The Skeleton Rep - News

Salon Series returns for a FOURTH year!

9/8/2017

In three week's time, I will be opening my living room back up for the Salon Series!
Friday 9/29 @ 7pm / BYOB
(And, the walls have received a new coat of paint!)

As I continue to explore modern myth, I'm excited to kick off the fourth year of salons with a whole new take on Pan. In WENDELL AND PAN, Katelynn Kenney is blending the traditions of Peter Pan and more subtly, the Greek god, to tell a new story about a family in grief and how the ghost of a dead aunt might just be a murder-provoking spirit for an 11-year old boy.

Want to find out more? I know you do! 9/29 @ 7pm

Primary Stages, Where I'm Going & Where I've Been!

8/31/2017

I could not have been more delighted to host the Primary Stages ESPA Drills Retreat this past weekend, led by the remarkable Crystal Skillman. It was an incredible opportunity to learn through observation as the writers, Joe Breen, Jacqueline Bircher, Dan Loeser, and Liz Appel, shared their progress, guided by Crystal's insight and inspired by the Catskill Mountains.

Fortunately, my journey with Primary Stages ESPA isn't over for the fall...

In addition to continuing Solo Performance w/ Judy Gold, I will be joining the teaching staff, instructing a Pilates & Body Awareness for Artists class, running Tuesdays 9/19 - 10/17! Follow the link below to sign up.

Site-Specific Summer!

8/11/2017

EURYDICE in the PARK!

This summer has been a busy one, especially taking Site-Specific Directing with the Three-Day Hangover crowd through ESPA. At least we've been enjoying the weather!
This weekend brings about the class finale in Riverside Park. I've selected a portion of Sarah Ruhl's EURYDICE, brought to life by Dani Martineck (Eurydice), Barron Bass (Orpheus), Daniel Marmion (Father), Miranda Poett (Child), and Leah Bastacky, Timothy French, & Nick Ong (Stones). If you're interested in seeing my presentation, as well as the rest of my classmates, send me an email!

#underworldrealness

Short Plays Tonight & a Party on Saturday!

7/20/2017

DETENTION #43 @ Jimmy's 43 - TONIGHT 7pm & 9pm!

But what is Detention, you ask? It is the monthly short play festival hosted by Primary Stages school branch, ESPA! I have directed two short pieces in this evening of work. The plays are a lot of fun, they're in a bar, and the event is free!

Join me tonight!

and that's not all . . .

Saturday night, starting at 8pm, it's a party at my place to support the one and only Cristina Pitter and her one woman show "Decolonizing my Vagina."

To reserve a space and receive the address, email theashecollective@gmail.com.

Hope to see you this week!
Cheers,
Ria as the Skeleton Rep

PS - I'm in the process of planning fall salons, so if you've got a play, send it my way!

Celebrate the Solstice with me!

6/21/2017

Briana Gantsweg, Isabella Dawis, and Melvin Lima are always ready for rehearsal!

It's been a supremely busy month - I've worked on eight different scripts, did that movie thing, figuring out Skeleton Rep's next steps, and have been reading a ton.

Tonight, you can see one of the projects that I have been working on! Athena Theatre's The Day After: three short plays at 8PM ART/New York Theatres by Barbara Blumenthal-Ehrlich, Nora Sørena Casey and Lia Romeo taking place on January 21st, 2017. Each playwright did a phenomenal job letting the setting be a backdrop into each short play and focusing on the relationships. Yours truly directed all three plays.

You'll see the smiling faces above (as well as Marilyn Oran [not pictured]) on stage, and mine in the crowd tonight! Won't you join me?

PS - Anyone else see that gorgeous rainbow over the city on Monday?

Exciting Developments Afoot!

6/3/2017

We're only 1/3 of the way through June and I've already had a productive month! I've got a new logo, launched a Patreon page, directed in three short play festivals, submitted one major application, and shot my first short film!

As the rest of June rolls around, I've got another evening of theatre I am directing, I am programming the next set of Salon Series, and I am sending out a call for more filming projects.

Do you want to help keep me going? Check out my new Patreon page, where you can actively support me and my efforts on a monthly basis! If you do, you'll get first access to the trailer from my short film, as well as other cool stuff!

Thank you for your time, consideration, and (possibly) money! Stay tuned. . .

Cheers,
Ria AKA

Best. Birthday. Ever.

5/24/2017

Ria, the birthday girl and creator of Skeleton Rep, in action.

Thank you to the almost 40 people who participated in May Salon 2017!

I could not think of a better way to celebrate my birthday other than a salon, especially one featuring new works inspired by little known women from history. I have spent two years building The Skeleton Rep and, much longer than that, developing the Salon Series, which is my greatest love as an artist. It was an honor to spend last Friday night filling my home with art, theater, personalities, joy, and community.
I'll be posting more about this in the coming week, but a lot happened at this party!

I unveiled a new logo (thank you to Courtney McClellan for the design!), performed an original piece, and launched a Patreon page! Patreon offers a way for artists to have continual support for the work they do. If you're into The Skeleton Rep and appreciate the value of a late birthday present, consider a $2 monthly donation!

Thank you for your support this spring. I'm taking a few weeks to get summer programming in order. Stay tuned for the updates!

Cheers,
Ria AKA

We Should Know Her: Julie D'Aubigny

5/17/2017

Before Friday's Salon about little known women in history, I'm introducing the inspirations behind the work! Next up . . .

Julie D'Aubigny:
Swordsman & Opera Singer

Better known as Mademoiselle Maupin or La Maupin, Julie D'Aubigny was a 17th - century swordsman and opera singer. The subject of much gossip, in part because of her bisexuality, her wearing of men's clothes without disgusing her womanhood, and engaging in risky behavior, such as stealing the body of a dead nun and setting a bedroom on fire.

Join us this Friday 5.19 in giving Julie D'Aubigny a voice
in a new play by Sarah M White.

We Should Know Her: Cathay Williams

5/16/2017

Before Friday's Salon about little known women in history, I'm introducing the inspirations behind the work! Next up . . .

Cathay Williams:
Soldier

Passing as a man going by the name William Cathay, she was the first black woman to enlist in the United States Army. She served in the immediate years after the Civil War, from 1866 - 1868. She was twenty-four.

Join us Friday 5.19 @ 7pm in giving Cathay Williams a voice.

RSVP

We Should Know Her: Nellie Bly & Elizabeth Bisland

5/15/2017

In preparation for this Friday's Salon about little known women in history, I'm introducing our featured ladies! Next up is a 2 for 1 . . .

Elizabeth Bisland & Nellie Bly:
Race Around the World

In November of 1889, Elizabeth Bisland, a well-born Southerner, and Nellie Bly, a Pennsylvania coal-country woman, set out in a race around the world in 80 days, in opposite directions. The both left from New York City and the both worked for newspapers. Bisland was a journalist for The Cosmopolitan, Bly for Joseph Pulitzer's World newspaper.

Join us Friday 5.19 @ 7pm in giving Bisland & Bly a voice.

Pssst.... this salon is also my birthday party! See new works, hang out on my terrace, and celebrate with me!