PRIMARY STAGES
Secret Room Theatre is joining forces with the Philadelphia Dramatists Center and The Shubin Theater to bring back the "Primary Stages" staged reading series. Primary Stages is a staged-reading series of 10 minute plays that blurs the lines between a script-in-hand reading and a fully produced night of theater. We rehearse a few times, including the writer, director, and actors in a collaborative process that begins the process of refining the play even prior to the staged reading. In this process, we all find moments that bring the plays to life and make it much more than some cold reading with the actor's faces buried in scripts. We move around and incorporate simple lights, sounds, costumes, props, and simple sets... We make the plays rock as we put them in front of an audience, so that the writers can get further feedback in the form of a live audience response. We also invite that audience to stick around after and enjoy some refreshments. Writers, actors, and directors connect with audience members and engage in active dialogues over how they liked and perceived the work on stage.
The Best of Primary Stages... Part Too!
Check out The Best of Primary Stages... Part Too! as part of the Shubin April Fest.
April 13 at 7:00pm & 10pm and April 15 at 7:00pm
The Shubin Theatre, 407 Bainbridge St, Philadelphia, PA 19147
Philly's Primary Stages is back and ready to take part in a very special fundraiser to benefit The Shubin Theatre...the home of Philly's Primary Stages!
For the first time ever, you can, and should, buy tickets in advance by clicking on this link:
Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/107251592732537/
Tickets: http://is.gd/Shubin_Tix
Here are the plays...
Spit for Tat....by Alex Dremann................directed by Clara Elser
Groundhogs...by Brittany Holdahl.............directed by Joseph Nevin
Dallas............by Greg Romero.................directed by Ken Kaissar
Corpse...........by Albert Them..................directed by James Kiesel
Frosty*..........by Krista Knight...................directed by Ed Miller
The Cute Factor..by Josh McIlvain.............directed by Lise Raven
The Artisitic Integrity of a Damned-Fine LoveStory.....................
.....................by Robin Rodriguez.............directed by Willa Jaffe
*SPECIAL Programming note: the play Frosty will ONLY be performed in the 4/13 shows and not on 4/15.
This show will feature the incredible acting talents of: Ken Sandberg, Gina Martino, James Scotland IV, Frank Brückner, Tabitha Allen, Kristen Norine, Jason Singer, Kelly McCaughan, Jacqueline Holloway, Cubby Altobelli, Ian Boston McCafferty, Trick Sullivan, Kimberlie Cruse, Bob Stineman, Courtney Baia, Dana Marcus, Aram Aghazarian, Rick Horner, Lynnia Shanley, and John Nagy.
For the play "Corpse" puppets were designed and constructed by Michel Jerome Faulkner II.
The play Dallas was Assistant Directed by Zachary Scovish.
As always, this show will feature our incredible house band "Hot Breakfast" playing a rocking preshow set, as well as outro music at the end of every play.
See you at the show!
Primary Stages... Heart Attacks!
The Prospect, by Davon Williams.........................................................................directed by Jesimiel Jenkins
Frosty for Philly, by Krista Knight.........................................................................directed by Ed Miller
Space Therapy, by Chris Davis............................................................................directed by Willa Jaffe
Misery...Love...Company, by Robin Rodriguez......................................................directed by Jamel Northern
After, by Sheldon Wolf.......................................................................................directed by Jody Gross
Repossession, by Barbara Pease Weber...............................................................directed by Erin Guard
Seven Phone Calls to a Break-up, by Ellen Joffred................................................directed by Clara Elser
Bluebeard, by Amy Frear....................................................................................directed by Chelsea Sanz
Revenge of the Howling Ring-tailed Spider Monkeys, by Scot Walker.....................directed by Gerald Van Wilgen
Love and Various Aquatic Creatures, by Amanda Healy.........................................directed by Chris Davis
Corpse, by Albert Them......................................................................................directed by James Kiesel
Groundhogs, by Brittany Holdahl.........................................................................directed by Joe Nevin
Primary Stages... Family Matters!
Tuesday 11/22/2011
Of Now, but Not of Here
by Paula Diehl
directed by Clara Elser
No History
by Susan Goodell
directed by Quinn D. Eli
Thanksgiving Soup
by Susan Cain McQuilkin
directed by Erin Guard
The Watch
by Candace Gordon
directed by Todd Holtsberry
Chalk
by Greg Romero
directed by Ren Manley
Fang by Alex Dremann
directed by Will Steinberger
Primary Stages... Hot Summer in the City!
