The Blankis a 501(c)(3)Non-Profit Corporation 323.871.8018 ,CA90078 PO Box 1094 [email protected] www.TheBlank.com An Introduction THE BLANKTHEATRE “One oftheBestTheatre Companiesin America.”

– TheDrama League

WINTER 2017 - 2018

“The Blank is committed to the enrichment of Hollywood’s cultural life through production of first-rate theatre, education of current and future artists, and creation of groundbreaking new works for the theatrical repertoire.”

We are a collection of artists who have come together to create new works for the theatre. The Blank has won every major “Best Production” Award in Los Angeles in our 25 years The Blank has professionally produced 296 plays by playwrights aged 9 to 19 The Blank has developed and produced over 600 new plays The Blank was presented with a resolution by the LA City Council to honor our excellence and commitment to the community

We want to reawaken theatre as a national pastime, and provide our community with the notion that living, breathing glimpses into human experience are a crucial part of the cultural discourse of a city and should be accessible to everyone. Dear Friend,

Each of us plays a leadership role with The Blank Theatre because as artists, audience and donors we’ve experienced what The Blank consistently offers.

We’ve shared the explosive, life-changing sense of achievement of a teenage playwright viewing his or her first play performed by professionals. We’ve felt the intense hush of an audience riveted by a provocative, intensely performed play on our mainstage. We’ve joined in the impassioned exchanges between actors, playwrights, directors and audience after a staged reading of a new play.This is more than entertainment, more than exciting theatre --The Blank is a persistent, thriving voice in the cultural fabric of our city at a critical moment.

In this packet you’ll find more detailed descriptions of The Blank’s programs and productions. You’ll also read about numerous artists of all ages who have gone on from their success with The Blank to national and international achievement. You’ll see how engagement between The Blank and the City has led to a stable core of live theatre where film, TV and new media are dominant, and how that engagement has transformed neighborhoods.

But theatre is never easy to sustain, and intimate theatre in Los Angeles has never been more challenged. The Blank has taken a leadership role in recent struggles, organizing small theatres to resolve conflicts with Actors Equity, successfully lobbying the city to designate Theatre Row as an official district, and working with developers and property owners to secure more spaces for live theatre. As The Blank celebrates its first 25 years, we’re working to ensure that it thrives into its “second generation.”

Will you help us by making a significant gift and becoming a Major Donor? We are requesting support as multi-year or one-time gifts. Naming opportunities for our celebrated programs are available in connection with commensurate contributions: the nationally celebrated Blank Theatre Young Playwrights Festival (going into its 26th year), The Blank Theatre Living Room Series – developing new plays, our Mainstage Productions and our Apprenticeship Program. Please join the Blank Family.

Sincerely,

Daniel Henning Founding Artistic Director TABLE OF CONTENTS

5 WHO WE ARE

8 WHAT WE DO

11 MAINSTAGE + ACCOLADES

17 YOUNG PLAYWRIGHTS FESTIVAL

21 LIVING ROOM SERIES

27 THE TEAM

33 WHAT YOU CAN DO WHO WE ARE

The Blank has won every major “Best Production” Award in Los Angeles in our 25 years The Blank has professionally produced 296 plays by playwrights aged 9 to 19 The Blank is dedicated to new work and has developed and produced over 600 new plays The Blank was presented with a resolution by the LA City Council to honor our excellence and commitment to the community

5 WHO WE ARE

The Blank Theatre was founded in 1990 by Artistic Director Daniel Henning. In April 1996, The Blank took up residence at the 2nd Stage Theatre on Hollywood Theatre Row.

Our goals are to produce new work, give paying jobs to actors, directors and theatre professionals, train and inspire young people to pursue careers in theatre and develop plays that will be presented on stages around the world for future generations.

We believe the development of new plays is an essential component of a thriving theatrical community, both here in Hollywood and in the nation at large. The Blank’s Mainstage productions have garnered rave reviews, audience acclaim, and numerous theatrical honors.

Recently, The Blank won the Broadway World Award for “Best Play – Los Angeles” and was nominated for 4 L.A. Weekly Awards including “Production of the Year.” Over the years, The Blank has won every “Best Production” award in town:

• 5 Ovation Awards including “Best Musical” • 13 LA Drama Critics Circle Awards including “Outstanding Production” • 8 LA Weekly Awards including “Musical of the Year” • 4 NAACP Theatre Awards including “Best Production” • 20 Back Stage West Garland Awards including “Best Production”

The Blank Theatre is the recipient of the Hollywood Arts Council’s Charlie Award “for pursuing artistic excellence, for nurturing the next generation of playwrights and challenging itself with a grand vision.”

6 WHO WE ARE

The Drama League designated The Blank as “one of the best Theatre Companies in America” and The Blank was also honored with a resolution by the LA City Council for its commitment to excellence and innovation in the Theatre Arts.

The Blank offers unique opportunities for playwrights to see their works grow from a draft script to a fully realized Mainstage production. We attract the finest playwrights in America and are entrusted by them to develop their plays which will eventually be produced all around the world. The Blank is one of this nation’s most important developers of new work.

The Blank has many activities that are designed to reach out to our local community. For example, we keep the price of the tickets for our Young Playwrights Festival very low and target our marketing program to attract younger patrons.

This is meant to make theatre as accessible to the mainstream population as film and television, fostering a love for the art form that will persuade the general public to become frequent theatregoers.

As of today, The Blank has presented over 600 new plays free to the public and offered more than 10,000 free tickets to local community members.

We want to reawaken theatre as a national pastime, and provide our community with the notion that living, breathing glimpses into human experience are a crucial part of the cultural discourse of a city and should be accessible to everyone.

