My show Micro Shrimp as been announced as the winner of the 11th Annual New Jersey Playwrights Contest. As part of winning, the show will be produced next year in the Sprnig of 2015!

The Planet Connections Theatre Festivity, New York's premiere eco-friendly/socially-conscious theatre, music and film festival, has announced its dates and theaters for 2014 and is currently accepting theatre submissions through January 18th, 2014. Running from May 12th through June 8th, the 2014 festivity is scheduled to take place at the Paradise Factory located at 64 East 4th Street b/t Bowery and 2nd Ave.

Fostering a diverse cross-section of performances and events, the Festivity seeks to inspire artists and audiences both creatively and fundamentally, in a festive atmosphere. At the heart of the Festivity are like-minded individuals striving to create professional, meaningful theatre, music and film, while supporting organizations which give back to the community at large.

During the Festivity, each show and event partners with a charity and some of the ways they offer support are soliciting donations at shows, holding special benefit performances, fundraisers and/or talkbacks after performances with charity representatives. Some of these organizations include RAINN, Mercy Center, the Innocence Project, the Long Island Crisis Center, Children's Aid Society, More Gardens!, the National Arthritis Foundation and the National Eating Disorder Association. "Green Theatre" is also an important aspect of Planet Connections; each year they educate participating artists on how they can make a difference by continuing to create great art while reducing their carbon footprint.

The festivity is open to musicals, full length plays, new works, adaptations, one-acts, solo-shows, experimental work, and devised dance and staged readings. Contact for submissions is Marcus Yi, Literary Manager and Staged Readings Coordinator ([email protected]). Contact for all other inquiries is Joanna Bokovitz, Managing Director ([email protected]). 

Artists are asked to read the application and Artist's Manual on the website prior to contacting a staff member.

For more information on the festivity, you can visit www.PlanetConnections.org.

Richard is very excited to be working with Marcus Yi for a third time. He has performed and did the artwork for Marcus's shows "The Ephemeral Lightness of Dreams," "Pretty Little Mouth," and "The Procedure."  He is an accomplished painter with an extensive background in the visual arts.  He recently returned to New York City to attend the Conservatory for Dramatic Arts and to pursue his dream to act in film and theatre.

Where were you born? Where were you raised? Where did you go to school?

 I was born in New York City but grew up in Maryland. I studied theatre and film at Montgomery College and the New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts. I studied Fashion and painting at Parsons School of Design and The Maryland Institute College of Art.

 What is your job on this show?

 My job is to portray the immigration officer, the lawyer, the flamboyant and gay creepy doctor, and a man advertising Freedom Link, the controversial procedure that is the subject of the play.  I also created and painted the postcard advertisement and helped with web-related advertisement for the play.

 
Who are your heroes?

My heroes are always changing. Sometimes my hero will be my cab driver.

 What is your Zodiac sign?

 I am on the cusp of Gemini and Cancer.

 Can theater bring about societal change? Why or why not?

 Theatre has brought about change for centuries. It is one of the key forms of art that reflects and actually tackles very important issues in society. It has inspired and allowed communities to collaborate and creatively express their personal views and experiences, which continue to influence the world.

 Would you be willing to get a microchip implanted in your eye?

 If the microchip would help change my life for the better, I might be persuaded.

 Complete this sentence: My show is the only one opening in NYC this spring that...?

 My show is the only one opening this spring where I get to play so many different characters. The wonderful experience about working with Marcus is that he always challenges me as an actor by having me portray so many different characters in one show.

A Living Room Theater production, written and directed by Sonia Nam and Marcus Yi, The Procedure will be performed on Friday 5/31/13 at 5:00pm, Tuesday 6/4/13 at 9:00pm, Saturday 6/8/13 at 12:30pm, Friday 6/14/13 at 9:00pm, Monday 6/17/13 at 4:30pm, and Thursday 6/20/13 at 5:00pm as part of the Planet Connections Theater Festivity. The Festival will take place at the Gene Frankel Theater, at 24 Bond St New York 10012. Tickets can be bought here.

An actor and improviser from Honolulu, Hawaii, Stephen Thornton moved to New York in the fall of 2006 to study acting. Graduating from the New York Film Academy’s 1-yr Acting for Film program in 2007, he has since had the privilege to work professionally as an actor in the theater and in film. He continues to study improvisation, with a strong emphasis on the teachings of Viola Spolin, and has been fortunate enough to study with truly amazing teachers such as Jeff Michalski and Hal Peller. He is currently a member of the improv group Eskimo Dance, has been a reoccurring guest with IRTE, and is formerly a member of The Red Tie Mafia. Today, he continues hone his craft, and pursue his dream of one day being able to do nothing else, but tell stories. He is grateful to be working on "The Procedure" with all the talented people involved. Some of his New York theater credits include: Mr. Calkins in Porcelain and Pink, Ronnie in Trying to Find Chinatown, Tian in Stasis, Captain Munimori in Go For Broke, Bruce in Killing Time, David inManuscript, and Dr. Neriel in Moon Vault.



Where were you born? Where were you raised? Where did you go to school?

I was born in Honolulu Hawaii, and raised in Littleton Colorado. I went to Dakota Ridge High School in Jefferson County, then came to New York to study acting.

What is your show about?


 This is a show about the a man and his struggles with self-identity and humanity. And what he's willing to sacrifice to obtain both.

Is there a particular moment in this show that you really love or look forward to? Without giving away surprises, what happens in that moment and why does it jazz you?


Yes there are a few. But I can't tell you without giving away anything. 

