AUDELCO ANNOUNCES 2011 NOMINEES
Take Wing And Soar’s Antony & Cleopatra Nominated for 5 AUDELCOs
Best Costumes: David Withrow
Best Sound Design: David Wright
Best Director/Dramatic Production: Petronia Paley
Best Lead Actress: Debra Ann Byrd
Dramatic Production of The Year: Antony & Cleopatra | Take Wing And Soar Productions. Congratulations to the entire company!! … And Many Thanks ... Debra Ann and Sheila Speller

SAVE THE DATE
Monday, November 14, 2011
The 39th Annual Vivian
Robinson / AUDELCO Recognition Awards
For Excellence in Black Theatre -- “The VIV”
SIGN UP TO BECOME A MEMBER TODAY! Remember that you cannot vote, for nominees (even if you are a nominee) for ‘The VIV’ Awards if you have not contributed by October 31, 2011 to the FRIENDS OF AUDELCO. |

ANTONY & CLEOPATRA
Written by William Shakespeare
Directed by Petronia Paley

Take Wing And Soar Productions presents Shakespeares ANTONY & CLEOPATRA starring Michael Early and Debra Ann Byrd.

Artistic Director/Producer: Debra Ann Byrd
Co-Producer: Sheila L. Speller

He is a Roman general, handsome and brave. She is the Queen of Egypt, beautiful, and proud. Together they will defy the power of an Emperor. Together they will destroy that which they strive to uphold. Join us as award winning actress and director Petronia Paley leads The TWAS Classical Actors of Color in Shakespeare’s iconic tale of passion and power, love and loss.

DATES & TIMES:  March 17th – March 27th, 2011

03/17/2011 @ 7:00 pm | Black Tie Opening Night Gala - Honors Presented
03/18/2011 @ 8:00 pm | Meet the Designers Wine & Cheese Chat
03/19/2011 @ 2:00 pm
03/19/2011 @ 8:00 pm
03/20/2011 @ 3:00 pm | Post Show Talk Back with the Artists
03/23/2011 @ 10:00am | Shakespeare for Kids Day
03/23/2011 @ 8:00 pm | DCA Community Night
03/24/2011 @ 8:00 pm
03/25/2011 @ 8:00 pm
03/26/2011 @ 2:00 pm
03/26/2011 @ 8:00 pm
03/27/2011 @ 3:00 pm | Closing Night / Swan Day honoring Women in the Arts

THEATRE: The Poets Den Theater
309 East 108th Street, East Harlem, NY [Just Off 2nd Avenue]

TICKETS: Gala Performance $50; Wine & Cheese Reception $25; General Admission $18; Students & Seniors $15; TDF Vouchers Accepted; Group Sales Available.

RESERVATIONS:   TheaterMania.com (212) 352-3101
[Group Sales Available for Groups of 10+] Call 212-696-6575 to book your group in advance.
 
THE COMPANY: Producer/Artistic Director - Debra Ann Byrd, Co-producer - Sheila Speller, Director - Petronia Paley, Dramaturg - Dr. Mark Ringer, Scenic Design - Heather Wolensky, Light Design - James Carter, Costume Design - David Withrow, Sound Design - David D. Wright, Stage Manager - Norman Antony Small, Jr., Press Agent - Penny Landau/MAYA PR, Marketing & Promotions - Natalie Clarke

THE CAST: Michael Early as Antony and Debra Ann Byrd as Cleopatra with Althea Alexis, Andi Bohs, Nehassaiu deGannes, Andre Dell, Lawrence Floyd, Terrell M. Green, David Heron, Aixa Kendrick, Mark Lang, Gerrad Lobo, Tom Martin, Alejandro Santoni, Norman Anthony Small, Amar Srivastava, Carsey Walker, Jr., Renauld White, Karl OBrian Williams, Natasha Yannacanedo

Purchase your tickets today for the production of ...

Antony & Cleopatra by William Shakespeare

The Poets Den Theater
309 East 108th Street
New York, NY 10029

Show Opens: March 17, 2011
Show Closes: March 27, 2011

Running Time: 2 hr. 30 min. (includes 1 intermission)

Ticket Price: $18.00 Adults; $15.00 Students/Seniors;
$25.00 Meet The Designers Wine & Cheese Chat
$50.00 Black Tie Gala Night

Tickets by Phone: 212-352-3101 or 866-811-4111

Tickets Online: Click Link Below

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Penny Landau | Maya Public Relations, Inc.
 
Take Wing And Soar Productions presents Shakespeares ANTONY & CLEOPATRA for a Limited Engagement at the Poets Den Theater | March 17th – 27th

[New York, NY – February 28, 2011]

ANTONY & CLEOPATRA. He is a Roman general, handsome & brave. She is the Queen of Egypt, beautiful & proud. Together they will defy the power of an Emperor. Together they will destroy that which they strive to uphold. Join us as the AUDELCO Award-winning Take Wing And Soar Productions presents Shakespeares ANTONY & CLEOPATRA from March 17-27, at The Poets Den Theater. Award-winning actress & director Petronia Paley leads the TWAS Classical Actors of Color as they share the stage with classical actor Michael Early* as Antony and Take Wing And Soars Producing Artistic Director, Debra Ann Byrd*, as she takes on the role of Egypts last Queen.

Also cast in this AEA Showcase Production are Althea Alexis*, Andi Bohs, Nehassaiu deGannes*, Andre Dell, Lawrence Floyd*, Terrell M. Green, David Heron*, Aixa Kendrick, Mark Lang, Gerrad Lobo, Tom Martin, Alejandro Santoni, Norman Anthony Small, Amar Srivastava*, Carsey Walker, Jr.*, Karl OBrian Williams, Renauld White* & Natasha Yannacanedo*.

MICHAEL EARLY [Marc Antony] is an actor, educator, director and the founder of Phoenix Rising Productions. He has performed a variety of roles at The Public Theatre, Signature Theatre, Classical Theatre of Harlem, Prospect Theatre, Yale Rep, Hartford Stage, Berkshire Theatre Festival, Williamstown, Great Lakes Theatre Festival, Cleveland Play House, Center Stage, McCarter Theatre & The Shakespeare Theatre. Television appearances include “Damages,” “Law & Order,” “Law & Order: SVU,” “Early Edition,” “Another World,” “All My Children” & “One Life to Live.” Directing credits include The Winter’s Tale, The Misanthrope, War Music, Spell # 7, Unfinished Women…, Montage of a Dream Deferred, Romeo & Juliet, A Midsummer Night’s Dream & Twelfth Night. Currently on faculty at Sarah Lawrence College, he has also taught at Powerhouse Theatre at Vassar College, Playwrights Horizons Theatre School, Oberlin College, the British American Drama Academy & has served as Director of the Theatre Department at Harlem School of the Arts. Mr. Early is a graduate of NYU Tisch School of the Arts & Yale School of Drama.

DEBRA ANN BYRD [Cleopatra] is the Founder of Take Wing And Soar Productions, Inc., where she currently serves as Producing Artistic Director. She has guided this companys growth from its birth, forging a viable support organization for classical artists of color & theatre arts groups throughout New York. As an actor, producer, arts manager & business leader, Debra Ann has received more than 20 awards & citations including the 2006 Josephine Abady Award & the 2009 LPTW Lucille Lortel Award. She was recently selected for inclusion in the 2010 Editions of Who’s Who in the World & Who’s Who of American Women. She received a B.F.A. degree in acting from Marymount Manhattan College, did advanced studies at The Public Theater’s Shakespeare Lab, completed producer training at the Commercial Theater Institute & received additional training from the Arts Leadership Institute, a unique Leadership Training Program for Arts Managers at Teacher’s College/Columbia University. Her classical roles for stage include Queen Elizabeth in Richard III, The Choragos in Antigone, Mrs. Malaprop in The Rivals, Lady Bracknell in The Importance of Being Earnest, Volumnia in Coriolanus, Winter in Love’s Labors Lost & Hippolyta in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Roles in other new American classics include Luce Morgan in Loose by Petronia Paley, Dido Queen of Carthage in Massinissa & Queen Yemmo in Obatala.

PETRONIA PALEY [Director] is a director, actor, playwright & teacher. Her directing credits include Truth Be Told at Ensemble Studio, River Crosses Rivers Festival; Daughter, Ensemble Studio Theatre; Kermit Frazier’s Kernel Of Sanity, New Federal Theatre; Ascension, National Black Theatre Festival, International Fringe Festival; MEDEA, Take Wing And Soar Productions; Can We Dance, Riverside Church & Henry Street Settlement & Spic Chic at Ensemble Studio Theatre’s OCTOBERFEST, Repertorio Espanol. She has staged numerous contemporary & classical readings & is a member of Ensemble Studio Theatre & the Actors Studio and is the founder of I the Actor Acting Studio.

SHEILA L. SPELLER [Co-Producer] Ms. Speller is the Producer and General Manager of the recent commercial Off-Broadway production of “… Another Man’s Poison.” at The Peter Jay Sharp Theater, Theatre Row, NYC. She is currently working on productions slated for the Broadway stage. Ms. Speller’s keen business expertise as a producer encompasses production development and management, production budgets, contracts, investor relations, and marketing strategy. Professional industry memberships: The Broadway League, The League of Professional Theatre Women, New York Women in Film and Television, and the Coalition of Professional Women in the Arts & Media (past Board Member). A frequent guest panelist, Ms. Speller presents on a range of theatre and entertainment business topics: “Business for Creative Professionals,” School of Visual Arts; “Raising Money for Theatre: How, Who, and When to Ask” TRU Producers Boot Camp. Sheila attended Howard University, University of Maryland College Park, New York University: Arts Management, Metropolitan College of NY: Media Management, MBA.

