News & Press
Results
Wondering what students in the Arts Institute for Creative Advancement have been up to this year? We sat down with three students in the 2024 cohort to discuss their experiences in the program so far. Here's what they had to share:
Muttaqi Daniels (20 years old):
"I was working a dishwashing job out of high school. I was working long hours, doing the work of about 4 people at once. A friend of my aunt had a flyer about the opportunity with the AICA so I applied. During the interview, I was almost moved to tears. I went home and told my mom that this might be it. All throughout high school, I had friends but I didn't really have people I could be myself with. Meeting people in this program, I feel comfortable walking up to anybody and talking to them. It's not what I'm used to. This program made me realize how much goes into media production. From Angelo to Natalie, everyone in the program goes out of their way to be helpful. When we go on site visits, I find myself becoming familiar with the things we have been learning and it's motivating. This program is making me feel like I have a second wind."
Noah Wesley (25 years old):
"I heard about the opportunity to apply for the program through my case manager at my housing center. These first few weeks in the AICA have introduced me to a such a great community of people. Through Color Me Community, we felt like we had a safe space to be vulnerable and welcome many diverse personalities. We've been learning so many useful skills that can be applied to many different areas in the field. I'm personally interested in learning more about festival planning and entrepreneurial skill-building. Theprogram gives each of us the training needed to pursue our individual interests and I think that's really special."
Taariq Saadiq (24 years old):
"I had been searching for jobs for awhile. The first few weeks in the program have been a whirlwind. I didn't know anything about theatre coming into theprogram. It's been a busy few weeks of learning but through the shadowing I've been doing recently, I've learned that I actually knew the material better than I thought. The audio engineering space has been really intriguing to me but I'm staying open to all opportunities. Getting to know my classmates has been great. We do a lot of things outside of class as a group. A group of about five of us created our own "writers club" since some of us like to write creatively. We each read each others work and discuss in a group once a week. It's been nice having this community."
Meet the AICA Program Director: Natalie Pertz (she/her) is the Arts Institute for Creative Advancement Program Director. Most recently she was Head of Education at The Kreeger Museum between 2021-2023. Natalie holds a Master’s Degree in arts administration from Goucher College and a Bachelor of Arts in theatre and communication arts from Gannon University. In addition to her academic studies, Natalie has trained at The Eugene O’Neill National Theater Institute, Theatre of the Oppressed NYC, and The Globe Education Center in London, England. Following undergraduate graduation, Natalie spent the 2014-2015 season as an Education Apprentice at Hartford Stage, a Tony-award winning regional theatre in Hartford, Connecticut. As a teaching artist, Natalie has taught and supervised the implementation of STEAM curriculum with pre-school through aging adult students in multiple states and districts such as Erie, Syracuse, and Hartford. She returned to Hartford Stage in 2017 after working as a STEAM enrichment teacher in Syracuse, New York. Natalie remained at Hartford Stage full-time as Education Associate until Summer 2020. Outside of the hustle, Natalie is an ultramarathoner who loves pasta dinners, strong coffee, and conversation. Since 2021 she has resided in Washington, DC, with her partner, Conor, and their two cats (‘Memphis’ and ‘Reese’).
" ["post_title"]=> string(39) "Community Highlight: AICA Class of 2024" ["post_excerpt"]=> string(0) "" ["post_status"]=> string(7) "publish" ["comment_status"]=> string(4) "open" ["ping_status"]=> string(6) "closed" ["post_password"]=> string(0) "" ["post_name"]=> string(38) "community-highlight-aica-class-of-2024" ["to_ping"]=> string(0) "" ["pinged"]=> string(0) "" ["post_modified"]=> string(19) "2024-03-18 14:27:26" ["post_modified_gmt"]=> string(19) "2024-03-18 18:27:26" ["post_content_filtered"]=> string(0) "" ["post_parent"]=> int(0) ["guid"]=> string(31) "https://theatrelab.org/?p=63371" ["menu_order"]=> int(0) ["post_type"]=> string(4) "post" ["post_mime_type"]=> string(0) "" ["comment_count"]=> string(1) "0" ["filter"]=> string(3) "raw" } [1]=> object(WP_Post)#10387 (24) { ["ID"]=> int(62983) ["post_author"]=> string(6) "256190" ["post_date"]=> string(19) "2024-03-04 11:43:35" ["post_date_gmt"]=> string(19) "2024-03-04 16:43:35" ["post_content"]=> string(3296) "Check out where our students, faculty, and alums are performing this month:
Student alumni: Karin Rosnizeck is the Director of ExPats Theatre's Migraaaaants or There’s Too Many People on This Damn Boat featuring two Theatre Lab student alumni, Brock Brown and Vivian Alvin, who will each play multiple roles including ensemble, March 16-April 7 at Atlas Performing Arts Center. Judy Lewis is Dee Dee Allen (lead) in The Arlington Players' The Prom, March 23-April 7. Sally Lomanno is Clairee Belcher in Playmasters Theater's Steel Magnolias, March 8-24. Alex Lopez is Don Quijote in GALA Hispanic's Theatre's Quijote y Sancho Panza, March 9-23. Carl A. Miller will play the Storyteller in The Moth's GrandSLAM Championship on March 25. Gabriel Asthon Brown is Directo in St. George Musical Theater's Legally Blonde the Musical, March 14th-April 20th.
