Interview with Erica Lustig and Abigail Taylor

There Has To Be A Little Angel from the musical Rock-A My Soul by Van Di...

Ellen's Diary by Brian Torres, Winner of the Best Short Film in the Vide...

Karen Page interview Brian Torres, winner of the Best Short Film Award

Best Play Award Presentation at the Summer 2011 Strawberry One-Act Festival

Best Short Film Award Presentation at the Strawberry One-Act Festival Su...

Best Director Award for the Summer 2011 Strawberry One-Act Festival

The Best Actor Award Presentation at the Summer 2011 Strawberry One-Act ...

Best Actress Award at the Summer 2011 Awards Ceremony for the Strawberry...

The Awards Show for the Summer 2011 for the Strawberry One-Act Festival

Karen Page interviews the winners of the Strawberry One-Act Festival 201...

Karen Page interviews Best Director Nominee Liz Amadio and Best Actress ...

Karen Page interviews Will Budnikov, Best Actor Nominee for the Strawber...

Karen Page interviews Juson Williams, Best Actor Nominee for the Strawbe...

The Riant Theatre : The 2012 Reflections on Theatre Retreat

The Riant Theatre : The 2012 Reflections on Theatre Retreat

(April 6 – April 14, 2012)

The Retreat gathers writers and actors to join with their peers to foster excellence through mutual support. You will relax on the French Riviera in an elegant Mediterranean environment in a Villa designed for comfort that includes all meals. There will be tours to some of the surrounding cities like Cannes, where you can enjoy the shops, cinema and museums. Also there will be structured workshops and gatherings to stimulate creativity. But more importantly you will enjoy an abundant time to write, reflect and connect with other artists while you develop a project or improve your acting skills. Workshops will be conducted by Van Dirk Fisher, Founder & Artistic Director of the Riant Theatre and Rick Mueller, Founder of Pride not Prejudice.

Registration: $450.00

Room & Board: From $3,500 – $5,500 (based on room and occupancy)

By application only.

Click here to download an application

Strawberry One-Act Festival Awards Summer 2011

Strawberry One-Act Festival Awards Summer 2011

Best Play Nominations:

1. WAIT AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS by Alison Costello
   Directed by Rob Drake
   Featuring: Rick Apicella, Matthew Breunig, Alison Costello, Elizabeth Morris
   What are the odds?
   
2. PAID OFF by Robert D. Argen
   Directed by Robert D. Argen and Julia Frieri
   Featuring: Dennis Brito and James Fouhey
   ”Trust me, I’m a banker.” Wall Street and Main Street collide in this classroom drama about a banker’s struggle to prove his moral worth to his grieving former English teacher.
   
3. UNEXPECTED COMPANY by Wendy Mae Shelton (Winner of Best Play Award)
   
   The dark side of sisterly love.
   
   
   
4. MEN IN A BOTTLE by Joseph Lizardi
   Three men struggle to keep their jobs as the company tries to bust the Union.

Best Director Nominations:

Liz Amadio (Push)

John Doric (Against The Odds)

Rob Drake (Wait And See What Happens) (Winner of Best Director Award)

Jim Fagan (The Prenup)

Anthony Fusco & Reginald L. Douglas (Crossing Verrazano)

Meghan E. Jones (Unexpected Company)

Best Actor Nominations:

Rolls Andre (Marcus) in Mi Media Naranja

Matt Breunig (Josh) in Wait And See What Happens

Dennis Brito (Mr. Thomas) in Paid Off (Winner of Best Actor Award)

Will Budnikov (Mikos) in It’s Greek To Me

Edward Carnevale (Jay) in Men In A Bottle

Juson Williams (Jesse) in It’s Gonna Work Out Fine

Best Actress Nominations:

Belle Caplis (Angela) in Unexpected Company (Winner of Best Actress Award)

Emma Charap (Eve) in Push

Elizabeth Morris (Clare) in Wait and See What Happens

Gloria Ranta (Ruby) in Butterfly

Jen Taber (Arlene) in Mi Media Naranja

Emmilea Wilson (Meredith) in IT

Best Short Film Nominations:

