Oakland Theater Project

Introducing the playwright of our next production, "Begin the Beguine" Kathleen Collins was an under-recognized yet highly regarded African-American filmmaker, playwright, and poet during the 70s and 80s. Remarks lead performer and co-director Dawn L. Troupe: [Collins'] words bring the listening audience into the inner and outer self, while wrestling with the mundane to the convoluted. I love the evocative ways Ms. Collins uses language to give her characters impulse to spe...ak to their circumstances, to the audience and to their times. She calls our attention to points of view different from our own. Critics agreed about the power of Kathleen's words. Parul Seghal for the NYTimes wrote that "[Collins'] voice and vision are idiosyncratic and pitiless, combining mischief and crisp authority, formal experimentation and deep feeling. More and more writers, I hazard, will start to sound like her...There is the sleekness of her sentences, and the burrs. There is cool skepticism but also hunger for rapture. There is humor a knife’s edge from despair." Interested in experiencing Kathleen Collins' language in-person with our five dynamic cast members? Tickets at oaklandtheaterproject.org/begin Read the nytimes article: https://www.nytimes.com//review-notes-from-black-womans-di

OTP's next show, "Begin the Beguine: A Quartet of One-Acts," is comprised of four dynamic and soul-stirring pieces written by Kathleen Collins. In "The Remembrance" a woman is startled to discover an audience observing her within the privacy of her own home as she makes a dresser an altar... In "The Reading" we venture to the waiting room of a psychic when two women, one white and one Black, engage in banter that soon unearths the racial fault lines between them...... "Begin the Beguine" reveals a mysterious and mystical relationship between a young man and older woman on a park bench in some kind of dreamscape. Is he her son? Her lover? Her father? Her guide?... And finally, "The Healing" takes place in an apartment with a white man in his thirties ‘laying hands’ on Ellen, a Black woman in her forties. As he reads her energy, she attempts to engage him in a discourse about why she is hurt...

FINAL CALL - OTP's production of "The Waste Land" by T.S. Eliot wraps up THIS SUNDAY 5/16. Saturday's show is SOLD OUT and the remaining shows have limited tickets. Don't miss this innovative theatrical experience critics have called "timely" and "visceral" (Mercury News), "revolutionary" (East Bay Express), and "brilliant" (Berkeleyside). Visit oaklandtheaterproject.org/waste-land or link in bio for tickets

LAST CHANCE! OTP's adaptation of "The Waste Land" closes THIS SUNDAY! Oakland Theater Project is honored to be featured on the cover of East Bay Express' May 5-11 edition. Lou Fancher writes:... "...What happens, in other words, to the art of live theater and audiences when the 2020 coronavirus reaches its claws into 2021? Oakland Theater Project’s answer is as revolutionary as people familiar with the fearless theater company might expect..." Visit eastbayexpress.com/play-on-the-moon for the full review. Tickets at oaklandtheaterproject.org/waste-land

Introducing our 5-person "BEGIN the BEGUINE" cast! In addition to OTP company member and Director of Education Dawn L. Troupe (Death of a Salesman, Pool of Unknown Wonders), we're thrilled to be able to bring back company members Kimba Daniels (Mother Courage, Down Here Below), Benoit Monin (Romeo and Juliet, American Jornalero) and Margherita Ventura (Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet), and introduce Leon Jones (Youth Uproar Theatre Company).

COMING SOON: The World Premiere of "BEGIN THE BEGUINE: A Quartet of One-Acts" Right after descending into "The Waste Land" with OTP, get ready to start anew with "Begin the Beguine," the third production of our 2021 Drive-In Season: "Resurrection, Revolution and Renewal." Bay Area audiences can be among the first to experience never-before-produced theatrical work of the prolific filmmaker and playwright Kathleen Collins, whose work as a Black artist in the 1970s and ’80s was... largely under-recognized during her lifetime. In addition to co-directing, OTP company member and Director of Education, Dawn L. Troupe, will be playing the central role(s) in all four one-act plays. Be on the lookout for the rest of the 5-person cast this week! oaklandtheaterproject.org/begin

...has manifested itself in so many #OaklandTheaterProject productions over the years. As the company's resident lighting designer since 2015, Stephanie's innovative designs create immersive worlds and illuminate urgent themes, from the industrial lighting of 2015's "Waiting for Lefty" to bold and dynamic colors of 2017's "To the Bone," and now, with the spellbinding projections of "Binding Ties: The 16th Street Station," the 30th anniversary production which opens Feb 11.... We are immensely grateful for Stephanie's contributions to the Bay Area as a prolific designer, artist, and educator and celebrate her grace in paving the way for Black theatre designers. #IAmBecauseWeAre Learn more about Stephanie at her website: www.lightessencedesign.com Listen to a recent podcast featuring Stephanie: plsn.com//when-we-know-better-we-can-do-better-with-steph/ See more

