It was the SOUND that broke Manhattan Rep’s little theatre on 42nd and 8th Ave.  

And it was the SOUND that created Manhattan Rep’s new AWESOME space on 42nd and 8th Ave.

This past October 21, a year round Halloween Haunt named Times Scare opened directly under Manhattan Rep effectively breaking the theatre and making it unusable.  I was told by management months before when I heard that this place was opening, that there would be no problem with sound.  

OOOPS!  

Thankfully, management was responsive and found us a new space on the sixth floor. We scambled, moved plays around, and with the help of the MRT army and the magic of intention, we were able to open the new space in 10 days.

And it is gorgeous.  Higher ceilings, beautiful floors, self-contained so we no longer have any problems with sounds in the hallways and a flex space dressing area which opens out for festival events and parties.  

Do I ever want to do this again? Disassemble and put together a theatre in 10 days? (we still have some more improvements to go but we are up and running) No, I never want to do this again.  My hands are swollen from drilling, plaster dust is permanently trapped in my ear canals, and my decades old body aches, and boy do I need sleep to recover from the last two weeks of life chaos.  (I also have a day job.)

But we have this awesome new theatre which means new adventures at Manhattan Rep!

This is a major upgrade.  Sleek, beautiful and sexy.  And as we continue to tweek the space, it will be even better.

If you have never been to Manhattan Rep, please come check out a show and the space, and if you have been here or worked here, please come by and check out a show and the space.  You will be amazed. Just gorgeous. New York City’s premiere home for new cutting-edge theatre just got even better.

And I’m pooped.

The SOUND created the madness which created the new gorgeous.  

Go figure.

Funny thing, this life.

with best regards,

Ken Wolf,

Artistic Director,

Manhattan Rep

Do you ever feel like you are kinda stumped creatively?  Possibly you are an actor and you are not landing the types of roles that challenge you, or inspire you.  Possibly you are a director, and you need to be challenged.  Or you might be a playwright and no one is even READING your work.

It’s time to create, and take responsibility for your personal creation.  That is the one thing that artists can do, no matter what the circumstance - they can create.  The play might be held in the park, the exhibit might be your garage, your first reading might be in your apartment - but you can and should take control of your own personal creation.

Here at Manhattan Rep, I am passionate about creation.  I don’t care if a play put up here is different every night if that is the creative process this play needs to take.  I don’t really like scripts - for they are just an outline of the reality of performance - the living, breathing people now living on stage, struggling, fighting for what they need -  once  two dimensional CHARACTERS on a piece of paper.  But when embodied by actors, given direction from a caring director - it all changes.  The magic begins - which really can’t be explained or defined but theatre more so than any medium in my book, is magic, for it is alive now happening in front of you. 

Our mission here at Manhattan Rep is to help you fulfill your personal creation by making it easy to put up your play with our intimate theatre in Times Square.  By having stock furniture for your set. By having you store all your props and costumes here (not like at other festivals where you have to load in and load out each performance.) And by being SUPER HANDS on with your process here - readily available to help with casting, with finding crew, with production questions and being here with a passionately creative smile.

In August, we celebrate our 6th year here in our Times Square space and we have produced over 600 plays in that time.  (Do you believe it?)  One of the reasons for this abundance of work is our commitment to the artist, to personal creation, and to the deliciousness of LIVE THEATRE.  There is nothing like it.  It is magic.

So come join us.  We are happy to house your play if you are passionate and professional. We are currently holding submissions for our FallFest 2011 play festival.

Check our website at: http://www.manhattanrep.com

Submission is free.  If we accept your play, we only require a refundable security deposit of $300 to secure your place in the festival, which is returned if you bring in 30 friends to see your show.  (A total of 30 for three shows - averaging 10 friends a performance.)  

We make it easy, inexpensive and fun to grow your art.

It is time for you to expand your personal creation.  

Life is too damn short not to be creating!

with best regards,

Ken Wolf

Artistic Director

Manhattan Repertory Theatre

This Spring, Manhattan Repertory Theatre will be presenting it’s first One Act Play Competition with a $1000.00 prize for Best Play!  I am thrilled out of my mind about this competition.  It is going to be great fun.  It will have this wonderful competitive energy around it, so I am sure the creative teams will be stepping up to the plate Big Time, and we will be offering a minimum of 3 performances of each play so that each play will have an opportunity to shine.  I know at a lot of these play competitions, plays only get one shot, and if they don’t make it, or mess up the first outing, it is over and all their hard work is for nought.  With a minimum of 3 performances, it will give more opportunity, give the play a chance to grow in front of a live audience, and it will bring the competition up a notch!  It is going to rock.