1. ELLEN’S DIARY: A Short Film about the artists in Criminal Mischief
   Directed by Brian Torres (Winner of Best Short Film Award)
   
   
   
   
2. Stoned to the Wall: About the Artists in Crossing Verrazano
   Directed by Leslie Ciccone
   
   
3. Strange Faces in Familiar Places: A Look Into ALL THEY NEED IS LOVE
   Directed by Chris Zdyrski & Jennifer Marvel
   
   
4. Rose and Arlene: A Songwriter takes the Stage
   Directed by Andrew Lewis

Best Theme Song Nominations:

1. Walking in a Dream was made for The Strawberry One Act Festival Song Competition. Lyrics by Jennifer Marvel Music by Gary Storey
   
   
2. Strawberry Festival by Shelley A. Bromberg
   
   
3. Strawberry One-Act Is On written by Danny and John Passadino - performed by Sheilah Barksdale and Danny Passadino
   
4. It's Strawberry Time written by Andrew Fridae and Daniel Brian Jones, with Josh Gulotta and help from Tony Dong (Winner of Best Theme Song Award)
   

The Riant Theatre : The Awards Ceremony & Performance for the Strawberry One-Act Festival

The Riant Theatre : The Awards Ceremony & Performance for the Strawberry One-Act Festival

The Awards Ceremony & Performance for the Strawberry One-Act Festival

The four best plays from the Finals will perform. Awards will be given to the Best Play, Best Director, Best Actress, Best Actor, Best Short Film & Best Strawberry Festival Theme Song.

Sunday, August 7, 2011 at 2:00 p.m.

Tickets: $27.00 online and $30.00 at the box office.

Best Play Nominations:

1. WAIT AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS by Alison Costello
   Directed by Rob Drake
   Featuring: Rick Apicella, Matthew Breunig, Alison Costello, Elizabeth Morris
   What are the odds?
   
2. PAID OFF by Robert D. Argen
   Directed by Robert D. Argen and Julia Frieri
   Featuring: Dennis Brito and James Fouhey
   ”Trust me, I’m a banker.” Wall Street and Main Street collide in this classroom drama about a banker’s struggle to prove his moral worth to his grieving former English teacher.
   
3. UNEXPECTED COMPANY by Wendy Mae Shelton
   
   The dark side of sisterly love.
   
4. MEN IN A BOTTLE by Joseph Lizardi
   Three men struggle to keep their jobs as the company tries to bust the Union.

Best Director Nominations:

Liz Amadio (Push)

John Doric (Against The Odds)

Rob Drake (Wait And See What Happens)

Jim Fagan (The Prenup)

Anthony Fusco & Reginald L. Douglas (Crossing Verrazano)

Meghan E. Jones (Unexpected Company)

Best Actor Nominations:

Rolls Andre (Marcus) in Mi Media Naranja

Matt Breunig (Josh) in Wait And See What Happens

Dennis Brito (Mr. Thomas) in Paid Off

Will Budnikov (Mikos) in It’s Greek To Me

Edward Camevale (Jay) in Men In A Bottle

Juson Williams (Jesse) in It’s Gonna Work Out Fine

Best Actress Nominations:

Belle Caplis (Angela) in Unexpected Company

Emma Charap (Eve) in Push

Elizabeth Morris (Clare) in Wait and See What Happens

Gloria Ranta (Ruby) in Butterfly

Jen Taber (Arlene) in Mi Media Naranja

Emmilea Wilson (Meredith) in IT

Best Short Film Nominations:

1. ELLEN’S DIARY: A Short Film about the artists in Criminal Mischief
   Directed by Brian Torres
   
   
2. Stoned to the Wall: About the Artists in Crossing Verrazano
   Directed by Leslie Ciccone
   
   
3. Strange Faces in Familiar Places: A Look Into ALL THEY NEED IS LOVE
   Directed by Chris Zdyrski & Jennifer Marvel
   
   
4. Rose and Arlene: A Songwriter takes the Stage
   Directed by Andrew Lewis

Best Theme Song Nominations:

1. Walking in a Dream was made for The Strawberry One Act Festival Song Competition. Lyrics by Jennifer Marvel Music by Gary Storey
   