TAKE WING AND SOAR PRODUCTIONS INC., founded in 1999 by classically trained actress Debra Ann Byrd, is a women-led, New York State, 501(c) 3 Professional Theatre Arts Corporation, dedicated to supporting women, youth & especially classically trained actors of color. In its brief history, Take Wing And Soar Productions has enjoyed many successes including the creation of The TWAS Theatre Project, The TWAS Classical Lab Reading Series, The Take Wing And Soar “Spirit of Excellence Awards” & the Hackney Harlem International Youth Project. The theatre company is the 2009-2010 recipient of the LPTW Lucille Lortel Award, presented in recognition of the theatre’s body of work in the community, audience development in Harlem – and in celebration of the “International Exchange Program” between Take Wing And Soar Productions & London’s Hackney Empire Theatre. Other honors include 5 AUDELCO Awards & 19 AUDELCO Award nominations for its mainstage productions of Richard III, The Darker Face of the Earth, Hamlet, Medea, King Lear & Pecong. Antony & Cleopatra is TWAS’ twenty-ninth production & eighth main stage project.

Take Wing And Soar is helmed by Producer/Artistic Director, Debra Ann Byrd. For ANTONY & CLEOPATRA, Co-producer, Sheila Speller; Director, Petronia Paley; Dramaturg, Dr. Mark Ringer; Scenic Designer, Heather Wolensky; Lighting Designer, James Carter; Costume Designer, David Withrow; Sound Designer, David D. Wright; Production Stage Manager, Annette Nelson-Wright.

*Denotes Member AEA

DATES: March 17 – March 27, 2011

TIMES: Wed – Sat EVE @ 8pm, Sat MAT @ 2pm & Sun MAT @ 3pm

THEATRE:  The Poet’s Den Theater, 309 East 108th Street [Just Off 2nd Avenue]

TICKETS:  Gala Performance $50; General Admission $18 Adults; Students & Seniors $15; TDF Vouchers Accepted; Group Sales Available.

RESERVATIONS: TheaterMania.com (212) 352-3101; Group Sales & Info (212) 696-6575

##

Sheila Speller, of Orielle Creative Company was an Invited Guest Speaker at the 9th Annual WIBO Alumni Networking Extravaganza, held at BNY / Mellon, NYC. Topic: POWER MARKETING FOR YOUR BUSINESS.

The event was a productive and elegant evening of sharing business information, networking, and comraderie with up-and-coming and established entrepreneurs who are alumni of WIBO.

Sheila Speller is honored to participate as a Host Committee member (Orielle Creative Company, a Silver Sponsor) of the Howard University Alumni Club of Westchester/Rockland presentation -- A Benefit Concert featuring The Howard Gospel Choir on Sunday, October 10th at 5:00pm at Grace Baptist Church, 52 South Sixth Avenue, Mount Vernon, New York.

Event proceeds will benefit the Howard University Alumni Association Emergency Scholarship Fund and the Ella Coleman Washington Scholarship Fund of Howard University.

Carole Coleman-Florestal, President
Howard University Alumni Club of Westchester/Rockland

If you see one play this season – this is the ONE to see! Six Men. Three Generations. An extraordinary event. And ONE phenomenal performance!

THROUGH THE NIGHT embodies the stories of six men who experience an unexpected epiphany on the same evening that changes their lives forever. Daniel Beaty (Emergency, Russell Simmons Presents Def Poetry Jam, Showtime at the Apollo) is one of the most extraordinary young artists of our time. His signature style of storytelling weaves together a thrilling blend of humor, poetry, music, and drama that makes this an astonishing evening of theatre full of possibility and hope.

Artistic Ambassadors include: Bill Cosby, Ruby Dee, Professor Henry Louis Gates, Jr., Thelma Golden, Hill Harper, LaTonya Richardson Jackson, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Phylicia Rashad, Ben Vereen, Pauletta Washington, and Malik Yoba.

Directed by Charles Randolph-Wright.

Presented by Daryl Roth, Producer
Jana Robbins, Producer

Sheila Speller, president of Orielle Creative Company is a new member of The Broadway League!

The Mount Vernon Theater Company in association with Batson Communications will be seeing actors for two roles in THE OLIVE BRANCH, a Short Film. Sheila Speller, Consulting Casting Director, Orielle Creative Company.

Seeks:
African American Male 50-55 y.o., Salt/Pepper hair Okay
African American Female 22-28 y.o.
Some pay (+ copy of short)
Auditions will be held in NYC: February 7, 12n-2p *Appointment Required
Location: NYCastings, 243 W 30th Str, 3rd Floor
Shoot date: March 6
EMAIL HEADSHOT/RESUME TO: icebergphoenix@aol.com
Audition Sides will be emailed to actors with an audition appointment
If you require more information email: icebergphoenix@aol.com

WARREN and SAMANTHA (SAM) are a couple. They are real people in a December/May relationship. They love each other and both are confronted with a moment of truth with regard to the generational difference of their relationship, when Warren takes ill.

WARREN: Middle-aged Black attorney who has been around the block and has now fallen for a younger woman. He is aware of the advantages and disadvantages of his relationship, but seems to be more consumed by the negatives and is unable to accentuate the positives. Often this contributes to his paranoia, that is sometimes warranted by his lovers subtle infidelities but his own insecurities often fan the flames.

SAMANTHA (SAM): A youthful woman in her 20s who sees Warren as both a father figure and boyfriend but often the lines are blurred because of the young men her own age that continue to pursue her reminds her of the energy that is exclusive to that age group. She is on leave of absence from college and is desperately trying to find herself. Warren often makes it difficult because she has to rush her aging process to be with him.

Can Hollywood swing for the Fences?
Denzel Washington is doing it on Broadway this spring. But instead of a movie version of August Wilsons classic, we get him in The Book of Eli on screen. Why?

By Wesley Morris
Globe Staff / January 17, 2010

Click Related Link below for Full Article

Theater Resources Unlimited opens up the possibilities for tomorrows productions with an all-day intensive workshop about many crucial aspects of raising money for theater. It is a tough economy, no doubt about it. All the more reason why people need support and the skills to go about the business of producing. We invite you to come acquire some basic tools and information that will help you to function effectively in these times and the better days that are surely ahead. From networking techniques to legal requirements and effective business planning, plus a wealth of first-hand experience from more than a half dozen producers who are currently active in the Broadway and off-Broadway worlds, we promise you an informative, empowering and inspiring day.

Faculty this year will include Broadway producers Kristin Caskey of Fox Theatricals, Cheryl Wiesenfeld, Jane Dubin, Tom Smedes and Randall Wreghitt, Off-Broadway Producer and business consultant Sheila Speller, plus attorneys Mark Beigelman and Lisaroxanne Walters, and personal coaches Jane Petrov and Roy Havrilack.

For more information, click Related Link below.

The New York State Cultural Data Project (New York State CDP) is a powerful online management tool designed to strengthen arts and cultural organizations. Arts and cultural organizations enter financial, programmatic and operational data into a standardized online form and can then use the CDP to produce a variety of reports designed to help increase management capacity, identify strengths and challenges and inform decision-making. They can also generate reports to be included as part of the application processes to participating grantmakers.

This emerging national standard enables participating organizations to track trends and benchmark their progress through powerful reporting tools, empowers researchers and advocates with information to make the case for arts and culture, and equips funders with data to plan and evaluate grant-making activities more effectively.

Benefits of Participation

* Powerful reporting tools to track trends and benchmark against other organizations by discipline, budget size and geographic region;
* Streamlined grant application process to participating funders;
* Toll-free Help Desk and User Support assistance and free access (by phone) to a team of financial consultants specializing in accounting for nonprofits;
* Statewide on-location, web-based and online training.

After four years of planning, the CDP was first launched in Pennsylvania in 2004 and has grown to include California, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York and Ohio.

The launch of the New York State CDP on June 1, 2009 has been made possible through a collaborative effort led by:

* Alliance for the Arts
* Alliance of Resident Theatres / New York
* Arts & Cultural Council for Greater Rochester
* Asian American Arts Alliance
* Doris Duke Charitable Foundation
* The Field
* Harlem Arts Alliance
* The M&T Charitable Foundation
* NYC Department of Cultural Affairs
* The New York Community Trust
* New York State Council on the Arts
* NYS ARTS
* The John R. Oishei Foundation
* Time Warner Inc.

Leadership funding for the New York State CDP has been provided through the generosity of:

* Bloomberg Philanthropies
* Booth Ferris Foundation
* JPMorgan Chase Foundation
* The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation

To learn more about the Cultural Data Project, please visit www.culturaldata.org.

© 2004 - 2010 Cultural Data Project Governing Group. All rights reserved.

Unless you happen to be very rich, it is hard to jump in and produce a commercial show first time out. You have to build a career and reputation, and gain important skills along the way. Not to mention the fact that a producer is the last person to get paid on a project! So how do you even afford to become a producer? We will look at various career paths that can earn you a living and teach you what you need to know to succeed. And we will also consider the shocking fact that there are very few African Americans and persons of color on this path. Why?

Shirley Faison, executive director, National Black Theatre; Tiffani Gavin, Sr. Director of Licensing for Theatrical Rights Worldwide, former executive producer at Clear Channel Entertainment, former company manager (Blue Man Group); Jamillah Lamb, producer (Platanos and Collard Greens); Tom Smedes, producer (Ace the Musical, [title of show], Naked Boys Singing, Dog Sees God), general manager (Altar Boyz, Musical of Musicals), company manager (Show Boat); Sheila Speller, producer/general manager (Another Mans Poison).

Doors open at 7:00pm for networking and refreshments, panel starts promptly at 7:30pm. FREE for TRU members; $12 for non-members. Please call at least a day in advance for reservations: 212/714-7628; or e-mail TRUnltd@aol.com

The Players Theatre, 115 Macdougal Street, 3rd floor Loft Theatre

Click the link below to view scenes from ... Another Mans Poison, Off-Broadway at the Peter Jay Sharp Theater, Theater Row, NYC.

Racism, War and Sex in a 1970 Stew
By KEN JAWOROWSKI

While eagerness and zeal can’t overcome an uneven script and flawed execution, they do occasionally add spark to “... Another Man’s Poison,” a spirited if underdeveloped new play at the Peter Jay Sharp Theater.

In the story Frankie Masters, a black comedian, is hard at work on a comedy show he hopes to move to network television. His ambition strains his relationships with his wife and son, leading to the inevitable family conflicts and confessions. Along the way the play, set in 1970, touches on a number of topics — racism, the Vietnam War, sex — though it doesn’t grab hold of any of them for long.