Tonight’s music features the song styling of Ami Verrill. Find her on Youtube and on Facebook at
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ami-Verrill-Music/185225991487561
Act Up / Tuesday
Easier Done Than Said ……………………………………………………by Adam Perkins
Directed by……………………………………………………………………………………………….Ray King Reese
Guy…………………………………………………………………………………………………………..Stephen Bonnell
Girl……………………………………………………………………………………………………………Ann Gundersheimer
Reaching Words, Reaching Hands……………………………………by Colin Wolfe
Directed by………………………………………………………………………………………………..Ren Manley
Cliff……………………………………………………………………………………………………………Dustin Karrat
Bretton………………………………………………………………………………………………………Steve Carpenter
Liz………………………………………………………………………………………………………………Amanda Bernhardt
Eliane…………………………………………………………………………………………………………Rachel Diamond
Denisita…………………………………………………………………………by Kate McGrath
Directed by…………………………………………………………………………………………………Todd Holtsberry
Denisita………………………………………………………………………………………………………Denise Shubin
There will be a 15 minute Intermission – fill your cup & listen to Ami Verrill!
Cats and Dogs……………………………………………………................by Josh McIlvain
Directed by…………………………………………………………………………………………………Georgie Keveson
Adriano………………………………………………………………………………………………………Bob Stineman
Beth……………………………………………………………………………………………………………Lauren Todd
Declarations………………………………………………………………………by Michael Schwartz
Directed by ………………………………………………………………………………………………..Caroline Rhoads
Edmund………………………………………………………………………………………………………Kevin Pettit
Nora……………………………………………………………………………………………………………Ali Krasner
DPS (Dating Positioning System)………………………………………..by Donald Drake
Directed by………………………………………………………………………………………………….Michael Schwartz
Richard………………………………………………………………………………………………………..Dan Stabb
Lois………………………………………………………………………………………………………………Kathleen Kerns
DPS Male……………………………………………………………………………………………………..Rick Horner
DPS Female………………………………………………………………………………………………….Tina Migeot
There will now be a 21.5 hour intermission, have another drink, or two, and a puddin’ pack, talk, go home, and come back!
Tonight’s music features the song styling of Hot Breakfast! Find them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/#!/HotBreakfastRocks
Act Down / Wednesday
Shore Break……………………………………………………………………by Candace Gordon
Directed by………………………………………………………………………………………………….Quinn D. Eli
Grace……………………………………………………………………………………………………………Stephanie Lauren
Cliff………………………………………………………………………………………………………………Georgie Keveson
Tango in B-15………………………………………………………………….by Sheldon Wolf
Directed by…………………………………………………………………………………………………..Ken Kaissar
Tatyana………………………………………………………………………………………………………..Alana Gerlach
Miguel …………………………………………………………………………………………………………Nick Torrens
Telltale Signs……………………………………………………………………..by Quinn D. Eli
Directed by……………………………………………………………………………………………………Malika Oyetimein
Betsy…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….Mle’ Chester
Sean………………………………………………………………………………………………………………Richard Bradford
There will be a 15 minute Intermission – fill your cup & listen to Hot Breakfast!
Good Deed…………………………………………………….........................by Scott A. Gilmore
Directed by…………………………………………………………………………………………………….Crystal Davis
Ryder……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..Spenser Michaels
Spencer AND Cop #1………………………………………………………………………………………Toshio Alan Mana
Kyle………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..J.S. Harrington
Cop #2……………………………………………………………………………………………………………Liz Cline
Nails of Love………………………………………………………………………….by Albert Fried-Cassorla
Directed by ……………………………………………………………………………………………………K.O. DelMarcelle
Marvin Mermelstein………………………………………………………………………………………Trick Sullivan
Alice Love/Eloise……………………………………………………………………………………………Jackie Read
Spit For Tat……………………………………………………………………………by Alex Dremann
Directed by…………………………………………………………………………………………………….Clara Elser
Greg……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….Ken Sandberg
Bernadette……………………………………………………………………………………………………..Gina Martino
Primary Stages... March!
Tuesday, 3/15
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•"Crazy, Crazy on You", by Karuna Lynne Elson, directed by Ilana Vine, and featuring Nick Troy and Rachel O'Hanlon Rodriguez.
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•"Up, Up, and Now Way!", by Sharon B. Kling, directed by John D'Alonzo, and featuring Theresa Leahy and Chris Davis.
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•"Entitled", by Michael Schwartz, directed by Ray King Reese, and featuring actors that the director will tell us about eventually.
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•"Something is Something", by Leyla A. Eraslan, directed by Darin Dunston, and featuring Andrew Tardif, Rory Donovan, and David Stanger.
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•"Once Upon a Time", by Sebastian Cummings, directed by Todd Holtsberry, and featuring Sebastian Cummings, Justin Torres, Angela Harmon, and a few others that the director will tell us about eventually.
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•"David Austin", by Pat McGeever, directed by Georgie Keveson, featuring actors the director will tell us about eventually.
Wednesday, 3/16
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•"Family Tradition", by Josh McIlvain, directed by Rebecca Balauger, and featuring Carolina Millard and Zachary Chiero.
