The Ateh Theater Group

Podcast

2010-10-08T12:00:00.002-04:00

Hey, everyone (and by everyone i mean the two people who read this blog),

Check out the podcast Paul and I did at www.broadwaybullet.com!

And come see the show!

www.ticketcentral.com

New cast member AND tickets on sale!

2010-09-15T23:25:00.003-04:00

Ateh is thrilled to welcome Jacques Roy to the cast of Weekend at an English Country Estate!

Also, come see the show.

Call 212-279-4200 or go online to www.ticketcentral.com.

See you then!

Yes, short and sweet blog entry. You're welcome.

Casting Announced!

2010-08-13T15:06:00.009-04:00

Hey, everyone! I am so excited to announce casting for Weekend at an English Country Estate. We have a killer group assembled, if i do say so myself.

The play is set to be directed by Paul Urcioli, and will feature Ateh company members Madeleine Maby, Sara Montgomery, and Elizabeth Neptune, plus Ateh newcomers Mick Lauer*, Alyssa Lott, Julia Moss*, Joe Stipek* and Charlie Wilson.

You may remember Madeleine, Elizabeth and myself (Sara) from past Ateh shows including The Girl in the Flammable Skirt, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, The Girl Detective, Long Distance and Mr. A's Amazing Maze Plays. Here is a fitting performance image from Alice that I feel will simultaneously remind you of our past shows, fully convey how excited we are about working with all these new people, as well as potentially embarrass the people in the picture. It's win-win-win.

Alice's Adventures in Wonderland featuring Elizabeth Neptune as the Mock Turtle, Kathryn Ekblad as Alice, Madeleine Maby as the Griffin, and I'm there in the background as one of the the Lobster Quadrille "Lobster-ettes." Lewis Carroll is a maniac; Bridgette Dunlap is a genius.

If the world needs anything right now, it's more lobster hats.

P.S. If anyone doesn't know the story, it was at this moment in the play, after doing it for months, that i looked around the stage and for the first time realized "This is RIDICULOUS! What we are doing is ridiculous!" I don't know how i could have missed it earlier.

*Members of Actor's Equity. Equity showcase approval pending.

Fun with mailing lists!

2010-08-01T16:18:00.003-04:00

Hey, everyone,

I'm learning how to do stuff on a new online marketing program thing. Won't you validate my sweet new skillz by signing up here to receive awesome updates from the Ateh? They're better than those regular updates everyone else is doing.

Something NEW is in the works!

2010-06-27T23:35:00.008-04:00

Hello, loyal Ateh fans,

We're back! After some time away, the Ateh is gearing up for a new production this coming October. I'm really excited about it!

It's called Weekend at an English Country Estate, a new play by me, Sara Montgomery, inspired by the works of classically witty gentlemen like Noel Coward and P.G. Wodehouse. It is a old-timey comedy about a group of well-to-do English people in the 1920’s getting into trouble with love. A lot of champagne is involved.

We're just in the preliminary stages now, but check this blog for updates all throughout the summer. Right now, we are fundraising our butts off, so please consider making a donation by clicking the link below. More info to come, so stay tuned!

Go see Madeleine's show!

2009-05-06T13:14:00.003-04:00

So I'm working on this very fun and funny little one act that is going to go up in a week or so. It's called "Real" and it's by Bekah Brunstetter who is not only a brilliant and hilarious playwright, but is also from my hometown of Winston-Salem....could she be any cooler? Her play was inspired by this season of The Bachelor and I play a woman vying for the bachelor's love...don't you want to see that? i think you do.

"Real" is the first piece of two in the evening, and the entire night is only an hour long so I'm pretty sure you will love it all. here's the info:

What : "Real" and "The Po-Mo Sex Romp" (apparently not quite as sexual as the title suggests)
When : Thursday May 7th at 7pm, Friday May 8th at 7pm and 9pm, Saturday May 9th at 2pm and 7pm, and Sunday May 10th at 2pm and 7pm
Where: The Abingdon Theatre Arts Complex 312 West 36th St First Floor
How: Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at smarttix at the link below
http://www.smarttix.com/show.aspx?showcode=FOG0

Written by Bekah Brunstetter
Directed by Stephen Brackett
featuring: Anne Dyas, Adam Belvo, Jeffrey Parillo, Lauren Blumenfeld, Madeleine Maby and Eric McCarson

Party!

2008-12-07T14:37:00.005-05:00

With all the writing and workshopping we've been doing this year, perhaps you haven't done enough partying with the Atehs in '08? Well, we are prepared to remedy that situation.

It's time for the Ateh's second annual holiday bash to benefit TLC! So come join us Saturday for drinks, food, music and prizes while brightening the holidays for our fellow New Yorkers.

TLC is a homeless shelter for women with mental illnesses run by the Brooklyn Bureau of Community Service. With the funds we raise we'll be buying bathrobes, towels and toiletries for the ladies to receive on Christmas.

Featuring a performance by the amazing Katie Thompson!

Saturday, December 13
2pm-7pm

Angels and Kings
500 East 11th Street
between Avenues A and B

Suggested donation $15-$30. Beer and wine open bar.

Beer graciously provided by Brooklyn Brewery.

Can't make it, but want to help? Excellent. Visit, www.bbcs.org/howto.php and designate your gift Ateh:TLC

What Karen wants for her birthday

2008-09-12T13:01:00.006-04:00

Happy birthday to Karen Kohlhaas, the theater director, Ateh friend and mentor, and educator and inspirer of hundreds of artists. Karen is requesting money for clean water in Ethiopia in lieu of birthday presents this year through Charity: Water's excellent September Campaign. Karen and her fellow September babies hope to raise $1.5 million to build 333 wells in Ethiopia, providing safe water to 150,000 people. As a former packrat looking to lessen my consumption of everything from electricity to chocolate, I love this idea.

You can send your birthday wishes and donations via Karen's September page.

(Okay, so technically we missed her birthday on the 4th, but the only b-days I celebrate are the belated kind. Except for Josh's birthday, which is today! But his DOB is easy to remember.)