Those frequent shifts of focus and the script’s awkward construction (the three-act play has two intermissions, one coming with less than a half-hour remaining in the show) encumber an otherwise intriguing tale. But the production is always pleasing to the eye: the set, by Kevin Lee Allen, is striking and impeccably designed, and the costumes, by Ali Turns, are first-rate.

Such attention to detail isn’t consistent throughout. The director Passion Hansome’s decision to situate most of the action far back into a wide and deep stage undermines the play’s energy, as does positioning the actors yards apart during moments of heated argument. Similar puzzling choices regarding set changes and scene placement also work against the plot and drain it of much-needed tension.

Still, the cast often manages to shine. As Frankie, Leland Gantt is regularly the center of attention and he handles the spotlight with skill. Penelope Lowder is equally impressive as his wife, Pauline. As their son, Alan, James Edward Shippy delivers a fine and nuanced performance.

While it’s easy to applaud these efforts, it is, regrettably, difficult to recommend spending $75 a ticket for a play that remains unpolished. George O. Brome’s script and the crew would have certainly benefited from a more modest production to develop and test the work. Like the showbiz characters in

“... Another Man’s Poison,” everyone wants to make it to the top. But it’s sometimes wise to start out small.

Theatre Review by Cindy Pierre

...Another Mans Poison
Photo by Joan Marcus.

In 1970, 5 years before Weezy and George Jefferson had moved on up to a deluxe apartment in the sky, Frankie Masters (Leland Gantt) and his family were already living in theirs. In George O. Bromes multi-layered Another Mans Poison, Masters has almost everything that he needs to make it to the top: his own TV production company, a promising pilot for a skit comedy show, and a “hands-on” agent named Mel (Steve Greenstein) supplying more attention and opportunities than most. If only his lonely wife Pauline (Penelope Lowder) and gay son Alan (James Edward Shippy) were on board with his lofty plans.

Its not that they dont enjoy the luxuries. Kevin Lee Allens spacious, New York apartment set is so rich with color that it resembles an art gallery. The new accommodations are definitely an upgrade from the days when the trio lived in the projects. And based on the frequent changes in Ali Turns snazzy costumes, mom and son seem to be thrilled with the good life.

But what is great for one is not necessarily enough for others. While Masters earns the “meat”, Pauline and Alan experience the “poison” in their relationships with him. Rather than nurture his family, he grooms himself into Wilhelmena, the female character modeled after his wife that expresses sentiments that he cannot as a man. Masters is soon reminded that not all moments in real life come with a laugh track, even if Another Mans Poison has plenty of instances where chuckles dont need to be manufactured.

With fine actors, under Passion Hansomes sharp direction, that are as skilled at comedy as they are at drama, Another Mans Poison switches easily from being funny to being serious. Using the “play within a play” scheme, the action goes from skits that are pulled off without a hitch (with the fantastic contributions of Dennis Hearn and Toni L. Stanton) to intimate scenes that are, well, pulled off without a hitch.

The themes of the piece vacillate as frequently as the mood to the plays detriment. While the show is comprehensive, Brome tries to pack in too many weighty subjects. As a result, several of them are treated too casually. Brome picked a fascinating decade to plant his story. 1970 was a time when many things were brewing: protests against the Vietnam War, new opportunities for black actors in entertainment, and the “politicizing of sexual identity.” Another Mans Poison has all of these, plus the dynamics of a relationship between a black man and a black woman, how the pursuit of success can damage a family, undercover homosexuality, persistent racial tensions, loneliness, depression and how comedy is used as a coping mechanism against pain. However, most of these topics are only broached, making the play scattered. There is enough material here for at least one more play.

Another Mans Poison may be stretched too thin, but it still makes a deep impact. With some reconfiguring, it will be an even stronger theatrical experience than it already is.

...Another Mans Poison
Through August 23
Peter Jay Sharp Theatre, 416 West 42nd Street, 4th floor
Running Time: 2 hours with two intermissions
Tickets online and current Performance Schedule: TicketCentral.com

...Another Mans Poison
Posted 8/13/2009 1:57:00 PM
George O. Brome’s “Another Man’s Poison” hosted its opening night yesterday at the Peter Jay Sharp Theater. The story of one black man’s journey to the top is a cautionary tale for anyone who thinks they want fame. On the way there he comes to a few forks in the road, one being the choice between fatherhood and his own endeavors. The struggle to substantiate himself in a prejudice business is a story we’ve witnessed one too many times.

Leland Gantt gives an interesting performance as he goes back and forth from Frankie, his stage personality, to Wilhelmena, his stage personality’s stage personality! Think back to Flip Wilson’s “Geraldine” with whom many people, not just myself, found a resemblance. Definitely a performance you don’t want to miss. Penelope Lowder does an awesome job as she plays the role of Pauline Phillips, Frankie’s stay at home wife who is trying to cope with her husband’s time consuming career.

Family, passion, resentment, love, hate and drama. If you like drama, you’d like this. They say all that glitters isn’t gold because what you see isn’t always what you get. Answer me this…how does one balance career and family? Which one should come first? Better yet, just go see the play!

Performance dates run from August 12th to August 23rd. Tickets are $75 and can be purchased online at www.TicketCentral.com, or by calling (212) 279-4200.

The Journey and the Controversy
Mike Roderick, Producer

...Another Mans Poison

Last night I went to see Another Mans Poison.

The Producer on the show is my friend Sheila Speller and I sat next to a reviewer. This is always an interesting thing for me because I blog about shows when there is a producing element involved that I can address and sometimes it can be like a review, but as Ive said many times I am NOT a Theatre Critic.

So here are my thoughts on the show from a producing standpoint:

I think that all too often we see a show and usually have no idea about the journey someone took to get the show there. In this case, I know that there was a staged reading done and they all worked very hard to bring it into an Off Broadway house. I really applaud the tenacity that takes.

The show itself is very controversial and it was interesting to watch how that controversy extended into the audience. There were reviewers there who seemed offended, there were audience members who were incredibly vocal, and there were things said on stage that certainly caught me off guard. This for me is where the greatest controversy arises.

Critics comment on the quality of the show. Is it worth seeing etc?

Again, I am not a critic, but I will say that is was very well produced and I applaud the team for such an ambitious project. I think something else that feeds the controversy here is the whole element of surprise. The characters in this show have some really deep secrets and the issues raised in the show are some very challenging ones.

So now you know about the journey and have a taste of the controversy. You can listen to what the critics say, or you can go and see the show yourself as a producer.

One mans passion is indeed another mans poison.

Will you be offended?

Will you be surprised?

Will you be disappointed?

Only one way to find out.

Excelsior!

Playbill.com Press Announcement for the Two-Week Limited Off-Broadway Engagement of ...ANOTHER MANS POISON. August 12-23, 2009.

BroadwayWorld Press Announcement for the Two-Week Limited Off-Broadway Engagement of ... ANOTHER MANS POISON. August 12-23, 2009.

TheatreMania.com Press Announcement for the Two-Week Limited Off-Broadway Engagement of ...ANOTHER MANS POISON. August 12-23, 2009.

... ANOTHER MANs POISON
Nothing Is As It Appears To Be


Written by GEORGE O. BROME

Directed by PASSION HANSOME


Produced by SHEILA SPELLER
Orielle Creative Company


When struggling comedian, Frankie Masters, finally gets his shot at his own network television show in 1970, his imminent success exposes the hidden conflict and mounting turmoil of his personal life. Its a pivotal time in our history, where the Vietnam War, exposing the racial divide, and the politicizing of sexual identity, all conspire to add depth and texture to the drama. A potent six character play -- 3 Black, 3 White, is a quintessential Hollywood story with a distinct New York bite. ...ANOTHER MANs POISON feeds our incessant desire to peer into the making of a celebrity.

It is the story of family, reaching for goals, and the choices that are made along the way.


With: LELAND GANTT, STEVE GREENSTEIN, DENNIS HEARN, PENELOPE LOWDER, JAMES EDWARD SHIPPY, TONI L. STANTON


SET DESIGN: KEVIN LEE ALLEN
COSTUME DESIGN: ALI TURNS
LIGHTING DESIGN: BURKE J. WILMORE
SOUND DESIGN: SEAN OHALLORAN


Two Week Off-Broadway Limited Engagement
August 12 - 16 & August 19 - 23, 2009

The Peter Jay Sharp Theater
416 West 42nd Street
(btwn 9th Av & 10th Av)

Wednesday -- 8/12 -- 7:00p
Wednesday -- 8/19 -- 2:00p & 7:00p
Thursdays -- 8/13 & 8/20 -- 7:00p
Fridays -- 8/14 & 8/21 -- 7:00p
Saturdays -- 8/15 & 8/22 -- 2:00p & 7:00p
Sundays -- 8/16 & 8/23 -- 2:00p & 7:00p


Tickets: $75.00

Tickets On Sale Now

Online: www.TicketCentral.com

By Phone: 212-279-4200

In Person: Ticket Central Box Office,
416 West 42nd Street, 11:00am to 8:00 pm daily

Running Time: 2 hours, includes 2 intermissions



PR & MARKETING [Media Contact]
Katie Rosin, Kampfirefilms PR, 917-438-9223
katie@kampfirefilmspr.com

Charles Rogers, Rogers Artist Media, 646-644-5533
ram2cam@aol.com


TECHNICAL DIRECTOR: Dave McDaniels
STAGE MANAGER: Bayo
ASST STAGE MANAGER: Mutiyat Ade-Salu
SET BUILDER: Anthony Davidson
PROPS: Michelle Gray
WARDROBE MISTRESS: Anne Skeete
WARDROBE INTERN: Celina Guzman


DESIGN & BRANDING
Patrick Florville, Florville Design & Analysis, Inc.
Christopher Schrank, Florville Design & Analysis, Inc.

