| Putting
Women Center Stage Founded
in 1995 as Pandora's Box Theatre Company by Michele Ninacs and Alleyway Theatre
Executive Director Neal Radice, the company seeks to produce plays about women
and their experiences, works by women, plays traditionally performed by men but
reinterpreted for women, and works which redefine the roles of women and men in
such a way as to empower both. Theatre Plus provides opportunities for the development
of women directors, playwrights, producers, technicians, and performers, and is
committed to presenting the diversity of women artists by showcasing works by
women songwriters, poets and fine artists. The
company debuted in 1995 with its production of Cynthia Heimel's A GIRL'S GUIDE
TO CHAOS. This was followed with Kathleen Tolan's APPROXIMATING MOTHER. It's first
Curtain Up! presentation was Beckett's classic WAITING FOR GODOT, presented with
an all female cast. 1996 saw two of PBTC's most controversial and ambitious projects
KEELEY & DU by Jane Martin and A PIECE OF MY HEART by Shirley Lauro. 1997
was a year of new works beginning with REMEMBER LAST NIGHT by Wendy Lement, followed
by other plays by local women; Marcia Morrison's TOSSING BACK THE APPLE and Mara
Neimanis' one-women show LOT'S WIFE. In 1998 the company presented GRACE
AND GLORIE by Tom Ziegler, directed by Michele Ninacs.
Under
the artistic direction of Ellen Opiela, the 99-00 season featured the first annual
production of ESCAPING THE BOX, a collection of short plays and other pieces of
music, dance, poetry and visual arts. Through 2004 the company maintained its
commitment to theatre that responds to women. Julie Kittsley served as the company's
Artistic Director in 2004-05.
The life and works of Ellen Opiela were celebrated
at a memorial held at Alleyway Theatre on April 2, 2006. Friends and family
shared memories, viewed photos of Ellen and enjoyed an exhibit of her visual arts
creations in the exhibit gallery.
The
company's name changed to Thea+re Plus, and on May 1, 2006, Kim Piazza stepped
into the role of Artistic Director. Get
Tickets Online at alleyway.com or at the box office 30 minutes before each show.
Group Rates are available by calling the box office at 716-852-2600x0 or contact
us by email at theatreplus@alleyway.com |