Excerpt

2008-06-18T15:42:00.002-04:00

The Ateh is currently developing a new play by company member Sara Montgomery. I have obtained an excerpt from Once There Was a Girl. It is in convenient prose form for your reading enjoyment:

SING IF YOU MUST

Once upon a time, there was a spoiled, but sprightly girl called The Young Lady Anastasia, who spent her days going from one place to another, playing tricks on servants and shopkeepers, and generally being a nuisance to all. However, since she was a sweet-natured girl, she was almost always forgiven as soon as she gave offense. Her mother and father were the Duke and Duchess of the land, and were often pre-occupied with matters of the court, so Anastasia spent much time on her own. Her favorite thing to do was explore the great forest at the edge of town.

One day, Anastasia wandered further into the forest than she ever had before, the whole way singing her favorite song over and over again.

“WHO’S MAKING SO MUCH NOISE?” a voice bellowed suddenly. Anastasia froze where she was. Who could have said that?

“DON’T WANT TO ANSWER, EH?” said the voice again.

“It’s me,” Ana said finally, “The Young Lady Anastasia, daughter of the Duke and Duchess! Who’s asking?”

Suddenly, the ground beneath Ana started to shift. Ana toppled over, and fell into a shrubbery. When she was able to look up again, there stood a woman, made entirely of bark and leaves, standing gnarled and gigantic in front of her.

“You woke me up, girl,” said the woman.

“I’m sorry. What are you doing sleeping out here, anyway?” said Ana.

“This is my home. You’re trespassing.”

“This isn’t your home, no one lives out here. Besides, this forest belongs to my parents. You should probably find a better place to call home. One that’s really yours.”

“This is my home,” the woman said again.

“No. It isn’t really. How come I’ve never seen you before? And why are you sleeping in the middle of the day? If I did wake you up, you can’t really complain, now can you? I’m allowed to sing as loud as I want if it’s the middle of the day. My mother said so. She also said that people in the forest are poachers, and they need to go to jail. So, you should probably get out of here.”

“I will not. This is my home. I would advise you not to disagree.”

“It’s my parent’s land.”

The old wood woman stared at Ana.

“What?” said Ana.

“You like to sing do you?”

“Oh yes, I love it. Especially that one I was singing just now. That’s my favorite song.”

“Very good. Sing you shall,” the old woman said, with a look of mischief in her leafy eye. “But for now…” The ground started to shake again, knocking Ana over violently. A few hours later, she awoke. Evidently, she had hit her head on a rock. Where the old woman had been, there now stood an extremely twisted tree. Ana decided her encounter must have been a dream, and she skipped home.

“How was your day?” Ana’s mother asked when she arrived home. But when Ana opened her mouth to reply, instead of her normal speaking voice, there came a sound from her throat something like a wail or a cry…definitely some sort of note.

“Goooooood…” she sang.

Ana’s mother stared at her, un-amused.

“Very cute,” she said, and walked away.

In the echoing castle hallway, Ana endeavored to speak normally. She tried to make small talk, to practice her verses, to recite her sonnets, anything! But each attempt to articulate in her regular voice devolved into a repugnant caterwauling that one could only call…music…really, really bad music.

TO BE CONTINUED...

The video about the video about the book about the show

2008-06-18T15:16:00.003-04:00

The original:

The homage:

This is how the more ambitious Atehs spend their Saturday mornings - making art! for the internets!

In other news, The New York Times says you should go see Lipton-portrayer Jared Gertner in Little Shop of Horrors at Paper Mill Playhouse. He's "adorably comic!"

NYT: That Pesky Plant Returns in a Vibrant Little Shop

Freeheld

2008-02-27T20:13:00.002-05:00

I received this from Ateh Person of the Year nominee Allison Raaum, who apparently also had some involvement with those other awards:

...I wanted to announce that a documentary film I did some freelancing with won the Oscar for Best Documentary Short film last night. "Freeheld" is a poignant, moving chronicle of the last six months of Detective Lieutenant Laurel Hester's life. After being diagnosed with cancer, she attempts to pass on her pension plan to her partner, Stacie Andree, further embroiling the debate of the rights of homosexual couples and domestic partnership. You can check it out here: www.freeheld.com

I sounds like an amazing film. New Yorkers can see it Saturday at this anniversary event for New York Women in Film and Television.

Awards

2008-02-25T13:00:00.006-05:00

Did you watch the Oscars last night? What was your favorite montage? “Listing Each and Every Best Picture since 1929” was a big hit. “White Guys Winning Best Director Throughout History” was good too.

Anyway, now that we know who is the best at art, we can turn our attention to the second most anticipated award nominations of the year.

I hope you got your ballot into your office pool, because I am proud to announce the nominees for the 2007 Ateh Person of the Year! These awards recognize excellence in theatrical volunteerism, or more specifically: service to the Ateh Theater Group.

And the nominees are -

Jesse Wood: Jesse was a last minute board op replacement delivered by the angels to save The Girl Detective. His task required running between a sound board and spotlight that were separated by fifteen feet of extremely creaky balcony. Lest his travels be heard during the play, he performed a series of experiments in his off hours to discover the few silent boards in the balcony. He marked these spots with glow tape and leapt soundlessly from one to the next in order to do the work of two people.

Allison Raaum: As the Ateh prepared for an early morning, post-snowstorm performance of Alice last winter, Allison, a frequent Ateh volunteer and California native, took it upon herself to clear 4^th street of snow.

Andy and Joselle Kryder: In addition to being Ateh devotees, donors and pro bono consultants, Andy and Joselle provided the Ateh with enough closing night Ferraro’s chocolate cake to fuel us through bowling, a dance party and a very early strike the next morning.

Gypsy Gifford: Our first productions of the year were funded primarily with the universal currency of deliciousness. Gypsy hosted and catered a beautiful benefit brunch for the Ateh in January. Best. Food. Ever.

Brian Morgan, Ed Terhune, Danielle Thorpe and Marie Weller: These four tended bar and served food for our brunch, accepting only enlightening oratories on the American Theater as payment.

Katie Rosin: No one would ever have heard about the Ateh without Katie. She found time to get us in the news while chasing her toddler, a future Olympic sprinter, and preparing for the birth of her new baby!

Helen French speaks in the language of love, also known as html.

