Seattle Times previews Alaska Oct 30, 2009
by Jessica
Jean Lenihan previewed Alaska in this morning's Seattle Times:
Want to know more about Alaska? Oct 29, 2009
by Jessica
Alaska has toured to cities like NYC, Portland and LA and has received a fair amount of coverage. Below are links and the first sentence or 2 of the reviews from previous tour stops.
12 Minutes Max and Olivier Wevers Oct 26, 2009
by Jessica
Jeremy at the SunBreak covered last night's 12 Minute Max:
12 Minutes Max, On the Boards' semi-monthly showcase of local performance talent, kicked off its new season last night with a program co-curated by Olivier Wevers (it plays again tonight at 7 p.m.; tickets $8).
From the 12MM curators Oct 26, 2009
by Tania
Wow -- last night's 12MM was totally awesome! All the performers were energized by the capacity crowd and we could tell from the enthusiastic applause that it was a crowd pleaser. As an extra bonus, during tonight's show the $12.00 for 12MM guest curator will be chosen right after intermission. The lottery is a great way to support 12MM and the winner will have the unique opportunity of experiencing first hand the process of curating a show. See you tonight -- come early.
- Michael and Chris Sannella, Curators
When I think of dance theater... Oct 22, 2009
by Jessica
...I think of people/companies like (click the images for short videos from each):
Constanza Macras/Dorky Park
DV8 Physical Theatre
![DV8's Cost of Living [film still]](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3662/3390781002_09ab37cbc5_o.jpg)
[This also features Tanja Liedtke,
congrats to compagnie marie chouinard! Oct 22, 2009
by Jessica
The 08/09 alums just won a Gemini Award (Canadian television awards) for "Best Performance in a Performing arts program or series." Their filmed version of bODY_rEMIX/gOLDBERG_vARIATIONS was broadcast through various networks, including Bravo, about a year ago. Check out a clip from the show.
Diana Szeinblum and Tonya Lockyer and "The Wicked Fairy of German Ballet" Oct 21, 2009
by Jessica
Local dancer/choreographer/OtB alum/smarty pants Tonya Lockyer just recorded a podcast for OtB in relation to Diana Szeinbl
6 years of waiting Oct 21, 2009
by Jessica
We've made reference before to the fact that we've had our eye on Diana Szeinblum for 6 years. The first time she came to our attention was at a 2003 festival in Austin, TX.
Contemporary Performance on OtB Oct 19, 2009
by Jessica
Contemporary Performance is, in their own words, a "resource for artists, scholars and audiences." Their site has news about the different happenings in the art world and highlights various artists, venues, festivals, media, etc. Earlier this month they did a quick profile of OtB and highlighted 3 performances in our 09/10 Season.
Transition Oct 16, 2009
by Tania
It's the easiest thing in the world to talk about how talented Reggie Watts is, so let's just get that out of the way up front: you really get the impression that he can do anything on stage. One of the early vignettes in 'Transition' consists of Watts delivering "an soliloquy" [sic] in the classical style, and not only is the piece hilarious and deft in its send up of the tropes of the genre's writing and performance styles, but it convinces you that Watts could almost certainly step on stage with any Shakespearean company and own the room with integrity.
Likewise with the numerous songs in the show. The lyrics bounce between brilliant and funny (with regular overlap between the two), and have wicked beats and hooks. With just his voice, loop machine and tiny keyboard, Watts can stand-in for a rap super-group, an opera company, a jazz combo, or a worldbeat music festival, and the listener is no worse off for it. Plus, he can dance. And I don't just mean like he can get down - which he can - I mean he is a really excellent mover.
Seattle Mag on Reggie Watts and Tommy Smith Oct 16, 2009
by Jessica
Here's what Seattle Mag editor/writer Brangien Davis had to say about Transition:
Thoughts on Transition from a dancer and long time friend of Mr Watts Oct 16, 2009
by Amy O
In the dance classes I teach, I often spend a lot of time talking about transitions. The way you get from one place to another is often more important than the arrival. The nature of the transition can give deeper meaning and impact to where you came from and where you end up. Without thinking about how you get from one place to another, you are just going through the motions. And what is true for dance is true for life. (Insert smirk right here.)
Reggie Watts and Tommy Smith have created an hour long unapologetic performance experience that strings together one transition moment after another. It is an interesting concept to take on in a time based art form and a ripe opportunity for thwarting audience expectation. From the beginning we are set up to believe one thing will happen, then something else completely unexpected occurs instead. One example of this that I cannot stop laughing about, is a video of Reggie making out with with a super hot girl in a car. The kissing is steamy and as a viewer you are really getting into the whole thing. Who doesn't enjoy watching two hot people making out like they are honestly enjoying themselves? Then bing! The Nabisco logo pops up in the corner and we move on to the next thing.
