After a busy few months, let's party in the park!

Hello, all!

A lot has happened since I last updated you and I want to give you the skinny on all of it! The short and sweet of it is, we are having a fundraiser, this Sunday, September 22nd in Washington Square Park from 3-6. But, I wanted to make sure everything we've done in the last few months is up here, so more on that later.

First of all, Behaving Badly was AMAZING! Here are some pictures from each of our plays, and you can of course, find more on our facebook page.

Millions & Millions & Millions by Cathy Earnest, directed by Graydon Gund
Alyssa Simon (courtesy of Actor's Equity), Catherine LaClair and Cain Duminski pictured

Inalienable Rights by Samantha Lee Manas, directed by Veronica Dang
Anna Stefanic, RG Lagonda and Wes Hager pictured

Three Bites from the Underworld written and directed by Jasmine Brown
Sharon Zaslaw and Molly Garbe pictured

St. Patrick Battles the Bearded Serpent by Karl Custer Jr., directed by Samantha Lee Manas
Tierny Nolan, Casey Bartolucci and Ari Vigoda pictured

Above photos courtesy of Vladimir Weinstein.

But all of that is old news. The big news is that of all the new staff we've added! Firstly, we'd like to welcome our interns for the season: Abby Leigh Rose for Artistic/Marketing, Nick Salidivar for Directing, Meghan Sullivan for Literary and Cresent Haynes for Sound Design. They are all super talented and you will be seeing a lot of work from them in the coming months.

Additionally, we've added Brittany Remington to the full position of Associate Producer. For her, I'm gonna add her headshot, because she's pretty big deal. She may be taking over this blog, at least partially, because we know the updates aren't exactly...consistent. But either way, she is truly great and we're very excited to be working with her.

It's Brittany!

Before I get to our final and most pressing announcement, I do want to go back in time and give you a few photos I promised. Yes, these are some looks are our Cinco de Mayo variety show from the spring. All of the rest (and there are a lot!) are up on facebook.

Anna Stefanic and Samantha Jane Williams

Karl Custer aka Uncle Yo

Calixta Star

Jeremy Rafal

So, now that you're reminded what kind of party we can throw, why not join for a Sunday in Washington Square park?

There will be sing, dancing, fun and even refreshing drinks for sale. Suggested donations are ten dollars, but stay as long as you like and give what you're able.

Again, it's 3-6 in Washington Square Park, September 22nd. We will be in Garibaldi Plaza.

The featured acts will be: Anna Stefanic, Abby Leigh Rose, Sharqui and the Bellyjazz Dolls (featuring me!), Art Brown, Cynthia Vasquez, Boogie Bogz and maybe some other surprises.

Come one, come all! 

Oh, and by the way, Washington Square Park has a special meaning to us because of our projects later in the season...but this post has been long enough. More updates much sooner next time, I promise!

Lots of love!

Looking back and getting ready for an awesome week!

Since Behaving Badly is coming up this week (wed-sun!) I wanted to give you a chance to see how far we've come in the past few years leading up to this. We've really striven to be a resource for the upcoming community of artists and as such, you will see a lot of familiar names and faces throughout the years. 

Here's a shot from Sweet Prince, written by me, Jasmine Brown and directed by Samantha  Lee Manas. The night after this show ended, Sam and I decided that we we would start producing on our own and thus, Between Us Productions was born. Besides being Co-Artistic Directors of the company, Sam has written a play (Inalienable Rights) as well as directed one (St. Patrick Battles the Bearded Serpent) for Behaving Badly. I'm the writer and director for Three Bites from the Underworld.

Back in 2010, during one of our first readings, we read Three Bites from the Underworld. Note Karl Custer, writer for St. Patrick Battles the Bearded Serpent and Assistant Artistic Director, reading stage directions. Also note that it was the holiday season and we were trying to be festive. 