Teen alumni: Isaac Simon is U/S TheMichaelo, Michael in Emerson Stage's Second Star to the Right, March 27-30. Jesse Kilman will play Don Price in Young Artists of America's Big Fish, March 23.
Faculty members: Madeleine Regina is Performer (Multiple Roles) at Awesomecon, March 8.
Thank you to everyone who reached out with a submission. We do our best to feature as many events as we can each month. Follow us on social for more @theatrelabdc.
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TICKETS ON SALE NOW! Tickets to see the Tony Award-winning Proof are on sale now! Join us March 14-16 for the second-ever production by Breakout Theatre, the Theatre Lab's recently established professional theatre company, where graduates of The Theatre Lab’s Honors Acting Conservatory perform as professional actors.
The Plot:
Catherine inherits her father’s mathematical brilliance but fears his mental illness. Alone after his death, she grapples with instability, navigating connections with Hal, one of her father’s former students, and Claire, her sister. Hal’s discovery of a groundbreaking proof in her father’s notebooks forces Catherine to confront her inheritance of genius or madness in David Auburn’s Pulitzer Prize-winning Proof, a poignant tale of family, genius, and love.
Claire – Catherine's older sister, a practical and business-minded woman who has been comfortably successful in her work and relationships. She left Robert and Catherine behind, distancing herself from the run-down family home of her youth. She left the family to make a new life for herself in New York City.
Robert – A recently deceased mathematician praised for his groundbreaking work in his youth, but whose later years were plagued by delusional mental illness; he is seen in Catherine's imagination and in flashbacks.
Harold (Hal) Dobbs – One of Robert's last Ph.D. students during the one year his idol and mentor's illness went into remission, at least enabling Robert to teach, if not continue his own creative mathematical work.
Thursday, March 14 at 7:30pm
Friday, March 15 at 7:30pm
Saturday, March 16 at 2:00pm
Saturday, March 16 at 7:30pm
Location: The Theatre Lab DC (900 Massachusetts Ave NW). Plan your visit.
MEET THE CAST:
Selina Tom-Johnson
(Catherine)
Selina Tom-Johnson is honored and excited to be a part of Proof at the Breakout Theatre. Her recent credits include, Gracie Dunbar in The Nacirema Society at the Little Theatre of Alexandria and Beneatha in Raisin in the Sun at the Rockville Little Theatre. Selina is a proud member of the Theatre Lab. When she's not on stage, she enjoys spending time with her loved ones and working as an attorney. She is grateful to her loved ones for all their support. Selina dedicates her performance in memory of Tom and Celia and to all the dreamers out there. |
Danielle Rhodes
(Claire)
Danielle Rhodes was a part of the Theatre Lab Honors Program during the “pandemic” of 2020. Since the conservatory, she has taken any and every chance to perform. She has worked with Anacostia Playhouse, Chesapeake Shakespeare Company, and Prince George’s Shakespeare in the Parks. Additionally, Danielle has been a part of multiple film, industrial, and commercial work, most recently with the Virginia Lottery. When she is not acting, she is a teaching artist with Olney Theatre and a first violinist with Second Strings Orchestra in Capitol Hill. |
Haroun Iretemi
(Hal)
As as a recent graduate of the the 2023 Theatre Lab Honors Conservatory, Haroun Iretemi is looking forward to taking the same stage that was once his training ground, for the first time as, a professional actor. This time last year, he was just a student eager to develop his craft. He still very much considers himself to a be student with a lot to learn but he’s happy to get the chance to apply some of the things he has learned thus far. Haroun is so grateful to already be living his dream. It is something he makes sure to not take for granted. |
Bill Blumenauer
(Robert)
After many years working as an accountant, Bill Blumenauer happened upon a list of possible occupations and found that alphabetically, the next occupation on the list was “actor.” So, looking for adventure, he enrolled in the Theatre Lab Honors Acting Conservatory for 2020. This is Bill’s first appearance with Breakout Theatre. He also still works as an accountant. He may never become a zoologist. |
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The Arts Institute for Creative Advancement to Receive $50,000 Grant from the National Endowment for the Arts
Washington, D.C. — The Theatre Lab is pleased to announce it has been approved by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) for a Grants for Arts Projects award of $50,000.