ILLUSTRATION
Kerry DeBruce, KLAD Creative

GENERAL MANAGER
Sheila L. Speller, Orielle Creative Company

ORIELLE CREATIVE MBA INTERN to GENERAL MGR
Lynn Tran Viet

ADMINISTRATIVE INTERN to GENERAL MGR
Shishaldin Hanlen


Actors Equity Association
United Scenic Artists, Local USA 829 (IATSE)
Ticket Central


PURCHASE YOUR TICKETS TODAY!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 14, 2009

Media Contact:
Katie Rosin, 917-438-9223
katie@kampfirefilmspr.com

Media Contact:
Charles P. Rogers 646.644.5533
ram2cam@aol.com


Orielle Creative Company
Proudly Presents the World Premiere of

…ANOTHER MANs POISON
Nothing is as it appears to be.

Written by GEORGE O. BROME

Starring:
LELAND GANTT
STEVE GREENSTEIN
DENNIS HEARN
PENELOPE LOWDER
JAMES EDWARD SHIPPY
TONI L. STANTON

Directed by PASSION HANSOME

TWO-WEEK LIMITED OFF-BROADWAY ENGAGEMENT
AUGUST 12 – AUGUST 23, 2006 AT THE PETER JAY SHARP THEATER

OPENING NIGHT IS WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 12 AT 7:00 P.M.

TICKETS ON SALE NOW AT TICKETCENTRAL.COM

ORIELLE CREATIVE COMPANY is pleased to announce the world premiere production of George O. Bromes …ANOTHER MANs POISON directed by Passion Hansome. …ANOTHER MANs POISON will play a two-week limited engagement at Off-Broadway’s Peter Jay Sharp Theater (416 West 42nd Street.) Performances begin Wednesday, August 12 and continue through Sunday, August 23. Opening Night is Wednesday, August 12 (7:00 p.m.).

Press Nights: Wed August 12 at 7 p.m. , Thu August 13 at 7 p.m., Fri August 14 at 7 p.m. (Unofficial press dates will be accommodated upon request.)

…ANOTHER MANs POISON uncovers the irony of success, juxtaposed with the fascinating backdrop of prime time television. When Frankie Masters, a struggling comedian, gets the opportunity to have his own network television show in 1970, his imminent stardom threatens to reveal the hidden conflict and mounting turmoil of his personal life. Taking place prior to the celebrity tabloid when exposés were the norm, it takes a close look at lives intertwined—where each character confronts personal sacrifices that will forever impact them. …ANOTHER MANs POISON takes place during a pivotal time in history when the Vietnam War, exposing the racial divide, and the politicizing of sexual identity, all conspire to add depth and texture to the drama.

A quintessential Hollywood story with a distinct New York bite, …ANOTHER MANs POISON is full of pointed humor, straightforward drama, and allows audiences to concede to their incessant desire to be a voyeur to the reality of making of a celebrity. It is a story of family, ambition, and the choices that are made along the way.

* * *

The production stars: LELAND GANTT (Police Boys, Ma Raineys Black Bottom, Killa Dilla) as Frankie Masters, stars PENELOPE LOWDER as Pauline Phillips, stars JAMES EDWARD SHIPPY (Behind Closed Doors, Mufaros Beautiful Daughters, and playing Martin Luther King Jr. in The Meeting) as Alan Phillips, STEVE GREENSTEIN as Mel Stein (50th Anniversary production of West Side Story and Confessions of a Shopaholic), TONI L. STANTON as Sarah (Broadway: Angela Lansbury, A Celebration), and DENNIS HEARN as Dick (Scorsese’s Boardwalk Empire).

The production features Scenic Design by KEVIN LEE ALLEN, Costume Design by ALI TURNS, and Lighting Design by BURKE J. WILMORE. SEAN OHALLORAN is the Sound Designer, DAVE McDANIEL is the Technical Director and BAYO is the Stage Manager.

* * *

…ANOTHER MANs POISON plays the following regular schedule through Sunday, August 23:

Wednesday (8/12) at 7 p.m.
Wednesday (8/19) at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Thursdays at 7 p.m.
Fridays at 7 p.m.
Saturdays at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Sundays at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m

Tickets are $75.

Tickets are available online at www.TicketCentral.com or by calling 212-279-4200. Tickets may also be purchased in-person at the Playwrights Horizons Box Office, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.

Running time: 2 hours two (2) intermissions.


CREATIVE TEAM BIOS

GEORGE O. BROME (Playwright) was inspired to write BEFORE BLACK WAS BEAUTIFUL in one sitting, after seeing his first Black play. This pungent one act tragi-comedy dealt with the stigma of color and the psychic damage possessed by six Black college students at a large university. The play was produced at the 5 OClock Playwrights Theater at Penn State University.

BEYOND CLOSED DOORS, Georges first full-length play was a prophecy. Written years earlier, it dealt with a Black man in 1985 who would not believe that society had drastically changed and continued to live like an oppressed 1960’s revolutionary. Its central theme was how do historical victims survive if the victimization ends? Beyond Closed Doors had a successful 4-performance run in the 2008 Philly Fringe Festival.

…ANOTHER MANs POISON is a full-length play about a Black TV comedian, whose most popular character is a woman, through whom he can speak out freely. It contrasts his burgeoning comic television life with his real life struggle with issues of family, identity, and manhood.

GOOD GOD! is Georges most ambitious work. This 20-song musical comedy about the conflict between God and his once favored angel, Lucifer, before man was created. The trouble spills over into the Garden of Eden, and involves Adam and Eve in the struggle with good and evil. GOOD GOD! had a three night staged reading in December of 1995, at the Houseman Studio Theater, sponsored by the AMAS Musical Theater, Inc., and one at the Double Image Theater in 1991. GOOD GOD! was well-received, at a ten-performance run in May of 1997, presented by the AMAS Musical Theater Academy.

UNCONVENTIONAL WARPLAY: AMERICAN DREAMS is a timely biting, sardonic admixture of satire and drama about the Vietnam War and its moral casualties. Dream On is a dramatic child of UNCONVENTIONAL WARPLAY: AMERICAN DREAMS. It deals with 5 characters excerpted from the larger work. This very timely work focuses on a Black Lieutenant coming to grips with his fateful role in the Vietnam War.

His latest works PLEA BARGAIN and OH, HELL! along with GOOD GOD! complete an off-beat trilogy that chronicles the life of the first biblical family. PLEA BARGAIN is modeled after a Law & Order episode, where two angels are sent as homicide detectives to solve the murder of Abel. In a bench trial with the ultimate judge, both God and Cain’s state of mind are explored, leading to Cains fate. OH HELL! reveals an odd encounter of Cain and Judas in Hell. The two biblical villains ultimately vie for political power in the realm of the souls of the dead. One is chosen to lead in a bizarre, satirical political debate and election, where the inhabitants of Hell (the audience) vote.

In addition to plays, George has penned 2 childrens stories, MY SUMMER URBAN TENNIS CAMP and A FLIGHT OF FANCY. The latter he has also turned into a screenplay. CLONICIDE is a screenplay about a conservative couple, whom clone their embryos and bring two sons to term four years apart. The grim title reveals the results.

George has degrees from Penn State University, Adelphi University, and Pratt Institute.


PASSION HANSOME (Director) directed REAL BLACK MEN DONT SIT CROSSLEGGED ON THE FLOOR (Best Ensemble Audelco Award) for Woodie King Jr.s New Federal Theatre, to standing room audiences. Recent productions include GIMME WINGS (featured at the Newark and Houston airports) a Black Panther adaptation of ANTIGONE, TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE KWANZAA produced by Black Spectrum and Billie Holiday Theaters and Formerly Known As Sarah a salute to Madame C.J. Walker presented at the National Arts Club, the Museum of the City of New York, and Potpourri! She has directed over thirty productions. Her work, critically acclaimed as stunning and creative has been featured in the NY International Fringe Festival (BLACK MARTIAN, LAST STOP BEFORE DREDLOCKS and DAMON & DEBRA – Fringe 09) Voices From The Edge, NYU Festival of New Works, Chekov NOW, Estrogenius (2001-2003), Going To The River and National Black Theater Festival where she directed Melba Moores Sweet Songs of the Soul (Solo Performer Audelco Award.) She is producer/director of Drama Mamas! Black Women Theatre Directors in the Spotlight & Remembered, a documentary feature in post-production. DramaMamasTheFilm.org

Passion is a member of the Lincoln Center Theater Directors Lab, Frank Silvera Writers Workshop, Womens Project and Productions, and Associate Member - Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers. At the American Museum of Natural History she was moderator and curator (with Marcia Pendelton) of a panel of directors including Mikki Grant and Trazana Beverley. At the 06 Black Theater Network Conference Passion was honored to share the directors dais with Glenda Dickerson.

Others she has worked with and/or directed include Ruby Dee, Douglas Turner Ward, Billie Allen, Arthur French, Seret Scott, Steven Drukman, Phylicia Rashad and Malcolm Jamal Warner. Passion wrote, directed and performed LAST STOP BEFORE DREDLOCKS produced at Dixon Place, Pulse Ensemble and the 1st NY International Fringe Festival (in association with WomenKind). She served five years as the Artistic Director of the New Jersey Performing Arts Center Young Writers Workshop.

Passion is an AUDELCO Award nominated actress last seen in Solution to All the Worlds Problems directed by Woodie King Jr. Formerly known as Rhonda Hansome, she is the recipient of the Back Stage Bistro Award for Outstanding Comedienne. James Brown, Aretha Franklin, Anita Baker, The Pointer Sisters, The Temptations and Smokey Robinson are some of the stars for whom she was opening act. She loved being movie reviewer on the Joan Rivers Show.


SHEILA SPELLER / ORIELLE CREATIVE COMPANY (Producer) is the Producer of the Off-Broadway production of …ANOTHER MANs POISON at The Peter Jay Sharp Theater, NYC. Ms. Speller is also the Theatrical General Manager for the production.

