, April 5. Performances are scheduled Sunday-Wednesday at 7 p.m. through April 28.
About the show…
God has had it. She gave us a beautiful planet with beautiful animals, beautiful land, beautiful oceans, beautiful air, and beautiful minds with which to make it even more beautiful. Is that what we’ve done? No. And she’s pissed! Fortunately for us humans, Ozie (the much abused ozone layer) has convinced God to give us one final chance. Unfortunately for us, She’s tasked the most extravagant and wasteful director on the planet (Billie, Broadway’s Barracuda) to save us all from another Great Flood. Can Big Bucks Billie herd her cast and crew, who are expecting to perform Shakespeare, into Not Again, Noah! a modern farce set in Brooklyn, on Bare Budget Off Off Bway? And most importantly, can they make it environmentally friendly in an hour???? If not, let the rain begin!
A light-hearted look at the environment and the challenge of reducing our carbon footprint, this family-friendly production is a mix of poetry and action. As the protectors of our planet, every one of us must make choices and changes that will put us on a more sustainable path. Audiences are encouraged to bring items to the show – water bottles, cardboard boxes, unused clothing, anything! – which will be re-used during performances, then recycled or donated to an appropriate organization. Laugh and learn with us… make a difference.
ENSEMBLE CAST: Ivory Aquino, Chaz Graytok, Dennelle Heidi Clarke, Ben Harrison, Ashley Lovell, Arash Mokhtar, Johanna Perry, Mary Beth Walsh, Jessica Wohlander and Kelly Zekas. CLICK HERE FOR BIOS
CREATIVE TEAM: Yoleidy Rosario (Assistant Director/Stage Manager), Theresa Rivera (Scenic Design), David Monroy (Light Design) and Rachel Soll (Costume Design). CLICK HERE FOR BIOS
About 70 Million Tons director Chanda Calentine…
Originally from an Ohio farm-town, Ms. Calentine has been active in the NYC theatre community as a performer, director, choreographer, teacher and arts administrator for nearly 10 years. She currently serves as the Development Director/ Artistic Associate at Looking Glass Theatre and as Assistant Managing Director of Planet Connections Theatre Festivity, New York’s premiere eco-friendly theater festival. As a director, Ms. Calentine has worked with Looking Glass Theatre (All In My Head, The Hope Chest - both written by Terri McKinstry), Impact Theater and Horse Trade Theater. As a choreographer, she most recently worked on productions of Two Rooms and The Imaginary Invalid. Outside of the theater, She pursues environmental awareness at PS 116 teaching Solar Energy Awareness and Oceanography, the NY Aquarium as a volunteer docent, and at her Brooklyn home where she is an active gardener and composter.
About 70 Million Tons playwright Terri McKinstry…
With more than twenty years of theatre experience in Washington, DC - director, actor, lighting designer, producer, and playwright - Terri McKinstry is also an artistic associate and playwright at Looking Glass. Her relationship with Looking Glass Theatre began with the Winter 2007 Forum (All In My Head) and a workshop of her a full-length play The Hope Chest in 2008, both directed by Chanda Calentine. Her other plays include Into the Dark, Page 26 and Happy and Lucky. By day, Terri is a professional facilities manager aggressively pursuing her LEED Green Associate accreditation. In the United States, buildings are responsible for over 38 percent of carbon dioxide emissions, 24 to 50 percent of energy use, and 72 percent of electricity consumption. Terri is learning how to minimize the impact of her office buildings on the environment. She is the President of The Foundry Players, Inc. in Washington, DC.
About Looking Glass Theatre…
Looking Glass Theatre’s mission is to theatrically and truthfully reflect a female vision on the stage while creating a community of artistic freedom. We fulfill this by presenting female directors' visions of original works or the classics and by staging new plays either written or directed by women. This includes children’s shows and educational programming as well as our semi-annual festival of new works, featuring emerging women playwrights and directors, each season. The New York Times called Looking Glass Theatre’s Adventures of the Puppet Princess “charming” and “a substantial introduction to the culture of Bali.” In June 2006, Looking Glass Theatre and Artistic Director Justine Lambert received The Lucille Lortel Award from The League of Professional Theatre Women.
