CBC broadcaster Bill Richardson and singer/songwriter Veda Hille are the culprits behind the quirky new musical, Do You Want What I Have Got? A Craigslist Cantata. The show is a musical parody based largely on Craigslist want-ads and the theme of humanity in the age of social networking and exchange. It will make its big debut at this year's PuSh International Performing Arts Festival in Vancouver, Canada. Expect lots of laughs and weirdness like irregular cat hats, mounted lobsters, and a slew of other want-ad mentions.

New York City-based playwright and performer, Sarah Jones, has a knack for truly embodying fictional characters. She was recently given the opportunity to grace the stage of TED Talks, where she delivered a brilliant (and comedic) performance regarding her thesis on self-construction. Impeccable!

June 11th kicks off this year's Hip-Hop Theater Festival D.C. The annual event, now in its 10th season, brings together the finest collection of Hip-Hop-oriented theater, dance, art, and music:

For a decade, Hip-Hop Theater Festival has showcased the stories, people, music, dance, and word of Hip-Hop live and on stage. All around the world HHTF is known as one of the most influential outlets showcasing Hip-Hop performing arts. Since its inception, HHTF has presented hundreds of artists including: Danny Hoch, Aya de Leon, Baba Israel, Kristina Wong, Marc Bamuthi Joseph, Liza Colon Zayas, Chad Boseman, Ase Dance Theater Collective, The Suicide Kings, Rha Goddess, Kris Diaz, Ben Snyder, Holly Bass, Jerry Quickley, Sarah Jones, Will Power, Alan Ket, Enrique PART ONE Torres, Jennifer Armas, olive Dance Theatre, Ishle Park, The Beatnuts, The Roots, Common, Kanye West, Rubberbandance Company, Kelly Zen-Yi Tsai, Rennie Harris Puremovement, Nilaja Sun, Frank Ejara, Eisa Davis, Niels Storm, Rabitsky, Psalmayen 24, Universes, J. Kyle Manzay and many, many more.

And it don't stop! Word.

The People's Theatre Project, in conjunction with Theater Of The Oppressed NYC, presents "Let Me In! Déjame Entrar!"--a bilingual, interactive stage production about immigration and discrimination. The show's first performance will be held tomorrow night (Feb 10th) at the YM&YWHA of Washington Heights and Inwood, Manhattan (54 Nagle Avenue) at 7:30PM. Two other performances will be held on Feb 13th at The Manhattan Theatre Source (177 Macdougal Street) at 3PM and on Feb 16th at The Columbia University Alumni Auditorium (650 West 168th Street) at 7:30PM. Admission to all of the performances are pay-what-you-can, an amazing price for such a substantial show! Be there.

[via Uptown Collective]

The American Place Theater program, Literature To Life, is currently presenting the work of Pulitzer-prize-winning author, Junot Díaz. The adapted title, The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao, performed by Elvis Nolasco, brings to life the coming-of-age story of sci-fi-loving-Dominican-adolescent, Oscar De Leon. The production is currently in its workshop stage and accepting booking inquiries.

Tramaine Montell Ford is an American actor that hails from the infamous Cabrini Green Housing Projects in Chicago, IL. The theater school prodigy and BFA graduate of Syracuse University was recognized in 2009 by NBC News Chicago as a rising star to watch out for, and they weren't kidding! Mr. Ford's portfolio of appearances includes ABC’s One Life To Live, Saturday Night Live, Aida (International Tour), Hairspray (Feature Film), The Today Show, The Oprah Winfrey Show, and a supporting role in the Off-Broadway production, BJ. While currently residing in New York City, Tramaine is hard at work gearing up for his upcoming One-Man Show titled “The Tramaine Experience.” The Republica Update managed to catch up with the lad and kick him a few questions. 

--

STATS:

Name: Tramaine Montell Ford, www.tramainemontellford.com

Job title:  Actor, singer, dancer, comedian

In the field(s) of: Film /Television, Theatre, Music

Originally from: Chicago, Illinois

Motto to live by: Life is too short to not spend it doing what makes you happy

THE 5Q'S

What brings a native Chicagoan like yourself to NYC? Well, I've always the dreamt of going to a place where art, fashion, and culture thrive. What better place than New York City? I think its a great place to cultivate an artistic career with so many people and so many venues. Having grown up in the theater scene also played a big part. There was always this allure about the lights and action on "Broadway."

What was the breaking moment that convinced you that you were doing the right thing by pursuing acting? I discovered acting early in my life. I remember always being involved with theater and arts programs and every year that I went, it only kept reconfirming my passion for it. There really was no "one" particular moment that convinced me, however I did have a breakthrough after college. My plans were to attend a school near New York City and hope that it would lead me into acting there. By the time I finished up my BFA at Syracuse University my plans had changed and I was now going to pursue a career in Los Angeles. But before I could go I wound up being selected to perform in a school showcase in New York City. It just so happened that there were talent scouts in the audience that evening and I was approached by two agents the very next day. So I decided to find a place in the city and the rest is history! 