7 WHAT WE DO

We produce award-winning critically acclaimed plays and musicals on our Mainstage

We educate emerging and established artists through our arts incubator programs

We develop over 30 new works each year

We lead through unique initiatives created to bring our community together

8 WHAT WE DO

ARTISTIC PROGRAMS

MAINSTAGE SEASON Plays and musicals are produced for six-week runs at The Blank’s 2nd Stage Theatre and The Stella Adler Theatre in Hollywood focusing on new works. Our Mainstages are often the culmination of our new play development programs and have included the works of Tony Award Winner George Furth, Pulitzer Prize Finalist Stephen Karam and Academy Award nominee Karen Black.

YOUNG PLAYWRIGHTS FESTIVAL In June, we produce the 12 best plays by playwrights ages 9 to 19, chosen from a nationwide competition. In the past 25 years, we have produced 296 plays by these young writers. Nowhere else in the nation can young playwrights receive the prize of seeing their vision come to life on stage in a professional production.

LIVING ROOM SERIES The Blank’s New Play Development Program embodies our commitment to developing new writers and new works. Every Monday night, we produce a “workshop” staged reading of a new play with a week of rehearsal. We develop over 30 new plays a year in the LRS, rivaling any theatre in the US.

LIVING ROOM SERIES PLUS The next step of new play development, we select two plays (or musicals) each year to further develop toward full Mainstage Production. We give these plays three weeks of rehearsal in a bare-bones production that gives the author and other creatives an opportunity to explore the material more fully. It also offers two weeks of performances in front of an audience to gauge reaction and further develop the play.

9 WHAT WE DO

COMMUNITY PROGRAMS

STAYIN’ LIVE! & HOLLYWOOD THEATRE ROW

The Blank’s Founding Artistic Director, Daniel Henning, founded Stayin’ Live! - a coalition of theatre, business, government and neighborhood leaders to create the assured future of live theatre in Los Angeles. Through Stayin’ Live! The Blank Theatre spearheaded the drive to have the City of Los Angeles officially name our stretch of Santa Monica Blvd as “Hollywood Theatre Row” with a resolution, city hall ceremony and permanent ceremonial signage on the corner of Santa Monica and Wilcox.

APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM

In May and June, 12 to 18 students (or sometimes returning veterans) are given invaluable hands-on immersion training in theatre as an integral part of the production team for the Young Playwrights Festival. Throughout the year, we offer similar opportunities to emerging producers, stage managers and theatrical administrators. This job-training program is free of charge. To date we have trained over 500 apprentices.

ORPHAN’S HOME PROJECT

The Blank opens our theatrical home on Hollywood Theatre Row (2nd Stage Theatre) to other theatre companies who have lost, cannot afford, or do not have their own theatre space. We offer reduced rent (covering our expenses only) to companies of high caliber who need a home to do their work. It allows these theatre professionals to continue to work in Hollywood, which has been losing theatres and companies at an alarming rate.

10 MAINSTAGE + ACCOLADES

The Blank’s Mainstage productions have garnered rave reviews, audience acclaim, and numerous theatrical honors The Blank most recently won the Broadway World Award for “Best Play – Los Angeles” and was nominated for 4 L.A. Weekly Awards including “Production of the Year” The Blank has won every “Best Production” Award in town: 5 Ovation Awards including “Best Musical” 13 LA Drama Critics Circle Awards including “Outstanding Production” 8 LA Weekly Awards including “Musical of the Year” 4 NAACP Theatre Awards including “Best Production”

20 Back Stage Garland Awards including “Best Production”

11 MAINSTAGE + ACCOLADES

You never know who you will see on The Blank’s stage. You might catch Academy Award nominee Sally Kellerman or Mike Farrell or Tony Award Winners Daisy Eagan, Greg Jbara or Alice Ripley. Or you might see a talented new actor who catches your eye, before other roles make them famous like Chris Pine, Sherri Shepherd, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Octavia Spencer and Noah Wyle. All working together in the same intimate theatre.

The Blank’s Mainstage productions have garnered rave reviews, audience acclaim, and numerous theatrical honors.

Recently, The Blank won the Broadway World Award for “Best Play – Los Angeles” and was nominated for 4 L.A. Weekly Awards including “Production of the Year.” Over the years, The Blank has won every “Best Production” award in town:

• 5 Ovation Awards including “Best Musical” • 13 LA Drama Critics Circle Awards including “Outstanding Production” • 8 LA Weekly Awards including “Musical of the Year” • 4 NAACP Theatre Awards including “Best Production” • 20 Back Stage West Garland Awards including “Best Production”

We create theatre to build community. To build our artistic community, certainly. To build our future artistic community, definitely. But mostly to build our global community.

We make theatre for you. We want you to be a part of it. Without you, it’s not theatre, it’s just rehearsal.