   
   
2. Strawberry Festival by Shelley A. Bromberg
   
   
   
3. Strawberry One-Act Is On written by Danny and John Passadino - performed by Sheilah Barksdale and Danny Passadino
   
   
   
4. It's Strawberry Time written by Andrew Fridae and Daniel Brian Jones, with Josh Gulotta and help from Tony Dong
   
   

Sunday, August 7th at 2:00 pmPrice: $27.00

Strawberry One-Act Festival Awards Summer 2011

Strawberry One-Act Festival Awards Summer 2011

The Strawberry One-Act Festival Awards will be presented on Sunday, August 7th at 2pm at the Hudson Guild Theatre, 441 West 26th Street, NYC.

The Nominees for BEST PLAY are:  (They will be posted Saturday Evening)

1.
2.
3.
4.

Best Director Nominations:

1. Liz Amadio (Push)
2. John Doric (Against The Odds)
3. Rob Drake (Wait And See What Happens)
4. Jim Fagan (The Prenup)
5. Anthony Fusco & Reginald L. Douglas (Crossing Verrazano)
6. Meghan E. Jones (Unexpected Company)

Best Actor Nominations:

1. Rolls Andre (Marcus) in Mi Media Naranja
2. Matt Breuig (Josh) in Wait And See What Happens
3. Dennis Brito (Mr. Thomas) in Paid Off
4. Will Budnikov (Mikos) in It’s Greek To Me
5. Edward Camevale (Jay) in Men In A Bottle
6. Juson Williams (Jesse) in It’s Gonna Work Out Fine

Best Actress Nominations:

1. Belle Caplis (Angela) in Unexpected Company
2. Emma Charap (Eve) in Push
3. Elizabeth Morris (Clare) in Wait and See What Happens
4. Gloria Ranta (Ruby) in Butterfly
5. Jen Taber (Arlene) in Mi Media Naranja
6. Emmilea Wilson (Meredith) in IT

The Riant Theatre : The Finals for the Strawberry One-Act Festival 2011

The Riant Theatre : The Finals for the Strawberry One-Act Festival 2011

The Finals for the Strawberry One-Act Festival 2011

The Best plays from the Semi-Finals & The Wild Night
Friday, August 5, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. and
Saturday, August 6, 2011 at 1:00 p.m.

The plays will be posted as they advance to the Finals.

There will be a reception during intermission.

1.  IT’S GONNA WORK OUT FINE by Arlene Corsano (A Musical) (From Semi-Finals #5)
Music & Lyrics by Rose Marie McCoy
Music Director: Regan Ryzuk; Director: Elizabeth Falk

Featuring: Lucinda Carr, Sheila Jones, Margaret Leone, Christopher Gillard, Jermaine Risby, Juson Williams.
The inspiring story of one of the most prolific songwriters you never heard of, Rose Marie McCoy, featuring songs she wrote for the hottest Rhythm & Blues singer of the 1950’s and Elvis Presley, the singer who turned Rhythm & Blues to Rock ‘n’ Roll.

2.  AGAINST THE ODDS by Douglas Cion (From Semi-Finals #1)
Directed by John Dorcic
Featuring: Christopher Tully and Douglas Cion
With seven billion people on the planet, what are the odds?

3. THE PRENUP by Charles Gershman (Tied from Semi-Finals #2)
A caricature of coupledom in which a young man’s marriage proposal unravels.

4. PAID OFF by Robert D. Argen (Tied from Semi-Finals #2)
Directed by Robert D. Argen and Julia Frieri
Featuring: Dennis Brito and James Fouhey
”Trust me, I’m a banker.” Wall Street and Main Street collide in this classroom drama about a banker’s struggle to prove his moral worth to his grieving former English teacher.

5. WAIT AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS by Alison Costello (From Semi-Finals #3)
Directed by Rob Drake
Featuring: Rick Apicella, Matthew Breunig, Alison Costello, Elizabeth Morris
What are the odds?

6. MEN IN A BOTTLE by Joseph Lizardi (From Semi-Finals #4)
Three men struggle to keep their jobs as the company tries to bust the Union.