In today's industry it isn't uncommon to find many stage actors transition over to film (and vice versa). Which art form do you enjoy more? I love both for different reasons. Theater is cool because of the energy that a live audience reciprocates. Theater is also something that gets approached chronologically, a start, a climax and an end. Film is different because its all divided up. You might shoot the end scene first and the beginning last. It also requires a sharper [acting] technique in performance. 

What exactly is "The Tramaine Experience?" The name has two meanings. The first is the telling of my story and my "experience" up to now, growing up, going to school, and arriving in New York City. The second definition is about the audience's experience as they arrive into the theater space. Unlike traditional theater, The Tramaine Experience breaks the proverbial "4th wall" that stands between the performer and the audience. The show will actually involve "you," the audience member...  

Blackberry or iPhone?
iPhone.

Catch the Tramaine Experience Saturday August 7th, 8PM at the Theatre Row Studios Theater: 410 W. 42 Street New York, NY 212-714-2442

SEEKING: USNAVI - to play Latino, Male, early to mid 20's, Our hip-hop narrator. Young, energetic bodega owner who dreams of making enough to go back home to Dominican Republic. He puts a brave face on his genuine financial trouble--MUST be able to rap well.  Could be someone from the comedy/improv world.  (PRINCIPAL)

OPEN AUDITION
Tuesday, December 16th @ 11am to 5pm (sign in begins at 10:00am)
Telsey + Company 315 W. 43rd St. MYB 10th Floor

Please prepare a short rap to perform.  You may also sing if you wish, but singing is not a requirement for this audition.  An accompanist will be provided.

If you can’t make this audition, mail or e-mail a photo and resume to:
Telsey + Company
311 W 43rd St, 10th FL, New York, NY  10036
Attention: IN THE HEIGHTS
heightsmusical@gmail.com

* Open to Equity and Non-Equity performers *

The Hip-Hop Theater Festival returns this summer to Washington, DC. Now in their seventh year, the Festival brings Hip-Hop work that represents the intersections of culture and community, technology, tradition, celebration and resistance. Join HHTF in witnessing the full breadth of Hip-Hop culture live and on stage. All events and performances throughout the week-long festival are free and open to the public. Performances will take place at a variety of venues throughout the city including Children’s Hospital, Studio Theatre, Dance Place, Flashpoint Theater and the Kennedy Center Millennium Stage.

Please note that most of the free seating reservations have been sold out, but the HHTF folks have set aside a a block of tickets for each show. These seats are reserved especially for walk-ups.

For those of you with reservations, this does not guarantee your seats. You must arrive to the theater one-half hour prior to curtain. Reservations will be released if they are not claimed 15 minutes before showtime.

For those without reservations, please arrive an hour before curtain. Walk-up tickets will be distributed one-half hour before the beginning of each show.

Venues
Studio Theatre: 1501 14th Street, NW | Washington DC
Dance Place: 3225 8th Street, NE | Washington DC
Mead Theater Lab at Flashpoint: 916 G Street, NW | Washington DC
Kennedy Center Millennium Stage: 2700 F Street, NW | Washington DC

Presented by:  The DC Commission on the Arts & Humanities

Media contact: Gabrielle Faulcon, call (202) 479-2777

For more information about the Festival call: (202) 724-5613.

For a complete schedule of events visit: www.hhtf.org

Bay Area folks, Danny Hoch returns to The Berkeley Repertory Theatre to unveil his latest work—a one-man tour de force that captures the indelible characters of his neighborhood, where the melting pot is boiling over with ethnic and economic tensions. Danny effortlessly transforms across the boundaries of race, age and gender, masterfully depicting a city in transition with compassionate and hilarious results.

Check out the review from the San Francisco Chronicle:

Taking Over
Written & performed by Danny Hoch
Now through February 24
Berkeley Repertory Theatre :: 2025 Addison Street :: Berkeley, CA
Info: http://www.berkeleyrep.org/season/0708/2113.asp
Tickets: http://www.berkeleyrep.org/tickets/single.asp

Recently funded by the Ford Foundation, the Hip-Hop Theater Festival administers a grant to artists engaged in Future Aesthetics. HHTF is seeking a Grants Coordinator to assist in administering the grant.

Duties: The Grants Coordinator assists in administering the Future Aesthetics Artist Re-grant (FAAR) Program. This includes filing grant proposals, communicating with arts organizations, building and maintaining the FAAR database, providing technical assistance for nominees, corresponding with grant awardees, filing reports, and other duties as assigned. The Grants Coordinator reports directly to the Development Director and Executive Director of Hip-Hop Theater Festival.

Requirements: Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail. Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Respect for confidentiality. Strong interpersonal skills; Attention to detail, accuracy and consistency; Highly proficient in word processing and spreadsheet applications (MS Word, MS Excel) database experience preferred. Must be able to work independently. This job is suitable for a college / grad student studying non-profit administration, theater, arts administration, Hip-Hop, or mass communications. Own laptop and interest in Hip-Hop arts, theater or activism are a plus.

Qualified candidates should send a cover letter and resume to:
Elz Cuya
Hip-Hop Theater Festival
57 Thames Street, #4B
Brooklyn, NY 11237
Or email your cover letter and resume as attachments to: elz@hiphoptheaterfest.org

Applications must be received by 6 PM January 11, 2008. NO PHONE CALLS.