12 MAINSTAGE + ACCOLADES

PRODUCTION HISTORY

THE TRAGEDY OF JFK (AS TOLD BY WM. SHAKESPEARE) – 2016 World Premiere A SINGULAR THEY – 2016 THE BOOK OF LIZ REUNION – 2015 World Premiere SOMETHING TRULY MONSTROUS – 2015 World Premiere SONS OF THE PROPHET – 2015 West Coast Premiere THE WHY – 2014 PETER PAN: THE BOY WHO HATED MOTHERS – 2013 West Coast Premiere VALENTINE TRIAGE – 2013 World Premiere THE SANTALAND DIARIES – 2012 DR. KEELING’S CURVE – 2012 World Premiere SUKIE & SUE: THEIR STORY – 2012 World Premiere THE COST OF THE ERECTION – 2012 West Coast Premiere THE SANTALAND DIARIES – 2011 DUSK RINGS A BELL – 2011 West Coast Premiere – 2011 West Coast Premiere THE CRADLE WILL ROCK – 2011 THE SANTALAND DIARIES – 2010 TERRE HAUTE – 2010 West Coast Premiere SEE WHAT I WANNA SEE – 2010 West Coast Premiere WHY TORTURE IS WRONG, AND THE PEOPLE WHO LOVE THEM - 2010 West Coast Premiere THE SANTALAND DIARIES – 2009 SETUP & PUNCH – 2009 World Premiere THE JAZZ AGE – 2009 West Coast Premiere SPEECH & DEBATE – 2008 West Coast Premiere DICKIE & BABE: THE TRUTH ABOUT LEOPOLD & LOEB – 2008 World Premiere LITTLE FISH – 2007 West Coast Premiere HEADS – 2007 World Premiere MISSOURI WALTZ – 2007 World Premiere HOTEL C’EST L’AMOUR – 2006 World Premiere

13 MAINSTAGE + ACCOLADES

LOBSTER ALICE – 2006 Southern Premiere A HOLE IN THE DARK – 2006 West Coast Premiere THE WILD PARTY – 2005 West Coast Premiere THE BOOK OF LIZ – 2005 & 2006 (year –long run) West Coast Premiere LES LIAISONS DANGEREUSES – 2005 AS IS – 2004 AMERICAN WAY – 2004 World Premiere FUNNY… – 2003 2 World Premieres FILL IN THE BLANK – 2003 World Premiere SANGUINE – 2003 World Premiere WHO’S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF? – 2002 FIRST LADY SUITE – 2002 World Premiere PRECIOUS SONS – 2000 West Coast Premiere THE WHY – 2000 World Premiere A NIGHT OUT WITH YOUNG PLAYWRIGHTS – 1999 2 World Premieres STARR STRUCK: A MUSICAL INVESTIGATION – 1999 World Premiere HELLO AGAIN – 1998 West Coast Premiere LOOT – 1997 SKY’S END – 1996 World Premiere BREAKING THE CODE – 1996 Los Angeles Premiere YOUNG PLAYWRIGHTS 95 – 1995 3 World Premieres CHESS – 1995 Los Angeles Premiere THE CRADLE WILL ROCK – 1994 GERTRUDE STEIN & A COMPANION – 1994 West Coast Premiere IN STITCHES – 1994 World Premiere ISN’T IT ROMANTIC – 1993 THE FANTASTICKS – 1993 A SNAKE IN THE VEIN – 1993 West Coast Premiere SEXUAL PERVERSITY IN / HILLS LIKE WHITE ELEPHANTS – 1991 THE WINTER’S TALE – 1991 HOSANNA – 1990

14 MAINSTAGE + ACCOLADES

AWARDS

L.A. DRAMA CRITIC CIRCLE AWARDS BACKSTAGE GARLAND AWARDS 13 Awards including 20 Awards including TED SCHMITT AWARD FOR WORLD BEST PRODUCTION – The Wild Party PREMIERE OF AN OUTSTANDING 83 Nominations NEW PLAY - A Singular They DRAMA-LOGUE AWARDS BEST PRODUCTION – Breaking the Code 9 Awards including BEST PRODUCTION – The Wild Party BEST PRODUCTION – Loot 16 nominations BEST PRODUCTION – The Cradle Will Rock OVATION AWARDS ARTIOS AWARDS 5 Awards including 3 nominations for Best Casting Los BEST MUSICAL – The Fantasticks Angeles Theatre: 24 Nominations The Temperamentals The Cradle Will Rock N.A.A.C.P. THEATRE AWARDS Why Torture is Wrong, and the People 4 Awards including Who Love Them BEST MUSICAL – The Wild Party 12 Nominations AMERICAN THEATRE CRITICS’ PRIMUS PRIZE BROADWAY WORLD AWARDS E.M. Lewis for her play Heads BEST PRODUCTION – Peter Pan: The Boy Who Hated Mothers 5 nominations L.A WEEKLY AWARDS 8 Awards including MUSICAL OF THE YEAR – The Cradle Will Rock 37 nominations

15 MAINSTAGE + ACCOLADES

ALUMNI

Here are just of few of the hundreds of actors The Blank has worked with over the years.

(*INDICATES ACADEMY AWARD, TONY AWARD OR EMMY AWARD WINNER/NOMINEE) MAX ADLER ARIELLE KEBBEL VALARIE PETTIFORD* EDWARD ASNER* SALLY KELLERMAN * CHRIS PINE BARBARA BAIN* CHAD KIMBALL * JOSH RADNOR AMBER BENSON RICHARD KIND ALICE RIPLEY* KAREN BLACK* JUSTIN KIRK* MARION ROSS* ALISON BRIE RICHARD KLINE MOLLY SHANNON* BETH BRODERICK RICKI LAKE * SHERRI SHEPHERD DENNIS CHRISTOPHER JANE LANIER* KATE SHINDLE TYLER CHRISTOPHER TOM LENK DOUGLAS SILLS* VEANNE COX* JEREMY SISTO QUINN CUMMINGS* JUDITH LIGHT* REX SMITH* KEITH DAVID* MATTHEW LILLARD OCTAVIA SPENCER* NORA DUNN KATIE LOWES MARCIA STRASSMAN ELIZA DUSHKU JAMIE LUNER DB SWEENEY DAISY EAGAN* KELLY LYNCH TIFFANI THIESSEN JAMES ECKHOUSE MELANIE LYNSKEY TONY TODD BLAKE EDWARDS* ROBERT TORTI* SUSAN EGAN* ALLISON MACK KAT FOSTER VIRGINIA MADSEN* MARK VALLEY JOHNNY GALECKI* ANN MAGNUSON KIRSTEN VANGSNESS SARAH MICHELLE GELLAR* JOSEPH MARCELL BRUCE VILANCH* DELORES HALL* JAMES MARSTERS DEE WALLACE KELLIE MARTIN* GEDDE WATANABE GALE HAROLD DEBRA MESSING* MAE WHITMAN ELAINE HENDRIX MARCIA MITZMAN* * AMY HILL DYLAN O’BRIEN NOAH WYLE* LENNY JACOBSON JERRY O’CONNELL BELLAMY YOUNG GREGORY JBARA* KEN PAGE CONSTANCE ZIMMER JAMES KAREN