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70 MILLION TONS
April 5 - 28, 2010
SCHEDULE: Sunday-Wednesday @ 7 p.m.
ADDRESS: 422 West 57th Street (btwn 9th//10th Aves)
PHONE: (212) 307-9467
TDF Vouchers Accepted!
This show is now closed.
Immediately following performance
Covering topics including re-using resources,
our environment and common practices, expert educators provide educational and applicable information for you!
IVORY AQUINO (Billie) – Founding Company Member, Leviathan Theatre Lab. Company Member, The Drilling Company. With The Drilling Company: Measure for Measure (Isabella), Henry V (Katherine), Over the Line (Amanda), Contractor (reading), The Others (reading). Company Member, The Bats (The Flea Theater). With The Flea Theater: Offending the Audience, Waiter, Waiter (reading). Off-Broadway: 365 Days/365 Plays with the Ma-Yi Theater Company (Public Theater), Ivanov (Columbia), Lysistrata (45th Street Theatre), Doctor Faustus (Haberdasher Theatre), In Dog Years (Manhattan Theatre Source). Much thanks to my family and friends, Hamilton and the Drilling Company, Marianne at Terrific Talent, Chanda, Yoleidy and Looking Glass Theatre.
CHAZ GRAYTOK (Dirk) is a graduate of Wheeling Jesuit University, holding a B.S. in Business Management. Mainly working in arts administration, Chaz has previously worked for Manhattan Theatre Club in the Business Office and currently occupies his time working for Blue Man Group in the Finance Office. As an actor, Chaz has been seen in a variety of shows. Some of his many credits include: All In My Head (Looking Glass Forum), Into the Woods (Regional), Little Shop of Horrors (Regional), and Midsummer Nights Dream (Regional). Chaz is excited to be performing at Looking Glass and working with Chanda and Terri once again. Special thanks to Larry and Buzz for their continued support.
DENNELLE HEIDI CLARKE (God) Born and raised in Trinidad, this 'Island Girl' always had a flair for the dramatics. In 2002 when she moved to NY for college, she began studying Drama at Hofstra University. Although she graduated with a Public Relations degree, Dennelle never forgot her true passion and continued to study Acting. Dennelle has had lead and supporting roles in Independent Films and even appeared on popular TV shows like "Gossip Girl." Some of Dennelle's theatrical appearances include: Ripples - where she played three very different characters, Light & Sweet: An American Tea Opera and The Saturday Affair. Dennelle also models and likes to travel when she has time. Dennelle is thrilled to be a part of the 70 Million Tons family, and hopes that through comedy they could help create more of an environmental awareness because in the short time she has been rehearsing this production, she has become much more aware herself.
BEN HARRISON (Peter) is glad to be working again at Looking Glass Theatre. In 2008 he won Audience Award for Favorite Actor in the Winter 2008 Forum Awards and took home Favorite Show with the same director and writer of this show. He just finished shooting a film in Boston that’s about to hit the film festival circuits. Since Ben began his acting career he has been in such roles as George in Our Town, Birdie in Bye Bye Birdie, and Bill Sykes in Oliver. He's also done some work in short independent films, and some Off-Off-Broadway productions.
ASHLEY LOVELL (Essie), a mythical NYC native, has acted in Theatre, Film and TV three years. Recent theatre credits include Things She Kept (Looking Glass Forum), Layla and Harley... (Planet Connections Theatre Festivity) and Groundworks’ summer and fall runs at The Living Theatre. Due to the direct negative impact fashion industries have on the environment and fellow humans, she thrifts and finds treasure trash. With these she furnished most of her apartment, wardrobe and supplies her art. She’s thrilled to work on this wonderfully collaborative production and grateful to every amazing one involved. Many thanks to the big three; family, friends, chocolate.
