UNDER THE SPELL PRODUCTIONS - BLOGSPOT

The Fire This Time - SEASON THREE IS COMING

2011-11-19T12:59:00.001-08:00

Under the Spell is co-producer of The Fire This Time Festival. We invite you to check out the Festival's Indie-Gogo campaign. $2,000 in two months.

New Short from Derek McPhatter 11.11.11 - 7 PM

2011-10-29T13:52:00.000-07:00

FALLING OUT
with Gregarian Tunks

a new short play by
Derek Lee McPhatter

Directed by
Christopher Burris

Starring
Ty Baumann
Lori Parquet
Perri Yaniv

and Paul Perroni as Candidate Tunks

Does Nuclear Radiation + Media Spin Job + Adultery Scandal + Hostile Instant Messaging + Conspiracy Theory + Profanity-in-the-campaign-speech +Whatever Else Happens = A Successful Bid for President?

Join Candidate Gregarian F. Tunks and what’s left of his staff on 11/11/11 at 7 PM and let’s find out…

Barbara Matovu, Assistant Director
Nicole Judd, Stage Manager
Craig Lenti, Sound
JuLondre K. Brown, Intern

Part of STICKY: An Evening of Music and Short Plays
Friday, November 11, 2011 - 7 PM
The Bowery Poetry Club
308 Bowery b/w Houston and Bleeker
$10 at the door

A few pics from roughdraftofmylife

2011-08-21T20:46:00.000-07:00

Two More Shows this month:

http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/189324

roughdraftofmylife - in Washington, D.C. THIS MONTH

2011-08-03T06:25:00.000-07:00

Biting, tender, harsh, gentle, profane and exalted, roughdraftofmylife is a one-act play that chronicles the passions, disappointments, triumphs and struggles of a modern African American woman through four female characters.

Playwright Lauren Cooper has created a powerful commentary on woman as daughter, sister, mother, lover, wife and companion.

roughdraftofmylife

written and directed by Lauren Cooper

starring

-Barbara Asare-Bediako -

-Carolyn Barrett -

-Alison Carney -

-Teresa Michelle Lasley-

Fridays - August 19 and 26

Cocktail Hour - 6:30 PM

Showtime 7:30 PM

Saturdays - August 20 and 27

Pre-Show Brunch - 2PM

Showtime - 3 PM

THE LIV LOUNGE

2001 11th Street, NW

Washington, DC 20001

$12 in advance

$15 at the door

Tickets are available here:
http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/189324
roughdraft appeared in the Hip Hop Theater Festival in 2002 and 2003. Also in 2003, roughdraftofmylife traveled to the National Black Theater Festival as a featured presentation in the late night salon series.

GET YOUR TICKETS HERE

Under the Spell Seeks Production support for Web Series

2011-06-28T05:57:00.000-07:00

Help Wanted: She's Out of Order - Comedic Webseries

This comedic web-series was conceived by Teresa Michelle Lasley and focuses on an African-American arts and culture reporter. Everyday frustrations such as rude customer service and dropped cell phone calls provide our heroine with humorous opportunities to try very, very hard to stay level-headed. She’s Out of Order strives to entertain and challenge audiences to embrace a nuanced and relatable modern black woman.

Teresa Michelle Lasley is performing the starring role, with Rhonney Greene attached as director. Episodes are being written by Derek Lee McPhatter, with Aymar Jean Christian signed on as the videographer and co-producer.

Shooting is scheduled over a two-week period in July 2011 in metropolitan Philadelphia, PA.

We are actively seeking volunteer / intern support in the following:

Technical Crew

Assistant Director

Camera Operators

Lights

Sound

Script Supervisor

Production

Wardrobe

Make-Up

On-Screen Extras

Travel compensation available for most positions. If interested send an email with resume / bio to utsboxoffice@gmail.com

New Website is UP!

2011-06-22T19:38:00.000-07:00

Hey Ya'll.
So we've launched Under the Spell Productions' new website, with a slick new design courtesy of Jeff Stacy graphics. What do ya think?

Under the Spell Promotes - A new short by our very own Derek Lee McPhatter

2011-04-29T11:15:00.000-07:00

Horse Trade Theater Group

presents

“A Better Destiny for Bethany”

A short play

by Derek Lee McPhatter

Directed by Nicole Gehring

Featuring Yesenia Tromp and Matthew Wise

About the Play
Bethany's the biggest fan for the best-est boy band you've never heard of. And tonight she's finally putting the publicity stunts, medications, restraining orders, hallucinations and whatever else behind her...we hope.

