About a year ago I made an introduction between two people with similar interests. A year later, they have started a theatre company and have come full circle to guest blog. In this post Ben Wright discusses the journey they have been on and their latest project which I hope you'll take the time to check out and support. Take it away Ben!
When I moved to New York from Austin, I wanted to find a way to bring some of the great work I was seeing done in Texas here. My goal was to find a way to create a conduit to New York for Texan writers. Too many shows would go up once and disappear forever. There are a lot of missed opportunities. However, I knew that with the right attention to marketing and script development some of these plays could grow into something greater in NYC. That is why I joined David Davila in the creation of Lone Star Theatre Co.
Lone Star Theatre Co. was created to bring work of Texan writers to the New York Stage, and it is the conduit I was seeking to create. It was also created to begin connecting a community of New York Texans who value the social experience of theatre. We have already had a series of intimate readings that have offered the opportunity to see new work and make new friends over cocktails, and we are planning regular social events to bring our community together. There is a lot of new work coming out of Texas, so we have many opportunities to create some great theatrical experiences.
This September, Lone Star Theatre Co. will be producing its first full production at the New Theatre at 45th st (btwn 8th & 9th) from September 12th through 29th. We are producing David Davila's ADAN Y JULIO, the story of two young gay lovers caught on different sides of the dangerous Mexican drug cartel war. It's a gritty, edge-of-your-seat, love story where Latin American machismo collides with homosexuality in a world where social positions are bought through fierce brutality and violence. This play brings to light and critiques a set of circumstances that those along the border know only too well. That is why we thought it would be a great first production for Lone Star Theatre Co.
Check out the Kickstarter and help us make our $25,000 goal.
Beyond September, we are building an exciting season, which is all the more reason to help us succeed with our first play, Adan Y Julio. At the moment, money is our biggest concern, but we’ve got some great people involved with our project, and we’ve already received some new scripts that are offering really exciting possibilities. However, pulling this first play off will give us the momentum to carry our first season forward. This is also the perfect opportunity to build a community that is literally invested in the future of Texan writers in New York. We also just like putting together cool events, so this should be a lot of fun.
Now that I’ve been in the city for a couple of years this dream of helping to bring Texas pages to New York stages is on the verge of coming true. I can’t thank Michael Roderick enough, as he not only is having me as a guest blogger, but also because he has consistently been one of the most conscientious connectors I have ever known. Many of my connections in the producing world have been through him including my connection with David Davila which paved the way for Lone Star Theatre Co. He even connected me to all of you who are reading this post. So, I’d also like to thank y’all too for taking the time.
Thanks Ben!
Be sure to check out Lone Star's campaign and help if you can!
Excelsior!
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