7. UNEXPECTED COMPANY by Wendy Mae Shelton (From Semi-Finals #6)
The dark side of sisterly love.

8.  PAINTED WHITE WITH A BOW by Edward Versailles  (From Wild Night #1)
A groom has cold feet on the way to his wedding.

 

9.  PRESS SEVEN Written & Directed by Sam Reisman  (From Wild Night #2)
A mysterious voicemail threatens the sanity of two men.
 

Plays Moving To The Finals Are:

Friday, August 5, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. and
Saturday, August 6, 2011 at 1:00 p.m.

The plays will be posted as they advance to the Finals. 

There will be a reception during intermission.

1.  IT’S GONNA WORK OUT FINE by Arlene Corsano (A Musical)  (From Semi-Finals #5)

Music & Lyrics by Rose Marie McCoy
Music Director: Regan Ryzuk; Director: Elizabeth Falk

Featuring: Lucinda Carr, Sheila Jones, Margaret Leone, Christopher Gillard, Jermaine Risby, Juson Williams. 
The inspiring story of one of the most prolific songwriters you never heard of, Rose Marie McCoy, featuring songs she wrote for the hottest Rhythm & Blues singer of the 1950’s and Elvis Presley, the singer who turned Rhythm & Blues to Rock ‘n’ Roll.

2.  AGAINST THE ODDS by Douglas Cion  (From Semi-Finals #1)
Directed by John Dorcic
Featuring: Christopher Tully and Douglas Cion
With seven billion people on the planet, what are the odds?

 

3.  THE PRENUP by Charles Gershman (Tied from Semi-Finals #2)

A caricature of coupledom in which a young man’s marriage proposal unravels.

4.  PAID OFF by Robert D. Argen  (Tied from Semi-Finals #2)
Directed by Robert D. Argen and Julia Frieri
Featuring: Dennis Brito and James Fouhey
”Trust me, I’m a banker.” Wall Street and Main Street collide in this classroom drama about a banker’s struggle to prove his moral worth to his grieving former English teacher.

5.  WAIT AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS by Alison Costello (From Semi-Finals #3)
Directed by Rob Drake
Featuring: Rick Apicella, Matthew Breunig, Alison Costello, Elizabeth Morris
What are the odds?


6.  MEN IN A BOTTLE by Joseph Lizardi  (From Semi-Finals #4)
Three men struggle to keep their jobs as the company tries to bust the Union.

7.  UNEXPECTED COMPANY by Wendy Mae Shelton  (From Semi-Finals #6)
Directed by Meghan Jones
The dark side of sisterly love.

 

8.  PAINTED WHITE WITH A BOW by Edward Versailles  (From Wild Night #1)
A groom has cold feet on the way to his wedding.

9.  PRESS SEVEN Written & Directed by Sam Reisman  (From Wild Night #2)
A mysterious voicemail threatens the sanity of two men.
 

Plays Moving To The Wild Night #1 & #2

Wild Night at the Strawberry One-Act Festival 2011

The Artistic Director selects a few plays and gives them one more chance to compete for a slot in The Finals. 

 

Wild Night #1 - August 4th at 7:00 p.m.

 

1.  THY NEIGHBOR by Jeanne Chenault Porter
Who is your neighbor? Even in small-town America can you be sure?
 

2.  PAINTED WHITE WITH A BOW by Edward Versailles
A groom has cold feet on the way to his wedding.
 

 

 

 

 

 

3.  THE WOMAN WILL GET HURT!  

Written & Directed by John Passadino
Featuring: Sheilah Barksdale, Vincent Compono & Laura Parrella.
A man is unexpectedly brought to trial for allegedly breaking the rules of a relationship.

 

 

 

 

 

4.  it by Sean Pomposello

a strange technician from i.t. makes an eager young female executive pay for dotting her i’s and crossing her t’s.

 

 

 

 

 

5.  THE FLOWERS DON’T GROW HERE ANYMORE
Written by Josie Parrelli
Two couples memorializing the death of a loved one suddenly changes gears when one of them has a grudge to bear.
 

 

Wild Night #2 - August 4th at 9:00 p.m.