A Featured presentation of Horse Trade Theater Groups’ THE DRAFTS

The Drafts Fest is the collaborative effort of six playwrights, six directors, and eight multifaceted actors. Playwrights receive randomly compiled cast lists and create stories tailored to The Drafts based on this year’s theme: Accidental Discharge Impossible. The Production also features Aliza Einhorn, Danny Sharron, Penny Pollak, Gary Warchola, Quinn D. Eli, Shay Gines, Amanda Von Nostrand, Quinn Warren, Eric Kingrea, Nicole Watson, JB Rote, Evan Taylor Walker, Megan Hill, Axel Avin Jr., Matthew-Lee Erlbach, and Randi Rivera.

The Red Room

85 E 4th St

New York, New York 10003

Between 2nd and 3rd Ave

$18 ($15 Students)

May 5 – 7 PM

May 6 – 7 PM

May 7 – 7 PM

May 12 – 7 PM

May 13 – 7 PM

May 14 – 7 PM

Under the Spell...Coming Soon

2011-04-28T20:25:00.001-07:00

Hey Folks,

It's been a while since we've been blogging, but we're back with some exciting news.
We've been very focused on building a solid foundation for Under the Spell as we set our sights on some very ambitious projects.

More soon...very soon!

Coming Soon: The Ballad of Sad Young Men

2008-06-14T10:56:00.000-07:00

Jerome Augustus Parker, co-founder of FeVA Productions, has written new play that will premiere at the Cherry Lane Theater this month!

Tuesday, June 24 - DOUBLE FEATURE

7PM "Honor & Fidelity" by Tanya Perez

Almost missing the plane to San Juan, one woman's story unravels a lot more than an upgrade to a window seat in this musical journey across generations of forgotten history. Actress Perez credits include Sonia Flow at the Laguna Playhouse and Anna in the Tropics at Seattle Rep.

"Ballad of Sad Young Men" by Jerome Augustus Parker

Joe, a soldier without direction revisits a childhood haunt on the eve of his return to war. On the verge of Joe's personal destruction, his childhood friends do the best they can to save his life before he's shipped off to combat. Bronx native, Parker, is currently pursuing his MFA in play writing from UCLA.

Official Selection of the Downtown Urban Theater Festival! Check out their website for more info!

Back Home from London

2008-06-07T09:37:00.000-07:00

London…wow!

We made it and we’re back. It was an amazing experience. The Festival was amazing, the projects and performances top-notch.

Our performance was very well received.

In short, London was very good to us, and we’ve actually been invited back!

Photos and more details coming soon.

London Here We Come!

2008-05-19T00:20:00.000-07:00

IT GOES UNSAID

by

Rhonney Greene, Teresa Michelle Lasley, and Derek Lee McPhatter
Spoken Word by Qelsi Qualls
Choreography by Hattie Mae Williams

Directed by Rhonney Greene

The Accidental Festival
May 22, 2008, 9:30 PM

The Theatre at the Institute of Contemporary Arts
ICA, The Mall, London SW1Y 5AH

starring:
GARRETT BANTUM
CAROLYN BARRETT
RHONNEY GREENE
TERESA MICHELLE LASLEY
DEVIN MCCALLA
INDIO MELENDEZ
HATTIE MAE WILLIAMS

Production Manager: Kimberly Shaw
Creative Consultant: Will Castillo

The 2008 season is supported, in part, by the Babbitt Family Charitable Trust; Cyolonda and Curtis Holmes; The Harlem Arts Alliance; The Lower Manhattan Cultural Council; The United States Embassy, London; The Institute of Contemporary Arts; and the Central School of Speech and Drama at London University.

A Message from Derek - The Flash Friendraiser

2008-05-12T10:48:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone,

So we are down to the wire with preparations for the London premiere, and I want to thank everyone for their support.

To make sure we get there with the best show possible we need $2,500 more in the bank by May 15th.

So we are turning to all of our friends for some extra help.
We can do it if we get 500 friends to give five bucks each, and we’re already well on our way to the goal.

Please click the blue "donate" button.

Gimme Five! Please. Of course, more than $5 is just great; it’s tax-deductible after all. But if you give $5 and tell 5 friends, we can keep the gifts going and growing!