Stephen Brackett, Paul Heaney, Bixby Elliot and Ben Wood painted Ateh sets into the night as we loaded into the Connelly, allowing our director to cut out early with some lame excuse about “salmonella poisoning.”

Karen Kohlhaas: Karen never misses a show and is never too busy to provide the Ateh with guidance and wisdom despite the busy schedule that being a legend of the theater requires.

Deb Martin: Deb is as generous with her time as she is with her many innovative fonts.

Chris Montgomery: The Ateh shines the Chris Symbol into the night sky to summon him whenever a videographical emergency occurs. Also, he takes the beautifulest production photos you’ve ever seen.

Lenny Collado: After distinguishing himself as the top student in two Ateh-taught classes, Lenny joined the crew of Long Distance as the world’s most exacting sound board operator.

Jake Thomas: Jake is charming and talented, but more importantly he is tall and will assist you with all your out of reach lighting instrument needs.

Josh Cohn: Josh is known as “The Slasher” not for the breadth of his horror film knowledge, but for his incisive editing of Ateh scripts. He is prescient regarding potential flaws in the structural engineering of pop-out cakes and has served as the Ateh’s Director of Director Sanity for three seasons.

Andrew Davie: Andrew carries a reminder of the Ateh with him everywhere he goes. After assisting with construction of a sink-on-wheels set piece, his hands were beautifully decorated with indelible "grout."

Dennis from Angels and Kings: Dennis didn’t hesitate to turn over the bar to a stranger who walked in off the street with some fuzzy ideas about throwing a benefit party with no planning time. After agreeing on a price of nada, the Ateh threw a wildly successful benefit for the TLC women’s shelter.

Gillian Harwin: Guests at the benefit were wowed by the musical stylings of Gillian. She takes requests and plays a fierce musical saw. (And she’s playing tomorrow.)

And finally, the Ateh Person of the year award goes to –

Hannah Miller!

Hannah is an assistant director /stage manager/actor/editor/board operator/dramaturge/stand-in/curtain sewer/therapist/scenic painter who has worked on numerous Ateh shows despite wages and conditions clearly in violation of local labor laws. Hanzy is an extremely dedicated artist with a pleasant manner that masks a formidable inner strength: she once heard a designer swearing audibly during a performance so she lifted him out of his seat and dangled him over the balcony by his foot to express her displeasure. When Hannah played the White Rabbit in the Ateh’s Alice, she was the victim of some kind of reverse All About Eve plot when her director used her influence to have Hannah’s flight back to New York grounded under the pretense of an “epic blizzard.” Always resourceful, Hannah traded her luggage for snowshoes and embarked on an arduous trek to New York. Despite having had her role usurped by her maniacal director, who vowed to "stop at nothing to play the bunny!," Hannah continues to associate with the Ateh.

Hannah enjoys heavy lifting, putting out fires, painting black things other shades of black, and being the first to arrive and the last to leave. She’s the kind of person you want blocking the open trap door with an eight foot drop as you’re spinning towards it during dance call.

Thank you and congratulations to all the nominees! Your statuettes are in the mail.

Happy New Year!

2008-01-02T07:36:00.000-05:00

Thank you to all the wonderful donors who made our action-packed 2007 possible:

Andrew and Joselle Kryder

Andrew Davie

Aronovitz Family Foundation Inc.

Audrey Ledbetter

Benjamin Friendly

Bonnie Rallo

Burt and Joan Ross

Carol Price-Husten

Cormac Bluestone

Dan Johnston

Donald Starcke

Dr. Calvin and Mary Neptune

Eden Ross Lipson and Neil Johnston

Elizabeth Jonckheer

Erin Reilly

Gail Ekblad

Gerald Dunlap

Gypsy Gifford

Hal Smolanoff

Helen French

James and Mildred Harford

James Steven White

Jared Gertner

Jason Ritter

Jodi Sheeler

John and Susan Montgomery

Jonathan & Lynn Friendly

Joshua Cohn

Kara Gannon

Kate Finney

Katherine Gallagher

Kathryn Patrikis

Kristen Marttila Gast

Lawrence and M.F. Bowman

Lesley Mazzotta

Lisa Gifford

Mal Goodman

Marjorie Raskin

Mark and Paula Budnitz

Martin Dunlap

Matthew Zito

Michael Minogue

Nancy and Scott Raaum

Neil Pepe

Nick Maby

Norma Martin

Pat La Frieda Wholesale Meats

Paul Urcioli

Peter and Annette French

Rachel Goodman

Robert and Brenda Powers

Robert French

Roger and Diane Dunlap

Sara and Jonathan Friedman

Seanna Thompson

Susan and John Bingley

Susan Branson

The New York Times Company Foundation

Thomas Szurszewski

Tim Maby

Tom and Kathy Dunlap

Tom Evrard

Valerie and Neil Raskin

Victoria Friendly

2007-12-23T14:50:00.000-05:00

TLC graduate Simone Williams was featured in last year's New York Times Neediest Cases Campaign. Read the story here.

Shopping spree!!!

2007-12-23T13:56:00.000-05:00

The benefit raised so much money for TLC that even after purchasing a bathrobe for every resident and ten alumni of the shelter, there was still money left for more presents. TLC's director, Bea Williams, told me the ladies could really use some washcloths and towels are always needed.

So I got to go empty Target of all its towels! It was like one of those shopping game shows, the objective being to match or coordinate fifty sets of towels, fit them into one cart and get the unwieldy thing down the cart escalator without any falling onto the people below or into the gears causing the escalator to breakdown. I assure you I put my bargain shopping prowess and physical dexterity to good use.

It was as much fun as I've had all year! And its been a pretty excellent year!

The dollar section was a good time too. I raided the selection for nail polish, scrapbooks, journals, headbands, games and other fun stuff to add to the gifts.

Norma Martin, BBCS's Assistant Executive Director, told me as we checked out, "This will be the most new stuff the ladies have seen in a long time."

How bout that Gillian Harwin?

2007-12-17T13:25:00.000-05:00

Gillian wowed everyone in attendance last night and I'm getting lots of questions about her. You can buy her album, Whiskey Sandwich, at CDbaby and she's playing in Park Slope on January 27th at Zilli Bar Lounge.