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•"The Clearing", by Josh McIlvain, directed by Lise Raven, and featuring Frank Brückner, John D'Alonzo, and Gregory Wolmart.
-
•"Three Wishes" by Susan Cain McQuilkin, directed by Joe Nevin, and featuring Brittany Holdahl and Nick Troy.
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•"String Enough Memories", Robin Rodriguez, directed by Chris Davis, and featuring Kate Black Regan and
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•"Some Place", by Ken Kaissar, directed by Mike Durkin, and featuring Kevin Chick, Tyler Hoffman, and Leeanna Rubin.
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•"Bye", by Chris Davis, directed by Abby Whacker, and featuring Michael Stimson, and Denise Shubin.
Primary Stages... Fall For Us!
@ The Shubin
Tuesday 11/23/10 and Wednesday 11/24/10
Act Up / Tuesday
The Cute Factor………………………………………………………………by Josh McIlvain
Directed by………………………………………………………………………………………Frank Brückner
Marci………………………………………………………………………………………………………Tabitha Allen
Jerry………………………………………………………………………………………………………Frank Brückner
Wall to Wall…………………………………………………………………..by Chris Handschuch
Directed by………………………………………………………………………………………Sara Accardi
James…………………………………………………………………………………………………….Alexander Mandell
Evan……………………………………………………………………………………………………….Jameson Bosco
Amy………………………………………………………………………………………………………..Megan Fulmer
Before the Fall………………………………………………………………by Quinn D. Eli
Directed by………………………………………………………………………………………Jesimiel Jenkins
Colleen…………………………………………………………………………………………………Theresa Leahy
Sid………………………………………………………………………………………………………….Charles Illingworth
The Fear of intimacy……………………………………………………..by Eric Balchunas
Directed by………………………………………………………………………………………Lise Raven
Bill…………………………………………………………………………………………………………Frank Brückner
Wendy…………………………………………………………………………………………………….Anna Richart Watson
Hell’s Angels…………………………………………………….........by Kristen Scatton
Directed by………………………………………………………………………………………Todd Holtsberry
Callie……………………………………………………………………………………………………Carly Bodnar
Stan…………………………………………………………………………………………………………Doug Greene
The Boss………………………………………………………………………………………………Catherine Moroney
Making the Sale………………………………………………………………...by Susan Goodell
Directed by ……………………………………………………………………………………Lise Raven
Patrice…………………………………………………………………………………………………Anna Richart Watson
Mr. Twivell………………………………………………………………………………………Frank Brückner
Sons of Brutus……………………………………………………………………by Chris Morse
Directed by………………………………………………………………………………………Mike Durkin
Brutus……………………………………………………………………………………………………James Stover
Casca………………………………………………………………………………………………………Doug Greene
Cassius…………………………………………………………………………………………………Eric Scotolati
Porcia……………………………………………………………………………………………………Tabitha Allen
There will now be a 21.5 hour intermission, have another drink, talk, go home, and come back!
Act Down / Wednesday
Catch………………………………………………………………………….......by Alex Wilkie
Directed by………………………………………………………………………………………Mark Kennedy
Mitch………………………………………………………………………………………………………Fred Ott
Jen……………………………………………………………………………………………………………Meredith Sonnen
Frank………………………………………………………………………………………………………Corey Masson
Bench……………………………………………………………………………......by Paula Diehl
Directed by………………………………………………………………………………………V.F. Zialcita
Woman 1…………………………………………………………………………………………………Anonymous
Woman 2…………………………………………………………………………………………………Anonymous
Man 1………………………………………………………………………………………………………Anonymous
Man 2………………………………………………………………………………………………………Anonymous
Downloading Baby…………………………………………………………..by Christopher M. Bohan
Directed by………………………………………………………………………………………Kristen O’Rourke
Stuart White……………………………………………………………………………………Rob Cutler
Blanche White…………………………………………………………………………………Jessica Snow
Off the Wall……………………………………………………........by Lance Kniskern
Directed by………………………………………………………………………………………Allison Garret
Commissioner……………………………………………………………………………………Michael Bartlett
Dr. Anderson……………………………………………………………………………………Seth Smitt-Hall
Hans the Baker………………………………………………………………………………Kyle Moran
Jenkins…………………………………………………………………………………………………Robert Barr
Henny Penny / Reporter 1……………………………………………………Kathryn Sullivan
Mrs. Dumpty / Reporter 2……………………………………………………Jacqueline Schneider
E.B. Dumpty / Reporter 3…………………………………………………David Quinn
Character Study………………………………………………………………...by Lance Kniskern
Directed by ……………………………………………………………………………………Annie Saekang
A (AKA “The Fallen”)………………………………………………………………Kate Quinn
B……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..Jana Nogowski
Follow the Rules……………………………………………………………….by Robin Rodriguez
Directed by………………………………………………………………………………………Ray King Reese
Mentor……………………………………………………………………………………………………Ray King Reese
The night starts at 7:30pm with live music, plays start being read at 8pm...doors open by 7pm...see you there!
