For Immediate Release: June 12, 2006
Media Contact: Megan Wendell, for Theatre Alliance of Greater Philadelphia, 215.242.6393

Spark, a program of The Theatre Alliance of Greater Philadelphia, is pleased to present its second small theatre festival, 10 for 10, showing at Mum Puppettheatre, 115 Arch Street, from July 11th to July 23rd. Tickets range from $10 to $25 and can be purchased by contacting the Theatre Alliance of Greater Philadelphia at (215) 413-7150 or online at www.theatrealliance.org.

Each week ten different companies will each take to the stage to perform a signature ten minute play. Over the course of the festival, twenty theatre companies will perform, creating original productions representing the many styles, aesthetics, and points of view of Philadelphia's diverse theatre scene. From new plays to adaptations, from improv to a ghost story, 10 for 10 is guaranteed to have something for everyone.

Developed out of the Theatre Alliance's fast growing membership (now with more than 100 member organizations and 200 individuals), Spark's mission is to ignite opportunities and provide resources to Philadelphia's smaller and emergent theatre companies. Spark's goal is to help these companies become self-sustaining members of Philadelphia's large, and ever-growing, theatre community. Throughout the year, the Theatre Alliance initiates support in the form of informational meetings and dialogues where companies learn and share the tools of the non-profit trade, (i.e. how to market a production, the ins and outs of fundraising, board development, tax regulations) and put these business and development experiences to practical use by planning and producing a Spark theatre showcase, 10 for 10.

"We have doubled participation this year," said Karen DiLossi, Director of Programs and Services for the Theatre Alliance. "Because of the success of last year's event, companies were lined up to join the showcase. It's a terrific way to break up the long hot summer months and if one ten minute piece doesn't suit you, chances are the next one will pique your interest."

Meet the Participating Companies & Plays

Week One (July 11-16)

• B. Someday Productions - 3x3+1 adapted by Stan Heleva and Michelle Pauls
  Three 3-minute adaptations of classics including MacBeth, A Streetcar Named Desire and Moby Dick. B. Someday Productions explores the relationships between theatre, literature and myth, celebrating traditions while creating new connections.
• The Brick Playhouse - G.O.T. (Guaranteed Overnite Theater)
  The July edition of Guaranteed Overnite Theater will yield a provocative crowd favorite from Philadelphia's version of the 24-hour theatre program, which brings together theatre artists to create theatre literally overnight. The Brick Playhouse assists theatre artists through the provision of constructive artistic feedback and abundant production possibilities to develop and produce fresh, innovative and intriguing works of art.
• EgoPo Productions
  Produces the challenging modernist classics and contemporary epics with innovative approaches that re-enliven them.
• Idiopathic Ridiculopathy Consortium - Catastrophe by Samuel Beckett
  A "parody of agit prop plays as well as a statement of the similarity between a dictatorship...and the way in which a director treats his actors." IRC Brings "(good) nothingness to life" by presenting classic works by Absurdist authors.
• MacGuffin Theater & Film Co. - The Cruel Sister adapted by John Rea
  An old ghost story about jealous sisters, handsome knights and spirits that just won't die. MacGuffin Theater & Film Co. gives young people a place to experience the entire acting process of theater and film, performing original and adapted works that speak to the challenges that face our students and community.
• Madhouse Theater Company - Therapy Session by John Stanton
  A young woman comes to grips with a family tragedy: Father had sex with their Thanksgiving turkey. If that doesn't send you into therapy nothing will. Madhouse Theater Company challenges the present world by producing new plays that stimulate the mind and stir a range of emotions.
• Simpatico Theatre Project - Squisho-Ball in Heaven by Angela S. Zuck
  Who does your child tell his stories to? Find out what Squisho-Ball is and how a Porsche, Jesus, and Abraham Lincoln fit into it all. Simpatico Theatre Project believes theatre to be a force for positive social change. They produce classic, contemporary and new theatre that encourages dialogue about the problems concerning the Philadelphia community.
• Tapestry Theatre - Killer Pussy by Tapestry Theatre
  An improvised, all girl, action flick. Think Kill Bill meets Charlie's Angels as improvised theatre. Tapestry Theatre provides professional women theatre artists with an environment in which to develop their own creative voices, to take risks, and to produce high-quality, entertaining theatre.
• Theatre Exile - Naked Lunch by Michael Hollinger
  A reconciliation dinner between ex-lovers turns into a stand off between carnivore and herbivore. Blood and chlorophyll are the catalysts for this tincture of tension. Theatre Exile produces risky and challenging works that contain a Philadelphian and innately human sensibility as they strive to reach out to new theatre audiences.
• Tribe of Fools - Heavy Metal Dance Fag Part 2
  Conceived by Terry Brennan and created by Tribe of Fools, Heavy Metal Dance Fag Part 2 is a comic exploration of sexual repression and confusion. Tribe of Fools creates intrepid works of original theatre through an ever-changing ensemble process.