Thanks,

Derek

Co-Author and Producer, It Goes Unsaid

The Show Must Go On...In London

2008-05-06T22:16:00.000-07:00

The Season of Collaboration continues with the London premiere of It Goes Unsaid at the Accidental Festival, curated by the Performing Arts Program at the Central School of Speech and Drama. The Festival is produced in conjunction with the Institute of Contemporary Arts (ICA).

It Goes Unsaid will premiere Thursday, May 22, at 9:30 PM at the ICA’s Theatre, located at The Mall, London SW1Y 5AH. The show is open to the public, and tickets are 6 pounds each.

Bringing the show to London is a challenge--financially, creatively, and professionally. But the production team is committed, and everyone is pooling their resources to make the most of this wonderful opportunity.

________

About the Festival

For three years, the Accidental Festival has encouraged excellence within a myriad field of arts, providing a platform for new and eclectic work of the highest quality. The aim of the festival is shared work, discussion, education and the development of practice through participation. The theme for this year’s festival is “provoke,” and It Goes Unsaid is the only production featuring and produced by African-American and Latino talent.

________

About the ICA

The Institute of Contemporary Arts is an exhibition centre, a cinema, a theater, a music venue, a space for new and digital media and a forum for discussion and ideas. The ICA upholds a truly multi-disciplinary sensibility which uniquely characterizes the institution. Throughout its 60-year history, artists and luminaries such as T.S Eliot, Stravinsky, Jacques Derrida, Michael Foucault, Gerhard Richter, Yoko Ono, Philip Pullman, Zadie Smith and Slavoj Zizek have kept the ICA at the forefront of contemporary arts.

________

Under the Spell Productions’ Artistic Director, Rhonney Greene, emphasized the importance of bringing the show to the United Kingdom: “It is an honor and a privilege to be selected by the prestigious Central School of Speech and Drama to bring our work to audiences abroad. London is a powerhouse in contemporary theater, and we are thrilled to have the opportunity to perform at the renowned Institute of Contemporary Arts.”

Teresa Michelle Lasley, Executive Director of Under the Spell Productions, is optimistic about the season and the partnership. “I founded this company in 2005 because there were simply too few opportunities for talented artists, especially artists of color, to perform in quality productions. In three short years, we have grown so much, breaking barriers to bring our audience unique, entertaining, and engaging performances. I want to thank everyone who has come together to make London, and our continued success, possible—our performers, our backstage talent, mentors, and our broad base of support from friends, family, and the community.”

A fundraising campaign is underway to secure support for the season, and has put the London opportunity within reach. Derek Lee McPhatter, Director of Development, is spearheading the effort: “corporate sponsorships, foundation grants, individual donations, rehearsal space, performance space, frequent flyer miles, hotel points, costumes—we are looking for support in whatever way possible. Every little bit helps.”

The Season Anchor - It Goes Unsaid

2008-05-06T19:27:00.000-07:00

a dramatic performance piece by

Rhonney Greene, Teresa Michelle Lasley, and Derek Lee McPhatter
Spoken Word by Qelsi Qualls
Directed by Rhonney Greene

seeing is believing but what I see is not what I want to beleive

_____________________________

The 2008 Cast

Carolyn Barrett and Garrett Bantum

Rhonney Greene and Teresa Michelle Lasley

Devin McCalla and Indio Melendez

_____________________________

It Goes Unsaid is a blend of spoken word, dramatic monologue, movement, film, and photography, exploring the interrelated lives of six different characters. The color complex—the social values placed on skin color, hair texture, and other physical characteristics ascribed to blackness—is the social underpinning of this work.

The show is on its way to London!

___________________________

Project Awards

In 2006 Under the Spell Productions was commissioned by the University of California, Los Angeles, to develop It Goes Unsaid to premiere as a part of the Raw Performing Arts Series. The Series premiere placed the show alongside the work of critically acclaimed poet/musician, Saul Williams, Staceyann Chin (Def Comedy Jam), and other notable performing artists.

The Harlem Arts Alliance/Creative Communities Program awarded co-author Teresa Michelle Lasley a grant to support the 2007 premiere in Harlem, co-produced with independent producer, Bryan E. Glover.

In 2008 co-author Derek Lee McPhatter was awarded a Manhattan Community Arts grant from the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council and the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs to further develop the literary elements of this work.

