BPCC student qualifies for workshop
Bossier Parish Community College performing arts student Elise Birmingham was selected by Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival’s Artistic Director Gregg Henry as one of five college students selected to participate in MFA Playwrights’ Workshop in Washington, D.C., this summer.
Birmingham was the youngest student to participate in the workshop as an actor and writer. The workshop took place July 27 through Aug. 4.
“I was honored to be able to participate and act for the Kennedy Center’s 2013 writing intensive,” said Birmingham in a release from the college. “I am also happy for the opportunity to represent BPCC in the national KCACTF spotlight.”
Each year, the National New Play Network, the Kennedy Center’s American College Theatre Festival and Stanford University’s National Center for New Plays partner to host the MFA Playwrights Workshop. It is a professional development opportunity for playwrights, actors, dramaturges and directors who are either professional or students. The invitation-only workshop allows qualifying MFA students to present their work and get insight about it from directors, actors and dramaturges.
Henry, who is the co-manager and artistic director for KCACTF, first saw Birmingham when she participated in the festival’s annual Region 6 competitions at Centenary College in Shreveport – the Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship Auditions, the Student Directing Initiative and the Musical Theatre Initiative. He offered her a position at the Kennedy Center for the summer. The play for which she was selected was a love story by Kelly Lusk, an MFA student from Indiana University.
A native of Haughton, Birmingham is slated to graduate in December with an associate of arts in performing arts-theater. After she graduates, she wants to move to Chicago to pursue acting.
“Parallel Lives”
The Bossier Arts Council has announced auditions for its winter production of “Parallel Lives.” Auditions will be held at 630 Barksdale Blvd in Bossier City 2 to 4 p.m. Oct. 5. Those auditioning should prepare a 60-second contemporary comedic monologue. “Parallel Lives” is an all-female cast. Performance dates are scheduled for Dec. 20-22 and will be held at East Bank Theatre.
For more information, call 741-8310 or visit www.bossierarts.org.
“Parallel Lives” was written by Mo Gaffney and Kathy Najimy and peels back the curtain on the creation of the world if it had been started by two slightly off-kilter goddesses.
The audience will be in for some theories of creation that probably won’t ever see a youngster’s science class. Two actresses play men and women struggling through the common rituals of modern life: teenagers on a date, sisters at their grandmother’s funeral, a man and a woman together in a country-western bar. ARToberfest
Tickets are now on sale for the North Central Louisiana Arts Council’s fourth annual ARToberfest, at Ruston’s Historic Fire Station from 5 to 9 p.m. Oct. 11.
The event features regional home brew beer, micro-brews, as well as commercially produced beer. The evening also features a beer tasting competition with awards presented to the winners.
ARToberfest ticket options are $35 VIP admission, which includes admittance at 5 p.m., catered dinner by Ruston’s Ben Christmas and a commemorative pint glass; $15 general admission with admittance at 6:30 p.m. and bar snacks. Beer-tasting and music are available for all those attending.
Tickets will not be sold at the door, but are available at the Dixie Center for the Arts and Fine Line Art Supply. Call 255- 1450 for more information. Naturally, because of the nature of the event, no one under the age of 21 will be allowed.
All funds raised at ARToberfest go to the Holiday Arts Tour, which celebrates regional arts programs. This year, the tour will be Nov. 21-24 and includes live music, visual art, poetry readings, dance, theater, as well as other events.
One other note, the event will be tobacco-free.
Red River Revel Arts Festival
And don’t forget the largest outdoor Arts festival in North Louisiana, the Red River Revel Arts Festival, runs Oct. 5-12. Organizers expect more than 180,000 people at the Shreveport riverfront. Admission ranges from free to $15, and hours vary. For more information, check the festival website at redriverrevel.com, or call 424-4000.
Joe Todaro may be reached at joetodaro@scribio.com.