Week Two (July 18-23)

• BCKSEET Productions - Lines Composed a Few Miles Above Tintern Abbey, Part II or How We Got America's Most Wanted and the New York Post by Jonathan Reynolds
  An imagined epiphany in publisher Rupert Murdoch's childhood. A young Murdoch competes with his two siblings to gain the favor of an English School Mistress for admission to boarding school. BCKSEET Productions produces art with the talents of multidisciplinary artists who educate, entertain and enlighten society with the ideals of classical, contemporary and original cutting edge works of art.
• Flashpoint Theatre Company - The Box by Dan Aibel
  In this quirky, thought-provoking piece, an executive and his assistant contemplate how to dispose of a mysterious box, the contents of which, if leaked, could cause an international incident. Flashpoint Theatre Company expands cultural arts awareness in the greater Philadelphia area through the production of socially provocative and emotionally resonant works of theatre.
• Green Light Theatrical Productions - The Price of Pleasure by Alexandria Dilks Pandola
  Kelly is in purgatory trying to decide whether she should spend eternity in heaven or hell. It's a tough choice between love in peace in Heaven or pleasure and excitement in Hell. Green Light Theatrical Productions promotes the exploration of the role of women in society through theatrical productions.
• Luna Theater Company - Yes, Mamet by Matt Casarino
  Two David Mamet-obsessed writers pitch their play, a compilation of all things Mamet to Reginald, a theatre director. But Mametisms aren't enough to impress Reginald. Will they rediscover their own voices? Luna Theater Company presents thought-provoking works by contemporary and classical playwrights.
• The Philadelphia Dramatists Center - Whacking Crazy Joey by Bill Rolleri
  Everybody thinks three of the boys went into Umberto's clam house on Mulberry Street one night back in '73 and iced psycho Joey Gallo. Guido Catania wants to tell you the true story behind the demise of Crazy Joey. Would Guido lie? The Philadelphia Dramatists Center is a member-driven service organization for dramatic writers and other artists who are dedicated to the development of new work for stage, screen, and other media.
• Philadelphia Theatre Workshop - Click Me by Kathy Anderson
  A comic romp through the world of online dating. Will you click with the people you clicked on? Philadelphia Theatre Workshop presents a broad spectrum of artistic voices producing plays and other theatrical performances by local and national playwrights that are not currently presented in Philadelphia.
• Random Acts of Theater - Twenty Grand, A Table and Two Chairs by Michael A. Carson
  Two guys in black suits and white shirts sitting at a table counting a lot of cash. Who are they? Why are they counting? An absurd view of the meaninglessness, mystery and machismo of male conversation. Random Acts of Theater assists in the development of new playwrights and productions and develops new audiences for theater.
• Represented Theatre Company - Break by Darnelle Edwin Radford
  Hillary, a coffee artist, takes a coffee break? Alan, a coffeehouse patron, joins her. They wax artistic. Connection? Represented Theatre Company promotes creativity through the creation and exposure of new vessels of artistic expression.
• Theater Ariel - Hagar the Stranger Calls Home by Gabrielle Kaplan-Mayer
  A contemporary, part-Arab Hagar calls her Sabra (Israeli born) Mother, Sarah. The women's modern Mother-daughter conflicts echo the old tensions of ancient Hagar and Sarah. Theater Ariel produces and commissions work that serves as a prism through which we can view the varied colors of the American Jewish experience.
• The Vagabond Acting Troupe - Super Duper
  Created in development with the Vagabond Acting Troupe core ensemble, SUPER DUPER is a comic book come to life complete with heroes, evil masterminds, damsels in distress and one epic battle. Oh yeah...and flashlights...lots of flashlights. The Vagabond Acting Troupe creates exciting, meaningful, professional theatre in a partnership with the local community by involving individuals and organizations in each production, training session, workshop, and publication.

About the Theatre Alliance
The Theatre Alliance of Greater Philadelphia strengthens and leads the region's richly diverse theatre community, with more than 100 member organizations and 200 individuals, by promoting awareness and serving as a resource for information, professional development and advocacy. For further information, visit www.theatrealliance.org or call the Theatre Alliance at 215-413-7150.

10 for 10 Schedule

Week One
Tuesday, July 11(Preview) 8PM
Wednesday, July 12 8PM
Thursday, July 13 8PM
Friday, July 14 8PM
Saturday, July 15 2PM & 8PM
Sunday, July 16 2PM
Participating companies: B. Someday Productions, The Brick Playhouse, Idiopathic Ridiculopathy Consortium, MacGuffin Theater & Film Co., Madhouse Theater Company, Simpatico Theatre Project, Tapestry Theatre, Theatre Exile, Tribe of Fools

Week Two
Tuesday, July 18(Preview) 8PM
Wednesday, July 19 8PM
Thursday, July 20 8PM
Friday, July 21 8PM
Saturday, July 22 2PM & 8PM
Sunday, July 23 2PM
Participating companies: BCKSEET Productions, Flashpoint Theatre Company, Green Light Theatrical Productions, Luna Theater Company, The Philadelphia Dramatists Center, Philadelphia Theatre Workshop, Random Acts of Theater at Triangle Theater, Represented Theatre Company, Theatre Ariel, The Vagabond Acting Troupe

All Performances will be held at: Mum Puppettheatre, 115 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tickets: $10 - $25. For Tickets and Information contact: Theatre Alliance of Greater Philadelphia, 1616 Walnut Street, Suite 1800, Philadelphia, PA 19103. Phone: (215) 413-7150. Email: info@theatrealliance.org. Online: www.theatrealliance.org

To request interviews, photos and more information, please contact: Megan Wendell, Canary Promotion office: 215-242-6393, cell: 267-304-2391, email: megan@canarypromo.com

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