For more information, email Todd Holtsberry, Producer, at toddzz@hotmail.com.
Primary Stages... Dirty Laundry Edition!
@ The Shubin
Tuesday 5/18 and Wednesday 5/19
Tuesday, 5/18/10
"How to Fold" by Kate McGrath (Joesph Nevin, director)
"100% Cotton", by Elle McComsey (Todd Holtsberry, director)
"Exploding Dad", by Chris Davis (Bill Egan, director)
"Streakers", by Deborah Yarchun (Tamanya Garza, director)
"Dead Pigeons", by Ian August (Ilana Vine, director)
"Whacking Crazy Joey", by Bill Rolleri (Todd Holtsberry, director)
Wednesday, 5/19/10
"The Puzzle Palace", by Frederick Andersen (Lise Raven, director)
"Twister", by Anthony Ciccotelli (Lise Raven, director)
"Running Amuck", by Quinn D. Eli (Todd Holtsberry, director)
"Let Me Tell You About My Best Friend", by Michael Schwartz (Ken Kaissar, director)
"Caught In the Act", by Ken Kaissar (Amy Kaissar, director)
"Stainless", by Alex Wilkie (Frank Brueckner, director)
Primary Stages… Love Stinks!
@ The Arts Bank
Thursday 4/1/2010
Zombie Heart Salad Sandwich...by Greg Romero
Abram's Bridge by Rob Wiseman
Mate by Robert Castle
The Trap by Josh McIlvain
Rebound by Josh McIlvain
Elevator Music by Kristen M. Scatton
The Language of Love by Will Packard
Friday 4/2/2010
Fighting Mr Right by Barbara Lindsay
Quid Pro Quo by Quinn D. Eli
Room For Rent by Maureen Clarke
Grunge is Dead by Katharine Sherman
An Hour to Kill by Susan Cain McQuilkin
Happily by Jessie Bear
Into The Dark by Rachael Joffred
Directors
Cara Blouin, John D'Alonzo, Mark Jesse Swanson, V.F. Zilacita, Frederick Andersen, Frank Bruckner, Lise Raven, Ilana Vine, Dan Ruppel, Charles Tyson, Peter Danzig, Ray King Reese, and Bryan R. Caine.
Writers
Chris Davis, Jennifer Hutten, Fred Andersen, Frank Bruckner, Julia Frey, Bryan R. Caine, Libby Spangler, Michael McElroy, Mark Robson, Megan Slater, Lyndsay Hart, Nick Fragale, Peter Camp, Simone Lindenbaum-Grosbard, Chelsea Barr, Nathan Vogel, Charles Tyson Jr., and others!
Todd Holtsberry and Bill Rolleri
Co-Producers of Philly's Primary Stages
Co-sponsored by the PDC, Secret Room Theatre, the Shubin Theatre & UArts
Primary Stages... The Return!
Tuesday 11/24/2009 and Wednesday 11/25/2009
@ The Shubin
The nights begin at 8pm and each night will feature a different set of plays so you can come both nights and have a totally different experience.
Performances will be at The Shubin Theatre, is a great spot for intimate theater and is located at 407 Bainbridge St, in S. Philly...just one block south of South Street, between 4th and 5th Streets.
Writers
George Tietze, Walt Vail, Tom Tirney, Robin Rodriguez, Tom Tunnington, Samuel Toll, V.F. Zialcita, Alex Dremann, Susan Cain McQuilkin, Eric Balchunas and Greg Romero.
Directors
Jen Fellman, Malika Oyetimein, Ray King Reese, V.F. Zialcita, Bryan R. Caine. Cara Blouin, Ken Kaissar, Amanda DeMarco, Tom Tirney, and Todd Holtsberry
Actors
Len "Cruze" Webb, Race Brown, Amanda Carlisle, Ian Boston McCafferty, Clinton Hill, Chris Braak, Anabelle Garcia, Aaron Oster, Felicia Leicht, Denise Shubin, Jen Fellman, Todd Holtsberry, Chris Morse, Lucas Nguyen, Bill Murray, Porter Eidam, Fred Andersen, Christine Perrotta, Chris Davis, Johanna Dunphy, Jake Blouch, Ken Sandberg, and a few other actors that we expect the directors will tell us about by show time!
Amazing Tech Person
Molly Edelman
Todd Holtsberry and Bill Rolleri
Co-Producers of Philly's primary Stages
C0-Sponsored by the PDC, Secret Room Theatre, and the Shubin Theatre
