Starting 2014 right with Parables for the One Percent!

Happy New Year, Between Us Friends and Fans!

           This is our year, guys! We mean it! WOO! *cue inspirational music*

No, but seriously, folks. This is a year with a lot going on for the Between Us crew and I am all for letting you guys know about it.

First of all, as some of you may know, we had a holiday bash at Traffic Bar and Grill. It was a really nice time to spend with some of actors, crew, friends and family. Unfortunately, this is the only picture I have of the event to share at the moment.

Okay, so it's not that bad. Not quite as epic as I had hoped, but what can you do? At least you can see what a fun bunch we are and hopefully make it out next time to party with us!

But on to more important and pressing matters. Parables!

Yes, Parables for the One Percent got funded and we are all set for January 8-11. (Well, we were booked before, but the money is the part the makes it actually happen). We are so grateful to everyone who joined on to back us in this project, which is in some ways our most ambitious. Rest assured that you will see your rewards if you haven't soon!

So, okay, what's the deal with Parables? (You may be asking). Here is the whole deal! Every bit of the deal!

Parables for the One Percent is a satirical comedy that explores what we have never heard; the interior monologues of the richest people alive today. It's safe to laugh, but the facts are nothing but dire. For the first time, the richest in our world have bought a commodity we can't take back: our futures.

January 8-11: 8pm
January 11: 2pm
January 12: 3pm

Theatre Row - The Studio Theater
410/412 W 42nd St
New York, NY 10036

Tickets $18
Buy in advance:
Here

Parables for the One Percent
Written by Karl Custer
Directed by Samantha Lee Manas
Produced by Jasmine Brown, Graydon Gund, and Brittany Remington

Starring:
Stephanie Alvarez as Jackie
Casey Bartolucci as Pharaoh
Cameran Hebb as Ann
Tierney Nolen as Jaquelyn
Ari Vigoda as Slave
and
David Weinheimer as Robert

Costume Design by Carolann Voltarel
Lighting Design by Lauren Bremen

Between Us Productions Staff:
Co Artistic Directors: Samantha Lee Manas and Jasmine Brown
Associate Artistic Director: Graydon Gund
Associate Producer: Brittany Remington
Artistic/Literary Assistant: Karl Custer
Artistic/Marketing Assistant: Abby Rose Leigh
Graphic Designer: Allie Trimboli

Oh, yes and speaking of Allie...here is the final image for the show

I'm kind of crazy about it, I don't know about you guys. Like the last image, that is a quote from the show. This one gives a bit more of a peak into the characters and themes, though.

So, in short, come one, come all. It's going to be an incredible show, showcasing amazing talent and will make you laugh in some uncomfortably real ways (which are the best ways, in my opinion).

And stay tuned for more, because not only is Take Ten fast approaching with an insane batch of plays this year, but Sam and I are cooking up something extra special for later on...a full length historical drama!

But more of that later...

Thanks for reading, lots of love...


...and come see Parables! ;)

Catching up and pimping Parables

Hi, all!

Well, we've had a lot going on since we last updated you. First of all, we had a Halloween Variety Show party. Unfortunately, I wasn't there. I know, I know, awful, right? But luckily, my Co-Artistic Director, Sam, was and she was decked out in a fabulous Anne Boleyn costume.

Samantha Lee Manas in a costume designed by Irina Fialko, pictured with the incomparable Anna Stefanic.

There was stand up, bellydance, music, drinks...the works! You know Between Us has a good time, so don't forget to drop by next time we're having an event. We'll make it worth your while. 

Besides that, we also had a belated welcome party for the new staff at Traffic Bar and Grill in Hell's Kitchen. It was there that we officially met our new graphic designer, Allie Trimboli, though we've already met her through her fabulous work. Unfortunately, the other new staff members that are still working with us (Brittany Remington, our Associate Producer and Abby Rose Leigh, our Artistic/Marketing Intern) were not able to attend, but we hope to see them at our new Traffic Bar and Grill party, which will be a holiday bash on December 20th...but more on that later!

The big thing that's going on right now is our Indiegoo campaign for our winter production, Parables for the One Percent. Parables is written by Karl Custer Jr., aka Uncle Yo, our Literary/Artistic Assistant and I personally feel it's some of his best work, outrageously funny and desperately real, it really hits home in some uncomfortable ways. It's directed by the above pictured Samantha Lee Manas and the actors are some of our favorite artists, whose talents have inspired us over the past few years.

