Write Act Repertory To Refurbish Richmond Shepard Theatre

Online, May 24, 2010 (Newswire.com) - Producing Artistic Director and Entertainment Veteran, John Lant, is set to refurbish The Richmond Shepard Theatre, formerly The Vineyard Theatre, and open an east coast satellite developmental Theatre Company in Residence, called Write Act Eastside, starting May 2010, by breathing new life into this intimate playhouse in lower Manhattan.
Mr. Lant is 30-year veteran in the entertainment industry and has been involved in over five hundred television, film, and theatrical productions as a creative entity and/or production manager. This award-winning producer, director, writer, lighting and set designer in New York and Los Angeles has had productions play at Cal Arts, The Odyssey, Ivy Substation, Ricardo Montalban, Powerhouse, Glendale Center, Hollywood Playhouse, Long Beach Playhouse, the Jewel Box Theatres, and Write Act Repertory. Having professionally apprenticed at the Alliance Theatre in Atlanta, and in New York at the Lincoln Center, Juilliard, Circle Rep, Circle in the Square, WPA, Hudson Guild, LOOM and Ensemble Studio Theatres, he has also participated on several national bus and truck tours including Phantom of the Opera (2 Tours), Evita, Singin' in the Rain, One Mo' Time, Gypsy, The Three Musketeers, with Connecticut Ballet, and Aeros. He has also worked with such musical touring artists as Bruce Springsteen, Madonna, and The Beach Boys. His east coast company boasts a professional stable of actors, writers, directors, designers, and technicians to work in conjunction with his west coast companies of Write Act Rep & Hollywood Civic Light Opera. He also is the CEO of The Little Company developing film/tv projects through the stage process.
"I have had an amazing journey in Los Angeles and I have enjoyed the last three years being back here in New York City. I am very excited about the potential for this new venue and the new company forming here. It was good to get started again, after an artistic sabbatical," states Lant.
"What I found most fascinating was the upside of the bottom floor of this high-rise apartment and what could be done in this space. There are many upgrades happening laterally including the technical areas in lighting and sound, re-designs of the booth, lobby, box office, and outdoor patio areas. These areas will become a more efficient and inviting locale during our pre-show, intermission, and post show times, receiving patrons for an opportunity to mingle with the cast and crew.
The seating of plastic folding chairs have been recently removed and replaced by beautiful theater chairs, in part, donated by Orchestra of St. Luke's from their new facility at The 37 Arts Building. The refurbished theatre will provide a "black box" space to house an 80-seat theater chamber, with patio and lobby, ticketing and concession areas, two chorus dressing rooms, two ADA bathrooms, office space and a limited storage area. This will be used for classes, readings, rehearsals, and productions.
Plans for Write Act Eastside's new location are moving forward, with the cooperation of Richmond Shepard, the theatre owner, and basic construction set for completion in the Fall of 2010, according to Lant and the theater company's board of directors. The new artists' home is located at 309 East 26th Street, just east of 2nd Ave. in Manhattan.
"Our goal will be to complete the build-out in phases, beginning with the theater chamber. The first phase of the project is expected to cost $20,000, and it is scheduled to be finished in time for the start of Write Act Eastside's 1st season starting in August 2010," Lant says.
Write Act Repertory has been raising funds through a grass roots campaign of family and friends, and to date almost $10,000 has been raised through their tax deductible volunteer efforts. Through generous donations the theater company currently is planning its first development production, Jim Blanchette's "The Grass Was Never Greener," opening May 20th - May 30th and begins the new developmental season with Lou Briggs' Musical "Hollywood! Hollywood!" for later this summer August 19th - September 5th at The Richmond Shepard Theatre, while in renovation mode.
Write Act Eastside continues the new season in this new location with New York Premiere of "The Devil's Bride" by Joan Silsby, a sequel to "Much Ado About Nothing," an adapted "His Girl Friday," by Rico Simonini, based on the play "The Front Page," then Andre Gide's "The Trial," based on Franz Kafka's work, in addition to the new world premiere one-act playwrights series, "Out Of My Head."
Write Act Repertory is a membership-based organization of over 100 volunteers whose artist members include Writers, Actors, Directors, Designers and Technical Personnel. Write Act Rep specializes and is dedicated to the development of original plays, lesser known works by established writers, adaptations of classical-themed materials and musicals. Write Act Rep also produces rarely seen works.
For more information, go to www.writeactrep.org or e-mail us at [email protected]
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