Transition photos from the director Oct 16, 2009
by Jessica
Tommy Smith sent a couple new pictures from some of the dress rehearsals this week: 
Reggie Watts | Tommy Smith Oct 16, 2009
by Tania
There are times I wish I was clever enough to understand the cleverness of other people. I feel this way at times when I witness something I like, but don’t quite fully understand, like Ingmar Bergman... or the Scottish.
It's in the transitions (or maybe not) Oct 16, 2009
by Mike P
I've never seen Reggie Watts live. Nor have I seen Tommy Smith live.
OtB staff working the bar Oct 15, 2009
by Jessica
Last weekend the good people at the Stranger took over the OtB Mainstage with their annual film festival, Hump. We staffers stepped back and worked the bar. Here's what that looked like (bunny ears courtesy of Erin):
[Jess, Ariel and Tyler.
A Transition formula Oct 15, 2009
by Jessica
Teen Tix lays out a formula for this weekend's show over on their blog.
OtB Exclusive Interview with Reggie Watts Oct 15, 2009
by Tania
Coming to see the show? Just love Reggie Watts? Listen to him talk about Transition and other funny stuff.
The Stranger on Transition Oct 15, 2009
by Jessica
If you pick up a copy of the Stranger right now, here's how their short blurb for Transition reads:
The Big Deal Oct 15, 2009
by Mike P
If you regularly read this blog, you know On the Boards is the place in Seattle to see the best in contemporary performance. The Inter/National Series brings just that - performance groups from outside Seattle, giving locals a taste of what's going on outside of our city. Some of these groups have never presented in Seattle, some are making a welcome return, and some may never come back. These opportunities are HUGE - for artmakers and art spectators alike - the best in the world here in your backyard. You either see it, or you don't. And you definitely don't want to miss it.
The very same can be said of On the Boards' NW Artist Series which starts this week with Reggie Watts | Tommy Smith - Transition.
Where do you think superstars of the performance world started? On the local level. And On the Boards is doing their part to showcase up-and-coming artists with roots in the Pacific Northwest region to present what is the future of contemporary performance - theater, dance, and music. Here's why you shouldn't miss it...
Karaoke meets Lecture - coming soon to OtB Oct 14, 2009
by Jessica
What makes this man:
turn into this man:
?
"Reggie Watts and Tommy Smith's Long Road Back to On the Boards" Oct 14, 2009
by Jessica
Jeremy Barker from theSunBreak sat down with Reggie Watts and Tommy Smith for along interview in the OtB mainstage lobby. Here's what he had to say about the experience:
"Badminton Played Artfully" Oct 14, 2009
by Jessica
From our friends at Giant Magnet:
More than 25 local arts organizations threw down at On the Boards' Badminton Royale Season Opening Tailgate Party on Sept. 22. Lively costumes, even livelier cheers, hotdogs and cheap beer added to the fierce competition in the gravel lot. Though Giant Magnet was eliminated in the second round, the organization took home a prize ribbon for "Best Smack-Talking", thanks to the imaginative and competitive efforts of Giant Magnet Team Coach, Brian Faker (pictured here as he gives player Bruce Hall a little encouragement).
OtB's old home gets renovated Oct 14, 2009
by Jessica
Brendan Kiley at the Stranger poked his head in to see how things are going in these early, early days of renovation over at Washington Hall. A photo post can be found on the Slog.
Olivier Wevers in Encore Oct 14, 2009
by Jessica
If you're out at another theater in October and you pick up a copy of their Encore program, check out a great interview with Olivier Wevers. Here's a section where he explains the name of his company:
So, the name of your company, Whim W'Him, what does that mean?
It was a long process to name the company. I was absolutely against "The Olivier Wevers...whatever." It should not be about me but the collaboration, the platform, the work. I wanted a name that was intriguing and a bit whimsical.
Seattle Weekly recommends Transition Oct 13, 2009
by Jessica
Margaret Friedman previews Transition opening this weekend at OtB:
Reggie Watts and Tommy Smith, like most artists today, are seeking the holy grail of "what’s next" in the post-Aristotelian era of storytelling.
House Bunny Oct 12, 2009
by Jessica
OtB House Manager Tyler Blue was captured on film by the Stranger's Kelly O:
Click the photo to see more pictures from last weekend's HUMP.
OtB <3 PuSH (and PICA) Oct 9, 2009
by Jessica
OtB's artistic director Lane got in the photobooth with the PuSH staffers Norman Armour and Dani Fecko during PICA's TBA Festival:
Reggie sightings on the KEXP blog Oct 9, 2009
by Jessica
A detailed account from 2008 of Reggie Watts sightings throughout the Seattle area:
ArtZone recommends Transition Oct 9, 2009
by Jessica
ArtZone host Nancy Guppy recommends Transition around the 22 minute Mark. Watch the video on the Seattle Channel site.