16 YOUNG PLAYWRIGHTS FESTIVAL

The Young Playwrights Festival is the only nationwide professional playwriting competition for writers ages 9 to 19 In 25 years we’ve produced 296 plays by young playwrights Nowhere else in the nation can young playwrights receive the prize of seeing their vision come to life on stage in a professional production featuring known actors from film, television and theatre Our Young Playwrights Winners have gone on to become Broadway Librettists, Television Creator/Showrunners, Rock Stars and even a Pulitzer Prize Finalist

17 YOUNG PLAYWRIGHTS FESTIVAL

WATCH OUR SHORT DOCUMENTARY ABOUT THE YOUNG PLAYWRIGHTS FESTIVAL!

The Young Playwrights Festival is a 25 year-old nationwide playwriting competition for writers ages 9 to 19.

In 2017, we completed our 25th YPF and have produced 296 plays by playwrights ages 9 to19.

The 12 best plays are chosen by a panel of theatre professionals from submissions across America. Winning playwrights are provided careful mentoring and direction from industry professionals to help prepare their work for public performance and hone their skills, talent and confidence.

Nowhere else in the nation can young playwrights receive the prize of seeing their vision come to life on stage in a professional production featuring known actors from film, television and theatre. The plays are crafted by seasoned professional directors and each is given several public performances in a month-long Festival. There are no submission fees for this program.

This Festival is unique in the . While there may be other young playwrights programs, YPF differs from the rest in two ways: (1) we fully produce the winning plays, and (2) we provide the playwrights a professional experience from beginning to end; they are never considered “students,” they are the playwrights.

What began in 1993 as a one night only reading, with scripts submitted from Los Angeles County, has become a month-long festival of 12 plays professionally staged for full weekend runs, with submissions from 27 different states. YPF plays a critical role in training and supporting the next generation of theatre artists. Many of these

18 YOUNG PLAYWRIGHTS FESTIVAL playwrights have gone on to successful writing careers in the theatre as well as film, TV, music, etc..

As we say in our curtain speech each evening, ‘’These kids are the future of the theatre. If we don’t support their work today, we won’t have a generation of artists tomorrow.”

IMPACT The Young Playwrights Festival is a unique opportunity to amplify the voices of our youth, and thus not only present their interpretations of the world but channel their vision into the public consciousness.

Young Playwrights Festival brings a national audience to Los Angeles and builds the future of theatre at the same time. This program is not only a sustainable event for The Blank, it is also designed to sustain the art of Theatre for future generations.

As part of the Festival we have created a flagship Apprenticeship Program with tremendous opportunities for the participants. Each summer 12 to 18 students (or sometimes returning veterans) from around the world are given invaluable hands-on immersion training in theatre as an integral part of the production team.

They are stage managers, assistant directors, design assistants and are offered a unique opportunity to work with 12 different directors during the month-long Festival. This job-training program is free of charge.

Each year we inspire more and more young writers as evidenced by the growing number of submissions. One of the most important aspects of the Festival, and its

19 YOUNG PLAYWRIGHTS FESTIVAL most enduring feature, is the legacy it continues to create. The Festival plays a critical role in training and supporting the next generation of theatre artists:

Stephen Karam, a three-time YPF winner, was a 2012 finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in Drama for his play Sons of the Prophet. His new critically acclaimed play THE HUMANS will open on Broadway in Spring 2016.

Victor Kaufold, a YPF winner, tackled the issue of school shootings in THE WHY which was then produced on our Mainstage for which Victor earned an Ovation Award nomination for “Best Writing-World Premiere” at 19 years old.

Lauren Yee, a two-time YPF winner, is having her plays produced across the country and was nominated for the prestigious John Gassner Award by the NY Outer Critics Circle.

Austin Winsberg, a five-time winner, recently had his musicalFIRST DATE open on Broadway in 2013 and adapted the highly-successful The Sound of Music Live! on NBC.

As a result of winning YPF, these exciting writers all made their professional stage debuts in Los Angeles. Along with 268 others over the years.

The Blank Theatre’s Nationwide Young Playwrights Festival brings attention to Los Angeles as an important creator of new theatrical artists and work, gives young people a chance to have their unique voices heard in a professional setting, and gives audiences a glimpse into these young hearts and minds — as well as the thrill of seeing future Pulitzer Prize Finalists and Broadway librettists in their first professional productions.

The Future of the Theatre is here.

20 LIVING ROOM SERIES

On Monday nights we produce a “workshop” staged reading of a new play with a week of rehearsals New plays and playwrights are given a safe and nurturing environment where they can explore their emerging vision and present it to an eager audience who support new plays

The plays we develop have consistently gone on to The Blank’s Mainstage as well as impressive venues throughout the world, winning awards and audience acclaim along the way Neil Benjamin’s play THE EXPLORER’S CLUB won the NY Outer Critics Circle Award for “Outstanding New Off-Broadway Play,” when produced by Manhattan Theatre Club after two developmental workshops in our Living Room Series

21 LIVING ROOM SERIES

In 1991,The Blank Theatre created The Living Room Series, a Monday night staged reading series.