Would you be willing to get a microchip implanted in your eye?

Honestly, I don't know. It really would depend on the situation. But if I was the situation of Adrian in the play, I wouldn't get the chip implanted. 

If you had ten million dollars that you had to spend on theatrical endeavors, how would you use the money?

If I had 10 million dollars, I would try and buy a building to renovate it into a theater. I would try to make the space affordable to people who want to put up shows, but find it too expensive to do so in New York. Since I have the theater, I would also start a theater company, it's primary focus would be to give minorities a chance to perform against stereo-types and play roles that they might not typically get to play, and start an acting school. If there's anything left I would set up a scholarship for aspiring actors, directors, and writers.

A Living Room Theater production, written and directed by Sonia Nam and Marcus Yi, The Procedure will be performed on Friday 5/31/13 at 5:00pm, Tuesday 6/4/13 at 9:00pm, Saturday 6/8/13 at 12:30pm, Friday 6/14/13 at 9:00pm, Monday 6/17/13 at 4:30pm, and Thursday 6/20/13 at 5:00pm as part of the Planet Connections Theater Festivity. The Festival will take place at the Gene Frankel Theater, at 24 Bond St New York 10012. Tickets can be bought here.

An actor and singer from San Francisco bay area, Shubhra has been living in NYC since June of 2012, during which she had the opportunity to act on USA Network's Royal Pains, on stage in Columbia University's Vagina Monologues and sing in Brooklyn Community Theater's musical Once on this Island.  Her short film "Three Dates" was recently screened at New York Indian Film Festival 2013.  Shubhra Prakash is realizing that she likes to create her own artistic projects and is curious to see where they lead her.  She considers herself lucky to be living in NYC where she has found like minded artists and their support and collaboration in developing her ideas into new works.  She is thankful to her cast members and directors to involve her in this story.      

http://www.shubhraprakash.com 


Where were you born? Where were you raised? Where did you go to school?

I was born in Allahabad India, where three rivers meet. I was raised in Calcutta, Delhi and Fremont, CA. I went to school in India and Cali.

What is your job on this show?


My job in the show is to play Dawn. 

Who are your heroes?

My parents, sister, brother and the little prince. 

What is your Zodiac sign?

Taurus

Can theater bring about societal change? Why or why not?

Yes, because theater is the mirror, when people look at a part of the world reflected in theater, they will react, they will decide what they like and don't and do something about it, big or small.. a ripple will be created. 

This is like society checking it's make up, as artists it is our job to keep pointing the mirror to the society, and reflect both its beautiful and ugly face.  

Would you be willing to get a microchip implanted in your eye?

No I would not.  


Complete this sentence: My show is the only one opening in NYC this spring that...?

My show is the only one opening in NYC this spring that brings up Singapore, I have heard that though Singapore is small, it is quite diverse, we should hear more stories about it. 

A Living Room Theater production, written and directed by Sonia Nam and Marcus Yi, The Procedure will be performed on Friday 5/31/13 at 5:00pm, Tuesday 6/4/13 at 9:00pm, Saturday 6/8/13 at 12:30pm, Friday 6/14/13 at 9:00pm, Monday 6/17/13 at 4:30pm, and Thursday 6/20/13 at 5:00pm as part of the Planet Connections Theater Festivity. The Festival will take place at the Gene Frankel Theater, at 24 Bond St New York 10012. Tickets can be bought here.

Born in New York City, Reynaldo Rivera grew up in the Lower East Side, aka Alphabet City. In high school he landed his first acting role as Johnny Casino in Grease. Like lots of actors, this was the start of his love affair with the craft. After graduating he went on to study acting at The Lee Strasburg Theatrical Institute, H.B. Studio’s, and William Esper Studio's. Reynaldo Rivera captures his passion for life through his artistic and soulful expression on stage and screen. He cares about his craft and brings both a light touch and a deep exploration to the character that leaves the viewer and the spectator feeling inspired by his true gift. He has worked on a number of plays including God's Favorite and Hurly Burly as well as TV shows such as 24, Day Break, Dexter and One Life to Live. Easy to recognize, his talent has been shaped both through his training and life experiences, giving him access to a wide range of emotions and an infinite potential in his character development.

Where were you born? Where were you raised? Where did you go to school?

I was born in New York City and raised in the Lower East Side on Manhattan.

What is your job on this show?


I play Jacob a computer programer that is married to Adrian.

Who are your heroes?

My heroes are people who under any circumstance pursue there dreams. If you want to hear actors there are too many to choose from.

What is your Zodiac sign?

I'm a Libra, always looking for the balance.

Can theater bring about societal change? Why or why not?

Theatre has already brought about societal change and it will continue too. It's art and that what it should do.

Would you be willing to get a microchip implanted in your eye?

I will be killed before anyone implants my with any form of technology.

Complete this sentence: My show is the only one opening in NYC this spring that...?
explores the topic of immigration, gay marriage and big brother. I'm honored to be apart of such a thought provoking show.



A Living Room Theater production, written and directed by Sonia Nam and Marcus Yi, The Procedure will be performed on Friday 5/31/13 at 5:00pm, Tuesday 6/4/13 at 9:00pm, Saturday 6/8/13 at 12:30pm, Friday 6/14/13 at 9:00pm, Monday 6/17/13 at 4:30pm, and Thursday 6/20/13 at 5:00pm as part of the Planet Connections Theater Festivity. The Festival will take place at the Gene Frankel Theater, at 24 Bond St New York 10012. Tickets can be bought here.