The Magic Theatre in Oakland FREE Play Series PG-18…read more Saturdays 2:30 pm 9/17/11, 11/19/11, 2/11/12, 4/14/12, 6/16/12 http://magictheatre.org/season/annapurna-2 11/19 World Premiere! ANNAPURNA A breathtaking story about the longevity of love by Sharr White directed by Loretta Greco After twenty years apart, Emma tracks Ulysses to a trailer park in the middle of nowhere for a final reckoning. What unfolds is a visceral and profound meditation on love and loss with the simplest of theatrical elements: two people in one room. Talkback with actors after the play. PG-18. Playwright Sharr White's wit is razor sharp, his insight deep, and his poetry spare. Nothing could be more epic. Venue: Laney College Theatre 900 Fallon St. Oakland, CA 94607 Across the street from Lake Merritt BART & Oakland Museum. Parking lot. Street parking. Greco is thrilled to direct the world premiere at Magic Theatre: Sharr has written a spellbinding and epic tale about unconditional love and its destructive force. Emma and Ulysses are the most tragic of lovers because they are soul mates whose love is impossible, cruel, and yet all consuming. I look forward to bringing this beautiful play to Laney and the Oakland Community. The idea for the series came about last year when people filled the Laney College Theatre to see Magic's free performance of Tarell Alvin Mc Craney's The Brothers Size. "We knew we were on to something and wanted to share more," said Greco. "It was such a big hit and an incredibly rich experience for everyone involved that we decided it was something we should continue." We are thrilled to be working in collaboration with Laney College Theater Arts Department and Oakland Community Producer, Awele Makeba, to present this full season of Magic plays. Last year we had some of the most fruitful dialogue from our Oakland audiences and we look forward to more. Community Producer for the Magic Oakland series is Awele Makeba, an award-winning, internationally recognized recording artist, storyteller, educator, and community activist. She was instrumental in the success of Magic's Oakland performance of McCraney's The Brothers Size. "Our hope is to bring quality professional theatre to Oakland that can transform Laney College Theater into a cultural center for community engagement." she said. Community Producer: Awele Makeba 510-601-0432

Allen Fredrick is an excellent performer and he was a pleasure to work with. All of his…read moreperformances were played beautifully. He arrived at the venue and was set up without any issues. If you want beautiful live music at your next event Allen is the guy to go to. -Greg

There's another Gold Rush and it's happening now! I keep telling people that this guy, James…read moreDonlon, is handing out gold. He's quite an influence of all things theatrically physical. He's taught at some of the best schools for drama. Flying Actor Studio is a grass roots school offering the absolute best in the business. I'm not kidding. You won't be trained like this anywhere else. James is the most inspiring teacher, patient but challenging and very thoughtful. What you will learn here applies to everything artistic and existent. You will learn new things about you, your body, its communication and how it can all flow to truth, passion, and confidence. Donlon comes to the table with like 100 plates. Every minute. He's constantly thinking, creating ideas that will make you smile all the way to the back of your head. It's a mixture of dance, movement, and improv. He takes anything you wish to create and gives you tools that make everything work together. Check these out to get a feeling of what it is (there's much more): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HB6W5_TfVNs http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C1FuQis5oak http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c24ZtQ-Cpb0 Imagine how you can apply any of these concepts to something you want to create. And you hopefully will feel a tingle throughout your body after thinking about it. Your eyes might become a little watery. Because you realize you have a passion to create something. Any visual artist will benefit from his classes. Not to be overly preachy, but if you're serious, like really serious about your craft, you might really consider working with the best while it's being offered. You won't find this easily one day, unfortunately, unless we carry it. Vaudeville must come alive again! We must show the world its importance and purpose. It means everything if you're willing to recognize its power. Be all that you can be. Join the army. Or Flying Actor Studio.

My first learning experience at The Flying Actors Studio was a few months ago, doing a clown and…read moremime weekend workshop. I was so inspired and amazed at what I learned that I just HAD to go back for more! I am currently taking a Mime workshop series and love it just as much, yet am a little disappointed that my schedule, at this point, doesnt allow me to take MORE classes. I'm so addicted! James Donlon is an AMAZING and truly inspiring teacher. He is a wealth of knowledge that I truly appreciate to be a part of, be learning from and also witness. It's enhanced my character and connection as a street dancer (hip hop style, popping) and I cannot wait to take more classes in the near future.

An incredible environment to practice and increase your range. Patrick Russell offers the most…read moresupportive Actor's Gyms where you can bring in a scene or monologue and work it. He primarily focuses on Laban and Chekhov techniques to work your pieces and it is life-changing. It is an effective way to find yourself within the character by using movement and breath. I love that Patrick also considers an actor's budget and really keeps this space affordable for all. Couldn't recommend this place more. Supportive, fun and invigorating. You wont regret coming.