Gillian, when can we look forward to a recording of the Ateh's new Wonderwoman theme song and the awesomest Billie Jean cover ever?

Thank you!

2007-12-17T12:16:00.000-05:00

Thanks so much to everyone who came to the Ateh's holiday benefit for TLC last night or donated. That was one kickass party! And we raised over $1,500!

We set out hoping to raise $10 per resident of the shelter, but you beautiful, giving people went and tripled that.

And thanks to all our fabulous donors:

Angels and Kings
The Atlantic Theater Company
Brooklyn Brewery
Best Cellars
Small Beer Press
HERE Arts Center
The Women's Project
The Lower East Side Girls Club Sweet Things Bake Shop
Kelly Link
Ellen Kushner
David Auburn
East Yoga
Jen Guarnieri
The Habitat

Brighten the holidays for women in need!

2007-12-12T15:58:00.000-05:00

The Ateh's holiday party to benefit TLC women’s shelter is this Sunday!

Sunday, December 16th
4PM-8PM
Angels and Kings
500 East 11th Street
between Avenue A & B
Suggested donation $15-$25.
RSVP to bridgette@ateh.org

Includes wine, beer, food, music and a jolly good time with the Ateh, not to mention a chance to help some people who really need it.

Funds raised will provide holiday presents for the residents of the Transitional Living Community (TLC). TLC is a shelter for homeless women with mental illnesses run by the Brooklyn Bureau of Community Service. The holidays can be pretty tough for these women and our useful gifts will let them know that someone is thinking about them.

Can't make it, but want to help? No problem, just go to http://www.bbcs.org/howto.php and designate your gift Ateh:TLC

To learn more about Brooklyn Bureau of Community Service, visit www.bbcs.org

Many thanks to our generous sponsors Brooklyn Brewery and Best Cellars!

Jazz singer Gillian Harwin performs at 5:30.

Auction items include:

Autographed books by Pulitzer Prize winner David Auburn, Nebula Award winner Kelly Link, and Locus Award winner Ellen Kushner
Treats from the Lower East Side Girls Club's Sweet Things Bake Shop
A private yoga lesson with Jen Guarnieri and classes at East Yoga
Subscription to Small Beer Press' literary journal, Lady Churchill's Rose Bud Wristlet (chocolate included)
Tickets to the Atlantic Theater Company, HERE Arts Center, and the Women's Project
Autographed copy of Gillian Harwin's album, Whiskey Sandwich

bloggin.

2007-12-12T12:44:00.000-05:00

We've been neglecting this blog in favor of the Ateh's myspace blog, but that's all over now. Per the request of one of our favorite Ateh fans, you will now be able to read about the Ateh's comings and goings in either place.

Here's what's been going on over at Ateh myspace for our more Blogger inclined readers:

Friday, November 16, 2007

Last chance for Girl Detective

..> ..>

Final night of The Girl Detective

and the Crown Point Festival

Tomorrow, Saturday November 17th

Come for the shows, stay for the party!

THE GIRL DETECTIVE

Based on The Girl Detective from Stranger Things Happen

by Kelly Link

Adapted and Directed by

Bridgette Dunlap

"As this mesmerizing play progresses, it comes to resemble a dream. In the underworld, words and images are slippery, memory is unstable, and things that mean the most to us (like the color of our lover's eyes) threaten to disappear faster than the Girl Detective can change disguises. Beneath its fizzy fun, the play asks a question that haunts our nightmares…"
– The Village Voice

Final performance at the closing night of the Crown Point Festival

Saturday, November 17

Buy your ticket before it sells out at

CrownPointFestival.org

Tickets are $16.50, $18.00 for VIP seats, which include complimentary beverages. Admission includes short films, music and afterparty. Line-up below.

The performance will be followed by the Crown Point Festival's closing night party at club 205.

Abrons Art Center
466 Grand Street, NYC

www.ateh.org

The Girl Detective is a master of disguise. She finds missing things, chases tap-dancing bank robbers and eats our dreams. But in her life of intrigue and adventure one mystery remains and it may take a journey to the underworld to solve it.

Featuring: STEPHEN AGOSTO*, KATHRYN EKBLAD, GLORY GALLO* ALEXIS GRAUSZ*, CHARLEY LAYTON, MADELEINE MABY, SARA MONTGOMERY, JAVIER MUÑOZ*, ELIZABETH NEPTUNE, ANTHONY PALENSCAR*, HUGH SCULLY, DANIELLE THORPE, MARIE WELLER, BEN WOOD

*performing courtesy of actors equity. AEA approved showcase.

THE ATEH THEATER GROUP's work has been hailed as

"dazzling"
-- Neil Genzlinger, New York Times
"done with a style and wit to create postmodern mythology"
-- Jerry Portwood, Back Stage
"gleefully odd, fearsomely intelligent"
-- Maggie Cino, United Stages

Saturday, November 17th

8pm- Music: A Place to Bury Strangers

Short Film: The Oates' Valor

(8:45ish) Theater: The Girl Detective

Short Film: Eel-Stripe

Music: Project Jenny, Project Jan

Party: Closing Night Party @ Club 205 with live music by Stereo Imperative featuring Stella Artois and Maker's Mark

Monday, October 22, 2007

Crown Point Festival

Hey everyone,

Our show THE GIRL DETECTIVE is part of the 2007 Crown Point Festival, a three week festival of the best emerging artists in film, theater and music from around the world, in the Lower East Side of New York City.

Crown Point is organized with the belief that the current state of downtown culture offers tremendous opportunities to those willing to make a commitment to excellence. Every performance is tailor-made to transport the audience on a unique unforgettable experience. Basically, it's going to rock hard core!!

The Girl Detective is playing October 28th, November 8th, November 13th, and November 17th at 8pm @ The Abrons Art Center, 466 Grand St.

For tickets go to www.crownpointfestival.org.

And be sure to get the VIP seats so you can sit in the balcony and drink Stella!

See you there!

Monday, September 17, 2007

Mr. A’s Amazing Maze plays is BACK!

Come see Mr. A's Friday!