Ms. Speller produced the Equity Staged Reading of ...ANOTHER MANs POISON (2008), and currently has three plays and one full musical in development. In addition to theatrical producing, her company, Orielle Creative Company, develops customized Business Plans and Presentation Packages for producers and theatre productions, and produces industry-related events. www.OrielleCreativeCompany.com

Ms. Speller is a seasoned professional with over twenty years experience in the performing arts and entertainment industry. She is a graduate of the Commercial Theatre Institute, University of Maryland College Park: Dance & Theater, Metropolitan College of New York: Media Management MBA, attended New York University: Arts Management, and is a member of the TRU Producer Mentorship Program, past Board Member New York Coalition of Professional Women in the Arts and Media VP Communications, Gold member of New York Women in Film and Television, and Advisory Board Member of Yellow Paint.

An informative and dynamic public speaker, Ms. Speller frequently presents on a range of arts and entertainment industry topics: Invited seminar presenter – Business for Creative Professionals at the School of Visual Arts; Guest expert for the webinar series So You Want to Be a Creative Professional presented by Everything is Yellow; and Guest panelist at the TRU Producers Bootcamp: Raising Money for Theatre: How, Who, and When to Ask – Putting It In Writing, Theatrical Business Plans.


CAST MEMBER BIOS

LELAND GANTT (Frankie Masters / Wilhelmena) is pleased to return to Playwrights Horizons where he was last seen in Marion McClinton’s Police Boys. More recently, he understudied Charles Dutton’s Levee in the revival of Ma Raineys Black Bottom and originated the role of the Bones in Oyamo’s Killa Dilla. Other New York credits include Carson McCullers and Let Me Live (Drama Desk and Audelco Award nominations). Regional appearances include Gem of the Ocean, Crumbs from the Table of Joy, Dark Paradise, In Walks Ed, Death and the King’s Horseman, Jitney. Television and film credits include Law & Order, Presumed Innocent, Malcolm X, Requiem for a Dream, The Affair and Miracle at Saint Anna.


STEVE GREENSTEIN (Mel Stein; and the Policeman, Voice of the TV Director)

Officer Krupke in the acclaimed London revival of West Side Story at Sadlers Wells. On screen in Confesssions of a Shopaholic. New York Stage Credits include No Place to be Somebody, Absolute Clarity, TNCs Little Lulu, Secret Agent, and Code Orange on the M15. Solo Shows From Bubby to Bat Yam and Voices from the Holy...and Not So Holy Land produced in New York, Europe and Israel. Television credits are Head Case, Cupid, Law and Order SVU, For One More Day, Growing Pains, Seinfeld and many more. Other film credits are Noise, Never Forever, Mindbender, Chain of Command, Tough Guys and The Bear. Mr. Greenstein is a proud member of AEA, SAG, AFTRA. www.stevegreensteinactor.com


DENNIS HEARN (Dick; and Mr.Howells, ER Doctor, Will Upstage, General Principle) is proud of his Ohio childhood, a BFA in Theatre (Kent State 1971), his studies with Uta Hagen and his collaborations with Al Carmines. At three score he is now comfortable in the role of character actor with work in 2009 that includes Rubicon (AMC pilot), Scorseses Boardwalk Empire (HBO pilot) and the Ginsberg biopic, Howl. He just wrapped Jesse Archer’s Bye Bye Fruit Fly directed by Casper Andreas. The film stars Mindy Cohn and will premiere at Sundance Festival 2010. Friends say Dennis is sentimental, adorable, fabulous, groovy, piquant, sweet, sexy, resourceful, competitive, mysterious, generous, caring and blessed with love.


PENELOPE LOWDER (Pauline Phillips) is proud to reprise her role as Pauline in …ANOTHER MANs POISON. She is originally from Los Angeles and received her B.A. in Theater at the University of Southern California. She has performed theater in her hometown of Los Angeles as well as England and now New York. Ms. Lowder is a proud member of Actors Equity Association.


JAMES EDWARD SHIPPY (Alan Phillips) is thrilled to be making his Off-Broadway debut with this production. Originally from Houston, Texas, his credits include Behind Closed Doors, Mufaros Beautiful Daughters, and playing Martin Luther King Jr. in The Meeting. He has trained at Atlantic Acting School. Favorite New York credits: A Soldiers Play, Golden Boy, Comrades, and The Redheaded Man (2008 New York International Fringe Festival Award). Film credits: Friday Night Lights, Mr. Luv, and Pressure. James would like to thank his friends and family for their support.


TONI STANTON (Sarah; and the Assistant, ER Nurse, Mrs.Baddly, Chilli Chuckles) Broadway: Angela Lansbury, A Celebration. Off-Broadway: Christmas Rappings. Original cast: On The Radio; Richmond: A Musical Fantasia; Abused: A Musical Play. Opera: Four Saints in Three Acts (Encompass New Opera Theatre). Soundtrack: Parking Wars (A&E Television). Rock bands: Michelangelo; Dollhouse. Recordings: Jazz in the Key of Ebell. West Side Dance Project scholarship student. Sincere thanks to Sheila and George for taking me along on this dream ride! Many thanks to family, friends, and teachers for love and support. And to my mentor, Toni Lamond - thank you for the light.www.nycastings.com/tonistanton


# # #

Equity Principal Auditions -- ... Another Mans Poison.

Date: Thursday – May 21, 2009
Time: 9:30am-5:30pm
Location: Actors Equity, 165 West 46th Street, 2nd Floor, Studio B

Auditions will be from sides from the play provided at the EPA audition. Sides will be available 30 minutes prior to the first scheduled audition time. Please arrive early to allow time to prepare for your audition. Please bring three (3) stapled headshots/resumes.

Callback Auditions

Date: Wednesday – May 27, 2009
Time: 11:00am-3:00pm, by appointment
Location: Roy Arias Studios, Times Square Arts Center, 300 West 43rd Street (between 8th & 9th Avenues), Studio 507

Callback auditions will be from sides from the play, prepare a contemporary comic monologue, and allot an additional 20min. to your audition time for pairing at the request of the Director.

Production Information

Theater: The Peter Jay Sharp Theater, 416 West 42nd Street, NY, NY
Contract: Off-Broadway A
Playwright: George O. Brome
Director: Passion Hansome
Producer: Sheila Speller, Orielle Creative Productions + Broliver Productions
First Rehearsal: July 13, 2009
Opens: August 12, 2009
Closes: August 23, 2009

For additional information, or questions contact:
Passion Hansome, Director 917-428-3800
Sheila Speller, Producer 917-446-2646

Please join me in welcoming Ms. Lynn Tran Viet, Orielle Creative Company 2009 MBA Summer Intern.

Lynn is a Georgetown University, McDonough School of Business MBA Candidate. Currently while attending Georgetown, Lynn is active in the following organizations: Vice President, International Student Government; a member of the Student Government Association; International Business Diplomacy Honors Certificate Candidate at the School of Foreign Service; member of Georgetown Consulting Group; Net Impact; and Georgetown Women in Business Club.

She studied at the Universidad de Salamanca - Salamanca, Spain, and ranked No. 2 in her class at Facchhochschule Nordakademie - Elmshorn, Germany.

Lynn brings Project Management and Strategic Planning experience along with her interest in social responsibility entrepreneurship. Lynn created a project at Airbus Deustchland that raised $10,000 in donations for a program to prevent youth violence through music lessons.

Lynn has developed a number of artistic compentencies as well that include 20 years of competitive piano performance with numerous state-level awards in concerts and art exhibitions in Hamburg, Germany and founded a literature club for study of the complete works of German poets. She is fluent in 5 languages.

Lynn has expressed an understanding of the mission and goals of Orielle Creative, and I am pleased to offer her the opportunity to intern with us this summer.

Join Sheila L. Speller, Orielle Creative Company, Industry Expert, and Gil Cunha, Creative Director, Everything Is Yellow and Host of the Everything is Yellow Webinar Series for Creative Professionals, on Monday, March 16, 2009 at 2:00pm.

We would love to have you as our guest for the March 16th to 20th webinar series.

You must register for each event on the list in order to participate.

* Thank you to everyone who stopped in early to take advantage of the offer to be my Guest.


Also, we strongly encourage you to submit any specific questions you may have for our speakers in advance. Email your questions to questions@everythingisyellow.com and place the name of your webinar(s) in the subject line:

Everything That You Wanted to Know
The Thrill of Victory
So You Want to be a Creative
This Is Not your Daddys Gallery Scene
Brand Me? Well, Brand You too
You Want work? Do What I Tell You
Obama has 1,460 Days in Office

Check out our site for more information: www.everythingisyellow.com
If there are any issues please e-mail us at clientservice@everythingisyellow.com

Orielle Productions and Broliver Productions, co-Producers, are no longer accepting submissions. The submission period is closed effective February 23, 2009.

We would like to thank everyone who submitted a headshot and resume. We will be in touch with actors that we are interested in scheduling an audition. Take flight!

Orielle Productions and Broliver Productions, co-Producers, are seeking Equity/Non-Equity actor submissions for upcoming casting of lead roles in future productions. Submit headshot/resume, and full-body shot, if available, via e-mail. We are only seeking submissions at this time. Submissions will only be accepted until 02/23/2009. Thank you.


“… Another Man’s Poison.”

(Drama with Comedy)

This play takes place in 1970.

Frankie Masters / Wilhelmena: Afr-Am male, 35-45, struggling comedian, husband, father. Wilhelmina, think Flip Wilson’s character “Geraldine”, funny sketch comedic actor, dresses in drag, not flamboyant or trashy, but classy. Physical humor skills and comic timing. Strong lead actor and strong credits, versatility of Wayne Brady or Cuba Gooding, Jr.
Alan Philips: Afr-Am male, 20-25, plays 19, Columbia University college student, he is bright, enigmatic, slender and clean-shaven. May be on the down-low.
Mel Stein: Caucasian male, 40-50, Frankie’s Agent/Manager. Fit and well-groomed.

Send headshot/resume submission to: anothermanspoison@gmail.com. Put the name of the Character you are submitting for in the Subject Line.


Beyond Closed Doors

(Drama)

Joe: Afr-Am male, 35-45, University instructor, a bright, but troubled man.
Willa: Afr-Am female, 35-45, Joe’s wife, strong, sensitive, intelligent.
Walter: Caucasian male, 40-50, Joe’s colleague, intelligent, affable. Also plays key roles of George the Waiter, very officious, and the Psychiatrist.
Isaac: Afr-Am male, 35-45, Joe’s friend, recently returned from Africa, slight accent.

