by Erik Abbott | Dec 18, 2017 | Actors, Blog - what we are up to, Productions, Uncategorized
Actors Repertory Theatre Luxembourg (Actors Rep) has had a great year and we’re very grateful to our supporters, donors, and — most of all — our audiences. Thank you for letting us share our work with you this year. We had a great time — we hope you did as well.
A few pictures (all taken by the great Margo Skwara), a few memories…
DEAR SANTA… (November / December)
At State Street Bank in Kirchberg
At Café Rocas
BIG BOYS (November / at Arendt House)
#WTF HAPPENED? ON THE PHENOMENON OF TRUMP (September / Théâtre National du Luxembourg)
The Coal Miner
The Congresswoman
The Conspiracy Theorist
by Erik Abbott | Nov 18, 2017 | Blog - what we are up to, Productions, Uncategorized
A few shots from Big Boys at Arendt House, all taken by the fabulous Margo Skwara (https://www.margoskwara.com). The actors are Maximillien Jadin (the younger guy) and Erik Abbott (the older guy, with the beard). Directed by Christine Probst Probst, with assistance (and PowerPoints) by Leslie Fischbach, and sets and props by Jill Kibbey.
by Erik Abbott | Oct 23, 2017 | Blog - what we are up to, Productions
HELP US SPREAD THE WORD!
We’re really excited about our upcoming shows, Big Boys and Dear Santa… and we want to spread the word about them. We’re looking for someone to help.
We are seeking an individual to work with us as a publicity assistant for the remainder of the year — to help us publicise our shows and the workshop we are planning in November.
What do we need?
- Posters, postcards and flyers distributed anywhere and everywhere they will be seen by potential audience members — pubs, shops, schools (where permitted), offices, etc.
- Co-ordinating with printers and arranging collection of printed items
- Sending press releases to media (big plus if you can write and / or translate them).
So, if you have a few extra hours, and would like to help us publicise our work and support our mission to deliver passionate, professional, thought-provoking English-language theatre to Luxembourg audiences (and make a little pocket money in the process), get in touch.
ActorsRep.Erik@gmail.com
Actors Rep Presents BIG BOYS, by Rich Orloff, at Arendt House, November 17-19, 2017
A Holiday Theatrical Treat
by Erik Abbott | Oct 17, 2017 | Blog - what we are up to, Productions
Actors Repertory Theatre Luxembourg (Actors Rep) announces its production of Big Boys, by New York playwright Rich Orloff, in the Arendt House auditorium: 41 Avenue J. F. Kennedy, 2082 Luxembourg-Kirchberg, November 17 – 19, 2017.
Big Boys is a hilarious satire on corporate culture which the New York Times called ‘rip-roaringly funny’, with ‘snappy dialogue and non-stop mayhem’. This ‘over-the-top comic fable’, as Orloff describes it, pokes fun at the peculiarities of the business world in a style he says is ‘influenced by the surreal energy and comic rhythms of vaudeville comedy’.
Public performances are Friday, November 17 – Sunday, November 19. The Friday – Saturday performances are at 8pm and the Sunday performance is at 3pm.
This two-character award winning comedy follows the relationship between a self-satisfied, grandiose, amoral and very successful boss, and his insecure, moral, eager-to-please and very unhappy would-be protégé. Who will win their madcap competition over how the business should be run?
Maximillien Jadin
Actors Rep Associate Artistic Director Christine Probst directs. Luxembourg actor Maximillien Jadin plays Norm and Actors Rep Artistic Director Erik Abbott plays Victor. Caspar Rundegren was originally slated to play Norm, but left the production prior to the start of rehearsals to pursue a professional opportunity in his native Sweden.
Director Probst said, ‘We were of course disappointed that Caspar was ultimately unable to be in Big Boys, but we congratulate him on the opportunity. Fortunately, Maximillien was available and we are very excited to be working with an actor of his calibre and training. It says a lot about the depth of experience and ability in the professional acting community in Luxembourg that we were able to find such a such a fine actor so quickly.’