In 2017, we began our 27th LRS season and have now developed over 600 new plays.

The Living Room Series embodies our commitment to developing new writers and new works. Every Monday night from Labor Day to Memorial Day, we produce a “workshop” staged reading of a new play with a week of rehearsals.

The author is given access to experienced actors and directors who interpret the play and help the writer hone their story. New plays and playwrights are given a safe and nurturing environment where they can explore their emerging vision and present it to an eager audience who support new plays.

It began as an artistic gymnasium; a place where actors, directors, stage managers, playwrights and audience members could stretch their collective wings and explore new aspects of themselves. While established artists always took part, so did emerging artists; giving both the opportunity to explore who they are as creative beings and who they could become. Noah Wyle, Molly Shannon, Jennifer Aniston, Jeremy Sisto, Matthew Lillard all acted in the Living Room Series (LRS) before their careers took off (and even afterwards.) While we explored published plays as part of the LRS, we always worked on new plays as well. Tony Award winners George Furth (COMPANY) and Steven Sater (SPRING AWAKENING) developed material in the LRS.

Along the way, we discovered that new play development in the U.S. was dwindling and that we had created a structure that could help fill in the gap for getting a new play or musical developed and born. So the LRS became “all new work.” Since then, more and more new play programs have gone by the wayside, and we are still here making the new plays and playwrights of the future.

We develop and present over 30 new plays each year. We offer the playwright full support in achieving his or her vision. We give our expertise and advise in the choice of director

22 LIVING ROOM SERIES and casting. We support the play with a week of rehearsals in the theatre with talented professionals all dedicated to assisting in the birth of a new work of art. And we supply an appreciative audience to be a part of the final birthing process.

The plays and musicals in the Living Room Series are written by a vast array of writers from Tony winners to local playwrights to 19 year old winners of our Young Playwrights Festival (the only professional nationwide competition for playwrights 9 to 19) who are now exploring full- length subject matter. We understand that we have an opportunity to support many different levels of artist with the work we do in LRS, and we take that challenge seriously. The plays we develop have consistently gone on to The Blank’s Mainstage as well as impressive venues throughout the world, winning awards and audience acclaim along the way.

PROCESS The Living Room Series features fully staged readings of new plays with actors “on book.” These are not sit-down or even semi-staged readings. We have found that playwrights benefit most from seeing their piece completely “on its feet” rather than just read around a table or in spare pools of light. However, though the expectation is for the play to be largely blocked, the intention of LRS is also to convey the essence of the play using only necessary props, a suggestion of costumes, and minimal tech.

An Artistic Committee (AC) of eight writers, directors, and producers serve as the guiding force for the Living Room Series. They meet and discuss plays and musicals submitted in an open submission process, making the decisions about which plays will earn a spot in the LRS. Then one of the AC members becomes the Creative Producer on the project, shepherding the playwright through the LRS process from first notes to final comments from audience members. They guide them through director choices, casting, rewrites and whatever else the particular show requires.

Each play gets a week of rehearsals, with the playwright making necessary changes as they go. There is a producer and a stage manager assigned to each LRS presentation supplied by The Blank. There is a tech rehearsal as the final step and the play is presented free to an audience on a Monday night at The Blank’s 2nd Stage Theatre in Hollywood.

23 LIVING ROOM SERIES

IMPACT

The Blank Theatre’s Living Room Series impacts multiple communities:

FOR THE PLAYWRIGHTS It is a terrific opportunity to work on their play in collaboration with some of the best talent Los Angles has to offer. In a way, a play needs to be a communal experience for it to take shape, and we offer support for that experience. The playwright gets to see their play “on its feet,” which is fairly unique in the play development world. Usually plays are developed in readings with actors sitting in chairs using music stands; a fine way to “hear” a play, perhaps, but not to “see it.” Plays come alive in the third dimension and we want the writer to “see” their play. Playwrights thank us time and time again for that experience specifically, since it is so rare and so valuable. And the writer gets to hear honest audience reaction to their play, which is invaluable.

FOR THE BLANK We get the opportunity to work with and support hundreds of artists each year, and create working relationships that have, with some, now stretched decades. We also get to present our audiences with exciting new plays before anyone else. We have a commitment to bring the new plays we develop in the Living Room Series to our Mainstage each season. And we’re glad to do it.

FOR THE CITY OF LOS ANGELES We present over 30 evenings of free theatre to our neighbors in the local community. We also get to introduce our theatrical colleagues to new plays and playwrights. Many LRS plays have been produced in other theatres throughout Los Angeles. BILLY & RAY, a play about the writing of the screenplay for Double Indemnity, was seen in the LRS by the Falcon Theatre who picked it up, produced it to great success and recently BILLY & RAY opened in NYC at the prestigious Vineyard Theatre directed by Garry Marshall. If we hadn’t produced the play in the LRS, it is unlikely any of that would have happened.

FOR THE INTERNATIONAL THEATRE SCENE Playwrights know that The Blank’s Living Room Series is one of the best places to have their work developed and we receive submissions from not only highly regarded literary agents across the country but writers from all over the world. The work we present in the Living Room Series goes on to impressive venues throughout the world, as do the artists we support in the LRS.

24 LIVING ROOM SERIES

These plays have consistently been produced by theatres such as Manhattan Theatre Club, Vineyard Theatre, Manhattan Class Company & Transport Group (NYC), Laguna Playhouse, and Brideswell Theatre (London).

