Dear Trouper,
We've all heard the phrase "It takes a village" until it's become a cliché. But it also happens to be true. Here at the Troupe we have been blessed by a responsive community and we do our best to give back to it. Our Youth Theater Project, currently in process (see below), is a good example. Now in its 18th year, this program has served roughly 1,500 inner city youth. YTP guides youth in speaking their minds onstage in their own original plays. Empowering and nourishing (literally, we feed them too) YTP regularly gets visits from alumni returning to tell us how YTP changed their lives for the better and how they, as responsible villagers, now also give back. Our upcoming show will also touch on our larger village. As the title suggests, Ripple Effects, will show how our individual actions affect each other and our communities. In these times of incessant political posturing and increased polarization (especially in our own neighborhoods) we must remind ourselves that we are all part of the larger global village. Every choice we make sets forth a series of concentric circles that touch everyone whether it's a littered plastic water bottle, an uncast vote or not helping someone in need. Seeing the activist hope in the eyes of our teens inspires us to be better villagers. Join us by participating in one of our programs below, by following us on social media, by attending our shows and educational forums this summer and by donating to support our efforts. | | Calling All Villagers - Summer Workshop
| SFMT teaches a summer workshop offered to 20 talented people from around the world. These individuals are the backbone of our village! Their goal is to collaboratively create an original political one-act rooted in the Mime Troupe style of Popular Theater. The ensemble building curriculum will include Commedia dell'Arte, American Melodrama & Improv. This workshop is FREE with a 1 to 1 work exchange agreement. Participants will work in the parks, in our office and scene/costume/prop shops with the rest of our village members. New as of last year: participants may opt to pay for the workshop if their schedules do not allow for the work exchange. Application deadline is APRIL 15, 2014. Learn more! | Summer Internships
for Villagers to Focus Their Craft
| This program provides exciting opportunities for college students and recent graduates to gain hands-on experience in several areas of theater production. Assistant Tour Manager, Assistant Stage Manager, Costume, Sound, Administrative An internship with the Mime Troupe offers unique insight into a collectively-run organization producing socially-conscious, issue-driven theater. Apply today to join the village. Application deadline is APRIL 15, 2014. Learn more! |
Youth Theater Project - Village of Tomorrow
| Our extremely popular Youth Theater Project (YTP) is halfway through its 3 month play creation process! Thirty-two teen artists (out of 150 applicants) were selected to participate in our after school, stipend paying, theater program. Recently the teens also had the honor of attending a social justice, youth summit called We Day. Coached in the Mime Troupe style of collaborative playmaking by experienced SFMT teachers, directors and designers, these local teens voice their issues & concerns- and create original plays that will be performed for FREE on April 25 & 26 @ 855 Treat Ave. Learn more about YTP! |
It Takes a Village to...
| Keep the property up and running! Last month one of our Comrades, who is an annual donor, paid for an arborist to trim our two trees out front - these trees had not been trimmed in over three years! They look fabulous now! Now the Troupe needs minor, short term electrical labor in our Studio as a tax deductible in-kind donation from a qualified contractor. This work is limited to installation of four ceiling pendant 110VAC-rated lighting fixtures now on site, including home run circuiting in NEC/NFPA-compliant conduit with dimmer switching. All material expense for this work will be provided by SFMT unless the electrician chooses to donate miscellaneous fittings from stock. The donor must have appropriate licensing, insurance and references. This work is repair and maintenance in nature and new construction permitting is not contemplated at this time. If you wish to give this gift please contact Greg at info@sfmt.org |
Thank You VACF for Supporting Us!
| The Troupe is a grateful grantee of the Voluntary Arts Contribution Fund. This fund administrated through SF Grants for the Arts has been a bonus for local arts organizations particularly with their Creative Space programs that help fund facility upgrades and repairs, expenses that can really impact a company's (like ours) already stretched budget. We ask all SF PROPERTY OWNERS to regularly check the VACF box on their tax bills and give a donation to help their local SF Arts organizations maintain a home in this increasingly expensive city.
| Village of Stupids!
| The 36th Annual St Stupid's Day Parade will strut its stuff yet again to honor Saint Stupid, the patron Saint of Civilizations and Parking meters. This years parade will be of the sidewalk variety, thru the financial district, (the weekend version is thru North Beach). This DIY parade will stop at the traditional Stations of Stupid; the Federal Reserve HQ for the dead lottery ticket toss, the old Stock Exchange building for the 'Sock Exchange', the plaza of the bare-butt mechanics for the 'Leap of Faith', the Bankers Heart sculpture for the penny offering and the traditional Free Lunch. This FREE event is open to the public to participate. Odd costumes, absurd signage,noise makers and a willfully irreverent attitude to the business of religion and the religion of business are encouraged. Sponsored by the First Church of the Last Laugh, the world's largest church. This yearly San Francisco Rite of Spring event updates the ancient European Feast of Fools and provides photographic fodder for those who think they know what a weird city we are. Fun for the whole family. WHEN: Tuesday, April First, noon (RAIN or SHINE) WHERE: Embarcadero Plaza, foot of Market st. PRICE: Free For more info contact: Ed Holmes (bishop joey) 510.841.1898 bishopj@saintstupid.com |
| Sincerely, The SFMT Collective and Staff San Francisco Mime Troupe
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| What the Troupers are up too!
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| LAWTON LOVELY is the Assistant Sound Designer as well the Sound Engineer for the World Premiere of "Hundred Days". A Folk Rock Odyssey about Love, Life and Loss. Now - April 6 Z SPACE
MICHAEL GENE SULLIVAN can be seen April 2-27 at the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts as Dr. Watson in the Theatreworks production of the wildly farcical, three man version of "The Hound of the Baskervillies". and his new play "fugitive/slave/act" will be scheduled for two readings at the Lorraine Hansberry Theatre.
"1984," Michael's critically-acclaimed stage adaptation of the Orwell classic has just closed in Barcelona! And now it is published in two languages - English and Catalan. The next production of the English version will be at Balagula Theatre, Lexington, Kentucky. KEIKO SHIMOSATO CARREIRO'S middle school students at Paul Revere will be performing their original as yet untitled Musical on May 9th. KAREN RUNK is Stage Managing "Wrestling Jerusalem". "Remarkable solo performance... yearning beauty... riveting." -- San Francisco Chronicle Now - April 6 Intersection for the Arts
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