Jadin, most recently seen onstage in Ashcan at Théâtre National du Luxembourg (TNL), trained at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York. Since returning to Luxembourg, he has worked at TNL, both in Ashcan and in Den Ubu als Kinnek, Coco Chanel, and at the Grand Théâtre and Kaleidoskop Theater. He teaches at LNBD Dudelange.
Probst said that she was drawn to the play because of its ‘Marx Brothers-like humour’—echoing what critics have written about it. One, in 2011, called it ‘a fine-tuned study in silliness’ and Probst noted that this type of outrageously ‘kind of absurd’ comic work is a first for Actors Rep. ‘We’ve done several plays that had humour’, she said, ‘but we’ve never done a full-on comedy’, adding ‘we thought it was about time’. She added that the Arendt House auditorium was the ‘perfect’ setting for the production. ‘We’re really excited to be able to bring Big Boys to this wonderful space. Arendt House has been incredibly supportive—audiences will really enjoy being here for this show.’
Erik Abbott
The play features Norman, the newly hired assistant and would-be protégé to Victor, the CEO. Their working relationship at first appears relatively normal but descends quickly into a wild comic ride.
Actors Rep wishes to express its gratitude to Arendt House for its generosity in hosting this production of Big Boys. In performing this corporate play in a corporate setting, Actors Rep brings to the doorstep of the Luxembourg business community a boisterous laugh filled event that (gently) pokes fun at business—juxtaposing the onstage fun with its real-world counterpart.
Rehearsal photos (with thanks to B.U.R.O.S. in Strassen for use of their space — http://buros.lu) :
Big Boys, by Rich Orloff
Arendt House
41 Avenue J. F. Kennedy
2082 Luxembourg-Kirchberg
Public Performances:
- Friday, November 17 at 20.00
- Saturday, November 18 at 20.00
- Sunday, November 19 at 15.00 (matinée)
Tickets:
Adults – 20 € / Students – 10 €
Email: ActorsRep.tickets@gmail.com
OR
Phone: (+352) 35 63 39
Big Boys is presented by special arrangement with the playwright, Rich Orloff.
For further information:
www.ActorsRep.lu
ActorsRep.Erik@gmail.com
Like us on Facebook!
Please also visit:
richorloff.com
by Erik Abbott | Sep 14, 2017 | Actors, Blog - what we are up to, Productions
Actors Repertory Theatre Luxembourg (Actors Rep), the professional English-language theatre company, is proud to announce its Autumn 2017 Season of three productions:
• #WTF Happened? On the Phenomenon of Trump
• Big Boys
• Dear Santa…
The company’s ambitious season opens with the original solo piece #WTF Happened? On the Phenomenon of Trump, to be presented September 20 – 24 at the Théâtre National du Luxembourg ‘Bar National’ (lobby) space: 194, route de Longwy, L-1940 Luxembourg.
Originally created by Actors Rep Artistic Director Erik Abbott, the play was commissioned by Théâtre d’Esch and developed with Director Charles Muller as a piece for the Ville de Esch-sur-Alzette’s ‘Nuit de la Culture’ in May, 2017. Only short segments were performed.
#WTF Happened? On the Phenomenon of Trump,
Now re-imagined and substantially revised, the show theatrically explores the curious phenomenon of the Donald Trump Presidency. One actor (Abbott) portrays several Trump supporters. These characters, some of whose monologues are based on published interviews and statements, present a variety of voices and viewpoints—alternately sympathetic, funny, perhaps frightening—and reveal a complex emotional and cultural tapestry examining the Trump effect in a compelling, theatrical way.
Actors Rep Associate Artistic Director Christine Probst directs.
