Jeune Lune, Mum Puppet Theatre close

This isn't quite about clowning, but I wanted to talk about-- and since it includes two very important theatres that use clowning techniques, I think doing it here is right. I've just read about two very well respected regional theatres that specialize in "popular theatrical techniques" that are shuttering their doors. Theatre de la Jeune Leune of Minneapolis, which was founded by students of Jacques LeCoq, and contributed a number of wonderful "physical theatre" plays to the Minneapolis scene (and toured nationally, also) is closing after 30 years. They had won a Tony a couple of years ago as the best regional theatre, even. ARTICLE Simultaneously, the Mum PuppetTheatre of Philadelphia is also closing after 23 years. This theatre, founded by puppet wunderkind Robert Smythe, was consistently creating new puppet works, and hiring and promoting some of the most interesting work in the area. ARTICLE Both theatres were highly innovative, very well regarded in their field, had recently won major awards. So what happened? And is this a harbinger for more closings to come? Both of the closings seem to be about money, and about energy. It takes a great deal of money to keep a working theatre going, and even more energy. In the case of Mum-- in another philly.com article, Robert said that he realized he was keeping it open mostly to support other artists, and not himself. And for Jeune Lune, according to the Star-Tribune, it had been losing steam since the awards, and the loss of their artistic ensemble. It seems that both theatres would have been perfectly situated to continue onwards, but they couldn't find another person (in the case of Mum) and didn't find another person (in the case of Jeune Leune) to find a new way to make it successful. In other words, secession planning. Original founders can keep stuff going long past their prime based on their personal energy, charisma, and the fact that they already know how to do it. They've got a following, they're following their own vision, and they made it happen-- so they have the confidence that can keep stuff going. But when they retire or move on or do whatever, it can become very difficult to find someone to carry on their vision-- to defeat the cult of personality that they were able to create to make their vision happen. In one of my books about non-profit organization, the author talks about how when somebody retires from the non-profit, they'll say "Oh, she did the work of three people." But the non-profit never figured out how to raise the money to hire the three people they are going to need to replace them-- so they get stuck in this trap of not having enough money to do the services that need to be done in order to get things going. I've been thinking a lot about these issues, as we figure out what to do about the non-profit festival that I direct http://www.brightnight.org. I do most of the work for it, and I love doing it, but we have to figure out a secession plan-- nobody can be around forever. And I'm already in my sixth year! If you have any ideas about how to save theatres, or more insight into why theatres might be closing down, please write them in the comments!

Elemental Theatre Collective's King Stag in RI

I've been hearing about these guys for a while, but didn't realize that they were Trinity Rep Conservatory grads. (I am also a Conservatory grad as well, admittedly a lot earlier than these guys (like 14 years!)) They are performing Carlo Gozzi's commedia masterpiece, King Stag through the month of August at venues around the state of Rhode Island. Admission is free. (although I'm sure that donations are accepted!) If you are undecided about going, you can read this great review of their show in the Providence Phoenix. KING STAG SCHEDULE Sat 8/4, 6 pm - Clark Memorial Library - Carolina, RI- link Sun, 8/5, 6 pm - Goddard Park - Warwick, RI - link Sun 8/12, 6 pm - Foster Town Hall - Foster, RI - link Wed 8/15, 6 pm - Louttit Library - West Greenwich, RI - link Sat 8/18, 6 pm - WaterFire - Waterplace Park, Providence, RI - link ~ ABOUT ELEMENTAL THEATRE COLLECTIVE ~ Elemental is a theatre collective primarily made up of the Trinity Rep Conservatory Class of 2002. During three years of intensive learning and collaboration, they became determined to continue their growth as theatre artists together after graduation. In the fall of 2005, they mounted their first full-length show in Providence, a critically acclaimed production of Tony Kushner’s incendiary A Bright Room Called Day. It was nominated for Best Production, Best Director and Best Actress by Motif Magazine that year. They also produce an annual summer festival of short plays in Tiverton called Outbursts! This outdoor summer tour of King Stag, is the next step for them. To find out more about Elemental Theatre Ensemble, visit them online at the websites listed below. http://myspace.com/elementaltheatre http://elementaltheatre.org