ARASH MOKHTAR (Sam) is an actor, writer, director and artist based in New York City. Recent credits include: Daniel Woolf (co-star) in Closer; Eddie (lead) in Hurlyburly at the 45th Street Theatre; Farrell Taggert (lead) in Theatre for the New City’s production of Paradiddle by filmmaker Craig Singer. Recent film credits: Nebbish (supporting) in the independent feature When the Devil Comes (post-production); Berlioz (lead) in the independent short Master and Margherita; Adel (supporting) in the independent short Jamais Vu (Never Seen); Carmine Calamari (supporting) in the independent short The Godfather of Darts. www.arashmokhtar.com
JOHANNA PERRY (Ozie) - After three years of residence and training in “the Big City,” Johanna is finally making her NYC theatre debut in Looking Glass Theatre’s production of 70 Million Tons, and she’s really excited about it!! She graduated from the Pennsylvania State University in December 2005 with a Bachelor’s Degree of the Arts in Psychology, but her true dream has always been to become a big musical theatre star (or working professional) on Broadway someday (soon, preferably). Among a great many other things, Johanna loves and appreciates all of the support she has received since birth that lead her to where she is today.
MARY BETH WALSH (Joey) is thrilled to be making her NYC stage debut at Looking Glass Theatre. She is fan of nature and everything that it has to offer…even the honey badger! She would also like to thank the fans in her life, her family and friends, for their constant support and love. Go Team Earth!!!
JESSICA WOHLANDER (Antonia) is thrilled to be working with such a wonderful group of people. If theater isn’t going to change the world, what will? Her most recent credits include (Household) Hamlet (Ophelia) and various roles with the Vox Pop Players, a new repertoire group in Brooklyn. She aspires to begin a completely self-sustainable, off-the-grid artists’ commune while simultaneously creating art that will change the world, or perhaps she’ll form a band of Gypsies with her sister and they’ll travel the seven seas challenging the expected and bringing an end to ignorance. Thank you, 353ers (and its satellites) for being such a wonderful family and to Travis for being ceaselessly amazing.
KELLY ZEKAS (Taffy) will be graduating in May 2010 from NYU Tisch where she studied with The Stella Adler Studio and learned Viewpoints technique. She was most recently seen in Snorks & Pins’ A TwelfthNight's Dream About Nothing where she originated the role of Katherine. Prior she worked with Planet Connections Theatre Festivity and The Drilling Company - as well as numerous productions with NYU & Stella Adler. She's had a blast working with Looking Glass, Chanda and the cast of this incredible show. Kelly is currently working on reducing her water use. Bye bye baths!
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TERRI MCKINSTRY (playwright) -- With more than twenty years of theatre experience in Washington, DC - director, actor, lighting designer, producer, and playwright - Terri McKinstry is also an artistic associate and playwright at Looking Glass. Her relationship with Looking Glass Theatre began with the Winter 2007 Forum (All In My Head) and a workshop of her a full-length play The Hope Chest in 2008, both directed by Chanda Calentine. Her other plays include Into the Dark, Page 26 and Happy and Lucky. By day, Terri is a professional facilities manager aggressively pursuing her LEED Green Associate accreditation. In the United States, buildings are responsible for over 38 percent of carbon dioxide emissions, 24 to 50 percent of energy use, and 72 percent of electricity consumption. Terri is learning how to minimize the impact of her office buildings on the environment. She is the President of The Foundry Players, Inc. in Washington, DC..