Here's a reading we did for Inalienable Rights. We can see Anna Stefanic , who stars in it now, but plays Kelly instead of the human, as well as Casey Bartolucci, who now stars in St. Patrick Battles the Bearded Serpent (as St. Patrick, of course). I think the mess of furniture behind them really adds to the zombie apocalypse ambiance. 

Here's a reading we did of St. Patrick Battles the Bearded Serpent, featuring Casey Bartolucci, the current star and Veronica Dang, the director of Inalienable Rights. Aren't the props and decorations fun?

Here we have a beautiful picture from Disappearing, Cathy Earnest's play in our Take Ten festival, which won Best Play and earned her a spot in Behaving Badly, with Millions & Millions & Millions.

Here is Cathy, receiving the award for best play, from Samantha and I. 

Speaking of the Take Ten Festival, here we see Molly Garbe, Stephanie in Three Bites from the Underworld, in Maturity, directed by Associate Producer, Graydon Gund, now director of Millions & Millions & Millions.

Here we see another peak from the Take Ten Festival,  Ari Vigoda, who now stars in St. Patrick Battles the Bearded Serpent as the Narrator, performing in Psycho Therapy, a semi-finalist for Best Play.

Another moment from our Take Ten festival, here's Scars, finalist for Best Play, directed by Veronica Dang.

Here we see Emile Lafond, currently starring as Harold in Three Bites from the Underworld, in a reading of The Sub, a play we received as a submission for Take Ten but that was unable to participate. Note me at the edge of frame there, reading stage directions and generally being amused.

Here we have Sharon Zaslaw, aka Sharqui and her Bellyjazz Dolls, at our fundraiser in Central Park last summer. Sharon is now starring as Celeste in Three Bites from the Underworld. 

Here we are with some friends and fans at our Improv-or Treat event this year. You can spot Alia Berezov, assistant/wardrobe for Three Bites from the Underworld, as well as me, Karl, Sam, Veronica and even Grady (first pic of him up here!) in the crowd. Note that our love of zombies was not a passing thing. 

So, come on! See what all the fuss is about and Behave Badly with us this week!

Wednesday, June 26 - 8pm
Thursday, June 27 - 8pm
Friday, June 28 - 8pm
Saturday June 29 - 2pm & 8pm
Sunday June 30 - 3pm

at Roy Arias Studios, Stage II
300 W 43rd St, 4th Floor
New York, NY 10036

Plays:
Inalienable Rights by Samantha Lee Manas
Millions & Millions & Millions by Cathy Earnest
Saint Patrick Battles the Bearded Serpent by Karl Custer
and
Three Bites from the Underworld by Jasmine Brown

Directed by: Jasmine Brown, Veronica Dang, Graydon Gund, and Samantha Lee Manas

Starring:
Casey Bartolucci
Emile Lafond
Tierney Nolan
Ari Vigoda
Sharon Zaslaw
Molly Garbe
Catherine LeClair
Alyssa Simon*
Cain Duminski
Evan Cory Zimmerman
Anna Stefanic
Jonathan Zipper
Alex Witherow
RG Lacandola
Wes Hager
David Weinheimer

Tickets $18 CASH ONLY AT THE DOOR

*Appearing Courtesy of Actors Equity


So, hey, Check out our facebook event or just buy tickets in advance!

Getting ready to Behave Badly!

Hi, all!

Things are getting exciting for us!

First of all, our Cinco de Mayo themed variety show at Joria was excellent! We're so proud of the talented artists we work with and are glad they got to entertain as well as show off their skills. Pictures to come!

Second of all, we're heading into the home stretch for our evenings of one-acts, now titled Behaving Badly. We even got some awesome postcards designed by Bobby Bleustone (look him up)!

 

 

If you can't see all the info listed, here it is (plus a little more).

 

Behaving Badly

 

"Four original one-act plays about how absurdly real the risks are when we all misbehave."