Send headshot/resume submission to: beyondcloseddoors@gmail.com. Put the name of the Character you are submitting for in the Subject Line.


Plea Bargain

(Comedy)

Adam: Afr-Am male, 40-50, fit, strong, unfulfilled, frustrated, living a life of deep regret and loss because of his failure and eviction from the paradise of Eden.
Eve: Afr-Am female, 40-45, mother of Cain and Abel, alluring, sensual, supportive to Adam, yet guilt-ridden about getting evicted from Eden.
Cain: Afr-Am male, 20-28, bright, clever, bitter, angry young man who feels that he has missed out on the paradise experience, and blames his parents for his lousy living conditions, has a long build up of frustration, jealousy and hatred between him and his younger brother, Abel.
Trapps: Hispanic female, 28-35, an Angel, even temperament, and a new homicide detective.
Brooks: Asian or Native American male, 40-48, an Angel, hard-nosed, sarcastic, aggressive, bombastic personality, a new homicide detective, think Lenny Briscoe, Law & Order on steroids.
God: Afr-Am male, 45-55, secure, and comfortable in his position, must be portrayed with warm, firm, expansive personality, has a sense of humor.

Send headshot/resume submission to: pleabargain.theplay@gmail.com. Put the name of the Character you are submitting for in the Subject Line.


Oh, Hell!

(Comedy / Interactive)

Cain: Afr-Am male, 50-65, tall 6’0”+, rough and tough, and fearful of no one.
Judas: Caucasian male, 30-40, younger and smaller stature than Cain, has a superior, pseudo-sophisticated demeanor, his speech is somewhat over-refined.

Send headshot/resume submission to: ohhell.theplay@gmail.com. Put the name of the Character you are submitting for in the Subject Line.


“Good God!”

(Musical)

God: Afr-Am male, 40-55, tall with a strong bass/low baritone voice. He is friendly, humorous, not taken by his power and authority.
Adam: Afr-Am male, 30-38, an average to athletic build, of medium to dark complexion, has a light baritone/tenor voice. Innocent but intelligent. He must show growth from mystery to discovery to mastery, from childlike innocence to full manhood.
Eve: Afr-Am female, 25-35, beautiful, well-proportioned, medium to dark complexion, a mezzo soprano, has softness, innocence, and grows to full womanhood.
Archangel Lucifer (Male): Afr-Am male, 26-45, strikingly handsome, rich tenor voice with high range, he is totally taken with himself. Could be Little Richard or O.J. Simpson type. Must move extremely well, think Usher or Gregory Hines.
Archangel Lucifer (Female): Any ethnicity, female, 30-60, subtle and sweet, sisterly, motherly, yet beautiful alto to contralto vocal range.
Archangel Gabriel: Caucasian female, 26-50, androgynous, must sing well and move well.
Michael the Archangel: Tall Asian or Native American male, 26-50, lean, muscular warrior officer type, must sing well, and move well.
Heavenly Host: 8 Singers/Dancers, male and female, all ethnicities, seeking a full range of voices sopranos, altos, tenors, and basses. 1 male/female, child, 9-12, any ethnicity.
Lucifer’s Angels: 3 Singer/Dancers. 1 female Caucasian blond, 1 female Afr-Am, 1 male Hispanic or Caucasian, Baritone.

Send headshot/resume submission to: goodGod.themusical@gmail.com. Put the name of the Character you are submitting for in the Subject Line.

The Sun and the Moon, directed by Sheila Speller, and written/produced by Gary Batson, has been accepted into the SOL Film Festival! You are invited to join us for the evening to view the four selected short films presented in the SOL Film Festival. There will be a Q&A with the creative team following the screening.

February 21 at 6p, February 28 at 7pm, Shades Repertory Theatre, 89 Hudson Avenue (at New Main Street), Haverstraw, New York.

Presented by Shades Repertory Theater. For further info: 845-675-8044, or click link below.

Join us at this all-day intensive workshop that covers topics that you need to know about the business of producing theatre. The event promises to be informative, empowering and inspiring! Sheila Speller, Orielle Creative will be lecturing on the segment topic -- Put It In Writing: Business Plans and Grant Proposals, along with R.K. Green, Producer, The Story Line Project.

Click on the link below to see the full line-up of established Broadway and Off-Broadway producers, theatre attorneys -- all who will be sharing valuable information in a comprehensive curriculum format, as we work through this tough economy, and prepare future projects for the better days that are to come!

TRU Producer Boot Camp: Raising Money for Theatre: How, Who and When to Ask.

The Players Theatre, 115 MacDougal Street (between West 3rd Street & Minetta Lane). Produced by Theatre Resources Unlimited in association with Small Pond Entertainment.

Orielle Creative was in attendance this morning at the annual Forum for New Ideas. This year marked the sixth annual -- [quote] a conference that brings together innovative thinkers from across the country to explore new, non-traditional ways for business and the arts to work together. Sponsored by the Business Comittee on the Arts, a Division of Americans for the Arts.

The speakers this year were:
Lisa Dennison, Chairman, Sotheby’s North and South America
Phil Duncan, Global Design Officer, Procter & Gamble
Anne Pasternak, President and Artistic Director,Creative Time

And the morning was moderated by:
Larry R. Thompson, President, Ringling College of Art and Design

Location: Morgan Stanley, 1585 Broadway, NYC
Time: 8:00am - 11:00am

This was a fantastic discussion that you want to hear! Click the link and give them a call to find out about the podcast of this event.

Threads Theater Company world premiere production of The Pearl Merchant. The Pearl Merchant is written by Cecilia Brie Walker, and is directed by Misti B. Wills. A limited engagement will run at The Space, Times Square Arts Center, 300 West 43rd Street, No. 402. Performances begin Tuesday, September 23 - Saturday, October 4, 2008. Opening Night is Friday, September 26, 2008 at 8pm.

Hannah, a painter and preschool teacher, is unable to bear a child. She tells her husband Tom that she wants to adopt one of her students, a boy whose single mother is gravely ill, while visiting her mother-in-law in the mountains of North Carolina. Tom and his mother express misgivings about the idea for different reasons, some of which remain unspoken to Hannah. A mysterious woman arrives, asking probing questions about the child and triggering a series of revelations that challenge Hannahs beliefs and shake her marriage to its core.

Post-Performance Talk Back: September 26, 2008 Moderated by Sheila L. Speller, from Orielle Creative Company with Rebecca Mendel, Adoption Attorney of Rosin, Steinhagen & Mendel, and more guests to be announced.

Tickets are $15 available online at www.theatermania.com or by calling 212-352-3101. Tickets may also be purchased in-person at The Space Box Office 30min. prior to the performance for cash only.

The Pearl Merchant was produced with help from Gifted Hands, www.giftedhandsnyc.com

Threads Theater Company is a New York City-based non-profit theater company focused on producing plays that start inclusive conversations about faith and contribute to cultural renewal.

Thanks to all who attended making the MAKE UP FOR EVER High Definition Makeup event a success! Visit the Photo Gallery and Video Gallery to see images from the evening.

Kevin James Barrett, simply fantastic! Thanks for a fun evening. Special thanks to Katie and Heidi!

The evening opened with a lovely catered reception -- and oh, those chocolate covered strawberries were a hit, plenty of wine, and conversation!

Gift bags with MAKE UP FOR EVER products were handed out at the end of the evening to every guest.

For those of you who were unable to attend, we hope to see you next time!

Sheila.

Orielle Creative Company proudly presents an informative and exciting industry seminars that will bring you the latest in what is new in High Definition makeup with the International leader in HD makeup -- MAKE UP FOR EVER.

Come share an evening with us to learn and prepare for the HD explosion with cutting-edge makeup essentials that every professional will need to remain competitive and current in media with the HD technology shift. The Summer Series is geared towards Newscasters, On-Camera Talent in Film, TV, and Commercials, Stage Actors, and Models -- both women and men, and all are welcome. Join us to see what all the buzz is about. We have a line-up of dynamic professional makeup artist presenters for special topic evenings you will not want to miss!

High Definition Makeup * Summer Event

Wednesday - August 20, 2008
6:30p - 8:00p

HD Makeup Techniques

This seminar is created specifically for talent and professionals who are faced with the new frontier of high definition television and film. Learn what you need to know to have a natural look on-camera.

Presenter: Kevin J. Bennett, Director of Artistry & Development

Kevins love affair with make up was ignited by the dawn of the Supermodel in the 80s, as he was fascinated by the intense media focus on these catwalk superstars and the celebrity status of the artists who created their looks. His experience includes prestigious retailers such as Bergdorf Goodman, Barneys, Henri Bendel and the famous Peter Coppola Salon on Madison Avenue. Kevin then spent 9 years as Key Make Up Artist for two network shows, Another World and As The World Turns for which he received two Emmy Awards followed by working on primetime shows including Law & Order, national commercials and lifestyle shows for Discovery, E!, and Scripps networks. As an accomplished educator, Kevin teaches intermediate to advanced make up techniques, and serves as a Product Development Advisor to Dany Sanz, Creator and Artistic Director of MAKE UP FOR EVER.

* * *

Talk One-on-One with MAKE UP FOR EVER Professional Makeup Artists
Get answers to your Individual Questions about how to look your best in HD
Find out personalized solutions to fit your needs
Stay connected for Industry Discounts

Where: MAKE UP FOR EVER Flagship Store, 8 East 12th Street, NYC
between 5th Avenue & University Place

When: Wednesday - August 20, 2008
Time: 6:30p - 8:00p

Cost: $40.00

Link to Purchase Your Ticket:
http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/40652

or call 24/7 Ticket Hotline: 1-800-838-3006

* Doors Open at 6:00p for guest check-in and light refreshments *

A portion of the proceeds from this event will be donated
by Orielle Creative Company to:
The Dove® Campaign for Real Beauty
The Dove® Self-Esteem Fund

Thank you all who joined us at the reading for Another Mans Poison at The Sage Theatre on Monday, February 4th. We had a large show of support with two robust audiences who viewed this first public reading of the play, and honest and insightful feedback from many who were touched by this play. And the response is still coming in. So, we have work to do, but we will be back with Another Mans Poison. For those of you who were unable to attend, we hope to see you next time!