#OaklandTheaterProject is proud to welcome back its online conversation series, newly rebranded as Interdependent. A bi-weekly conversation about the intersection of art, faith, politics, and culture in the face of global unrest and polarization, Interdependent offers a space to interrogate and learn, engage and reflect amidst a pandemic that has brought to light the immense challenges and potential for hope that existed in the American experiment long before COVID-19. Join C...o-Artistic Director Michael Moran for the first conversation of 2021 with renowned Berkeley Professor of Public Law, Ian Haney López, as they explore the opportunity to build coalitions and solidarity across race and class and the challenges of racism, colorblindness, and political gridlock in figuring out how we progress together across difference. Visit oaklandtheaterproject.org/interdependent for more info.

In 1991, theatre critic and #OaklandTheater literary manager John Wilkins wrote this rave review of Stephanie Anne Johnson and Michael Copeland Sydnor's original production of "Binding Ties: The 16th Street Station." 30 years later, the "seductive" #BindingTies returns with original creator Stephanie Anne Johnson. With moving imagery, dynamic audio, and resonant narratives, 'Binding Ties' explores the lives and legacies of West Oakland's 16th Street Station community of Black... and immigrant families and invites audiences to reflect. What's changed? And what hasn't? Tickets are limited, so secure your spot today: oaklandtheaterproject.org/binding-ties

#OaklandTheaterProject is proud to introduce the first show of its 2021 season of #drive-in #theater. Originally commissioned by the City of Oakland Cultural Arts Division in 1991, the piece was one of its first Public Arts Projects funded, and was originally created by Oakland Theater Project lighting designer Stephanie Anne Johnson with Michael Copeland Sydnor. From Feb 1128, immerse yourself in a sweeping mix of archival footage, live storytelling, and dynamic soundscape... in a production remounted at Oakland’s historic 16th Street Station, re-envisioned by Stephanie Anne Johnson, and with a new sound score by Kevin Myrick Be transported back Oakland's 16th street community in the early 20th century, and learn how the station brought dignity, opportunity, and transformation to its residents. Learn more and buy tickets at oaklandtheaterproject.org/binding-ties

We are because of you. That has been Oakland Theater Project’s underlying ethos since its conception. In a year of historic challenges, it has rung true more than ever. Our community has been with us every step of the wayand we couldn’t be more grateful for your support. Today, we wanted to offer our thanks in the form of a songthe hymn Wondrous Love, which was featured in our 2016 production of The Grapes of Wrath. We hope you enjoy this song by our company. Our artists in...spire our organization, and we hope this offers you a little inspiration as well as we move forward in 2021. If you’d like more of an insider’s look at our 2021 season, we welcome you to subscribe to our newsletter here: https://oaklandtheaterproject.org/mailing-list #Oakland #OaklandTheater #iambecauseweare

We set an ambitious year-end goal of raising $50,000 to bring our artists back and launch our 2021 Seasonand thanks to you, we reached our goal! We raised over $53,000! We know this is an extraordinarily difficult time, and there are many worthy causes to donate towe are immensely grateful that we were among them.... Because of you, we are thrilled to continue our mission of inspiring compassion and to offer a full season of drive-in theater in 2021! Stay tuned for a closer look at our upcoming shows, announcements about classes, conversations and so much more. We cannot wait to journey with you all for another year. Sending you all much loveand we hope to see you in the parking lot. We are because of you!

We are thrilled to announce our 2021 Drive-In Season: Resurrection, Revolution and Renewal! With four World Premieres, a 30th Anniversary production, and our first musical (!), you can experience six all-new vehicle-based shows in Oakland, with pay-what-you-can tickets and subscriptions available for the season! More info & tickets: https://oaklandtheaterproject.org/2021-season

Oakland Theater Project is proud to be sharing our 2021 season plans with you shortly! Stay tuned for the big announcement in October 2020! #comingsoon #iambecauseweare #OaklandTheater

Did you know our online classes give kids the opportunity to interact with our company members? Come work with our talented artists - more info can be found at oaklandtheaterproject.org/youth-classes If you know anyone who would relish this opportunity - click the share button!

Itching to play with your imagination or create a character? Oakland Theater Project is offering online classes at pay-what-you-can pricing for youth in grades 6-11. The classes start in less than a month (Oct 13!), so reserve your spot NOW! Visit oaklandtheaterproject.org/youth-classes for more info!

