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<p style="TEXT-ALIGN: right" align="right"><span style="COLOR: black"><span style="COLOR: black"><font face="Times New Roman"><font size="3">FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
</font></font></span></p>
<p style="TEXT-ALIGN: right" align="right"><span style="COLOR: black"><font face="Times New Roman"><font size="3">Contact: Christine McBurney</font></font></span></p>
<p style="TEXT-ALIGN: right" align="right"><span style="COLOR: black"><font face="Times New Roman"><font size="3">216-295-4258</font></font></span></p>
<p style="TEXT-ALIGN: right" align="right"><span style="COLOR: black"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">24 Hour Box Office: 216-295-4287 or
</font><a href="http://www.tix.com" target="_blank"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">www.tix.com</font></a></span></p>
<p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="center"><b><span style="COLOR: black"><font face="Times New Roman"><font size="3"></font></font></span></b> </p>
<p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="center"><b><span style="COLOR: black"><font face="Times New Roman"><font size="3">Shaker Theatre presents New Stages 30: Shaker New Plays Series</font></font></span></b></p>
<p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="center"><b><span style="COLOR: black"><font face="Times New Roman"><font size="3"><span> </span>Written, Directed, Produced & Performed by Students</font></font></span></b></p>
<p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="center"><b><span style="COLOR: black"><font face="Times New Roman"><font size="3"><font face="times new roman"></font></font></font></span></b> </p>
<p><span style="COLOR: black"><font face="Times New Roman"><font size="3">The Theatre Arts Department of Shaker Heights High School presents the thirtieth festival of new plays, written, directed, produced, and performed by students in our intimate black box
theatre, Stage 3. <span> </span>Six one-act plays will be presented as part of a full season of theatrical events, which began Leonard Bernstein’s
<i>Wonderful Town<span> </span></i>in December and concludes with the Spring Ensemble Show in May.</font></font></span></p>
<p><span style="COLOR: black"><font face="Times New Roman"><font size="3"><font face="times new roman"></font></font></font></span> </p>
<p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="COLOR: black"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">The plays are:
<b><i>Auf Weder Sehen</i></b>,<b><i> </i></b>written by senior Barbara Craig and directed by senior Jonah Weinstein;
<b><i>Blood is Thicker than Ketchup</i></b>, written by senior Graham Fine and directed by senior Hannah McCandless;
<b><i>Boujetto</i></b>,<b><i> </i></b>written by senior Diamond Miller and directed by junior Kevin Parker;
<b><i>IBF</i></b>, written by senior Allegra Verlezza and directed by junior Ford Shelton;
<b><i>Murder in the Worst Degree</i></b><i>,</i> written by senior Josh Barnett and directed by senior Brendan O’Connell;
<b><i>Paint Brushes, Canvasses & the Art of Giving Up</i></b>, </font></span><span style="COLOR: black"><font face="Times New Roman"><font size="3">written by sophomore Claire Lawrence and directed by junior Kristen Leonard.</font></font></span></p>
<p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="COLOR: black"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"></font></span> </p>
<p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">Performances are at
<strong><span style="COLOR: black">8:00 pm on Wednesday, March 14 and Thursday, March 15</span></strong>. Performances on
<strong><span style="COLOR: black">Friday, March 16 and Saturday, March 17 are at 7:00 pm
<u>AND</u> 9:15 pm</span></strong>. All performances are in Shaker Heights High School Stage 3. Seating is limited and all seats are reserved. Note: Mature Content. Tickets are $10.00 for adults, $5.00 for students and senior adults, and may be purchased
in on line at </font><a href="http://www.tix.com/" target="_blank"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">www.tix.com</font></a><font face="Times New Roman"><font size="3"> or by calling the
<strong><span style="COLOR: black">24 Hour Reservation Hotline at 216-295-4287.</span></strong></font></font></p>
<p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><font face="Times New Roman"><font size="3"><strong><span style="COLOR: black"><font face="times new roman"></font></span></strong><strong><span style="COLOR: black; FONT-WEIGHT: normal"></span></strong></font></font> </p>
<p><font face="Times New Roman"><font size="3"><i><span style="COLOR: black">New Stages</span></i><span style="COLOR: black">, now in its thirtieth continuous year, was begun by retired Shaker Theatre Arts Department founder, James Thornton, in 1983. Having
developed it out of a playwriting class, Thornton considered <i>New Stages</i> to be the most significant thing we do as a theatre program.