A special thank you to the Cast, Connie Norwood Director, Leslie A. Lopez, Guest Relations, Melissa Abreu Production Assistant, and George O. Brome Playwright.

Sheila.

You are invited to be our guest at the Equity Stage Reading of the play Another Mans Poison by George O. Brome, directed by Connie Norwood, on Monday, February 4th, at The Sage Theatre, 711 Seventh Avenue, NYC -- Readings at 2:30pm and 6:30pm. RSVP is required.

About the Play.
...Another Mans Poison reveals the irony of the sweet revenge of success set in the fascinating backdrop of primetime television.

When the struggling comedian, Frankie Masters, finally gets his shot at his own network television show in 1970, his imminent success exposes the hidden conflict and mounting turmoil of his personal life. This play takes place at a time before celebrity gossip and tabloid exposés were the norm. It takes a close look at lives intertwined -- where each character has a price to pay and a very personal life dilemma that will forever impact the other. It is a pivotal time in our history, where the Vietnam War, exposing the racial divide, and the politicizing of sexual identity all conspire to add depth and texture to the drama.

This potent play is a quintessential Hollywood story with a distinct New York bite. ...Another Mans Poison is full of pointed humor, straightforward drama, and feeds our incessant desire to peer into the making of a celebrity. It is a story of family, reaching for goals, and the choices that are made along the way.

The versatile cast lends a tense, but humorous hand in telling Frankies story of how -- ONE MANS FEAST IS ... ANOTHER MANS POISON

The Cast.
Albert Johnson Christmas*, Penelope Darcel*, Neville Braithwaite,
Alex Emanuel*, Toni Stanton, Dennis Hearn*, Chuck Baron*

* Actors appearing Courtesy of Actors Equity Association

February 4, 2008

The Sage Theatre
711 Seventh Avenue (between 47th & 48th Streets) 2nd Floor

Reading Times: 2:30pm & 6:30pm

Admission: FREE

To attend RSVP at
http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/26861

or call: Brown Paper Tickets 24/7 Ticket Hotline
1-800-838-3006

Discussion of the play after each Reading

Orielle Productions and Broliver Productions, Producers

Orielle Creative is holding auditions for: ...Another Man’s Poison by George O. Brome

Casting Union/Non-Union actors for Equity Stage Reading performance and future full performance. Pay. ...Another Man’s Poison is a period piece circa 1970, with comedy and drama.

Character Breakdown:

Frankie Masters/Wilhelmena: African-American, 35-45 yo. Comedian. Struggled through showbiz maze to make it. Wilhelmina, think Flip Wilson’s character Geraldine, a fit, funny sketch comedic actor, dresses in drag, classy not trashy. Must have physical humor skills. Ability to show off versatility in range of acting skills for varied character roles.

Pauline: African-American, 35-45 yo. Frankie’s wife. Friendly. Protective of son, has grown weary of absentee husband.

Alan: African-American, 18-25 yo. Frankie and Pauline’s 19 yo. son. Bright, slender, clean-shaven, Columbia student.

Mel Stein: (also: Policeman, Television Director’s Voice) Caucasian, 40-45 yo. Frankie’s Agent-Manager. Fit, well-groomed. Ability to show off range of acting skills for varied character roles.

Sarah: (also: Assistant, Mrs. Baddly, Chilli Chuckles, Emergency Room Nurse) Caucasian, 40-50 yo. Character actress. Mrs. Baddly, a plain homely housewife, Ruth Buzzy/Madelaine Kahn type. Chilli Chuckles, light-weight commercial actress. Must have physical humor skills. Ability to show off versatility in range of acting skills for varied character roles.

Dick: (also: Mr. Howells, Will Upstage, General Principul, Emergency Room Doctor) Caucasian, 40-50 yo. Character actor. Mr. Howells, a therapy client, Don Knotts type. Will Upstage, self-important acting coach. General Principul, battle tested Army General. Must have physical humor skills. Ability to show off versatility in range of acting skills for varied character roles.


Auditions will be held Friday, November 9th
Times Square Arts Center, 300 West 43rd Street, Room 508 (btwn 8th & 9th Av)

Frankie/Wilhelmena 11a-1p
Pauline 1p-2p
Alan 2p-3p
Mel 3p-4p
Sarah 4p-5p
Dick 5p-6p

Call-Back Auditions will be held Saturday, November 10th
419 Lafayette Street, 4th Floor, 12:00noon to 3pm

Table Read will be held Sunday, November 11th
419 Lafayette Street, 4th Floor, 11:30am to 3pm

Submit your 8x10 and resume asap to:
Sheila Speller, Producer at AnotherMansPoison@gmail.com
Write in Subject Line: AMP - YourName/Character

Accepting submissions until November 7th. Sides will be sent via e-mail.

If you have any questions, please call: 917-446-2646.
Thank you.

Sheila Speller/Orielle Creative Company and Broliver Productions -- Producers

The French Language Acting Project and The African American Playwrights Exchange present:

Les Poupées

By Todd Stones
Directed by Elowyn Castle
Produced by Jaz Dorsey

Kayvon Lady
(a scene from the play - Another Man’s Poison)

By George O. Brome
Directed by Misti Wills
Produced by Sheila Speller

Monday, September 24, 2007 at 7 p.m.

The Players Club
16 Gramercy Park South, NYC

Free Event, RSVP Required

If you’d like to attend, please RSVP to: Jaz Dorsey, jazmn47@aol.com

* Important, please note:
Les Poupees is presented and performed entirely in French. Les Poupees will start at 7:00pm.
Kayvon Lady will start at 8:00pm.

It was an honor to be invited to present the Keynote Address at the Upward Bound graduation ceremony held on Saturday, June 9, 2007 at the Borough of Manhattan Community College. Invited by Program Director, Ms. Antonette McKain and her Assistant Director, Mr. Stephen Lampedusa -- it was an afternoon of celebration and recognition of the achievements of the comitted and hard-working students, many who have been with the program for the past four years, and who are now moving forward and will begin college in the Fall. Upward Bound is a program that provides fundamental support to participants in their preparation for college entrance. High school students begin from grade 9 andd continue through grade 12. The program provides opportunities for participants to succeed in their precollege performance and ultimately in their higher education pursuits. Upward Bound serves: high school students from low-income families; high school students from families in which neither parent holds a bachelor\\\'s degree. The goal of Upward Bound is to increase the rate at which participants complete secondary education and enroll in and graduate from institutions of postsecondary education.

Produced an annual Meet & Greet event at the headquarters of New York Women in Film and Television, NYC on behalf of the New York Coalition of Professional Women in Arts & Media. It was an informative and fun evening for all who attended. There was a gathering of members who, after the introductions and brief history overview, everyone was invited to chat and socialize at a lovely reception complete with appetizing refreshments. A mini-Blatant Self Interest Networking session that gave an opportunity for everyone in the group share what they do, and what they need -- goods, services, etc. to do what they do, even better! The purpose of the Meet & Greet is to inform members of supporting organizations know of the programs and benefits of the Coalition, which provides a centralized resource for professional women in the performing arts and media arts -- and that they can participate in the programming during the course of the year -- information sharing, networking and mentoring for career and personal development. Thanks to Terrie Lawler, President, NYWIFT and Josepha Jaime, Membership Coordinator, NYWIFT, and all of the Coalition Board members who attended to help make this event a success! Thanks.

ORIELLE CREATIVE COMPANY: ORGANIZING YOUR CREATIVE LIFE by Gregory Koutrouby

“Fortunately or unfortunately, my plans are always big”.

Whimsically, those words danced out of Sheila Speller’s mouth as we exited her office on Lafayette Street, Manhattan. Ms. Speller, president and founder of Orielle Creative Company, had just finished conducting a seminar designed to help creative artists combine their talent with business skills. And with today’s arts and entertainment industry, Speller knows this combination is nothing short of necessity. The seminars have become a monthly standard, and artists from all sorts of fields have been catching on. To Speller, this only makes sense.

“I started looking at artists across the board. They all have to deal with the business aspect of the industry that they create their art for. And I really do believe that creative people have a business head they don’t necessarily tap into.”

In plain truth, this untapped resource can ultimately delay (or even end) an artist’s dream. Let’s face it—the business side of being a creative artist is not fun or easy for most. An emerging or even established artist may put tremendous effort into the business aspect of their craft, partially planning but partially guessing that they’re going in the right direction with those efforts. It’s not good enough. Enter Orielle Creative Company. Speller knows that even dominantly creative people do have that CEO mentality—that business sense—somewhere inside. She helps artists discover and cultivate their business plans and practices for their professional goals. Again, this is a simple point for Speller. Why shouldn’t the creative person have an idea of what their voyage will be? In fact, according to Speller there are many similarities between businesses and creative artists and how they present themselves.

“I like to think of myself as someone who just communicates those similarities in a language that’s palatable to a creative person. Because it’s really not foreign. You really do possess all of those attributes.”

Speller quickly emphasizes, “For an artist of any discipline, it takes serious focus and dedicated discipline to tap into their creativity, as it should.” And Speller ensures that her commitment is “for the artist to remain concentrated on their creativity and to grow as an artist, but to add a layer of useful know-how for the business side.”

No more than five minutes into the seminar that afternoon, I was beginning to see artists’ thoughts—once bunched up and twisted—become untangled and straight. Speller speaks in a very direct and motivating way, and between speaking and jotting down key phrases and ideas on the large dry-erase board behind her, she passes around just a few leaflets and worksheets that the artists snatch up eagerly. The gears are churning.

Being in the company of Ms. Speller provides an instant jolt of energy and confidence, along with a real sense of organization (and all this from just one group seminar). She also offers one-on-one sessions in two-month packages, so the artist can keep coming back for more gems of wisdom, and Artist Development for those working towards a long-term project. These services are offered through Orielle Artists, just part of what she offers under the Orielle Creative umbrella.