This grant will support the 2024 cohort of the Arts Institute for Creative Advancement. In total, the NEA will award 958 Grants for Arts Projects awards totaling more than $27.1 million that were announced as part of its first round of fiscal year 2024 grants.
“The NEA is delighted to announce this grant to the Arts Institute for Creative Advancement, which is helping contribute to the strength and well-being of the arts sector and local community,” said National Endowment for the Arts Chair Maria Rosario Jackson, PhD. “We are pleased to be able to support this community and help create an environment where all people have the opportunity to live artful lives.”
The Arts Institute for Creative Advancement is a collective impact initiative designed to address two major problems facing our city: 1) the number of young people whose futures were adversely impacted by the pandemic, and 2) the shortage of skilled technical labor that is crippling local theatres. We are grateful to our many partners from the DC Arts Education Alliance for working with us to create and implement this program, especially our core partners The Capitol Hill Arts Workshop, Life Pieces To Masterpieces, and Sitar Arts Center.
"I think I am most proud that we have continued to ask the question, “How can we use the arts to be helpful?” And the answers seem to be endless." - Deb Gottesman Executive Director of The Theatre Lab
For more information on other projects included in the NEA’s grant announcement, visit arts.gov/news.
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Student alumni: David Gross performs as Uncle John in Rockville Little Theatre's The Grapes of Wrath, February 2-4. Janice Zucker is Ma in Dominon Stage's Torch Song, running until February 10. Rachel Brightbill performs as Truvy Jones in Gaithersburg Art Barn's Steel Magnolias, February 9 - 25. Susannah Wells is Dusty in Red Barn Theatre's POTUS: Or, Behind Every Great Dumbass Are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive, January 30 - February 24. Michael Sandoval performs as Drake/Ensemble in The Little Theatre of Alexandria's Annie, February 10 - March 2. Jaylen Henderson is Dontrell Jones III (lead) in Sisters Freehold's Dontrell, Who Kissed the Sea, February 16-March 3.
Faculty members: Tonya Beckman and Deidra Starnes will star in 1st Stage's Shutter Sisters, February 1-18. Casey Kaleba is the Fight Director for GALA Hispanic Theatre's The Palacios Sisters, February 1-25.
Teen alumni: Antonio Amaral is Ed Boone in Beyond the Page's The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, February 1-10.
Special shoutout to former student, Jean Rosolino, who recently won Best Performance, Drama Short; Pittsburgh Moving Picture Festival, 2023; StarTime and Best Acting Duo, Silver Award; Independent Shorts Awards, LA, 2023; The Strangle of Ivy. "I thank The Theatre Lab for offering these classes and for Brenna and John’s guidance as I began my film career!" - Jean Rosolino (Jean moved to the DMV area in 2018 and took her first on-camera classes with Brenna McDonough and John Judy).
Community News: Natasha Sánchez is an Assistant Stage Manager in Constellation Theatre's Desperate Measures, February 15 - March 17. India Samantha Gregory performs as Nanny and Janice Vickery in Spotlighters Theatre's The Effects of Gamma Rays on Man-In-The-Moon Marigolds, until February 4. Brianna Day is Avery in St. Mark's Players' Rapture, Blister, Burn, February 23-March 9. Khalia Muhammad performs as Gabby/Nikki in Woolly Mammoth's The Sensational Sea Mink-ettes, February 10-March 4.
Thank you to everyone who reached out with a submission. We do our best to feature as many events as we can each month. Follow us on social for more @theatrelabdc.
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We are honored to congratulate the following Theatre Lab alumni and faculty on their 2024 Helen Hayes Award Nominations! The Helen Hayes Awards acknowledge exceptional accomplishments in professional theaters and among theatre creators throughout the Washington, DC region. Named in honor of the iconic First Lady of the American Theatre, Helen Hayes, these awards applaud the artists and organizations whose contributions contribute to making the Washington, DC area a vibrant and nationally acclaimed theater community.
This is the first year that TWO of our students have been nominated for outstanding performances. At The Theatre Lab, we believe that high-level theatre training should be accessible to all. We would not be where we are today without our talented instructors and students who dedicate themselves to the power of theatre education. The Helen Hayes Award Ceremony will take place on Monday, May 22, 2024 at The Anthem in Washington, D.C.
