Summer Residency Program Combines Innovation and Collaboration
By Arthur Gonick
Saratoga TODAY
SARATOGA SPRINGS –The Orchard Project, an incubator program for the performing arts, has announced that it will move its eighth annual summer residency program to Saratoga Springs. Theater companies and artists will come this summer to innovate, develop, and refine new shows.
In addition to a new location, for the first time there will be a series of public performances known as Orchard Project Presents. These will take place at Universal Preservation Hall and other venues around Saratoga Springs (see schedule below) that will enable attendees to experience world-class new works (they vary from dance to drama, cabaret to musicals) as they are being developed or as a recently finished project.
The 22 artists and ensembles that were selected for this year’s residency come from around the world and were competitively chosen from nearly 500 applicants. They are provided with free rehearsal space, room and board, and the support of fellow artists. Work developed at the Orchard Project has gone on to win awards including Obie’s, Drama Desks, Olivier Awards and the 2014 Tony Award for Best Play for All The Way, which was written at the Orchard Project in 2010 and 2011. Overall, an estimated 500,000+ people have seen Orchard Project-supported shows worldwide.
Full programming details and ticket purchases can be made at orchardproject.com. Here is the preliminary schedule of Orchard Project Presents shows:
CHURCH OF THE PASSIONATE CAT
By Underbelly
June 5-7, 2015
Underbelly is an American theatre company that leads audiences on immersive journeys through forgotten spaces. An Underbelly show combines narrative, music, dance and fresh cookies (if you're lucky). Developed at the Orchard Project in 2014, Church of the Passionate Cat is a detective story turned on its ear, blending film noir “whoduniting” with a jazz age church revival like you’ve never experienced before.
A FOREIGN BODY
By Neena Beber
Directed by Theresa Rebeck
Featuring John Glover and Hettienne Park
June 19-20
Hours before he is to receive a lifetime achievement award, a world-famous film director receives a visit from the woman best known as his victim. A Foreign Body pairs playwright Neena Beber (Jump/Cut, Tomorrowland and HBO’s upcoming Ballers) with director Theresa Rebeck (Broadway’s Seminar and Mauritius, Creator of TV’s Smash) for an intimate and explosive theatrical event.
THE GARDEN
By Nichole Canuso Dance Company
June 19 - 21
Developed at the Orchard Project in 2013, The Garden is a dance theatre piece that is designed for four participants at a time. It takes the audience on an intimate yet expansive journey that blurs the line between viewer and participant. Nichole Canuso Dance Company creates movement-based works that explore the complexity of the human experience using subtle gesture, explosive movement, humor and interactive design.
UR STAR
By Finkle
June 19 - 21
Ur Star is an intimate interactive theatrical art experience for tiny audiences. Told through music and hand drawn visuals, you are invited into an artist’s apartment and taken on a journey that is at times whimsical and at times intensely personal. Developed at the Orchard Project in 2014, Ur Star is an experiment in the relationship between audience and artist and an exploration of what it means to grapple with darkness.
BRIDGET EVERETT - One Night Only Cabaret event!
June 20
Bridget Everett is a singing tour de force known for her funny yet gut-wrenching, outrageous and unpredictable performances – definitely not for the faint of heart! Bridget has played to sold-out houses on both coasts and has been joined by guests ranging from Broadway icon Patti Lupone to Rock icon Flea. Most recently, Bridget completed a run of US dates supporting Amy Schumer. She performed in the 24 Hour Musicals, which benefits the Orchard Project, in 2013.
THE ORCHARD PROJECT OPEN STUDIO
June 22-27 will be a weeklong exploration of work that that will turn all of Universal Preservation Hall into a laboratory and that will invite the public to actively participate. The 2015 Open Studio will include four cutting-edge shadow puppeteers who will be developing new shows. There will be open hours each weekday, as well as a family workshop on Saturday, June 27. The puppeteers participating include Andrew Benincasa, Lydia Fine, and others to be confirmed.
ALAN CUMMING IN CONCERT
June 26
The celebrated star of theatre, film, and television will perform in a one-night-only concert at Universal Preservation Hall. He will be performing with his musical director Lance Horne, who has been an Orchard Project resident in 2010, 2011 and 2013.
