MAUNDY |
A New Dance Theatre Piece |
4th & LONG |
A New Play by Jeremy Llorence |
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June 2015
The Kalamazoo Piano Company
246 N. Burdick Street Kalamazoo, MI Llorence, a recent graduate of Western Michigan University’s MFA Playwriting program, penned a provocative new work set in Detroit following Orion, a former NFL player, as he struggles to find himself in a city slowly falling into ruin. Directed by Alex Langmesser, this workshop production featured the work of local actors Chris Mansa, Katrina Ezeiyi, Francisco Posada, Alex Watson, Natalie Blain, and Eddie Coleman as well as stage manager Amanda Finney, lighting designer Cory Kalkowski, sound designer D. J. Potts, and producer Nick Thornton. |
THE 2015-2016 LINEUP
MAUNDYON TOUR |
A Theatrical Scavenger Hunt |
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September 2015
3 Separate Outdoor Locations in Kalamazoo, MI
To kick off its inaugural season The Metallic Mannequin Company revived Maundy, its original dance theatre piece, and took it to the streets. Curious audience members purchased tickets in advance and received a map to that night's performance briefly before sunset. Lit by headlight alone this new take on the show, featuring original company members Natalie Burdick and Nick Petrelli, was a wonderful start to the season. |
THE CONDUCTOR |
A New Musical Comedy |
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December 2015
Fire Historical and Cultural Arts Collaborative
1249 Portage Rd Kalamazoo, MI 49001 Our production of The Conductor was the workshop premier of this new musical comedy by Alex Karukas, Jamie Haist, and Nick Thornton. This full legnth musical follows an orchestra conductor who moonlights as a train conductor, told by a grandfather as a bedtime tale, and was developed in house through a series of workshops. Directed by Jena Sugay and stage managed by Helena Barron, this workshop production featured the work of local actors Josh Peduto, Joey Urreta, Patrick Hill, Asia Dixon, Cashion Maciel, Dayna Palya, Gabriella Smurawa, Heather Zurowski and Julianna Hirsh. |
DRUNK
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A Shakespearean Drinking Game |
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January-February 2016
Old Dog Tavern
402 E Kalamazoo Ave, Kalamazoo, MI 49007 Led by Alex Langmesser, a team of local actor/devisors created newly conceived production of the Shakespearean classic, As You Like It, meant to entertain, excite, and encourage a fair bit of drinking! This site specific piece featured original music by John Forsleff. Stage managed by Treva Wyman, this show featured the work of local actors Shane Montgomery-Schmidt, Tia Pinson, Mitch Voss, Phil Vasques, Bryan Knewtson, Kate Colburn, and Alex Watson. Kalamazoo went hard with the Bard! |
THE BREAKING |
A New Play by Cara Beth Heath |
THE 2016-2017 LINEUP
TALKIN' IN CURSIVE |
A New Dance Theatre Piece |
September 2016
Fire Historical and Cultural Arts Collaborative
1249 Portage Rd Kalamazoo, MI 49001 Talkin' in Cursive, a dance theatre piece based on "The Wild Party", opened our 2016-2017 season. This piece, devised by director Jena Sugay and ensemble, took audiences on a twenty-minute exploration on the effects of women aspiring to attain the unachievable body image that our mass media projects on us every day.
This piece featured the work of Patrick Hill, Natalie Burdick, and Cash Maciel, and was stage managed by Hannah Cremin. |
REEFER MADNESS |
A Musical ComedyDecember 2016
Fire Historical and Cultural Arts Collaborative
1249 Portage Rd Kalamazoo, MI 49001 Chip and the Metallic Mannequin team branched out from homegrown theatre to preach an important message. A message agianst a homegrown drug menace. Inspired by the original 1936 film of the same name, this raucous musical comedy takes a tongue-in-cheek look at the hysteria caused when clean-cut kids fall prey to marijuana, leading them on a hysterical downward spiral filled with evil jazz music, sex and violence. You won't be able to resist the spoofy fun of Reefer Madness. The addictive and clever musical numbers range from big Broadway-style showstoppers to swing tunes like "Down at the Ol' Fire and Dime" and Vegas-style "Listen to Jesus, Jimmy," featuring J.C. Himself leading a chorus of showgirl angels. This dynamic show will go straight to your head! Reefer Madness is a highly stylized and satirical political commentary. It contains adult humor, religious parody, and drug use, as well as suggested violence and sexual explicitness. It therefore may be inappropriate for younger performers and audiences. Reefer Madness was presented through special arrangement with R & H Theatricals: www.rnh.com. Directed by Joey Uretta and Allie DiSanto, music directed by Robert Cook, choreographed by Rachel Carreri, stage managed by Daniel Bedoya, and conducted by Alex Karukas. This production featured the work of Matthew Lanyi, Allie DiSanto, Aaron C. Rutherford, Cash Maciel, Gabriella Smurawa, Kalie Schnabel, Nathan VanAtta, Katie Snyder, Julianna Hirsh, Derek Liavas, and Logan Dolence. |
BROOKLYN BABY |
A new play by Darcy Sturges |
March 2017
First Congregational Church
345 W. Michigan Ave Kalamazoo, MI 49007 Jessa, a 17-year-old African American woman living in Brooklyn, NY, has just been arrested; not only was she caught shop lifting at Victoria's Secret, but the security guard found a dead baby in her purse. Piece together Brooklyn Baby, inspired by true events, as playwright Darcy Sturges seeks to answer the question: what if this crime was her best option? All profits were donated to Planned Parenthood. Thanks to your help, we raised $40 for the cause. Directed by Helena Baron; featuring the work of Asia Hicks, Julianna Hirsh, Asia Dixon, Evan Lugo, Avery Kenyatta, Paige Larkowski and Serita Evelyn. |
GOOD ENOUGH |
A new play by Cara Beth Heath |
April 2017
Crawlspace Theatre Productions Studio, Park Trades Center
Room 411B, 326 W. Kalamazoo Ave, Kalamazoo, MI 49007 Bare Backstage Productions and Metallic Mannequin Company presented the working premier of Good Enough, an award-winning play by Cara Beth Heath!
Good Enough took us back to a time where America was making war while the women of Kalamazoo were making guitars. Following the journeys of Irene, Helen, Jenny, Mary Jane, Gladys, and June this play takes an unyielding look at these women’s lives, loves, and the way they must live in a world at war. With tension taught as the strings of a Gibson guitar these women must navigate their place in an ever-shifting landscape, constantly wondering if history will remember their unique contribution to American music and the war effort. Directed by Kevin Dodd, assistant directed by Mary Klenk, lighting and sound design by Dj Potts. Featuring the work of MerryRose Howley, Sarah Quigley, Sarah Kolber, Michelle Ringle-Barrett, Sarah Maclean, Bekah Mitton and Lisa Moaiery. |