It's a really fun, choose-your-own-adventure-play-that's-supposed-to-be-for-kids-but-is-really-for-adults play with free booze!

collectiveP.A.S.T. @ chashama & The Ateh Theater Group present

Mr. A's Amazing Maze Plays

By: Alan Ayckbourn

Directed by: Carlton Ward

With: Charley Layton, Madeleine Maby, Sara Montgomery, Elizabeth Neptune & Ben Wood

FREE DRINKS from Best Cellars!

September 21st @ 10:30pm

September 28th @ 10:30pm

October 12th @ 10:30pm

October 19th @ 10:30 pm

At:

Collective PAST @ chashama

217 E. 42nd Street

between 3rd and 2nd Avenues

Suzy and her mother, along with their trusty dog Neville, live a simple, happy existence in their English cottage. That is, until the mysterious Mr. Accousticus moves in across the street and strange things start happening. Soon, Suzy and Neville must navigate through Mr. Accousticus' enormous and sinister house. Once there, the audience must guide Suzy down the right path! In this theatrical choose-your-own-adventure, you decide who lives and who dies... oh, and there's free beer!!!!!!!!!!! Come join The Ateh Theatre Group to find that child within (not in a sick way) in this hilarious adventure.

Tickets: $10 -- For tickets, go to www.Ateh.org or call smarttix.com (212) 868-4444

chashama is a NYC arts organization whose mission is to support artists of all genres. chashama "adopts" vacant properties that are donated by their owners and converts them into theaters, galleries, studios, and window performance sites; chashama then regrants this space for free or at heavily subsidized rates. Since 1995, chashama has transformed more than 20 vacant properties and has given more than 5,000 artists access to space.

Thursday, August 16, 2007

New York Times Review

CHECK OUT OUR REVIEW IN THE NEW YORK TIMES!

http://theater2.nytimes.com/2007/08/16/theater/reviews/16dist.html

Thursday, August 09, 2007

LONG DISTANCE opens tonight!!

collectiveP.A.S.T. @ chashama & The Ateh Theater Group present

LONG DISTANCE

Three one act plays adapted by Bridgette Dunlap, based on the short stories by Judy Budnitz

Directed by Bridgette Dunlap and Alexis Grausz

Set Design by Emily French

Lighting by Natalie Robin

Costume Design by Amy VanMullekom

Stage Manager: Hannah Miller

Artwork by Rusty Zimmerman

With Dianna Lynne Drew, Kathryn Ekblad, Charley Layton, Madeleine Maby, Sara Montgomery, Elizabeth Neptune, Hugh Scully, Jake Thomas and Jesse Wilson

Amy's little sister went off to college and caught leprosy; Meredith's parents won't ask for directions and don't know an ax murderer when they see one; and Lisa's mom will get out of her mammogram even if she has to break the laws of space and time to do it. These funny and frightening plays ask us: how do you protect a loved one from a chaotic universe

August 9th through September 1st
Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 8PM
@ chashama, 217 East 42nd St.
Tickets: $15 -- For tickets go to www.Ateh.org or call smarttix.com (212) 868-4444

Friday, August 03, 2007

Long Distance

Come see our new show, opening on Thursday at chashama! The stories of Judy Budnitz are funny and touching, with just the right amount of creepy and wierd. And there's leprosy! So if you're looking for a good time, come on over to chashama for Long Distance.

Thursday, July 26, 2007

Mr. A's Amazing Maze Plays again tomorrow!!!

..> ..>

Come see Mr. A's! It's tomorrow!!

Just a reminder, Mr. A's plays again this Friday!

It's a really fun, choose-your-own-adventure-play-that's-supposed-to-be-for-kids-but-is-really-for-adults play with free booze!

collectiveP.A.S.T. @ chashama

The Ateh Theater Group

present

Mr. A's Amazing Maze Plays

By: Alan Ayckbourn

Directed by: Carlton Ward

With: Charley Layton, Madeleine Maby, Sara Montgomery, Elizabeth Neptune & Ben Wood

First & last Friday of every month + FREE DRINKS from Best Cellars!

May 25th: 10:30 PM

June 1st: 9:30 PM

June 29th: 10:30 PM

July 6th: 10:30 PM

July 27th: 10:30 PM

At:

Collective PAST @ chashama

217 E. 42nd Street

between 3rd and 2nd Avenues

Tickets: $10 -- For tickets, go to www.Ateh.org or call smarttix.com (212) 868-4444

Thursday, June 28, 2007

Come see Mr. A's! It's tomorrow!!

Just a reminder, Mr. A's plays again this Friday!

It's a really fun, choose-your-own-adventure-play-that's-supposed-to-be-for-kids-but-is-really-for-adults play with free booze!

collectiveP.A.S.T. @ chashama..:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />..:NAMESPACE PREFIX = O />

The Ateh Theater Group

present

Mr. A's Amazing Maze Plays

By: Alan Ayckbourn

Directed by: Carlton Ward

With: Charley Layton, Madeleine Maby, Sara Montgomery, Elizabeth Neptune & Ben Wood

First & last Friday of every month + FREE DRINKS from Best Cellars!

May 25th: 10:30 PM

June 1st: 9:30 PM

June 29th: 10:30 PM

July 6th: 10:30 PM

July 27th: 10:30 PM

At:

Collective PAST @ chashama

217 E. 42nd Street

between 3rd and 2nd Avenues

Tickets: $10 -- For tickets, go to www.Ateh.org or call smarttix.com (212) 868-4444

Thursday, May 31, 2007

Mr. A's Amazing Maze Plays again tomorrow!!!

Hello,

Just a reminder, Mr. A's plays again this Friday, the really fun, choose-your-own-adventure-play-that's-supposed-to-be-for-kids-but-is-really-for-adults play with free booze!

This Fiday, it's at 9:30! Hope to see you there!

-sara

collectiveP.A.S.T. @ chashama.

The Ateh Theater Group

present

Mr. A's Amazing Maze Plays

By: Alan Ayckbourn

Directed by: ..:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />Carlton Ward

With: Charley Layton, Madeleine Maby, Sara Montgomery, Elizabeth Neptune & Ben Wood

First & last Friday of every month + FREE DRINKS from Best Cellars!