In November, Actors Rep partners with Arendt House in Kirchberg to present Big Boys, by New York playwright Rich Orloff. Big Boys is a hilarious satire on corporate culture that the New York Times described as ‘rip-roaringly funny’, with ‘snappy dialogue and non-stop mayhem’. This ‘over-the-top comic fable’, as Orloff describes it, pokes fun at the peculiarities of the business world in a style he says is ‘influenced by the surreal energy and comic rhythms of vaudeville comedy’.
Actors Rep will be present the production in Arendt House’s auditorium (where the company participated in an evening of Shakespeare readings for the British Ambassador to Luxembourg in January 2016). In performing this corporate play in a corporate setting, Actors Rep brings to the doorstep of the Luxembourg business community a boisterous laugh filled event that (gently) pokes fun at business—juxtaposing the onstage fun with its real-world counterpart.
MAXIMILLIEN JADIN
Probst will again direct and Luxembourgish actor Maximillien Jadin will perform with Abbott. Jadin trained at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York. We are delighted he is making his Actors Rep debut in Big Boys.
The show opens with performances for Arendt House employees and invited guests on November 15 and 16, and continues with public performances November 17 – 19 at Arendt House: 41 Avenue J-F Kennedy, L-2082 Luxembourg.
ERIK ABBOTT
Finally, during the festive season, Actors Rep takes to the road with the world premiere of Dear Santa…, a sweet and funny half-hour play about a couple’s holiday plans with their family. In this completely portable soupçon of charm, they write letters to Santa, exploring a latent childlike sense of wonder and review their gift list, chuckling at their extended family and celebrating their connections. Developed by Actors Rep, Dear Santa… is available as an entertainment for seasonal parties and events—great theatre and holiday cheer to deliver! —and will also be presented in three public performances. (Venue to be announced.)
Dear Santa… is a warm cup of festive delight—to go!
In addition to the three productions, Actors Rep will also continue its commitment to theatre education and training opportunities through its Actors Lab programme with autumn classes. One section of acting classes and a section of stage voice technique have begun, both taught by Christine Probst, and a second section of acting classes planned for November and December. The company also plans a workshop—topic to be determined.
Please check the Actors Rep Facebook page and back here for additional details.
CHRISTINE PROBST
by Erik Abbott | Sep 11, 2016 | Actors, Blog - what we are up to, The Fever, Uncategorized
Actors Rep is thrilled to announce an exciting one-day workshop with Peter Zazzali, the director of our next production, The Fever (October 12th, 13th, 15th, 19th, 20th and 22nd at Konrad Café and Bar).
Peter Zazzali
The workshop, titled ‘Psychophysical Approaches to Acting’, is for ages 16 and up and will take place on Saturday, October 1st, from 10am till 4pm, with a one-hour lunch break. (Lunch is not provided.) The location is to be confirmed.
In the workshop actors will learn to use their minds and bodies as expressive instruments in service of a text. Using a variety of techniques, we’ll explore the ideas of Linklater, Laban, Berry, Strasberg and Stanislavsky, as well as eastern techniques (tai chi chuan and yoga) in a vigorous five-hour workshop designed to help actors become fully present onstage. Participants will leave the session with multiple tools for activating their imaginations, emotional lives, voices and bodies onstage.
Dr. Zazzali is an internationally recognized actor trainer and stage director whose credits include the National Theatre School of Ireland, Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts, and numerous theatres and universities in the US. He is currently on faculty at the University of Kansas, where he serves as the Department of Theatre’s lead acting teacher and director. His recent book, Acting in the Academy: The History of Professional Actor Training in US Higher Education, focuses on acting pedagogy and practise in America (Routledge Press 2016).
To learn more about Zazzali’s career and work please visit: www.peterzazzalidirector.com
Space is limited. To request a place, please email ActorsRep.Erik@gmail.com with ‘Acting Workshop’ in the subject line.
When a place is confirmed, please transfer the fee (50 €) to:
ACTORS REP ASBL
BIC: BCEELULL
IBAN / ACCOUNT: LU33 0019 3855 7356 6000
(Please note ‘Acting Workshop’ in the transfer information.)
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