 

Wednesday, June 26 - 8pm

Thursday, June 27 - 8pm
Friday, June 28 - 8pm
Saturday June 29 - 2pm & 8pm
Sunday June 30 - 3pm

at Roy Arias Studios, Stage II
300 W 43rd St, 4th Floor
New York, NY 10036

Plays:
Inalienable Rights by Samantha Lee Manas
Millions & Millions & Millions by Cathy Earnest
Saint Patrick Battles the Bearded Serpent by Karl Custer
and
Three Bites from the Underworld by Jasmine Brown

Directed by: Jasmine Brown, Veronica Dang, Graydon Gund, and Samantha Lee Manas

Starring:
Casey Bartolucci
Emile Lafond
Tierney Nolan
Michael Schlapp
Ari Vigoda
Sharon Zaslaw
Molly Grabe
More TBA

Tickets $18 CASH at the door or buy them early online!

In addition, we're having a fundraiser at Traffic Bar and Grill in Hell's Kitchen (we love it there!) for the one-acts on June 1st at 9pm. Come out to support theatre, get drink specials and have the chance to win a $50 gift certificate for a night out at Traffic on your own. Check out our facebook event!

 



Behaving Badly and Cinco (or really Once) De Mayo

Hi, all! Happy May!

Just a quick update. A lot is going on for us. May 11th (that's tomorrow, folks!) we're having our Cinco De Mayo themed variety show/fundraiser! Please come by, show your support and have a good time! More info is on the Facebook event, but basically you'll get two drinks, comedy, music and dance performances all for just $20. 8pm at Joria productions, folks!

Our other news is regarding the One-Acts. Things are really coming together! They will be performed at Roy Arias, Stage II June 26-30.  The evening will be called Behaving Badly and the line up will be:

Saint Patrick Battles the Bearded Serpent, written by Karl Custer Jr. and directed by Samantha Lee Manas

Inalienable Rights, written by Samantha Lee Manas and directed by Veronica Dang

Millions and Millions and Millions, written by Cathy Earnest and directed by Graydon Gund

Three Bites from the Underworld, written and directed by Jasmine Brown

Casting is almost done and rehearsals are underway, so it should be an exciting time!

In the meantime, enjoy the lovely weather and Mother's day and remember to join us tomorrow night for an excuse to party and support the arts!

Tricks, Treats and Indiegogo

Hey, Between Us Fans!

     First of all, we wanted to update you on our Halloween themed improv battle going on Saturday, October 20th. It will be at 8pm at the Directors Studio and will include costumes, makeup, music, candy, drinks, chances of audience involvement and of course, comedy!

So far the teams are:

The Vampires:
Elise Baker
Jeremy Rafal

and

The Zombies
Chris Barber
Veronica Dang

Improv-Or-Treat!

And of course, our indiegogo campaign is still going. Please donate as soon as possible to keep the momentum on indiegogo up! We're working really hard to get ready for the festival in March as well as the One-Acts in June and we want to be able to give this work the financial support it deserves.

Now things are getting serious!

All of our meetings, all of our readings, all of our hits and our (few) misses, everything we've been doing has been leading up to this:

Between Us Productions is going to have staged performances within the year! First, we're going to have a Ten-Minute Play festival on March 18-24th. We are just finalizing the 16 plays we're going to be using right now and I have to tell you, they're pretty terrific. Between Us Productions has a commitment to support compelling original work and we intend to live up to our own standards. 

We're also going to be having an Evening of One-Acts in June. This will include some of our most well received work, finally staged and given the attention they deserved.

St. Patrick Battles the Bearded Serpent, by Karl Custer, Inalienable Rights by Samantha Manas, Three Bites From the Underworld by Jasmine Brown (me) and a forth play written by the winner of our Ten-Minute Play Festival!

To fund all of these things, we have launched an awesome Indiegogo campaign. Please check it out! Donate, share and show some love! 

Awesome Indiegogo Campaign

We're also going to be having a really fun Halloween Themed Improv Battle on October 20th. There will be candy, drinks, costumes and more. But more info on that later. ;)