Know a young person interested in acting or theater? Oakland Theater Project is proud to present virtual acting classes for students in grades 6-11, taught by the dynamic Dawn L. Troupe (20+ years experience as an educator and actor). Like or comment if you've been inspired by an arts educator and want to pass it on! And check out oaklandtheaterproject.org/youth-classes for more details!

We must end violence against Black people and fight for justice every day and in every facet of our society. Today, Oakland Theater Project asks our community to join us in demanding justice for Jacob Blake. Thank you to Anti-Racism Daily for giving us tools and coaching on how we can take action every day. Today, we ask that you join us in contacting Kenosha officials and donate to Milwaukee Freedom Fund. (Follow Anti-Racism Daily to keep up the fight today and every day. Li...ves depend on it.) *Note that the voicemails have been turned off due to the volume of calls. But you can still email and get your message through! Here are the corresponding email addresses: Kenosha City and District Attorney [email protected] [email protected] Kenosha Mayor and City Administrator [email protected] [email protected] Kenosha Chief of Police [email protected] Message WI DOJ at https://www.doj.state.wi.us/ag/contact

Hello friends, Unfortunately, due to new restrictions from Actors' Equity Association on the prevalence of COVID-19 in a region, we will be postponing our production of The Waste Land to January 2021. In a conference call last week, Actors’ Equity Association outlined new requirements for the prevalence of COVID-19 in a region before Actors’ Equity will approve a production. Though Oakland Theater Project has met all the other Actors’ Equity stipulations over the last 2 month...s on how to produce theater safely, it has been determined that Alameda County, in which our theater is located, has too many new cases and too high an infection rate for our production of The Waste Land to be approved at present. Oakland Theater Project supports the health and safety of our artists and works tirelessly to ensure that our people are safe and able to thrive. We will continue to partner with Actors' Equity and follow the leadership of county and state health departments to ensure that our team is safe when we return to work. Therefore, rather than The Waste Land being produced as a stand-alone production in the Fall of 2020, it has been postponed and is currently slated to open the 2021 Season in January. We are sorry for the challenge and disappointment this may cause. We know this production meant a lot to many members of our community. But even though this current barrier was unexpected and comes with its challenges, we are also excited about the opportunity for this production to kick off our 2021 Season and how this piece will fit into our upcoming season as a whole. We are digging deep and curating a dynamic series of theatrical events for a full year-round season that we are excited to share with our community. In the meantime, we will contact all ticket holders immediately following this email and will honor all refunds. And if anyone has any additional questions, please email us at [email protected] and we'll be happy to connect. Thank you for your grace and understanding as we continue trying to navigate producing theater in this unprecedented time. And we look forward to sharing our 2021 Season with you soon.

Wondering what #LisaRamirez has been dreaming up? Come find out in Oakland Theater Project's first DRIVE-IN THEATER EXPERIENCE featuring Lisa Ramirez (Angels in America, A Streetcar Named Desire) in an adaption of T.S. Eliot's "The Waste Land." The production runs September 11 through October 4, so learn more and get your tickets now at oaklandtheaterproject.org/waste #OaklandTheaterProject #OaklandTheater #theatre #thewasteland #tseliot #drivein #IAmBecauseWeAre

Looking for a fun, educational virtual theater opportunity for your child this fall? Oakland Theater Project is proud to present pay-what-you-can Youth Theater Classes running from August 25 to September 24 for youth grades 6-9. Taught by the dynamic Dawn L. Troupe, take your child on a set design journey (Tue & Thu @ 4:00-5:00pm PT) or spur their playwriting imaginations (Tue & Thu @ 5:30-6:30pm PT). Spots are filling fast, so learn more and register at http://oaklandtheaterproject.org/youth-classes #oaklandtheaterproject #theater #youththeater #theatrekids #education #virtualclassroom #elearning

HERE IS NO WATER BUT ONLY ROCK ROCK AND NO WATER AND THE SANDY ROAD Oakland Theater Project is back and proud to present a world-premiere poetic adaptation of T.S. Eliot's "The Waste Land" featuring Associate Artistic Director Lisa Ramirez in a one-of-a-kind DRIVE-IN THEATER experience. Directed by Co-Artistic Director Michael Socrates Moran, this unique production at @flaxart speaks to the current crisis caused by the pandemic. Tickets are PER VEHICLE and selling fa...st, so buy your tickets today at oaklandtheaterproject.org/waste. Learn more about DRIVE-IN THEATER at oaklandtheaterproject.org/your-visit #oaklandtheater #iambecauseweare #pandemictheater #driveintheater #thewasteland #tseliot #lisaramirez See more