These folks are some of the best in the industry. Professional training for a great price. This…read moreplace is a gem!

Second time at Un-Scripted, second five star review!…read more This time, we saw Swipe Right. Once again I sat in the audience smiling ear to ear the entire time. I don't know how else to tell you that you have to go. If I was your mom, I'd demand obedience and command you to go. The ensemble cast is incredible. Clever, funny, creative...just perfect. You don't even have to clean your room or get your math grade up first - you can just go.

My board did a 3-Hour Workshop with Un-Scripted and it was phenomenal. From the beginning, it was…read moreclear that Melissa, our instructor, had spent a significant amount of time researching our school and planning activities/games that would meet our unique needs: games that helped improve communication (verbal/nonverbal), teamwork, trust, etc. The games were so much fun, and they were all played in a safe, encouraging environment. Each time we completed a game, we would stand in a circle and debrief how it felt, what we observed, and how that activity could apply to our work. At no time was anyone up "performing" in front of others or feeling pressured to make the group laugh. Rather, we were all up on stage together, collaborating, encouraging, and laughing. I would highly recommend Un-Scripted workshops to anyone looking to strengthen group dynamics and have a ton of fun!

This company is AMAZING!! I hired them site unseen from a friends recommendation and they were…read moreFABULOUS! On a scale of 1-10 they scored a 20! They came early to my event, professionally dressed and when they started to play the "Celebration of Life" took off. Every single person attending this event said how wonderful the trio was and we could not have been happier! If you need any music played for any event this is the company for YOU!

Ever Music Group just performed at our wedding last April and they did a FANTASTIC job. They are…read moresuper professional and "tick all the boxes" in terms of having excellent music and creating an amazing environment at a wedding / special event. Where Ever REALLY impressed and made a huge difference is just how nice and accommodating Brian (the group coordinator) is. We got married at the Auberge du Soleil which has pretty strict rules regarding approved music groups - that was a challenge for us given I wanted my college friend to sing the "first dance" song. Luckily, when I shared this idea with Brian, he was happy to accommodate! He worked directly with my friend and coordinated everything. The day of, everything went off seamlessly. Brian had directly worked with the venue on setup time and didn't charge anything extra even though they had to show up early. There were also no disruptive sound checks - they were just totally professional and ready to go the minute our speeches were done and we did the "big reveal" of the cake / dance floor / band. Ever is professional, accommodating, and excellent overall. Thank you Brian for being an amazing and SEAMLESS part of our big day!

This festival, running through July 31, features staged readings of 7 new plays. Each play gets…read moreread once each weekend, with revisions in between based on audience reactions to the works. Yeah, a play isn't a play without an audience, and your watching the play helps shape its future. These plays are still works-in-progress, so there is the occasional rough spot, or spots; I find it to be an exciting part of seeing plays grow to maturity and find it rewarding that my participation may contribute toward one or more plays' future success. It's not really fair to review a play based on a staged reading as opposed to a production, so I will attempt to review the festival itself and not the plays. But I will make a few recs as to stuff I saw the first weekend that you might want to catch the second weekend. First off, the festival is set in the Thick House theatre on Potrero Hill. There are no bad seats as far as sight lines go, but I'm told the back rows can get quite hot. Even the front was sometimes on the warm side. Aside from that, It's a great black box space. Second, there's two seminars. If the one this coming Friday (July 29) is as informative as the one on Sunday was, it will be a must-go for playwrights. Third, staff is friendly and helpful. Light refreshments are available at reasonable cost. I can't speak for all plays, as I haven't seen them all, but so far I can recommend We Are Proud to Present a Presentation, Beautiful Province, and Home Below Zero. Check out the descriptions and see which ones might be for you. But the main point is that I'm having a wonderful time and this festival is totally worth my time.

The dance company presented a fabulous program on Sunday November 8. I was invited by my friend…read morewho saw a posting in the 504 Coffee Shop. I had no idea what to expect except that the company is made up of able bodied as well as disabled (but then that is not the operative word here, because everyone is so skilled) dancers in wheelchairs. The choreography, the unique music and performances were wonderful. I urge you to see this group as soon as you can. Target sponsored the program on Sunday. It was held at the Malonga Casquelord Center on Alice Street in Oakland, an easy walk from Lake Merritt. The building is interesting too. You will love this group, I know it. Check out Axis Dance.

I work for a youth non-profit that refers kids to Axis for their youth classes. The families we…read morehave sent there have had RAVE reviews about their experience. AXIS is extremely welcoming, inclusive, and community-minded. We love AXIS and are so thankful for the opportunities they have given to our families!!!!