Thursday, April 29, 2010

Come see me hit the boards as LADY CAPULET


Open-Air Theatre, Vysehrad - Prague


Prague Shakespeare Festival, Prague's only professional English-language classical theatre company, is pleased to announce the limited engagement of a new production of William Shakespeare's ROMEO AND JULIET by PSF Artistic Director Guy Roberts at the Open-Air Theater in Vysehrad May 25-27, 2010 at 19:00.



One of the most beloved plays of all time, Shakespeare's masterpiece Romeo & Juliet is the premiere PSF summer production on the outdoor, open-air stage at Vysehrad, signaling a new annual tradition of "Shakespeare at the other castle" in Prague.



Roberts states, "Romeo and Juliet is clearly the greatest love story of all time. The question to me seems to be how to retain the beauty and romance associated with our expectations of the play, while still making the language and story accessible to a modern audience? We don't want to feel as if we are watching a piece of museum-theatre. By securing Romeo and Juliet in the past we are also distancing ourselves from the action of the play and allowing ourselves the freedom not to be transfigured by it. I think it is impossible to do a "period play." Plays can only occur in today's imagination - and that is where our play takes place. Shakespeare's Verona is not unlike our Prague today. It is a world that bridges the ancient and the modern-a world that is refreshingly relevant. At the center of the entire play is love - the kind of life-changing, soul-transforming love that we all dream of but perhaps never believe we will really find."



Fueled by the intense passions and moving poetry that the world has cherished for years, the play is presented in English under the direction of PSF Artistic Director Guy Roberts (who also appears as Mercutio) with a multi-cultural international company of artists: the titles roles will be performed by Lenka Novakova and Kendrick Ong. Returning to the stage, Emmy-nominated Casting Director Nancy Bishop (former Artistic Director of Black Box, Prague's original English language theatre) is joined by Prague favorites Laura Baranik, Brian Caspe (Artistic Director Prague Playhouse), David Fisher (Artistic Director, Bear Educational Theatre), Vanessa Gendron (co-Artistic Director, Miloco), Curt Matthew, John Poston and Jeff Smith (co-Artistic Director, Miloco)among others. From the United States, Steve Zinkgraf co-stars as Lord Capulet.  The production features costume designs by Tatiana Evonuk, scenic design by Ivana Nikolic and an original score by Ed Kliman. Amy Huck is the production stage manager and movement coach.  Sidney Berger, Artistic Director of the Houston Shakespeare Festival, is the verse coach and Anezka Novak is the voice coach.

  
PRAGUE SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL
in association with
PZ Adventures, Mermaid Theatre Company, Classical Theatre Company (USA)
Prague Playhouse, Bear Educational Theatre & Miloco (Czech Republic)
presents
THE WORLD PREMIERE of a new production of
ROMEO AND JULIET
by
WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE
ADAPTED & DIRECTED BY GUY ROBERTS

DATES:                    
May 25, 26 & 27

CURTAIN TIME:      
19:00

LOCATION:            
Open-Air Theatre, Vysehrad

TICKETS:
200kc General Admission,
150kc Student/Senior
  
RESERVATIONS:
pokladna@praha-vysehrad.cz
222.513.842 phone

ABOUT THE PRAGUE SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL
The Prague Shakespeare Festival presents an annual celebration of professional theatre productions, workshops, classes, lectures and other theatrical events, of the highest quality, conducted primarily in English by a multinational ensemble of professional theatre artists, with an emphasis on the plays of William Shakespeare, bringing to the Czech Republic, European and World audiences classical performances that are fresh, bold, imaginative, thought-provoking, and eminently accessible, connecting the truths of the past with the challenges and possibilities of today.


For interviews & more information about PSF and ROMEO AND JULIET contact
Guy Roberts
Artistic Director
Prague Shakespeare Festival
guy@pragueshakespeare.cz

Monday, April 26, 2010

ACTORS AND PLASTIC SURGERY

I was so glad to see this article in the New York Times. I've been advising actors for years not to get plastic surgery. But at the same time I know that there is so much pressure in this world to look young and perfect. I'd love to know what actors think about this? http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/25/fashion/25natural.html

CASTING WORKSHOP AT THE EAST END FESTIVAL

CASTING WORKSHOP - THE CASTING SCENE AND CASTING DIRECTOR ANNA KENNEDY - EAST END FILM FESTIVAL AT 4 - 5.30 PM, FRIDAY 30TH APRIL Filmmakers’ Centre, The Cole, 16 Hanbury Street, London E1 6QR


Join producer Grant Keir (Faction North), Virginia Heath (Director, Casting Scene, online casting resource) and Anna Kennedy (Casting Director whose credits include MUM AND DAD, PIMP, WHEN BORIS MET DAVE) for practical advice about core casting skills for actors, directors and producers, plus debate between the innovators (online) and traditional methods.


Sunday, April 18, 2010

PRAGUE FILM SCHOOL ACTING PROGRAM

Study film acting in Prague. We have one of the only acting programs that concentrates exclusively on film and TV acting. Click here to see the Prague Film School Trailer.
We are currently accepting applications for study in the 2010-11 year. Click here for details about the program. Or write to: filmschool@rexpats.com

Friday, April 9, 2010

PRAGUE SHAKESPEARE POSITIONS NOTICE



ROMEO AND JULIET PRODUCTION STAFF & CREW POSITIONS AVAILABLE

The Prague Shakespeare Festival, Guy Roberts Artistic Director, will be producing in English, William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet May 25-27, 2010 @ 19:00 at the Open-Air Theater in Vyšehrad. Rehearsals begin April 28, 2010.

PSF is currently seeking individuals interested in working on the production in the following capacities:

STAGE MANAGEMENT

Production Stage Manager – 4000cz total stipend

*Assistant Stage Manager* – 1000cz total stipend

*Assistant Director* – volunteer position – no stipend

DESIGNERS, PRODUCTION STAFF & TECHNICIANS

Light Designer & Light Board Operator – 3000cz total stipend

Sound Designer & Sound Board Operator – 3000cz total stipend

*Prop Designer & Prop Master* – 2000cz total stipend

*Hair & Make-Up Designer* – 1000cz total stipend

*NOTE*: These positions may be filled by actor, stage manager and/or other member of the R&J company

If you are interested in any of the above positions, please email Guy Roberts - guy@pragueshakespeare.cz or simply respond to this email!

If you are a new talent/resource to PSF, please send your resume and/or a brief background about your experience, skills & interest in English Language Theatre in Prague and Shakespeare in your job inquiry email.

Thanks so much – I look forward to working with you!

Guy Roberts

Artistic Director

Prague Shakespeare Festival

885/3 Janackovo Nabrezi

Prague 5, 150 00

Czech Republic

+420 603 968 536

guy@pragueshakespeare.com

www.pragueshakespeare.com

www.guyroberts.com

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

SECRETS FROM THE CASTING COUCH IN NEW ENGLAND


Secrets from the Casting Couch is now available on Amazon in the US.

I'll be lecturing about casting and film acting atBoston University on 20 April, 12:30 -2:00

and at the University of New Hampshire on 23 April, 3.30 - 5:00.