May 25th: 10:30 PM

June 1st: 9:30 PM

June 29th: 10:30 PM

July 6th: 10:30 PM

July 27th: 10:30 PM

At:

Collective PAST @ chashama

217 E. 42nd Street

between 3rd and 2nd Avenues

Tickets: $10 -- For tickets, go to www.Ateh.org or call smarttix.com (212) 868-4444

For information on group tickets please call (646) 281-1980.

Monday, May 21, 2007

Mr. A's Amazing Maze Plays! Friday!

collectiveP.A.S.T. @ chashama

The Ateh Theater Group

present

Mr. A's Amazing Maze Plays

By: Alan Ayckbourn ]

Directed by: Carlton Ward

With: Charley Layton, Madeleine Maby, Sara Montgomery, Elizabeth Neptune & Ben Wood

First & last Friday of every month + FREE DRINKS from Best Cellars!

May 25th: 10:30 PM

June 1st: 9:30 PM

June 29th: 10:30 PM

July 6th: 10:30 PM

July 27th: 10:30 PM

At:

Collective PAST @ chashama

217 E. 42nd Street

between 3rd and 2nd Avenues

Tickets: $10 -- For tickets, go to www.Ateh.org or call smarttix.com (212) 868-4444

For information on group tickets please call (646) 281-1980.

Thursday, April 26, 2007

Party on Tuesday!!

Hello everyone! I hope those of you living in New York are planning on attending this kickass event. Our company is joining forces with three other amazing companies to create theater and art and music all summer long! Help us kick off the residency at Chashama on Tuesday after work! Booze and food included! Here's the info:

collectiveP.A.S.T.

PRODUCTION COMPANY

ATEH THEATER GROUP

SUM OF US THEATRE CO.

THIRSTY TURTLE PRODUCTIONS

@chashama

WHO: collectiveP.A.S.T. @ chashama

WHAT: Fundraising Benefit

WHEN: Tuesday, May 1, 2007 - 6:30pm-9:30pm

WHERE: chashama 217 East 42nd Street, New York

HOW MUCH: $25/per person

Come and support collectiveP.A.S.T. @ chashama! Have a drink! Sample foods from our neighborhood restaurants! Enjoy a brand new art installation, film screenings and more as you meet and mingle with members of collectiveP.A.S.T. as we launch our six-month residency at chashama's 217 East 42nd Street space! collectiveP.A.S.T. is a consortium of four emerging theater companies: Production Company, Ateh Theater Group, Sum of Us Theater Company and Thirsty Turtle Productions. collectiveP.A.S.T. serves as a community of producing artists with a variety of experiences, backgrounds, missions and strengths.

We are thrilled to announce this six-month residency at chashama, presenting new works by various theater companies, dance companies, musicians and visual artists. Chashama has kindly agreed to post our calendar of events on their website so keep a look out for opportunities to see these exciting new works at www.chashama.org. Stay tuned!

Friday, March 16, 2007

United Stages: GD is "gleefully odd, fearsomely intelligent"

According to a couple of popular hard-boiled philosophers, Mickey Spillane and Raymond Chandler, we're all holding out for a rescuer: a fantasy hero of sublime contradictions, familiar yet unnamable, the answer to our loneliness and troubles. This month at The Connelly Theater, the ambitious Ateh Theater Group presents exhibit A: The Girl Detective, a play as slippery as its subject matter. Bridgette Dunlap's adaptation of Kelly Link's short story unfurls with the strange and causal logic of dreams, blending the magic surrealism of fairy tales with the "just the facts, ma'am" trajectory of detective fiction. It's a gleefully odd, fearsomely intelligent production that challenges the audience to take on the mystery of human longing: the possibility of finding that missing person—that person that one sometimes believes one sees in another's eyes.

The play's namesake is a local celebrity, the object of obsessive gossip and community reportage. But the more witnesses obsess about her whereabouts, the less they can agree on any particular fact, including the color of her hair. Ironies accumulate as The Girl Detective searches for her missing mother while everyone else in the play looks for The Girl Detective. Weird and wondrous, Dunlap leads us from locations like The Girl Detective's kitchen, where she's stopped eating food and started eating dreams; to the bank where twelve tap dancing female bank robbers break into vaults and fill them with single socks, lost homework and Amelia Earhart; to a dance club in the underworld.

..> ..>

Marie Weller, Sara Montgomery, Kathryn Ekblad, Danielle Thorpe, Madeleine Maby and Alexis Grausz
Photograph by Anthony Collins

The ensemble is tight, and Ben Wood as Guy is a particular standout. Whitney Strock creates exuberant dance numbers, and set and costume designer Emily French brings Dunlap's vision alive. The few simple set pieces create a playground for the shifting dreamscape of the play, and the trench coat and feather costumes incant the bright mystery of this world.

If you should go looking for The Girl Detective during this limited engagement, be sure to pack a mirror as well as a looking glass. Bridgette Dunlap has created a theatrical experience to find yourself in again and again.

-Maggie Cino, United Stages

Ellen Kushner: "funny and entertaining and moving"

"Smart & coherent, with a crisply competent ensemble cast, it manages to capture the dreamy dislocation and strict emotional logic of Link's work, taking it out of the realm of pure language into a lot of very clever staging: visual, kinesthetic, musical . . . leaving you with that same feeling that you've understood nothing and comprehended everything. It's also funny and entertaining and moving - the tap-dancing, boa-wearing bank robbing lineup alone is worth the price of admission. "

-Ellen Kushner

Thursday, March 08, 2007

Feature story on the Ateh in Back Stage

You can check out Leonard Jacobs' article on the Ateh in the print edition of this week's Back Stage magazine.

Village Voice: The Girl Detective is "mesmerizing"

..> ..>

Clue Love

A fairy-tale sleuth seeks out missing memories

by Katie Baker

March 6th, 2007 7:49 PM

At the beginning of The Girl Detective, an adaptation of Kelly Link's postmodern fairy tale, our titular sleuth (captivatingly played by Kathryn Ekblad) is presented with her latest case: a bank robbery committed by 12 beauties in boas and black masks who tap-dance their way into tellers' hearts and vaults. In their wake, the underworld spills out into safes and missing things begin to reappear— retainers, mismatched socks, even Amelia Earhart.