CHANDA CALENTINE (director) -- Originally from an Ohio farm-town, Ms. Calentine has been active in the NYC theatre community as a performer, director, choreographer, teacher and arts administrator for nearly 10 years. She currently serves as the Development Director/ Artistic Associate at Looking Glass Theatre and as Assistant Managing Director of Planet Connections Theatre Festivity, New York’s premiere eco-friendly theater festival. As a director, Ms. Calentine has worked with Looking Glass Theatre (All In My Head, The Hope Chest - both written by Terri McKinstry), Impact Theater and Horse Trade Theater. As a choreographer, she most recently worked on productions of Two Rooms and The Imaginary Invalid. Outside of the theater, She pursues environmental awareness at PS 116 teaching Solar Energy Awareness and Oceanography, the NY Aquarium as a volunteer docent, and at her Brooklyn home where she is an active gardener and composter..
YOLEIDAY ROSARIO (Assistant Director/Stage Manager) is a playwright, poet, director, and actor. She graduated from Dickinson College February 2010. At Dickinson she directed The Dutchman written by Amiri Baraka, The Conduct of Life by Maria Irene Fornes, and Tango of Roses written by herself. She was also light Designer for the Dance Pill choreographed by Shamus Hunter which was presented by the Dickinson Theater Group. She keeps her thermostat at 65 and uses the train instead of her car.
THERESA RIVERA (Scenic Designer) – Theresa’s favorite part of theatre is finding new ways to see things and use her imagination to solve problems. She is an Art Educator and Scenic Painter for the Marymount School of New York and Plymouth Church School of Brooklyn, as well as a Teaching Artist for Private Picassos, an arts program throughout the five boroughs. She strongly encourages learning through the use of recycled materials in her students as well as her own work. She is currently the Scenic Designer for the Mainspring Collective. Their newest project, Monster Literature, is a children’s theatre series produced in residency at the Brooklyn Lyceum Theatre. www.theresarivera.com
DAVID MONROY (Light Designer) is the technical director in residence at Looking Glass. If Gandhi met, fell in love with and married Ralph Nader their offspring would be David Monroy - a talented musician, caring activist, audio engineer and lighting designer.
RACHEL SOLL (Costume Designer) - Credits include The Seagull at the Gene Frankel Theatre, Disney’s The Princess And The Frog Experience at Roseland Ballroom, Week 1 of the EstroGenius Fest at Manhattan Theatre Source, and Layla and Harley, BFF, Planet Connections Theatre Festivity. Rachel has worked under established designer Carla Gant, her mentor, for The Heshel School (Grease and the upcoming Once Upon A Mattress) and the Lucy Moses Theatre (Jonah and the Whale). She has also assisted Rebecca Bernstein for Agamemnon at LaMama, etc. Rachel designed six shows and three game shows at Geyonggi English Village, South Korea. Future projects include Theatre For The New City and The Calhoun School. When not costuming, Rachel is also an actress, singer and improv comedienne who can be seen all over the tri-state area with New York Dinner Theater. She is so excited to be working at Looking Glass again with Jenn, Chanda and Rose and the casts and crews of Ready, Set, Story! and 70 Million Tons!
MEET THE CAST & CREATIVE TEAM!
TALK BACK: TUESDAY, APRIL 6
Featuring Sarah Pidgeon and Fronsy Thurman, Solar One Educators
ABOUT SOLAR ONE: Solar One's mission is to empower people of all ages with the vision,
knowledge and resources to attain a more environmentally sound and sustainable future. We embrace this mission through unique initiatives that attract tens of thousands of people eachyear from throughout the five boroughs of New York City and beyond. Through Education,Outreach and Advocacy, Arts, and Green Workforce Development, Solar One conveys theinspiration, tools and information needed to achieve environmental sustainability in ourABOUT SARA PIDGEON: Sarah Pidgeon holds a BFA in Design from the School of Visual Arts in Manhattan.She joined Solar One in March of 2009 as the Education Coordinator, but her experience as an environmental educator began in 2004, at the Frost Valley YMCA in the Catskill Mountains. Prior to joining Solar One, Sarah worked as an educator for several years at the Center for the Urban Environment in Brooklyn, where she taught classes in Urban Design and Ecology and facilitated their environmentally-based service learning program.Some of her other experience includes organizing the after-school apprenticeship program at KidsCreative in Manhattan, coordinating an after-school program in Canarsie, Brooklyn, and working as an after-school specialist for the St. Nicholas Neighborhood Preservation Corporation.