Outstanding Lead Performer in a Musical
Anna Phillips Brown (Teen Alumni) - Jimmy Buffett's Escape to Margaritaville, Toby's Dinner Theatre
Bobby Smith (Adult Faculty) - Fun Home, Studio Theatre
Outstanding Supporting Performer in a Play
Craig Wallace (Adult Faculty) - August Wilson's Radio Golf, Round House Theatre
Jacob Yeh (Honors Acting Conservatory Graduate) - King of the Yees, Signature Theatre
Jacob Yeh (Honors Acting Conservatory Graduate) - How the Light Gets In, 1st Stage Theatre
Outstanding Choreography in a Play
Casey Kaleba (Adult Faculty) - Kill the Ripper, We Happy Few
Outstanding Lighting Design in a Play
Helen Garcia-Alton (Student Alumni) - How the Light Gets In, 1st Stage Theatre
Outstanding Ensemble in a Play - How the Light Gets In (10 Nominations)
Tonya Beckman (Adult Faculty)
Madeleine Regina (Adult and Youth Faculty)
Jacob Yeh (Honors Acting Conservatory Graduate)
How the Light Gets In (10 nominations)
The cast featured two Theatre Lab faculty members and an Honors graduate in three of the four roles!
***And a special shoutout to Kate Poms (Youth Faculty). Kate was the casting director for The Honey Trap, Solas Nua, which received 10 nominations!
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"Theatre blends some the most pure and basic of our human needs; to explore, communicate, connect, and imagine. What I love about The Theatre Lab is that they harness the power of the arts to give a voice to those who are most vulnerable in our society and allow them to cultivate those needs and skills that otherwise may have never fully developed." - Terah Herman-Saldaña
Happy TEN YEAR anniversary to our drama llama mama, Terah Herman-Saldaña! The Theatre Lab simply wouldn’t be the same without our incredible Youth Program Director and Development Manager.
“Terah is an extraordinary leader,” says Theatre Lab Co-Director Deb Gottesman. “She makes every child, parent, and faculty member who comes through our doors feel welcome, and she provides them with the tools they need to be successful. She is the reason families and teachers come back year after year.”
Adds Co-Director Buzz Mauro, “It’s hard to believe that it’s been ten years since Terah walked through our doors - until I stop and look at all she’s accomplished, which would have taken most people twenty. Thanks for everything, Terah!”
Please join us in congratulating Terah on this milestone. Write a note to Terah at Terah@theatrelab.org.
Terah Herman-Saldaña has been a teaching artist for over 15 years and is a full-time member of The Theatre Lab staff, serving as the Director of Youth Programs and the Development/Outreach Manager. She is a full-time member of The Theatre Lab staff, serving as the Director of Youth Programs and the Development/Outreach Manager. In addition to her work at The Theatre Lab, she has worked as a teaching artist at Imagination Stage, West Chester Academy, The Center of Science and Industry, Starfire, Kennedy Heights Arts Center, The University of Kentucky, and Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park. She is an alum of the US Department of State International Exchange program, in which she took The Theatre Lab’s Life Stories program to Malaysia. She is also a recipient of the National Theatre Conference’s Emerging Professional Award.
" ["post_title"]=> string(20) "Cheers to Ten Years!" ["post_excerpt"]=> string(0) "" ["post_status"]=> string(7) "publish" ["comment_status"]=> string(4) "open" ["ping_status"]=> string(6) "closed" ["post_password"]=> string(0) "" ["post_name"]=> string(19) "cheers-to-ten-years" ["to_ping"]=> string(0) "" ["pinged"]=> string(0) "" ["post_modified"]=> string(19) "2024-01-17 10:50:51" ["post_modified_gmt"]=> string(19) "2024-01-17 15:50:51" ["post_content_filtered"]=> string(0) "" ["post_parent"]=> int(0) ["guid"]=> string(31) "https://theatrelab.org/?p=62071" ["menu_order"]=> int(0) ["post_type"]=> string(4) "post" ["post_mime_type"]=> string(0) "" ["comment_count"]=> string(1) "0" ["filter"]=> string(3) "raw" } [7]=> object(WP_Post)#10430 (24) { ["ID"]=> int(61544) ["post_author"]=> string(6) "256190" ["post_date"]=> string(19) "2023-12-22 09:15:47" ["post_date_gmt"]=> string(19) "2023-12-22 14:15:47" ["post_content"]=> string(2503) "Deb Gottesman and Life Stories Celebrated by Washingtonian Magazine
Congratulations to Theatre Lab Co-Director Deb Gottesman on being named a Washingtonian of the Year by Washingtonian Magazine! Access the issue here and see page 42. The magazine honors 10 local heroes annually who are using their experience, smarts, and creativity to make our region a better place to live.
