Salt Lake Tribune – November 13, 2010 : Tight direction, strong acting mute play’s limitations

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Utah Contemporary Theatre, the Nation’s Only Free Professional Theatre Company, Presents  “Neglect,” by Sharyn Rothstein

Salt Lake City, Utah – October 28, 2010 – Utah Contemporary Theatre, the nation’s only all free professional theatre company, opens its 2010-2011 season with Sharyn Rothstein’s “Neglect.” This is the third play presented by Utah Contemporary Theatre since the company’s decision in January 2010 to offer all of its productions for free.

“Neglect” was given its first showing in Utah by UCT as a free reading during the Edward Lewis Black Theatre Festival in February of 2010. The success of this reading prompted Utah Contemporary Theatre to mount a full production with the same cast and director: Yolanda Wood as Rose and Carleton Bluford as Joseph, with Anne Stewart Mark directing. Synopsis as follows:

Rose Ann Hayes is an elderly African-American woman. Her once middle-class Chicago neighborhood has become rundown and overrun with street thugs. Living alone, she has become afraid to even leave her apartment long enough to retrieve her daily mail. Joseph is a young, unemployed, African-American man who lives in the same neighborhood. During the 1995 Chicago heat wave that left over 700 Chicago residents dead, the two are thrown together by circumstance and desperation. Through its depiction of two marginalized Black communities – the elderly and the unemployed young – Neglect acts as a powerful examination of fear, loneliness, and the desperation that comes of impossible circumstances.

Utah Contemporary Theatre is the nation’s only all free professional theater company, relying on grants, donations, and creative fundraising to guarantee that theater is accessible to anyone and everyone. The 2010-2011 season, consisting of three plays and four readings, focuses on the environmental politics and humanity’s role as self-appointed stewards of the Earth. The organization’s website is www.utahcontemporarytheatre.org.  “Neglect” will run from November 11-20 at the Rose Wagner Studio Theatre, located at 138 West 300 South in Salt Lake City. Admission, as always, is free; reservations available online at utahcontemporarytheatre.org or by calling 801.886.3019.

###

CONTACT:

Salt Lake Tribune – August 17, 2010 : Utah Contemporary Theatre: Staging an over-the-moon story

City Weekly – August 30, 2010 : Theater Review: Donna Orbits the Moon

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
AUDITION ANNOUNCEMENT

Utah Contemporary Theatre, the nation’s only free professional theatre company, in conjunction with The Grand Theatre, Salt Lake Acting Company, Plan B Theatre, Pygmalion, Dark Horse, Meat and Potato Theatre, and Junction City Theatre Company (other theatres TBA), are pleased to announce local 2010/2011 season auditions for a variety of readings, one acts, full productions, musicals and workshops.
Auditioners should prepare 1 or 2 contrasting contemporary monologues totaling less than three minutes or one 1-2minute contemporary monologue and one 16-32 bar musical selection, an accompanist will be provided.
Auditions will be held August 23rd 2010 from 12:00pm-6:00pm at The Rose Wagner Studio Theatre, 138 West 300 South, by appointment only. AEA-only auditions will be from 5:00pm-6:00pm but AEA members may sign up for any time slot. Non-AEA auditioners may audition from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
All theatres participating are seeking a diverse company of actors and are committed to equal-opportunity employment and a flexible, non-traditional casting policy.
Go to utahcontemporarytheatre.org and click on “Auditions” to schedule an appointment.
All auditioners must be 18 to 80, and you must bring 9 copies of your headshot/resume and sheet music if you choose to sing.