 

1.  PRESS SEVEN Written & Directed by Sam Reisman
A mysterious voicemail threatens the sanity of two men.

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.  A CHILDREN’S PLAY by Christopher-Rashee’ Stevenson
Meet mother and father.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.  LOST IN THE FIRE Written & Directed by Chance Parker
Choreography by Shalewa Mackall
Love, Lust & Passion!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.  CRIMINAL MISCHIEF by Ellen Orchid
He was a great boyfriend.  Until his wife showed up.
 

 

The Video Diaries Project: A Series Of Short Films - Finals, Saturday, August 6th at 7pm

The Video Diaries Project: A Series Of Short Films - Saturday, August 6th at 7pm
At The Hudson Guild Theatre, 441 West 26th Street, NYC

• Strange Faces in Familiar Places: A Look Into ALL THEY NEED IS LOVE
  Directed by Chris Zdyrski & Jennifer Marvel
  
  
• Rose and Arlene: A Songwriter takes the Stage
  Directed by Andrew Lewis
  
  
• Stoned to the Wall: About the Artists in Crossing Verrazano
  Directed by Leslie Ciccone

• Queen Anne, Unlaced
  Director by Stephen Hopkins
  
  
• ELLEN’S DIARY: A Short Film about the artists in Criminal Mischief
  Directed by Brian Torres
  
  
• Drama 101 - A Course in Catharsis: An introspective look at THE WOMAN WILL GET HURT!
  Directed by John Passadino

Tickets are $22 online (Includes reception after screening.)

Plays Moving To The Semi-Finals #5 & #6 Are.....

Semi Finals #5 (Plays from Series I, J, K & L)
Wednesday, August 3rd at 7:00 pm

 

1.  BLANK by Rachel White
Trapped in a blank marriage and blank apartment, impassioned, histrionic, and lonely Katie embarks on a journey to discover the color that lurks just outside her apartment door.

 

2.  BUTTERFLY by Trish Cole  The Newtowne Players Featuring: Gloria Ranta, Missy Bell & Jessica Magno  Evocative in the spirit of M. Butterfly, Trish Cole’s Butterfly examines a mother who seeks refuge in an imaginary wildflower field when pushed to confront, from jail, the memories of her relationship with her transgender child.  Check out Butterfly on Facebook.

 

3.  IT’S GONNA WORK OUT FINE by Arlene Corsano (A Musical)
Music & Lyrics by Rose Marie McCoy

Music Director: Regan Ryzuk; Director: Elizabeth Falk

Featuring: Lucinda Carr, Sheila Jones, Margaret Leone, Christopher Gillard, Jermaine Risby, Juson Williams. 
The inspiring story of one of the most prolific songwriters you never heard of, Rose Marie McCoy, featuring songs she wrote for the hottest Rhythm & Blues singer of the 1950’s and Elvis Presley, the singer who turned Rhythm & Blues to Rock ‘n’ Roll.

 

4.  PUSH by George Cameron Grant
Directed by Liz Amadio
Featuring: Vincent Bandille, Emma Charap, Ally Gordon, Kacy Hopkins, Francisco Huergo, Ted Kolsby, Hank Morris, Wesley Tunison
What would it take to push you over the edge?
Inspired by true events.

 

 

Semi Finals #6 (Plays from Series I, J, K & L)
Wednesday, August 3rd at 9:00 pm

 

1.  THE BARBEQUE by Paul Trupia
Do you really know who your friends are?

 

2.  ELEPHANT ROOM by Silvana Jakich
Directed by Clyde Baldo

Producers: Lucky Pigeon Productions, LCC
Featuring: Silvana Jakich & Seth Abrams
To Love and Destroy.

 

3.  UNEXPECTED COMPANY by Wendy Mae Shelton
The dark side of sisterly love.

 

4.  THE OASIS by Andrew Fridae

Directed by Jon Harper; Producers: GD Productions
Featuring: Mimi Bain, Tony Dong, Andrew Fridae, Jess Guerrero, Josh Gulotta, Daniel Brian Jones, Morgan Whitaker

Rocky’s last judgment takes place in a bar at the Oasis in an unforgiving desert.