New York, NY--Ars Nova (Jason Eagan, Artistic Director) continues its commitment to developing and producing theatre, comedy and music artists in the early stages of their professional careers through unique development programs designed to support outside-the-box thinking and innovative, genre-bending work.

Over a Maker's Mark at the Ars Nova bar, Artistic Director Jason Eagan said, "Thanks to the never-ending waves of undiscovered talent coming through our doors and the fervent curiosity of our supportive audiences, Ars Nova continues to thrive. Our 2010 will be jam-packed with artists full of new stories and innovative ideas for how to share them. This year we're finding even more ways to support these incredible talents as they launch their artistic careers."

The 2010 season kicks off this week with Missed Connections NYC, an evening of short plays and live music written by Ars Nova's writer's group, Play Group. This limited engagement runs this week only: January 27 to January 31 at 8pm.

Proving a commitment to developing and producing its commissions, Ars Nova's two additional 2010 mainstage productions will be world premieres by 2008 Composer-in-Residence Joe Iconis and 2008 Playwright-in-Residence, Carly Mensch.

Bloodsong of Love: The Rock'N'Roll Spaghetti Western, directed by John Simpkins, is a rip-roaring, blood-and-whisky-soaked new musical with book, music and lyrics by Iconis. The six-week run begins April 1, with an opening scheduled for April 15.

Carly Mensch's new play follows a pair of historical reenactors as they navigate the interconnected worlds of today's Lower East Side and the tenements of the nineteenth century. Artistic Director Jason Eagan will direct the piece (title TBA), which will run for a four-week limited engagement, beginning September 8, with an opening scheduled for September 22.

Throughout the year, Ars Nova will also invite four projects into residence and provide artistic developmental support to their creative teams. Each residency will culminate in a six-performance run. Chris Rozzi's Outré Island, directed by Sam Gold (Circle Mirror Transformation) and featuring music by Raja Azar (Jollyship the Whiz-Bang), is currently in residence and will start performances February 4, running every Thursday until March 11. The remaining three projects will be announced at a later date.

In July, Ars Nova will launch its first ever Summer Music Marathon, a three-week celebration of musical innovation designed to showcase the off-kilter, dynamic music acts Ars Nova is known for. Submissions are considered on a rolling basis and the lineup will be announced this spring.

Offering an incredible array of All New Talent debuting new work, ANT FEST returns to Ars Nova in Fall 2010. Thirty acts will each be given a night to shine on the Ars Nova Stage over a five-week period packed with networking opportunities, artist salons and special events. The open submission process will begin April 12.

In addition to the aforementioned programming, throughout the year Ars Nova will continue to develop innovative, bold new work in its ongoing core series programs, Next Step and Out Loud, as well as in its musical theater series Uncharted and free monthly variety show, Showgasm. For details on how to submit to these programs, please visit www.arsnovanyc.com.

At the heart of Ars Nova's artistic community and crucial to its mission of supporting emerging artists is its Artist-in-Residency program. Ars Nova is proud to announce its 2010 Residents: Stephen Brackett (Director-in-Residence), Amy Herzog (Playwright-in-Residence), and Steven Levenson (Artist-in-Residence). During their yearlong residencies, each artist has access to the Ars Nova staff and resources and an artistic home. In return, they provide expertise to Ars Nova and are integral to artistic planning and production. Herzog and Levenson received 2010 commissions and Brackett will direct a new piece for the Ars Nova stage.

For a complete schedule of upcoming shows, tickets and more information, please visit www.arsnovanyc.com.

About Ars Nova

As New York's premier hub for emerging artists and new work, Ars Nova is committed to developing and producing eclectic theatre, comedy and music to feed today's popular culture. To that end, Ars Nova strives to create daring collaborations, meld disciplines and give voice to a new generation of artists. Past productions include Sax & Dixon: We Thee Wed, Mel & El: Show & Tell, Two Girls for Five Bucks and the Ten Dollar Heartbreakers, Playlist, Jollyship the Whiz-Bang, Boom, From Up Here, Dixie's Tupperware Party, At Least It's Pink, 25 Questions for a Jewish Mother, Holy Cross Sucks!, Freestyle Love Supreme and The Wau Wau Sisters. Ars Nova was founded in memory of Gabe Wiener.

posted by Steven Tartick on 29 January 2010    previous  next