DISCUSSION TOPIC: Our Urban Environment. How can New York City become more sustainable? We will discuss topics such as water quality, energy efficiency, green jobs, renewable energy, and more!
TALK BACK: TUESDAY, APRIL 13
Featuring Jeff Burroughs, Artistic Director and Co-Founder, 9Thirty Theatre Company.
ABOUT 9THIRTY THEATRE COMPANY AND JEFF BURROUGHS: 9Thirty Theatre Company's mission is to cultivate creativity and artists as we worktowards viable solutions for a sustainable future. The company is committed to fostering groundbreaking art, reaching a broad audience that reflects New York City’s diverse population. They provide creative and eco-friendly programs and performances that stimulate community action and awareness. Their vision is to become New York City’s premier environmental-cultural Institution by providing unparalleled artistic eco-experiences, and programs that nurture emerging artists and our environment. Jeff Burroughs officially founded 9Thirty Theatre Company (9TTC), one of New York City’s first eco-theaters, in December of 2007 at 9:30AM. He sprung into action and began development of his vision for the company; combining his passion for the environment with art. As one of the country’s first eco-theaters, 9TTC offers a platform for the expression of raw and vibrant talent while showcasing the intersection of environmental and artistic ideas, projects, and causes. The company's development began six years ago as a company of multi-disciplinary artists attending the prestigious University of North Carolina School for the Arts. Since then, they have artistically united one hundred and twenty alumni and around five hundred supporters within its community. They are committed to advancing environmental causes, alongside industry leaders in sustainability, and green architecture and design. They have initiated productive dialogue with several firms and individuals, who inform the trajectory of our growth, and create opportunities for green initiatives that make a direct and immediate impact on our community. www.9ttc.orgDISCUSSION TOPIC: Green Theatre - on stage and off!
TALK BACK: WEDNESDAY, APRIL 14
Featuring Lory Henning, Production Stage Manager, Blue Man Group.
ABOUT LORY HENNING: Lory Henning currently works as the Production Stage Manager for Blue Man Group at the Astor Place Theatre in New York, and has also worked for Blue Man as a PSM and Production Coordinator for their national and international shows, rock tour, and other live and televised appearances. She has enjoyed doing a wide range of artistic and production jobs in the theatre with such companies as Bridge Club Productions, American Repertory Theatre, the Berkshire Opera Company, and the Huntington Theatre Company. She is also working assiduously to help green other NYC theaters, using her extensive environmental knowledge to implement on-the-ground change. www.blueman.com
DISCUSSION TOPIC: Green Theatre - on stage and off!
TALK BACK WEDNESDAY, APRIL 21
Featuring Christine Modica, South Street Seaport Museum
ABOUT SOUTH STREET SEAPORT MUSEUM:
The South Street Seaport Museum preserves and interprets the history of New York City as aworld port, a place where goods, labor and cultures are exchanged through work, commerce,ABOUT CHRISTINE MODICA: Christine Modica is an environmental educator at the South Street Seaport Museum. She maintains their Living Harbor Wet Lab which houses nine salt water fish tanks filled with marine life from local water ways. She is currently finishing her Master's degree in Special Education and enjoys sailing on the Museum's schooner Pioneer
DISCUSSION TOPIC: New York Harbor and the effects pollution and dredging had/ has on it. Ms. Modia will have bivalves on display and explain their importance in the estuary. She will talk about NY harbor 400 years ago and NY harbor now as well as discuss the Gowanus Canal during its most polluted years and plans for the future.
TALK BACK TUESDAY, APRIL 27
Guests TBA
DISCUSSION TOPIC: TBA.
ORGANIC BEER AVAILABLE AT ALL SHOWS!
SCHEDULED TALKBACKS
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“a briskly paced romp through daydreams” –The New York Times
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