Access the issue here and see page 42.
The Theatre Lab was honored to see our Life Stories Program featured on the front page of The Washington Post this past Sunday! In partnership with Making a Difference DC, our Life Stories Program collaborated with the Strong Azz Mothers to share their stories in an original dramatic performance. United by the loss of their children to gun violence, these women turned pain into purpose through a beautiful theatrical creation.. Read the article »
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"One of the great joys of this program is seeing our similarities across generations. Yes, in some ways, there's a greater feeling of acceptance now than there was even 10 years ago, but the central theme that runs through all the pieces we created in this program is community and finding people who cherish you as you are." - Bryce Sulecki, Assistant Director
"It took a lot for me to walk into class that first day because I came to my truth later in life. I met beautiful people and heard their stories, and now I am so proud to be a part of this community that I will celebrate and fight to protect for the rest of my life." - Jamie, Queer Stories Student
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Wondering what students in the Arts Institute for Creative Advancement have been up to this year? We sat down with three students in the 2024 cohort to discuss their experiences in the program so far. Here's what they had to share:
Muttaqi Daniels (20 years old):
"I was working a dishwashing job out of high school. I was working long hours, doing the work of about 4 people at once. A friend of my aunt had a flyer about the opportunity with the AICA so I applied. During the interview, I was almost moved to tears. I went home and told my mom that this might be it. All throughout high school, I had friends but I didn't really have people I could be myself with. Meeting people in this program, I feel comfortable walking up to anybody and talking to them. It's not what I'm used to. This program made me realize how much goes into media production. From Angelo to Natalie, everyone in the program goes out of their way to be helpful. When we go on site visits, I find myself becoming familiar with the things we have been learning and it's motivating. This program is making me feel like I have a second wind."
Noah Wesley (25 years old):
"I heard about the opportunity to apply for the program through my case manager at my housing center. These first few weeks in the AICA have introduced me to a such a great community of people. Through Color Me Community, we felt like we had a safe space to be vulnerable and welcome many diverse personalities. We've been learning so many useful skills that can be applied to many different areas in the field. I'm personally interested in learning more about festival planning and entrepreneurial skill-building. Theprogram gives each of us the training needed to pursue our individual interests and I think that's really special."
Taariq Saadiq (24 years old):
"I had been searching for jobs for awhile. The first few weeks in the program have been a whirlwind. I didn't know anything about theatre coming into theprogram. It's been a busy few weeks of learning but through the shadowing I've been doing recently, I've learned that I actually knew the material better than I thought. The audio engineering space has been really intriguing to me but I'm staying open to all opportunities. Getting to know my classmates has been great. We do a lot of things outside of class as a group. A group of about five of us created our own "writers club" since some of us like to write creatively. We each read each others work and discuss in a group once a week. It's been nice having this community."
Meet the AICA Program Director: Natalie Pertz (she/her) is the Arts Institute for Creative Advancement Program Director. Most recently she was Head of Education at The Kreeger Museum between 2021-2023. Natalie holds a Master’s Degree in arts administration from Goucher College and a Bachelor of Arts in theatre and communication arts from Gannon University. In addition to her academic studies, Natalie has trained at The Eugene O’Neill National Theater Institute, Theatre of the Oppressed NYC, and The Globe Education Center in London, England. Following undergraduate graduation, Natalie spent the 2014-2015 season as an Education Apprentice at Hartford Stage, a Tony-award winning regional theatre in Hartford, Connecticut. As a teaching artist, Natalie has taught and supervised the implementation of STEAM curriculum with pre-school through aging adult students in multiple states and districts such as Erie, Syracuse, and Hartford. She returned to Hartford Stage in 2017 after working as a STEAM enrichment teacher in Syracuse, New York. Natalie remained at Hartford Stage full-time as Education Associate until Summer 2020. Outside of the hustle, Natalie is an ultramarathoner who loves pasta dinners, strong coffee, and conversation. Since 2021 she has resided in Washington, DC, with her partner, Conor, and their two cats (‘Memphis’ and ‘Reese’).
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Mar 18
Community Highlight: AICA Class of 2024
Wondering what students in the Arts Institute for Creative Advancement have been up to this year? We sat down with three students in the 2024 cohort to discuss their ... -
Mar 04
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Feb 28
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Jan 31
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Jan 31
Where Are They Now: February 2024
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Jan 24
2024 Helen Hayes Nominations
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Jan 16
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Dec 22
Theatre Lab Co-Director Deb Gottesman Named a Washingtonian of the Year
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Dec 05
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Dec 05
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