Jim Jackson

Jim Jackson is an actor, clown, and puppeteer who lives in Manitou Springs, Colorado. Jim has over 25 years experience as a clown and circus performer. His first experience as an actor and clown came in the second grade when he produced the play, "Noah's Ark" complete with a large refrigerator-box ark and spray-bottle rain. The production came to a hilarious and catastrophic end when a small riot broke out among the animals due to overcrowding in the ark. The result was a badly broken cardboard ark and considerable over-acting by the spray bottle crew. In 1976 Jim joined the Royal Lichtenstein Circus and for five years he traveled throughout the U.S. and other countries performing as a juggler and acrobat in small tent circuses. In 1981 a bad fall from the high wire left Jim unable to perform for six months. After his recovery, he created original one-man productions for the theater using his experience as a mime and clown. These shows have won him international recognition. He has a number of performances and shows available, including Art Guffaw, the story of an employment challenged housepainter who is afraid of color and cannot draw a straight line. Somehow, he finds himself in a mysterious artist's studio where the easel speaks, the portraits come alive, and the "still-lifes" dance. Other shows available include a clown mystery The Missing Nose, a one clown circus The Firehouse Circus, a two person Circus Waiter show called Cirkoo, performed with his wife (a director and performer in her own right) Birgitta De Pree. In 2001 Jim and Birgitta founded a theatre, the Manitou Arts Theatre. There they present a number of shows, and tour shows to the local community. Some of those shows include: a puppet and real life production of Alice in Wonderland; a trio of original plays about Jim growing up in Colorado: Stick Guns, Royal Buckskin, and Hut!; and guest performer's shows. These are just a few of the shows that they've put together. To find out more about Jim's work or the Manitou Arts Theatre, visit the M.A.T. website listed below: M.A.T. website: http://www.themat.org Shows: Shows Available for touring

Dell'Arte

Dell'Arte International is the United States center for the development, exploration, training, creation, and performance of the physical theatre traditions and their contemporary applications. We are a true "regional" arts center for our geographically diverse community. The four primary programs of Dell'Arte are: The Dell'Arte Company -- a professional touring company. This on-going ensemble of artists has created over 35 award-winning, original works of theatre since 1977. The company has toured extensively to international festivals. Dell'Arte International School of Physical Theatre -- a professional actor-training program is the only one of its kind in the U.S., attracting students from all over the world to study with outstanding artists, in a fulltime 1 year program, summer workshops, and a new, 2 and a half year MFA program in Ensemble-Based Physical Theatre. The program is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Theatre. Dell'Arte Youth Academy -- "Education Through Art" --Originally funded in 1991 by the National Endowment for the Arts as one of six nationwide pilot programs, the Academy not only makes it possible for every child in Blue Lake to work with a Dell'Arte artist each year, but has also evolved to reach over 4000 elementary school students throughout Humboldt County with curriculum-based, and standards based physical theatre work. In addition, the Academy offers innovative afterschool and summer programs for both elementary and high school students. The Dell'Arte Mad River Festival -- this month-long summer event is the largest performance event in our community, drawing over 5,000 people locally and from San Francisco to Seattle to indoor and outdoor events. Theatre and music offerings include the EdgeFest, a week of the newest physical theatre, including artists from around the world and down the block. Dell'Arte is based in the small town of Blue Lake, a former logging town with a population of about 1,200 in Humboldt County, on California's rural north coast. Dell'Arte co-founder, Carlo Mazzone-Clementi, was a native of Italy and chose the name 'dell'arte' (dell are tay) because it means "of the art." His work was inspired by the lively commedia dell'arte, a character -based style of theatre that has fueled popular theatre for generations, and was known as 'the art of the professionals.' Dell'Arte's audiences tell us, "There is no other theatre like Dell'Arte!" The combination of training programs , research, original touring productions, education program in the public schools, summer festival and community-building activities make us a destination unlike any other on the American theatre map. To find out more about Dell'Arte, visit their website: http://www.dellarte.com