(and watch afterwards to see Waxie Moon!)
First opening night party of 09/10! Oct 9, 2009
by Jessica
That's right - next week will be our first after-party of the year. It's an ongoing tradition that after the opening night of each NW Series performance we - OtB staff, the cast/crew of the show and you - head down to the Sitting Room to celebrate and hang out.
More about Tommy Smith Oct 8, 2009
by Jessica
Tommy Smith - WA native, playwright, director and lip dubber - has had a history of collaborating with Reggie Watts that extends from the stage to video. Outside of that collaboration, he's worked on a number of his own plays, including:
Reggie and his looping Oct 7, 2009
by Jessica
Reggie is often recognized for his live looping - using his own voice to create an entire song (from beats to background vocals). Here's an example:
Last May The Stranger's LineOut highlighted Reggie's tools and posted an interview with the man himself:
Long lost Seattle soul Reggie Watts is a one man flotilla of sound. He’s a beat boxing savant.
OtB receives over $130,000 from Dance USA! Oct 7, 2009
by Jessica
On the Boards has received $130,277 from Dance USA through their pilot program, Engaging Dance Audiences. It's in support of OtBTV (our soon to be launched performance video on demand program).
ArtDish on THE SHIPMENT Oct 7, 2009
by Jessica
Jim Demetre at ArtDish just posted a review of THE SHIPMENT:
Looking forward to 12 Minutes Max, October 25 & 26 Oct 5, 2009
by Tania
We've been coming to 12MM for about ten years and were recently thrilled to be given the opportunity to co-curate a show. After a day of auditions, we worked with Olivier Wevers to put together an engaging show of dance, theater, and performance art. And we're looking forward to seeing it all again: an intriguing mix of stories, movement, music, sensuality, tulips and a harmonica.
- Chris and Michael Sannella
Young Jean Lee #1 Super Asian Oct 4, 2009
by Mike P
I first saw Young Jean Lee's Theater Company's Songs of the Dragon Flying to Heaven at On the Boards a couple seasons ago and I saw THE SHIPMENT on opening night last Thursday. It's almost impossible to not compare the two pieces I viewed; both works are "ethnic identity plays". Both were disorienting pieces that constantly had me shifting the way I was looking at the work, re-organizing what was going on onstage, settling into the uncomfortable atmosphere, and anticipating what was going to happen next. Both take bold, unflinching risks. In short, watching YJL's work is an exhilarating and engaging experience. This work is fluid, provocative, experimental, and the fearless kind of theater that everyone needs to see. An awesome way to kick off this season at OtB!
"The Point of the Play Is Not to Soothe" Oct 3, 2009
by Jessica
Check out the review just posted on the Teen Tix blog:
"A communal Rorschach test" Oct 3, 2009
by Jessica
Misha Berson at the Seattle Times reviews THE SHIPMENT:
The Stranger and Seattle Met... Oct 2, 2009
by Jessica
...both recommend THE SHIPMENT:
"Playwright Young Jean Lee runs with scissors." - The Stranger
Young Jean Lee's THE SHIPMENT Oct 2, 2009
by Tania
While I like a work of theatre that is entertaining, I also like one that makes me challenge my own assumptions, has an emotional punch, and gets people talking — THE SHIPMENT does it all.
Young Jean Lee's Theater Company | The Shipment Oct 1, 2009
by Tania
Did you see The Shipment? Read patron and press reviews, click on the Comments button to read the comments of others and post your own thoughts.
Reggie Watts & Tommy Smith: Transition teaser Oct 1, 2009
by Jessica
Reggie and Tommy have created a Transition Instructional video. Check it out:
Preview of THE SHIPMENT in The SunBreak Oct 1, 2009
by Jessica
Jeremy Barker sat down with 2 cast members of THE SHIPMENT earlier this week for an interview. He just posted a preview of the piece:
Attention dancers: meet, greet and have a beer with Andrea Snyder on Monday! Oct 1, 2009
by Jessica
The excellent and articulate Andrea Snyder, Executive Director of Dance USA will be in Seattle next week.
We're hosting a discussion with her about the state of the national dance community, survival tactics, current issues on your mind, and what Dance/USA is working on that has value for the Seattle Dance Community.
She will talk about:
- The current inter/national dance climate
- Emerging dance leaders (as per a Dance USA survey)
- International export of US dance
- Home season support
- Touring data compiled by Dance USA
It is great to have someone coming in who can off
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