Orielle Productions provides development services and production planning for theatre, television, and film. Orielle Business Solutions provides business-planning services for non-profit arts organizations and small business entertainment and media-related companies. Quite a large umbrella. However, a brief look at the bio published on her web site (http://www.OrielleCreativeCompany.com) will confirm her qualifications to offer assistance in all these areas. More than 20 years in front of the camera and behind-the-scenes in the performing arts and entertainment industry; a private creative coach; independent short film director; theatre/arts administration consultant and public speaker. And, she holds an M.B.A. degree specializing in Media Management.

“In part, the idea for Orielle Creative came out of coaching creatively. It came from years of hearing what people seemed to be missing. Also, it came from friends or associates in the business who’d ask me for advice. I used to do it off-the-cuff. But then when I started having those same people coming back to me with results from suggestions I had given, that’s when I started to take myself seriously. So it has been kind of innate. But again, I understand the passion, the highs and lows connected with pursuing a creative path, and I love and respect the artist.”

Ultimately, Ms. Speller’s work is inspirational. At times, it even helps to re-inspire. “I have people who come in to meet with me who just need for someone to listen to the direction they are trying to take their ideas, or when they are stuck, talk about how to get jumpstarted again. And, I hear often and honestly, that they just don’t like the business, so I help them feel more comfortable dealing with it, navigating through it. We all have things that we don’t like to do, but we should at least understand it. I’ve helped some to uncover hidden talents and to get rid of really bad habits so they can move forward. Oftentimes it has to do with being a little more business-minded and creative at the same time. They end up in a new exciting place altogether and so does their work.”

We likened the success artists have had working with Orielle to a baby bird leaving the nest. Sheila elaborated.

“Sometimes the baby bird wants to stay in the nest. And I do have to push them out of the nest. Now, after they’re pushed out of the nest and they do something out in the real world to show their commitment, they can come back—preferably with a new goal—and then we have established a relationship of knowing how we work together. And so then typically our process moves forward a little quicker and progresses more smoothly. Sometimes I get a little resistance initially, but we work through it together.”

Resultant from this success, Ms. Speller’s work staff will soon be growing. Further still, Orielle Creative will be expanding to include licensing agent services—utilizing licensing to transform the artist and/or their work into a brand, and marketing their work to help generate brand awareness and an all-important revenue stream. So yes, plans in this “nest” are indeed always big.

Something very noticeable when working with Sheila is how she’ll every so often produce a wonderfully hopeful, excited sort of look. She’ll just smile brightly, raise an eyebrow, and glance up into the corner of the room. It makes one think she has a lot planned out, and that she is sure what she has planned will indeed happen. And with Sheila’s experience, perhaps she knows what the creative artist needs more than the artist themselves. Her company was given the name Orielle, which means “golden angel of destiny” and Sheila seems to be one angel destined to help guide artists in a very important way.

Gregory Koutrouby is a freelance writer and is currently working on his exciting new project -- a thousand stories.

Announcing an original new musical The Awakening of Angel DeLuna by Judylynn Schmidt & Lee Ellis.

Join us as we begin the journey to Broadway!

Angel DeLuna is the story of a circus performer who fell from the trapeze years ago. Angel was given the job of running the beautiful antique Center of the Universe carousel, with its hand painted angels, whimsical dancing carousel animals and just out of reach brass rings. She refuses to accept that her beloved partner, Monty, left her dropping from the trapeze ... insisting instead that she flew from the high wire with the angels and landed at the carousel.

She believes today -- her birthday -- that her beloved trapeze partner Monty will finally return, that she will get her wings ... and they will fly again -- together forever! Unbeknownst to Angel, the shifty circus owner, C. Deuce has sold the carousel to an auction house and it will be dismantled to make room for a video arcade -- right before her eyes. Ollie the Clown, who has loved Angel from afar, tries desperately to hold Angels fragile world together as her Universe disappears. With the help of Ollie, she finally awakens, as together they rediscover the heart of what truly matters in life.

An informal full reading will take place at The Dramatists Guild, 1501 Broadway, in the Frederick Loewe Room, 7th Floor at 6:30pm. There will be a reception before and after the reading.

Creative Team:
Judylynn Schmidt, Book & Lyrics
Lee Ellis, Music & Lyrics
Bob Reich, Producer
Sheila Speller, Producer

Newly-appointed to the Board of the New York Coalition of Professional Women in Arts & Media (NYCWAM). As a Board Member, I will be participating as the NYWIFT representative (New York Women in Film & Television).

NYCWAM is a professional coalition of representatives from each of its member organizations, that serves over 80,000 professional women in the arts and media industries.

Through its member and affiliate organizations, the coalition represents over 80,000 women in the arts and media industries.

Member Organizations:
Actors Equity Association
American Federation of Television & Radio Artists
Dramatists Guild
The League of Professional Theatre Women/NY
National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences/NY
New York Women in Film & Television
Screen Actors Guild
Society of Stage Directors & Choreographers
Womens Media Center
Writers Guild of America, East

I am honored to participate in the Producer program presented by the Commercial Theatre Institute. A special thank you to Bob Ost, President - Theatre Resources Unlimited, the organization that awarded a partial scholarship for my participation in the program. I look forward to joining many producers who have come before me, and learning from the best!

This intensive program presents a comprehensive overview of the many aspects of theatrical producing in the commercial arena. Sessions are scheduled for fourteen consecutive Monday nights beginning in February. Each session provides for in-depth discussions with working theatre professionals who give detailed, interactive presentations. Particular attention is given to the relationship between the for-profit and not-for-profit sectors in project development.

Admission is limited to 25 participants who must be nominated by a working management member of the professional theatre community.

Guest Speaker/Presenter: Sheila L. Speller
Topic: Developing a Professional Support System: Business Essentials for Creative Professional

An evening with School of Visual Arts undergraduate & graduate students and alumni sponsored by the School of Visual Arts Office of Career Development
School of Visual Arts
New York, NY

Audience response to the evening:
Valuable subject! Fantastic
Excellent! I wish this was offered before I graduated.
Excellent
Sheila was wonderful and informative
Very interesting, really organized.
Great artist geared pep talk to be proactive about your career; solid review of good business practice.
She was very funny and got the audience involved, which kept things going. Info was very helpful.
Easy to digest and relates to a number of topics on the subject of creative professionalism, superb presentation.
Very informative! Thank you.
The program was really helpful. I have been researching networking and getting my work out there and nothing was as in-depth and clear as last night.
The lecture was really great. The speaker was great -- and touched on a lot of small things that often get overlooked.
I really enjoyed the program, thank you.
Very inspiring. I was awake the whole time.
It was definitely worth it, and I didnt even notice the time till after I left! So you know that it was good!!!

*Quotes and comments from attendees collected from audience response cards distributed by and appear courtesy of the Office of Career Development, School of Visual Arts.

We are back at ActorFest!

What a great opportunity to meeet you in person. Stop by to visit the Orielle Creative Copmany exhibit booth at a spectacular day-long event of the acting community. Mark your calendar. We hope to see you there!

ActorFest NY 2006
Saturday, October 14
9:00a - 5:00p
New York Marriott Marquis
1535 Broadway (between 45th Str & 46th Str)

Orielle Creative Company presented Ruth L. Williams, New York City artist at -- Ossining Treasures: An Arts Festival.

About the Artist:
Ruth Williams painting technique is inspired by Pointillism, and is characterized by dashes of vibrant, pulsating color, and visible brush strokes. Her objective is to create paintings that spread love and light into the universe. She emerged onto the art scene at the weekly gathering of artists showing and selling their work in front of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. Williams paintings are in numerous private and corporate collections worldwide. In 2004, she was awarded a Vermont Studio Center Art Residency Fellowship grant.

MSNBC -- the all news channel, recently taped entrepreneurs at Sunshine Suites “every company under the sun” where Orielle Creative Company is one of their many diverse small business residents.

Their new show “Your Business” will focus exclusively on America’s small business entrepreneurs. The program will be the place to go for news, advice, guidance and tips for people who own businesses.

Orielle Creative Company president, Sheila L. Speller, appears in a video clip on the show and has the opportunity to pose a question for the show’s panel of small business professionals to answer with their expert opinion.

The show will be broadcast Sundays at 7:30am; with a repeat airing the following Saturday at 5:30am. The first show is scheduled for Sunday, August 13th.

Your Talent is Your Business

The hot, hot, hot 98 degree days of summer did not inconvenience the creative artists that joined us for the August mini-workshop -- because in this cool, air-conditioned friendly setting -- passion was reignited, ideas were shared, and solutions were put into practice immediately. We were also joined by writer, Gregory Koutrouby, who visited to gain a first-hand view and to learn all about Orielle Creative Company. Gregory was hired by Orielle Creative Company to write an article that was submitted to The Art Buyer magazine at the request of the publisher. Gregory was inspired, and we loved his final draft.

Quote: Very inspiring. Touched on things that got me thinking about other ways of pursuing my career by treating it as a business. Rachel Errington, Actor.

The June ’06 Mini-Workshop was a big success!

On Wednesday, June 28th, Orielle Artists held their monthly mini-workshop:

Business Planning Essentials for Actors*
*Creative artists of all disciplines are always invited and encouraged to attend!

This mini-workshop bought together participants from different creative backgrounds. But the one thing everyone had in common was that they wanted to put more “business” into their show business! Participants walked away with a better understanding of how to navigate and enhance their creative career by adding a few simple business tools -- without distracting from their creative goals. Following the presentation, a Question & Answer segment provided information and resources for all, and we closed with networking in a comfortable casual setting.

Limited Time Only!

Come participate in one of the Orielle Artists “mini-workshops” which take place every month. Each “mini-workshop” is 90 minutes in length. There is an afternoon session, an early evening session, and a Saturday afternoon session.

Involve yourself in an informative and stimulating career-focused experience to make your creative career “the best it can be.”

Small intimate group size.
Ample time for “Question & Answer” segment.
All workshops are information-packed.
Network with other artists and broaden your “community”

Get started immediately and take advantage of this special offer!
Call or e-mail to reserve your space today.

Join the Orielle Artists e-mail list and we will provide you with information including topic, dates and time of our upcoming monthly workshop.