Turns out, the Girl Detective knows all about the underworld—she goes there every night in other people's dreams to search for her missing mother. And as this mesmerizing play progresses, it comes to resemble a dream. Odd characters waltz through—Chinese waiters, 12 dancing sisters. In the under world, words and images are slippery, memory is unstable, and things that mean the most to us (like the color of our lover's eyes) threaten to disappear faster than the Girl Detective can changes disguises. Beneath its fizzy fun, the play asks a question that haunts our nightmares: What if life is a series of increasingly serious losses—first, a cat runs away, then our husband vamooses with the secretary, then we forget our mother's face—until the underworld claims all and we are left with nothing?

The Girl Detective
Adapted by Bridgette Dunlap from a story by Kelly Link
The Connelly Theater
220 East 4th Street
212-352-3101

http://www.villagevoice.com/film/0710,baker,76007,20.html

Friday, March 02, 2007

The Ateh raises $1,300 for the Brooklyn Bureau

The Ateh is hosting a benefit performance of Alice for the Brooklyn Bureau of Community Service on March 10th.

The performance will be attended by children in the Bureau's preventive programs and the first batch of checks came in today.

Thanks to the Bureau's wonderful donors!

Backstage: Ekblad is versatile enough to project both an innocence and a wisdom

The Girl Detective is filled with, "magic moments that are used to convey a story that seems almost impossible to translate effectively to the stage, but is done with a style and wit to create postmodern mythology" according to Backstage.

read the review here: http://www.backstage.com/bso/news_reviews/nyc/review_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003552632

Monday, February 26, 2007

The Girl Detective reviewed by Jon Sobel of Blogcritics.com

Theater Review: The Girl Detective

Written by Jon Sobel
Published February 24, 2007
Reading "The Girl Detective," a celebrated short story by Nebula and World Fantasy award winner Kelly Link, one might see potential for either a wonderful or a terrible stage adaptation. Although full of surprising imagery in motion, with fantastic settings, colorful characters, dancing language and dancing people, the story ultimately succeeds because of the author's narrative voice.

That unique slant or sheen is important in any kind of prose but absolutely essential to a short story. Link's tale, like the best fairy stories ancient or modern, casts an unbroken word-spell. It's an experimental, unconventionally plotted story that hangs together on the strength of a narrative voice that says things like this: "Someone else is dreaming about the house they lived in as a child. The girl detective breaks off a bit of their house. It pools in her mouth like honey." Can that cool style translate to a setting where the narration and dialogue are split among a big cast of actors, and an audience must be engaged?

The answer, happily, is yes. Thanks to crisp direction, winning performances by a talented cast, and above all, brilliant choreography, the Ateh Theater Group's production, at the beautiful Connelly Theater in Manhattan's East Village, is a pleasure.

Adhering closely to the text of the story, the show starts off in chilly fashion. In fact, one fears one is in for an evening of stiff, postmodern conceptualizing, as the cast pops in and out delivering lines like they're hot potatoes. It might have been opening night jitters, or simply the viewer needing to adjust to the disjointed rhythm of a non-traditional narrative - probably a bit of both. Then, a few minutes in, the tap-dancing bank robbers breeze on stage.

Led by Birthday (the buoyant Alexis Grausz, who has the makings of a Broadway star), the dancers set the humorous and playful tone that infuse the rest of the story even in its more somber moments. Show and audience find their rhythm and suddenly warm up. The game is afoot.

The plot, such as it is, has to do with the title character — played with regal innocence by the tall, spectral Kathryn Ekblad — searching for her missing mother while trailed by the nameless narrator (Ben Wood). He's a combination of stalker ex-boyfriend, wood nymph, and Ariel from The Tempest. The two are only marginally "leads," though, in a production driven by crisp pacing, divine dancing, and an ensemble of actors (who clearly love working together) making the most of their in-and-out parts. With clever lighting and a few props the stage becomes, alternately, the Girl Detective's neighborhood, her house, a Chinese restaurant, and the clubby Underworld, which is more Folies Bergère than Hades. But the show-stopper is a scene in which our heroine, who "eats dreams" (instead of food), darts among a mass of many people's dreams come to life. It's real theater magic.

What all of it means is open to interpretation, but by sticking closely to the original text the director, Bridgette Dunlap, has preserved the story's tone. Link's tale also has many layers, which, for the most part, also survive the transition. Is an explicit telling of the Persephone and Demeter myth - implicit in the original story - necessary? Does it have to be pointed out on stage that in fairy and fantasy tales, child heroes almost always lack at least one parent? Unclear. But in an adult show that also has kid appeal, some amount of explanation may be a plus. Certainly, the wonderful dancing and funny stage business help make the show a pleasure for all ages, in spite of the "mature themes" warning on the poster. This reviewer's inner child, for one, was as amused as his critical brain was tickled.

Through March 17 at the Connelly Theater in New York. Call 212-352-3101 for tickets or get them online.

The Girl Detective and Alice's Adventures in Wonderland open!

The Ateh Theater Group
presents
The Girl Detective

The Girl Detective is a master of disguise. She finds missing things, chases tap dancing back robbers and eats our dreams. But in her life of intrigue and adventure one mystery remains: the whereabouts of her long lost mother. Join her on a wild journey to the underworld in this surreal, darkly funny story of loss and reunion. adapted and directed by BRIDGETTE DUNLAP
from the book by KELLY LINK
choreographed by WHITNEY STOCK

"Kelly Link fuses storytelling smarts with postmodern flair, Nancy Drew with Philip K. Dick…
The Girl Detective is a sly disarticulation of whodunits and the underworld that's as fun to read as it is heartbreaking—a great pop coup, part tabloid headlines, part Joycean Ithaca.
—The Village Voice ("25 Favorite Books of 2001")

FOUR WEEK LIMITED ENGAGEMENT
February 23rd - March 17th

The Connelly Theater, 220 East 4th Street, btw. avenues A & B
Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays at 8PM
with an additional performance Monday, February 26 at 8PM

TICKETS ON SALE NOW AT WWW.ATEH.ORG
$15 212-352-3101 or 1-866-811-4111
or at the Connelly Theater Box Office 30 minutes prior to the show

Starring KATHRYN EKBLAD, SARA MONTGOMERY, ELIZABETH NEPTUNE, MADELEINE MABY, DANIELLE THORPE, BEN WOOD, MARIE WELLER, JOHN LONG*, CHARLEY LAYTON, TIM ELLIOT, CHRIS HALE, ALEXIS GRAUSZ*
* actors appearing courtesy of Actors Equity Association
Set and Costume Design by Emily French
Lighting Design by Michael Salvas

The Connelly Theater, 220 East 4th Street, btw. avenues A & B

And for kids...