We will also be supplying a Sound/Lighting board technician for all, so that the tech will be executed by someone who knows the theatre tech, which will make the tech and dress rehearsals smooth and professional.  Also, there will be no 10 minute wait between short plays - all will be rehearsed and the changes between the plays will be orchestrated and come off professional.  How many times have you been at a performance of One Act Plays and the time between plays was ridiculous.  Well, not at this play competition!  

We are super-excited about this competition. We are also offering 6 month Manhattan Repertory Theatre passes for THE BEST DIRECTOR, and THE BEST ACTOR.  The Best Play winner, in addition to the $1000 prize will also receive a 1 year Manhattan Repertory Theatre Pass (worth over $1600).

So if you have a one act play and want to come and play and COMPETE at Manhattan Rep, please check out our website at:

http://www.manhattanrep.com

for all of the submission information.  There is no submission fee.

Deadline is Tuesday March 15 at Midnight. 

I hope you can join us.

with best regards,

Ken Wolf

Artistic Director

Manhattan Repertory Theatre

Procrastination is death.  It is the death of life, fun, challenge and breakthrough success.  Yet, we all procrastinate probably numerous times a day.

Procrastination is FEAR - False Evidence Appearing Real, Forever Expecting Awful Results - so we don’t make that next step, we don’t bring pen to hand, we don’t challenge ourselves and our world.

How many of you are procrastinating on writing that novel, or creating that play, or developing a new business?  And life goes by, and you are paddling the same boat upstream and not really getting anywhere.

How can you get off your butt and do the things you need to do to live passionately, creatively and to propel you life to the next level when you have so much other boring, insipid, yet urgent things that you need to do everyday?

One of the things that I have been working on is chunking down my big, important, life-changing goals into smaller pieces.  If I am busy, I can still take 10 minutes a day to write a bit of my next play. I can still take 10 minutes to goal set and put together a plan to do just one thing the next day to set the goal in motion.  I can still make one important phone call today, that may move things in a positive direction.

I invite you to make your dreams a reality, be it a novel, a play, a new job, or a new life.  Make a commitment today to take that one small action.  And keep going.

Wishing you grand success! 

Ken Wolf 

Artistic Director 

Manhattan Repertory Theatre 

Jen, Roma (The Wonder Dog) and I would like to wish everyone who has “danced” with us at Manhattan Rep over the past 5 years a very wonderful Holiday and a super Happy and Prosperous New Year!

Please stay tuned for more adventures in 2011!

With best regards,

Ken Wolf

Artistic Director

Manhattan Repertory Theatre

http://www.manhattanrep.com

Recently, I received an email from a woman who had seen one of my plays 7 years ago, and just found out that I was the playwright of that play, and wrote to me saying she was going to submit one of her plays for our Winterfest theatre festival, but if my work as a playwright was any indication of my work as Artistic Director, her play and our theatre festival would not be a good match.

Curious communication?  So I wrote back.

———————-

Thanks for the note, Nancy.  

We actually have NOT put out a call for scripts.  We put out a call for PLAY Productions. 

In choosing productions, we are open to all types of theatre and stories.  My ideas of theatre does not limit the creativity of the play productions that we accept.  My writing and my work has nothing to do with the play productions that we accept here. Manhattan Rep fosters and supports creativity - Not JUDGEMENT - my opinion as to what is good theatre and what is not good theatre is a moot point when I look at a script, for a script is not a play until it is on it’s feet, created with actors, designers and a director. We choose productions based on professionalism of the submission, basic coherency of the writing, set and lighting requirements, Producers experience and commitment level, and subject matter in relation to other possible plays in any given festival.  Honestly, who am I to say that a play production is BAD, if I haven’t seen it.  

Years ago, we received a script of a play about a girl and her adventures in Catholic school.  When I first read it, it just seemed cheesy and kinda silly, filled with some really goofy often childish jokes.  Because the producer was so committed to this project, and all was presented professionally, we decided to give it a try.

And it was the BEST PLAY our SUMMERFEST play festival.  I didn’t see the directors’ context. I didn’t experience the lead actor’s perspective and come-from when delivering what I had originally thought was cheesy.

 
CHEESY became BRILLIANT in production, and it blew away my perceptions of play reading forever.

There is one type of script that we don’t accept ever, and that is what I call a HATE script.  I don’t want to foster hate in any capacity, whether it is in the theatre, or in email communication. I’m sure your view on Mr. Cupcake is colored by your beliefs and your perceptions based on your life experience and I honor that, and I respect it. But, with all due respect, I have to beg to differ when you infer that your OPINION of my work as a playwright represents the work I do as Artistic Director of Manhattan Rep.

Please check out  http://www.thepeopleinmyhips.com

It is the blog of my last play - it outlines the true story of my one man show and it is all about possibility even in the face of incredible obstacles.  There is always in any context, possibility for change, for compassion, for understanding another’s context and for healing.

