blog by arwen

Apparently Heraclitus is the philosopher responsible for my favorite adage about life: The only constant is change.

For a variety of reasons, I recently needed some change so I decided to head south for a few months this winter. I have temporarily transplanted myself to a lovely little garden apartment at a friend’s house on the Gulf coast of Florida. I will return to NYC in February, so I won’t completely escape winter’s chill, but every little bit counts. I’ve dubbed myself the youngest snowbird in FL and the seniors seem to agree.

I am still doing my part to keep the independent theater community in NYC rolling along – albeit remotely for a few months. Here is some recent news that I am happy to share about what will be keeping me busy through the holidays and into early 2011.

In September, I became the Development Director for the Incubator Arts Project. This excites me because I have a particular passion for start-ups trying to make their way in the world of legacy arts institutions. I worked with the Incubator during its previous incarnation as a program of the Ontological-Hysteric Theater Inc. and I have a huge place in my heart for the upstairs theater at St. Mark’s Church in the Bowery made famous by Richard Foreman. This is a big year for us and I am proud to be part of the team making it happen.

In February 2011, I will be teaching a four week workshop at The Field focused on how to prepare competitive proposals for funding agencies, residencies, presenting organizations – basically, getting your pitch together for the many powers-that-be who can help you along the way. I will post again with more info when details have been set.

I also have two more producing projects in the works – both are happening in Manhattan in March 2011.

One is a fascinating new play titled “Feeder: A Love Story” being produced by terraNOVA Collective. You can find some teaser info about it on the Kickstarter page that was set up to help fund the show. I am thrilled to be working with terraNOVA for the first time and think this play is incredibly provocative – I can’t wait to see the audience response.

My other project is the hotINK Festival of International Play Readings (formerly housed at Tisch School of the Arts). In an exciting development for 2011, hotINK will be produced at The Lark Play Development Center. The new, upcoming hotINK Festival will present work by 8-10 playwrights from outside the United States in readings from March 24-28, 2011.

I will surely post again with more details as these events approach. Since the holiday mayhem is fast upon us, I will take the time now to wish you all the best & happiest of holidays & a joyful New Year.