In fact, Neil Benjamin’s play THE EXPLORER’S CLUB recently won the NY Outer Critics Circle Award for “Outstanding New Off-Broadway Play,” when it was produced by the multiple Tony Award winning Manhattan Theatre Club after two developmental workshops in our Living Room Series.

Another interesting aspect of the LRS is a rigorous job training program for producers and stage managers. We supply emerging producers and stage managers with hands-on immersion training in these valuable job skills. This gives these artists a way to develop another part of their creative beings and learn skills to make some extra income in their chosen profession; in what can be a challenging job climate.

The Blank Theatre’s Living Room Series has developed over 560 new plays and musicals in two and a half decades. We help create new plays, new playwrights, directors, actors, stage managers, producers, and thousands of delighted audience members who are part of the birth of a new work of art.

Brand new plays. Made in L.A.

25 LIVING ROOM SERIES

LIVING ROOM SERIES AROUND THE WORLD

THE EXPLORER’S CLUB SONG OF EXTINCTION Tony Award nominee Neil Benjamin’s play won the NY E.M. Lewis’ play won the prestigious Steinberg New Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding New Off- Play Prize and the LA Drama Critics Circle Award - Broadway Play when produced by Manhattan Theatre Outstanding New Play. Club following two LRS presentations. MR. SHAW GOES TO HOLLYWOOD DR. KEELING’S CURVE Seven time Emmy winning writer Mark Saltzman’s play Mike Farrell starred in this one man show by George premiered at the Laguna Playhouse and has gone on Shea about Dr. David Keeling, who discovered climate to other productions including Chicago. change. Produced by The Blank on the Mainstage, it aired on KCET TV (PBS), and subsequently played at RIDING THE MIDNIGHT EXPRESS USC, Cal Tech and other venues across the US. Billy Hayes solo show about his experiences in a Turkish prison that led to “Midnight Express.” HEADS Premiered at The Blank then seen Off Broadway - E.M. Lewis’ play had its world premiere at The Blank Barrow St Theatre, Edinburgh, Melbourne. and won the American Theatre Critics Primus Prize. BAD DOG DON’T GO GENTLE Jennifer Hoppe-House’s comedy had its World Stephen Belber’s controversial play opened at Premiere at Orlando Shakespeare Festival and was the Manhattan Class Company, and has played subsequently produced by Olney Theatre Center productions across the country. in Maryland.

I SEE YOU MADE AN EFFORT BETWEEN TIME AND TIMBUKTU Annabelle Gurwitch’s one woman show based on her Musical based on the Kurt Vonnegut story played the NY Times Best Selling memoir has played all over the NY Musical Festival (NYMF). By Andrew Barrett and Ira country and appeared on virtually every talk show Antelis. from CNN to NPR. DOES ANYONE KNOW WHAT A PANCREAS IS? FIRST LADY SUITE Carole Real’s comedy played Ensemble Studio Revised Michael John LaChiusa musical about Theatre – L.A. America’s First Ladies played at The Blank then in NYC at the Transport Group, subsequently at the NY TRUE FANS Historical Society with Audra McDonald and at the Bill Rosenfield’s play received its World Premiere in Brideswell Theatre, London. The Blank’s production Orlando at Florida Theatrical. was recorded and released on the PS Classics Label. LOVE/SICK A SINGULAR THEY John Cariani’s comedy about relationships opened Off Aliza Goldstein’s gender-busting play won the Ebell Broadway in Spring 2015. Prize for Female Playwrights FALSE SOLUTION SECRETS OF THE TRADE Oren Safdie’s play starred Daniel J. Travanti when it Jonathan Tolins’ play ran successfully at the Black opened at LA MaMa E.T.C. in NYC. Dahlia in LA and Primary Stages Off-Broadway in NYC.

26 THE TEAM

Daniel Henning Founding Artistic Director

Paulo Andres Chairman Laura Bousman Secreatary Rick Baumgartner Marie Chambers Pekka Kauranen Susie Landau Finch Barbara Ligeti Angela Oh Stacy Reed

27 THE TEAM

DANIEL HENNING PAULO ANDRES Founding Chairman Artistic Director Paulo is Partner at Rothman/Andres Daniel founded The Blank Theatre Entertainment, a boutique talent and currently serves as its Founding management company. His style of Artistic Director. management is personal and he has been fortunate to serve a small, select He has produced over 60 Mainstage group of working actors. Productions, 24 seasons of the Living Room Series and 23 Young Playwrights Festivals. He serves on the Western Regional Paulo’s non-profit experience includes board member and Council for the Actor’s Fund and is the former Vice-President of then Board President for Common Ground (now called the Hollywood Arts Council. Venice Family Clinic). Critical services includes counseling, needle exchange, active prevention through education, His initiative Stayin’ Live! to support the Intimate Theatre outreach to minority and under represented, teen runaway Movement in LA most recently attained the official city assistance and job placement. declaration of Hollywood Theatre Row. As chief fundraiser for The Blank, he has secured grants from the NEA, CAC, LA He also served as board member on Century of Compassion, County Arts, LA Dept of Cultural Affairs, Parsons Foundation, an organization dedicated to making this century the most Irvine Foundation, Steinberg Charitable Trust, Bloomberg compassionate ever. He has run five marathons –two of Philanthropies and many others. them fundraising for APLA. An avid cyclist, Paulo is a three- time participant in the non-profit fundraiser AIDS/LifeCycle, Henning’s productions have been nominated for 189 LA benefiting The LA Gay & Lesbian Center, cycling 545 miles theatre awards, winning 59 including “Best Production” from from to Los Angeles. His latest passion has LA Drama Critic Circle Awards, LA Weekly Awards, Ovation been participating in BGF’s Ultimate Frisbee. Awards, NAACP Theatre Awards, BackStage Garland Awards. Henning won the NAACP Theatre Award for “Best Director of a Musical” for Michael John LaChiusa’s THE WILD PARTY (“Best Production” - LA Drama Critics Circle, NAACP Theatre, BackStage Garland and 17 other awards).

