Ensemble Theatre of Chattanooga reveals ambitious season

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – “We are choosing a creative and very ambitious season for 2010,” mentions Producing Artistic Director Garry Lee Posey. The theme for the thirteen productions ETC is planning this season comes right from ETC’s mission statement. “We were thinking about a theme for the season and while staring at the mission statement, the phrase ‘theatre that defiantly explores our craft’ resonated very strongly with me,” mentions Producing Partner Christy Gallo, “so we used that phrase to guide our choices.”

When glancing at ETC”s season, it becomes very clear that this theatre company takes risks. “We are carving out a niche here in Chattanooga, creating something unique for theatre artists and for theatre audiences. We’re trying to change the perception of the theatrical experience,” adds John Thomas Cecil, Director of Talent. Of the planned thirteen productions, only five of them come from published scripts. The other eight productions will be original pieces created specifically for ETC.

The 2010 season opens in February with an original exploration of the seven deadly sins, called “The Deadlies.” Seven actor/writers and Posey will create the script through improvisation and rehearsals. “We approach the sins from seven different perspectives: Literally, Metaphorically, Biblically, Hysterically, Criminally, Secretively and Personally,” mentions Posey. In March, ETC will revive “This is Not a Pipe Dream” by Barry Kornhauser and run it in repertory with “Delirium of Interpretations” by Fiona Templeton. Each of these two plays in March focus on visual artists as their subjects. Kornhauser’s play uses comic antics to explore the life of surrealist painter Rene Magritte and Templeton uses dramatic poetry to create her anti-biography of sculptor Camille Claudel- Rodin’s mistress.

In April, ETC will present a unique project called “Mixed Media.” Mixed Media features five local visual artists, four new plays and four local actors in a theatrical experience where art inspired theatre which inspired more art. Local glass and metal sculptor Thomas Spake created a new piece which provided the inspiration for four new short plays written by out of town playwrights. Those four plays then served as the inspiration for four new pieces of visual art. The four short plays will be jointly presented in the standard two act format. The art will serve a functional purpose as props or set dressing for each of the four short plays. “With this project we really wanted to collaborate with another discipline in an effort to increase exposure for every artist involved,” says Posey.

May ushers in “columbinus” by the United States Theatre Project and another cross discipline artistic collaboration. Local poet Laurie Perry Vaughen will craft a series of poems in response to “columbinus-” which is a highly stylized dramatic account of the Columbine High School murders in 1999. “This is a tough play, but the message is very clear: stereotypes can define, guide and destroy us,” remarks Cecil. Vaughen’s poetry will be performed by the cast of “columbinus” and the presentations will run in repertory with the play.

Short Attention Span Theatre, ETC’s annual ten minute play festival, returns in June with eight new plays focusing on a specific theme. This summer’s theme will feature plays about dysfunctional families. The remainder of the summer will feature two original pieces rotating every Saturday. “Dreamland” will feature dramatic interpretations and readings of Edgar Allan Poe and “Not Suitable For Children” will feature some of The Brothers Grimm’s most grim fairy tales.

Shakespeare returns in August with ETC’s unique interpretation of “Romeo and Juliet.” “We had such great success with our version of “Hamlet,” we wanted to attempt another of the Bard’s works and put our spin on that productions as well,” mentions Gallo. So far this season ETC has collaborated with visual artists and writers, add dancers to the list. “We don’t want to let all of our surprises out of the bag, but lets just say dance will figure greatly into this adaptation,” says Posey with a wry smile. The remainder of the fall finds German playwright Peter Handke’s well known play “Kaspar” and a yet to be decided Youth and Family play which they will offer as a tour to local elementary schools.

One of ETC’s most ambitious and exciting presentations will close out 2010. ‘A Silent Christmas’ is a theatrical experiment worthy of note. “We are still working out the details, but the premise of the production is that we will combine pantomime and sacred music into what we hope will be a moving production that embodies the spirit and energy of Christmas,” adds Gallo.

As if this isn’t plenty enough to keep them busy, ETC will also offer its New Play Readings series where they present staged readings of unpublished plays which are submitted from playwrights worldwide.

Ensemble Theatre of Chattanooga is housed at the St Andrews Center in Historic Highland Park. Performances are generally scheduled Friday nights at 7:30 and Saturday and Sunday afternoons at 2:30. Ticket prices range from $4.00 to $10.00; season tickets are available for $100.00 and entitle the bearer to see every show as many times as they’d like. More information about the season, programming, and opportunities can be found by visiting them on the web at www.ensembletheatreofchattanooga.org, emailing them at ensemble.theatre.chattanooga@gmail.com or calling them at 423-987-5141.

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