 
Let’s do lunch sometime, or late afternoon coffee.  I would love, honestly, to talk further about all.

With best regards,
Ken Wolf

Artistic Director

Manhattan Repertory Theatre
http://www.manhattanrep.commanhattanrep@yahoo.com”
————————————————

Bottomline, we at Manhattan Rep are not the creativity cops. Our mission is to help playwrights, actors and directors share and explore their craft.  We are not looking for high-minded literary works of paper.  We are looking for passionate creative individuals who want to create THEATRE.

We are currently accepting PRODUCTION submissions for our Winterfest Play Festival.

If you are passionate and professional, the odds are we will get you into the festival, and you can grow, and passionately develop your work.
We are not,  and will never be, The CREATIVITY COPS.

With best regards,

Ken Wolf

Artistic Director

Manhattan Repertory Theatre

This world we live in is crazy sick fast.  Between our day jobs, our acting and writing job quest, our twitter, our Facebook, our friends, our family, our pets, our doctor appointments, our social functions, and all the other wacky commitments that comprise this life we live, how do we find the time to create?  When do we find the time to create that personal show, play, or one actor event that we have been meaning to create for years?

Leverage.  You need to get leverage on yourself.

Years ago, I had stopped doing theatre.  I had had a bad experience with a play that I had produced. Egos, drama, just plain silliness - you know the drill.  And the play was a deeply personal show, and all the producing madness ruined the show and my appreciation of theatre.  I was bummed.  Depressed. Mad. Sick. Miserable. So I decided to quit theatre 100% and just be a Personal Trainer and fitness instructor.

So I did just that. I developed my fitness business in Westchester and I had a grand old time…. but something was missing.  There was this hole in me, an emptiness.

I was in total denial of what was going on.  

The truth of the matter is, I am an artist.  It is in my bones.  It is who I am, and creating to me is the most exhilarating experience in life.  But I pushed it all away because of PAIN.  The pain of producing my last play.  And I created a global belief that acting and writing plays was NOT my destiny.

In 1996, I had the opportunity to run the NYC marathon.  I committed to run it with a client.  6 weeks before the race, I injured my left knee doing a long run.  I layed off for a couple of days, but still my knee would not get better.  I had made a commitment to run the race with a client, and I have this weird thing that if I make a commitment I really make a commitment. So I went into physical therapy and struggled to get better. There was no way I could run, but I was able to run backwards!  So for 6 weeks, I did physical therapy, deep water running, and I ran backwards through the back streets of Westchester county.  I actually was able to run a 10 minute mile BACKWARDS! I was determined to keep my commitment to my client.

The day of the marathon was the first time I ran forwards in 6 weeks, and I actually completed the 26.2 mile journey.  (The story was retold in my play ZEN AND THE ART OF MARATHON RUNNING.)  Completing the race, blew away my belief system about what was possible.  I knew then I was in denial about what I needed to do.  I needed to act. To write. To direct. To create plays.

So with just an idea for a play, I booked a theatre.  3 months later, I put the play up and it was a great success.  So I booked another theatre with just the germ of an idea for a play, and 3 months later, Voila - there I had created another play.

Booking the theatre was the leverage I needed to create in the context of my crazy life.

It was a deadline.  A substantial deadline for I had to put up a play or simply lose money.  And it worked.  So I did it again and again, and then started a theatre company.

14 years later, I, with the help of Jen here at Manhattan Rep, have produced over 600 plays, many of my own works and I have had a blast.  Yes, I still have a day job, but gosh darnit, I am so happy to be able to create and to help others create here at Manhattan Rep.

So do you have a play, the germ of an idea?  Start writing! Complete the first draft and submit it to one of our Festivals  (Winterfest 2011 deadline is Nov. 23.)  Let me know if it is a first draft and let me know that you are passionate about telling and putting up your story.  We love first time producers at Manhattan Rep - because I love to help creative artists bust through their belief systems about what is possible.  And when they see their completed play, alive on stage, PLAYS BECOME POSSIBLE and a whole new world manifests.

Yes, sometimes it feels like you are running a marathon when you are producing a new work. It is challenging, crazy …. and fun.  And when you get to the finish line, so rewarding.

Feel free to write me at manhattanrep@yahoo.com about producing your first show here in one of our festivals.  

I would love to be your coach.

With best regards,

Ken Wolf

Artistic Director

Manhattan Repertory Theatre

I am a big fan of Storytelling.  It is intrinsic to our humanity.  Every culture in the world has a story telling tradition.  And there is a reason for it.

Story Telling has the power to change lives.