It Goes Unsaid continues to gain momentum and has become an engaging point of entry for a conversation on race, gender, hip hop culture, the media, and other social issues.

View the trailer

Sponsorshsip Opportunities Available

Update - Words Rising: New Dawn Reading Series

2008-04-22T18:25:00.000-07:00

Under the Spell Productions and FeVA Productions, Inc., begin a season of collaboration April 24, 2008.

On Thursday, April 24, 2008 6:30 PM, Under the Spell Productions and FeVA Productions, Inc., will open their season of collaboration.

CORRECTION:
Shetler Studios
244 West 54th Street
12th Floor & Penthouse
between Broadway & 8th Avenue

This event is free and open to the public.

The evening begins with a staged reading of You've Changed, the winning script of the first annual Words Rising New Dawn Reading Series. The drama tells the story of a young Haitian-American woman and her family dealing with love, struggle and triumph. You've Changed is a humorous and poetic celebration of life told in eight vignettes.

The evening continues with a question and answer session with the playwright, followed by an announcement of the spring/summer season.

Space is limited. Please RSVP to newdawn@underthespell.org

About the Collaboration
FeVA Productions, Inc., and Under the Spell Productions have come together as champions of new voices and rising performers. FeVA Productions, Inc., has become the fiscal agent for a collaborative spring/summer season. At the same time, Under the Spell Productions' artistic team works to bring engaging productions to audiences in New York City and beyond. This collaboration advances the mutual goals of Under the Spell Productions and FeVA Productions, Inc., producing opportunities for performing artists, producers, and audiences alike to take part in the furtherance of American performing arts.

This season is supported in part by the Babbitt Family Charitable Trust, The Lower Manhattan Cultural Council, and The Harlem Arts Alliance.

The Producers' Circle

2008-04-07T22:44:00.000-07:00

In order to advance the performing arts, and realize the promise in this partnership, we are gathering a group of individuals, corporations, foundations, and others with financial, professional, and artistic resources—our Producers’ Circle. The collective charitable investment from the Producers’ Circle will make this season a success. Joining the Producers’ Circle is an opportunity to encourage artistic innovation and excellence, and will further the goals of Under the Spell Productions, and FeVA Productions, Inc.

Members of the Producers’ Circle will be recognized on all promotional materials for the entire season, announced April 24, 2008.

In addition, Producers’ Circle members enjoy the option of special invitations to select events, as well the opportunity to help shape the future of these innovative artistic projects.

Please address all contributions as follows:

FeVA Productions, Inc.
c/o
Derek Lee McPhatter
Development Director – Spring/Summer Season
205 West 148th Street, #1B
New York, NY 10039

Staged Reading - Join us April 24, 2008

2008-04-07T22:14:00.000-07:00

On Thursday, April 24, 2008 6:30 PM, Under the Spell Productions and FeVA Productions, Inc., will open their season of collaboration at Shetler Studios. This event is free and open to the public.

The evening begins with a staged reading of You’ve Changed, the winning script of the first annual Words Rising New Dawn Reading Series. The drama tells the story of a young Haitian-American woman and her family dealing with love, struggle and triumph. You've Changed is a humorous and poetic celebration of life told in eight vignettes.

The evening continues with a question and answer session with the playwright, followed by an announcement of the spring/summer season.

The Season of Collaboration Begins

2008-04-07T22:07:00.000-07:00

American Theater is at a crossroads. The entertainment industry as whole is facing diminishing audiences, rising productions costs, and a dearth of artistic innovation. In this climate, the theater industry has embraced a commercial, cautious approach to productions, relying on pre-existing material or star power to mount shows. This means that relatively few artistic outlets are available to younger talented performing artists and new arts professionals. In these challenging circumstances, FeVA Productions, Inc., and Under the Spell Productions have come together as champions of new voices and rising performers.

Under the Spell Productions has partnered with FeVA Productions, Inc., to pursue a shared vision for 2008. FeVA Productions, Inc., has become the fiscal agent for a collaborative spring/summer season, with its leadership functioning as advisors and co-producers for each project. At the same time, Under the Spell Productions’ artistic team works to bring engaging productions to audiences in New York City and beyond. This collaboration will advance the mutual goals of Under the Spell Productions and FeVA Productions, Inc., producing opportunities for performing artists, producers, and audiences alike to take part in the furtherance of American performing arts.