He made his directorial debut with THE GIRLY SHOW and directed the world premiere of MR. SHAW GOES TO HOLLYWOOD at Laguna Playhouse. As director and writer, his television and film work include MTV’s “Rob Dyrdek’s Fantasy Factory” and the short film Critic’s Choice. His plays include DICKIE & BABE: THE TRUTH ABOUT LEOPOLD & LOEB.

Daniel is a graduate of NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, Circle in the Square Theatre School, and American Conservatory Theatre.

28 THE TEAM LAURA BOUSMAN RICK BAUMGARTNER Secretary Laura was born and raised in Rick is a digital content producer, Los Angeles, where she attended designer and writer. His areas of Brentwood School. In 1999, her play, expertise include graphic design HUNGER PAINS, was honored by (online and print), 3D stereoscopic The Blank Theatre Company’s Young post-production, visual effects and Playwright’s Festival and performed technical writing. Rick has production at Garry Marshall’s Falcon Theatre. Laura graduated from credits on six Activision videogames UCLA in 2003 with a B.A. in Communication Studies. Laura and several of his photographs and graphics have appeared in has devoted a great deal of time to the non-profit sector, The Los Angeles Times and other print and online periodicals. first performing administrative duties for the Independent His book 3D Post-Production: Workflows and Techniques was Film and Television Alliance and then assisting Holocaust published by Focal Press in 2014. Rick has provided imaging Survivors at Bet Tzedek Legal Services. After meeting her expertise to The Annenberg Foundation, Guidance Solutions, future husband, Darren Lynn Bousman (Director, Saw II- Intel, Panasonic, Pepsico, National Football League, National IV, Repo!, Mother’s Day), Laura transitioned into the film Geographic Films, National Hockey League, Paramount industry, first documenting “behind the scenes” footage Pictures, Sony Pictures Imageworks, U.S. Army and many of Repo! and ultimately producing films such as 11-11-11 and others. Rick was nominated for an Emmy for Visual Effects the cult hits, The Devil’s Carnival and Alleluia! Laura is an active for the cult television show and has Docent at the Los Angeles Public Library in Downtown Los worked on such diverse award-winning feature films as 300, Angeles and lives in Studio City with her husband and son, Idiocracy, Monster House and U2 3D. Henry.

MARIE CHAMBERS SUSIE LANDAU FINCH Board Susie is a producer-writer-director. She has worked extensively for American Zoetrope under the aegis of Francis Ford Coppola’s Los Angeles and San Francisco studios among others. Various producing credits include: Bram Stoker’s Dracula, The Spirit of ‘76, Traveling Light, as well as the independent feature Wake which received a Prism Commendation Award. Susie has a passion for the adaptation of books and plays for the screen and has adapted the feature The Doctor’s Wife based on the novel of the same name which she will direct with Fred Roos and Patrick Cunningham producing. Susie is committed to viable, maverick projects with scripts of exceptional literary quality. She has served as US president for Vision Picture Co. an Australian film company, consulted for the Annenberg Foundation, Magnolia Mae and LucasFilm, among others. She serves as a board member for the Melrose Hill HPOZ and teaches Acting to Directors at Chapman University. She is the proud mother of her daughter, Aria Isabel.

29 THE TEAM

PEKKA KAURANEN BARBARA LIGETI Board Barbara met Pierre Cardin while in college where she was studying to become a dance therapist. He hired Pekka serves as the Head of Commodities Sales & Trading her to choreograph fashion shows/industrials and as a for Wells Fargo. Pekka started his career at Goldman Sachs in spokesperson and model. Favorite producing credits for New as an oil trader and besides a brief stint doing York stage include David Rabe’s HURLYBURLY; August Wilson’s a tech start-up with his brother at the worst possible timing MA RAINEY’S BLACK BOTTOM; Marsha Norman’s Pulitzer in history (a couple months before the tech bubble burst), Prize winning NIGHT, MOTHER; Bridgette Wimberly’s SAINT this has been his field of expertise. Although his career is in LUCY’S EYES starring Ruby Dee; 60 MINUTES IN NEGROLAND finance, he has a great love of theater and has been an avid and HARRIET AND PHYLLIS. She managed/produced Eric audience member and supporter of The Blank Theatre for Bogosian and Eduardo Machado. In 1989 Ligeti produced many years. Pekka is an alum and sponsor of the high school Sean Penn in HURLYBURLY at the Westwood Playhouse (now (United World College) Lester B. Pearson College in Victoria, Geffen Theatre). She developed and has been touring with Canada. It is an international baccalaureate high school with RIDING THE MIDNIGHT EXPRESS WITH BILLY HAYES written the mission “UWC makes education a force to unite people, and performed by Billy Hayes who wrote the book and was nations and cultures for peace and a sustainable future.” the subject of the iconic film MIDNIGHT EXPRESS. This show’s Pekka then went on to MIT; and currently lives and works in very first public presentation was as a fundraiser for The , TX. Blank Theatre in 2013. Her book “I LIKE MYSELF TODAY”, a primer on self-esteem for women of all ages, is due out for Christmas of 2015.