Years ago, I saw Spaulding Gray do one of his amazing monologues at a huge 1000 seat theatre.  He sat on stage with a table in front of him and a microphone and a glass of water, and he simply told his personal story, simply, honestly, showing up and talking from his heart.  1000 people, myself included, sat mesmerized listening to his “adventures”.  Honestly, it was one of the greatest theatre events of my life.

In the process of listening to him, I became him.  I could feel his fear, his love, his joy, his frustration, and I could see what he experienced vividly in my imagination.  And I was moved, and changed by his performance.

This is the power of storytelling.  Stories, told truthfully, have magical transformational power.

So isn’t it about time you told your stories?  

You have a story that you are frightened of. Tell it.

And the fear will disappear.

Last year, I put up my one man play The People in my Hips which was the true story of how I developed severe PTSD and multiple personalities in my Hips from doing Yoga and then how I cured myself over 3 years.

 (Please check out http://www.thepeopleinmyhips.com  for the complete story)

This story was a part of me I shared with no one.  Something I was embarrassed about, but it was a story that needed to be told because it could help heal thousands of people with similar problems.  I remember on opening night I was scared out of my mind for I was sure that people would be frightened of me, of my mental disorder, (even though I cured myself of my condition) but the reaction from the audience was quite the contrary.  I received RAVE REVIEWS.   I looked my fear in the eye and grew from the experience.  Hopefully, we will be seeing an updated version of The People in My Hips this Spring at Manhattan Rep.

So is there a story you need to tell? I invite you to push past your fears, dare to be personal, intensely personal, and share it with the world.

It’s all good.

Ken Wolf, Artistic Director

Manhattan Repertory Theatre

I am really tired of all the DRAMA surrounding putting up DRAMA.  

There is an Urban Theatrical Myth that playwright Eugene Ionesco was often blocked from attending the rehearsals of his own play because he was so in the face of the director and the actors.

How many times have you been involved in a production where 2 members of the creative team battle over the silliest of things? Been there, right? Oh, Ugh, Blah!  Such a waste of time.  But one of the reasons all of this occurs is because no one has set up a chain of command and specific guidelines for rehearsal and performance at the start.

Does the Director get the final say, no exceptions, or is the Playwright the one who calls the shots, or is it the Producer?  This issue needs to be addressed. If an actor is playing DIVA does he get fired immediately?  If a director is nasty or disrespectful to his creative team, does he get fired? Will there be times for creative team members to talk about their issues in a non-combative forum?  All these issues and more should be addressed before you go into rehearsal if you are producing a play. Everybody needs to be given written guidelines which are discussed as a group at the first reading so that your team knows what to expect in the rehearsal and performance process.  If the rules are laid out, individuals know when they are breaking them. If they are not informed, all hell can break loose.

So as you go into production on your play, set clear guidelines on what is expected.  If you are an actor, ask for clear guidelines and rules so that all can be on the same page.  It really works.

So take some steps to END THE DRAMA, and create some awesome fun theatre!

Why do you think they call it a PLAY?

With best regards,

Ken Wolf

Artistic Director

Manhattan Repertory Theatre

Jumping out of an airplane is less risky than putting up great theatre.

Great theatre implies great risk.  Dealing with an issue which has never really been dealt with in the theatre.  Staging a Masterwork in a new and exciting context. Getting your actors to really connect with the material and make it so so so frigging real.  Daring to be totally original, different, not knowing what the hell anyone will think!  Daring to show up and be there intimately and truthfully with an audience of people.

All the great theatre that I have seen involved some of the above.  All the great theatre that I have been involved in - ditto.

Risk is fun, and scary, and not safe, and so frigging delicious (in retrospect - after the fact.)  John Malkovich in BURN THIS many moons ago brought this insane sense of risk to his performance.  Eric Bogosian in Banging Nails into the Floor with my Head brought this delicious wild sense of abandon and specificity to the creation of this characters which rocked the house.  And Spalding Gray in all of his monologue tales was so unbelievably scathingly truthful and sadly ironic.  All great theatre, great moments in time for me.

Now I am not talking about shocking.  Shocking theatre is just silly.  If your intention is to shock your audience, who the hell cares?  I would rather be watching Nightmare on Elm Street #18.  Being truthful, telling a risky tale, recounting an unknown story or perspective of an event, that’s great theatre.

Great comic theatre derives from comedy so truthful it almost hurts, so it’s funny.  Characters so specific that you know exactly who they are and you can feel and laugh with them.  Situations based in reality, turned upside down.  Now that is great theatre.

I dare you to tell that story.  Or show up with total truth in that play you are performing in.  Dare to really deal with the material if you are acting or the issue if you are writing.  But look it square in the face and dare to make it real.

Risk putting up some great theatre.  I dare you.

With best regards,

Ken Wolf 

Artistic Director

Manhattan Repertory Theatre