Allie drew us a sample ad for the show and even though it's not the finished design, we wanted to give you a peak to get an idea of the direction we're going in.

Kind of political cartoon feel, ya know? And yes, that's an actual line from the show.

But here's the thing, we really need support to produce this play. We have a beautiful space booked and really want to give this work the attention it deserves. We only have 10 days left on our Indiegogo campaign and we're not even halfway to our financial goal. Every little bit helps, so please donate and share! Click the link and watch the video!

Okay, so that's all for now, but stay tuned. Next update should be more about our holiday party, first updates on Take Ten 2014 and Parables, Parables, Parables! And maaaybe you'll hear about some of our other upcoming projects, who knows?

Oh, and of course, happy Channukah and Thanksgiving to anyone celebrating!

Pretty Pics and Rowdy Reading!

Ahoy thar, Between Us Fans (should I call you Betweenies? something about that sounds wrong...)! How is everything? Remember to reach out to us and let us know about your projects...and especially let us know if you would like us to advertise for you on our blog or facebook page.

Things have been going pretty great for us. We had a lovely afternoon in Washington Square Park a few weeks ago for our fundraising picnic (there were homemade brownies!), and I wanted share some pictures of the fabulous performances.

Cythia Vasquez belting out Whatever Happened to My Part

Our Artistic/Marketing Intern, Abby Leigh Rose, serenading us with I Wanna Hold your Hand

Shaqui and the Bellyjazz dolls leading a sample class after a performance (with some audience participants).
Recently featured actor, Sharon Zaslaw, is the instructor and I'm one of the Bellyjazz dolls (in green!)

The incomparable Anna Stefanic on keyboard, clearly getting a new, young admirer

Sad you missed all the fun? Well, guess what? We're having a reading this Saturday, October 5th, at 8pm! That's right!

Tickets are $10 per person and include one beverage of your choice.  Check it all out at The Directors Studio 311 W 43rd St, 4th Floor New York, NY 10036

The line up is as follows:

Though They May Be Parted
Written by: Patricia Milton
Directed by: Nick Saldivar

A Long Walk on the Beach
Written by: Matt Henderson
Directed by: Graydon Gund

Parables for the One Percent
Written by: Karl Custer
Directed by: Samantha Lee Manas

Starring:
Elise Baker
Casey Bartolucci
Claire Corddry
Kullan Edberg
Trent Fucci
Brooke Haney
Lesley Noyes
Anna Stefanic
Logan Sutton
Ari Vigoda
David Weinheimer
and
Samantha Jane Williams

This includes the Between Us directorial debut of our Directing Intern, Nick Saldivar, fabulous (as usual) directing efforts by Samantha Lee Manas, my Co-Artistic Director, and Graydon Gund, our Associate Artistic Director. It also includes some amazing acting from old and new faces as well as some wonderful new writing.

But the big thing is, this is including the first reading of Parables for the One Percent, by Karl Custer (aka Uncle Yo) our Literary/Artistic Assistant. This is leading up to our full production of it, this January. But more on that later. For now, just remember the insanity that is Karl's work with this picture from our last production of his.

Tierney Nolen, Casey Bartolucci and Ari Vigoda in St. Patrick Battles the Bearded Serpent

Again, this is all going on at 8pm, at the Director's Studio, October 5th. Check out the facebook event!

We even have a lovely graphic created for us by Allie Trimboli, just for the occasion!

So, come on down and join us! Hope to see you all soon!

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!

Holiday celebrations!

Hi, everyone! First of all, Happy Hanukkah!

In the spirit of that, and all the other holidays we celebrate during the winter season, Between Us is having a holiday party! That's at Traffic Bar on December 22nd (you know, the day after the world is supposed to end...you'll need a drink) at 8pm. For just 5 dollars, you'll get a raffle ticket to win a $100 gift certificate to Traffic, get drink specials and a holiday candy. Plus you'll be supporting great art and chilling with us!

In other news, our Assistant Artistic Director, Karl Custer aka Uncle Yo, recently did a podcast interview all about us...check it out!

Finally, there is less than one day left to support our indiegogo campaign! We're still very far from our goal and we need help giving these artists the support they deserve!

Check back soon to hear the full lineup for the festival as well as news about what we're doing for Mardis Gras this year (because you know that's our thing now!)