ANGELA OH STACY REED Board Angela is an actress, teacher, producer and avid fan of The Blank. Her charity Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. work has included fundraising for Jennifer Fusce blandit massa nec purus maximus iaculis. Praesent Siebel Newsom’s MissRepresentation. lacinia blandit tellus, sodales rhoncus nibh. Mauris pretium org, a project which examines how risus condimentum, semper metus sit amet, mattis lorem. women are portrayed in the media. Etiam arcu nibh, lacinia id tempor vel, sollicitudin a dolor. Through her business efforts, she has supported Nancy Morbi fringilla neque nunc, eu semper sem molestie eget. Davis’ Race to Erase MS and Cedars Sinai Sports Spectacular. Aliquam nec sem bibendum, molestie sapien eu, posuere She taught acting at the studio Lesly Kahn & Company. For nisi. Proin interdum dictum varius. Nam a mauris pharetra, The Blank’s Young Playwrights Festival, she has served on ultrices lacus ut, pretium leo. Aenean cursus felis et diam the YPF Selection Committee, as Hospitality Coordinator, pretium, quis semper mi dignissim. Donec mattis augue ut Weekly Producer, and finally as an actor. She has also acted iaculis aliquam. Aliquam tempus sit amet nulla nec vulputate. in the Living Room Series. Angela has volunteered at The Donec sed velit dolor. Nulla maximus nunc et tellus aliquam, Blank’s offices and generally loves telling people about and eget lacinia enim faucibus. Donec tincidunt lectus at neque supporting Daniel Henning and The Blank Theatre. She is vehicula scelerisque. Donec sodales ex et purus varius deeply honored to be a Board Member of The Blank Theatre. suscipit. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Fusce blandit massa nec purus maximus iaculis. Praesent lacinia blandit tellus, sodales rhoncus nibh.

30 THE TEAM

KEN WERTHER Board Ken began his career in public relations at Norman Lear’s Embassy Television. He later served as a unit publicist at Lorimar Television. Werther joined the Los Angeles office of Boneau/Bryan- Brown in December 1995, where he served as the publicist for the Los Angeles production of Disney’s BEAUTY AND THE BEAST; THE 24TH DAY starring Noah Wyle and Peter Berg; Sir Ian McKellen’s A KNIGHT OUT IN LOS ANGELES; MASTER CLASS starring Faye Dunaway. He spent five years as press associate at the Mark Taper Forum, working on many productions including ’s TWILIGHT:LOS ANGELES, 1992; THE KENTUCKY CYCLE; MASTER CLASS (with Zoe Caldwell); and (all prior to Broadway). From 1989 to 1990, Ken partnered with Rick Miramontez in the Miramontez/Werther Company. In addition, Ken worked at Solters/Roskin/Friedman (42ND STREET, SWEET CHARITY starring Debbie Allen) and at the Ahmanson Theatre (2000- 2009). Member of the Association of Theatrical Press Agents and Managers and the Publicists Guild of America.

31 WHAT YOU CAN DO

Join The Blank Family and help create the future of the theatre

Give The Blank a significant gift: multi-year or one-time

Watch your investment grow into new plays and new artists

Make a difference in the community through the power of live theatre

We would be thrilled to have you part of The Blank Family

PLEASE CONTACT US: [email protected] 323.871.8018 DONATE NOW!

32 WHAT YOU CAN DO

WHO SUPPORTS US?

Over the last few seasons The Blank has been supported by:

National Endowment for the Arts Los Angeles County Arts Commission City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs Los Angeles City Council District 4 Bloomberg Philanthropies Ralph M. Parsons Foundation Steinberg Charitable Trust The Plum Foundation The Rosenthal Family Foundation Sheri and Les Biller Family Foundation William C. Bannerman Foundation Hollywood Chamber of Commerce Foundation Hollywood Fringe Festival The Guacamole Fund Walt Disney Company Wells Fargo Securities Amazon.com Ralph’s and many individual donors

33 WHAT YOU CAN DO

Your gift will give life-changing experiences to artists and audiences alike. By supporting The Blank Theatre, you will be helping to expose a new generation of artists to the grandest of art forms through our Young Playwrights Festival, Living Room Series and Mainstage Productions. Most importantly, you’ll be helping our local arts community to continue to grow and thrive.

Also, your charitable contribution to The Blank Theatre is tax deductible, as The Blank Theatre is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. When you donate to The Blank, everyone wins.

Make a difference by making a donation today.

SUPPORT OPTIONS NAMING OPPORTUNITIES We are offering the chance to have your name on our Major Signature Programs for the appropriate gift level:

Mainstage Productions Young Playwrights Festival Living Room Series Apprenticeship Program

MULTI-YEAR GIFTS We are seeking significant multi-year gifts to ensure the future of The Blank’s artistic and community programs. We are inviting you to make a five year commitment to support our important work.

ONE-TIME GIFTS We are also seeking one-time donations to support this year’s budget and to ensure our continued success. You would be joining other philanthropists in support of new play development and production.

34 WHAT YOU CAN DO

EMPLOYEE MATCHING PROGRAMS Your employer may offer a donation matching program so that you can double your gift to The Blank.

SPONSOR AN EVENT The Blank is always looking for philanthropic individuals to become part of the team that makes The Blank magic happen. If you are interested, please let us know.

WHAT YOU GET

• Opening Night Invitations

• Special Invitations to exclusive events

• Complimentary Tickets to many of The Blank Theatre’s offerings

• The Best Seats in The House reserved for you

• The undying gratitude of hundreds of artists annually who are supported by The Blank’s programs

• The thrill of knowing you may have just supported the burgeoning career of a future Tony Award Winning Playwright or Academy Award Winning Actress.

35 www.TheBlank.com [email protected]

PO Box 1094 Los Angeles, CA 90078 323.871.8018

The Blank is a 501 (c)(3) Non-Profit Corporation