Alice's Adventures
In Wonderland

As inspired an adaptation of a children's classic as I've ever seen... Bridgette Dunlap and her collaborators have created so much stunning visual comedy!

-Laurel Graeber, The New York Times

FOUR WEEK LIMITED ENGAGEMENT
February 24th - March 17th
The Connelly Theater, 220 East 4th Street, Btw. A & B
Saturdays and Sundays at 12 PM

TICKETS ON SALE NOW AT WWW.ATEH.ORG
Regular ticket price: $15
212-352-3101 or 1-866-811-4111
or at the Connelly Theater Box Office 30 minutes prior to the show

The White Rabbit races by and Alice is off on a mad adventure that will turn her world upside down. ALICE'S ADVENTURES IN WONDERLAND is a fun, frenetic re-imaging of Lewis Carroll's fantastic Cats, Queens and Caterpillars, and the feisty little girl unlike anyone they've met before.

Adapted and Directed by BRIDGETTE DUNLAP
from the book by Lewis Carroll

Starring KATHRYN EKBLAD, SARA MONTGOMERY, BRIAN MORGAN, ELIZABETH NEPTUNE, MADELEINE MABY, HANNAH MILLER, ELIZABETH TAYLOR, BEN WOOD, MARIE WELLER

Costume Design by Amy VanMullekom
Lighting Design by Michael Salvas
Set Design by Emily French

For more information visit www.ateh.org.

Wednesday, January 24, 2007

Brunch this Weekend!

Ateh's Gourmet Benefit Brunch

Come join us this weekend for life-changingly good food.

Sunday, January 28 Noon - 3PM

Rain Restaurant
100 West 82 Street
@ Columbus Avenue
Rain Restaurant

Join the Ateh Theater Group and Rain Restaurant for a yummy brunch!

Featuring: food by Gypsy Gifford,
winner of one of Food Arts Magazine's
Emerging Taste Makers awards!

Unlimited exotic mimosas, bloody marys, wine, and a silent auction.

Admission: $60
purchase tickets online now at

2006-12-19T23:36:00.000-05:00

Thank you so much to everyone who came out for Femme Fatale Fest. We had a lovely, mysterious time. If you fell in love with our performers you can find out all about them and their upcoming shows on the interwebs:

Jodi Sheeler
Adam Gwon
Katie Thompson
Dan Zaitchik.

Ateh pictures

2006-12-12T11:28:00.000-05:00

Check out pictures from the Ateh's The Girl in the Flammable Skirt, the Atlantic production of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, past Ateh benefits and more here.

The show goes on!

2006-11-02T15:21:00.000-05:00

So the festival was cancelled, but we were determined to spread some Halloween cheer (and sugar) nonetheless. The obvious solution was guerilla theater at the playground.

The kiddos and parents taking advantage of briefly clear skies responded very enthusiastically to our motley bunch yelling "Free cupcakes! Free theater!"

So the story of the Devil's Sooty Brother was finally shared with the world.

And some kind children on a sugar high even helped us dispose of our leftover silly string by emptying the can on Elizabeth.

Tompkins Scare Update

2006-10-28T15:13:00.000-04:00

Today's festivities were cancelled, but worry not. The Ateh will be in Tompkins Square Park all costume clad and cupcake laden to perform The Devil's Sooty Brother Tomorrow, Sunday October 29th!

The scaled down festival will run from 4:00PM till 7:00 PM and we will probably be performing on the earlier side.

Festivities to be followed by more festivities at Doc Holliday's.

Happy Halloween!

Breaking: Tompkins Scare rained out

2006-10-27T16:43:00.000-04:00

Most of Tompkins Scare Park has been cancelled due to the weather. We expect to perform once on Sunday night. Details to follow.

Don't panic. Fairytales and cupcakes will be had by all.

The Ateh at Thompkins Scare Park

2006-10-27T12:42:00.000-04:00

Its almost Halloween, and time to get spooky and costume clad with The Ateh Theater Group!
We are performing in the brand new Halloween Festival, Tompkins Scare Park, this Saturday, October 28 in Tompkins Square, East Village.

Our show is called The Devil's Sooty Brother, based on one of the lesser known Grimms' tales, adapted and directed by Sara Montgomery. It's a hilarious romp through hell that teaches the all important lesson that when you make a deal with the devil, sometimes you come out on top!

Our show times are at 12Noon, 1:45, 2:45, and 3:45.

So dust off your devil horns, round up friends and loved ones, and come on down, the festival is completely free, and while we are the sootiest attraction, we aren't the only one. There will be a Million Superheroes March, Music, Dancing, and Zombie Olympics. That's right, Zombie Olympics!

And we'll have free cupcakes! Delicious.

Festival appropriate for children of all ages, pets, and people who like to lurk about in costume.
For info about Tompkins Scare go to http://www.scarepark.org/

2006-09-18T16:17:00.000-04:00

Thanks to everyone who joined us at yesterday's party. It was great to see so many people and hang out in the sunshine.

I am going to start asking for Tap Dancing Bank Robbers in bars because they are so delicious. Most bars stock Pop Rocks, right?

-bridgette

Inaugural Blog: How Do You Pronounce Ateh?

2006-09-13T18:11:00.000-04:00

Welcome to the inaugural blog of the Ateh Theater Group.

Feh.

Fer the love of Pete, why does the world need another blog? Because we're a unique and fresh voice with a unique perspective on New York Theater. Unique, I tell you! Yoo Neek.

So. While we're pronouncing things... How the heck to you pronounce Ateh, anyway? It's Ahhhhhhhhhhh-TAY. Like Boo-tay, but with an Ahhhhhhh at the beginning, not a Boo.

So enjoy that tidbit of knowledge, and stay tuned for more scintillating and unique entries.

-Emily and Helen