Blog Posts - The Skeleton Rep

October's Salon has come and gone...

11/2/2017

Participants & attendees of the October 2017 salon: Detention #44 - MODERN MYTH

October's Salon was amazing, and we packed so many people into my living room! Thanks to Primary Stages ESPA for pairing up with me. These shorts, inspired by my mission statement to explore modern myth, absolutely delighted me. Thanks to everyone who came out!

For the November edition of the Salon Series, I am doing something a little bit different. This is an invite only salon, since there are so many supporters of this work already! Some of you may be familiar with the former salon and/or production of Whatchamacallit: A Play About Jesus. Now, we are ready for the next level...

If you're feeling sad that you won't be able to hear it at this time, don't worry! We're planning a workshop in early 2018, so keep an eye out for that.
Also. . .
Instead of a December salon, I will be announcing a production, very very soon. And I can tell you that it will be at the new and improved Tank.
Given everything The Skeleton Rep is about to have going on, now's a great time to help me out!
See you soon, I hope!

Become a Patron Now!

I've got your Friday night covered :-)

10/16/2017

What's better than one play on a Friday night that explores modern myth? Why, that would be a whole series of shorts that explore modern myth!

Friday 10/20 @ 7pm

September's Salon of Wendell & Pan - This could be you, Friday!

That's right, this Friday is the next installment of the Salon Series. This time, I've paired up with Primary Stages ESPA. Their writing students created 10 minute plays involving a mythological or legendary figure, their directors worked it their actors, and come Friday, you can see it all!
You know the drill, folks. RSVP and BYOB!

Pizza & Play, this Friday!

9/25/2017

Josh in action during February's Salon

My most excellent friend and professional pizza maker, Josh, has offered his services for this Friday's salon of WENDELL AND PAN, by Katelynn Kenney. Come enjoy delicious in-house pizza while watching Barron Bass, Courtney McClellan, Teresa Attridge, Claire Buckingham, and Kingsley Nwaogu bring this new play to life!

9/29 @ 7pm
RSVP for the address
BYOB

#joshmakespizza

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