</span></font></font></p>
<p><font face="Times New Roman"><font size="3"><span style="COLOR: black"></span></font></font> </p>
<p style="MARGIN-LEFT: 1in"><span style="COLOR: black"><font face="Times New Roman"><font size="3">“The fall show is flashier and on a larger scale. The Spring Ensemble Show provides our most polished and sophisticated performances.<span>
</span>Across the line, if you ask Shaker Theatre alumni what their most memorable moments were, they will most likely recall those moments shared in
<i>New Stages</i>. To my knowledge, no other high school in the country has a new play series of this design.” </font></font></span></p>
<p style="MARGIN-LEFT: 1in"><span style="COLOR: black"><font face="Times New Roman"><font size="3"><font face="times new roman"></font></font></font></span> </p>
<p><span style="COLOR: black"><font face="Times New Roman"><font size="3">Department Chair, Christine McBurney adds that "<i>New Stages</i> provides an exciting guided learning experience for students that is unparalleled. A diverse group of students works
closely together, learning how to communicate ideas and with each other, how to problem solve, collaborate, and tell stories that impact an audience.”</font></font></span></p>
<p><span style="COLOR: black"><font face="Times New Roman"><font size="3"><font face="times new roman"></font></font></font></span> </p>
<p><span style="COLOR: black"><font face="Times New Roman"><font size="3">This year’s
<i>New Stages</i> provides working and learning opportunities for more than 65 students. For 30 years, the series has involved more than a thousand students in the creation of new works for the theatre. Among Shaker Theatre alums are:</font></font></span></p>
<ul type="disc">
<li style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; COLOR: black" class="MsoNormal"><font face="Times New Roman"><font size="3">Jamie Babbit, ’89, writer/director of the film,
<i>But I’m a Cheerleader, The Quiet, </i>and <i>Itty Bitty…Committee.<span> </span>
</i>Television directing credits include “Smash,” Ugly Betty, “Dirty Sexy Money,” “The L Word,” “Gossip Girl,” “Gilmore Girls,” and more.<span>
</span>She is in post-production for two films, <i>Cleveland, I Love You</i> and <i>
Breaking the Girl.</i></font></font> </li><li style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; COLOR: black" class="MsoNormal"><font face="Times New Roman"><font size="3">Carter Bays ’93, five-time Emmy-nominated writer for
<i>Late Night with David Letterman. </i>Bays is also a writer and producer for <i>
American Dad</i> and <span style="COLOR: windowtext">executive producer, head writer, and co-creator of the Emmy-award winning comedy,
<i>How I Met Your Mother</i>.<span> </span></span></font></font></li><li style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; COLOR: black" class="MsoNormal"><font face="Times New Roman"><font size="3">David Wain, ’87, writer/director of the film
<i>Wonderlust</i> (in theatres now), <i>Wet Hot American Summer</i>, <i>The Ten </i>
<span>and<i> Role Models</i></span>.<i><span> </span></i>Writing credits include “Mad TV, “The State,” “Stella,” and more.
</font></font></li><li style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; COLOR: black" class="MsoNormal"><font face="Times New Roman"><font size="3">The late Louis Schechter, ’83, Los Angeles film producer and director whose credits include<i> Proximity, Next Action Star, and Bet Your Life.</i>.</font></font>
</li><li style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; COLOR: black" class="MsoNormal"><font face="Times New Roman"><font size="3">Michelle Federer, ’91, New York stage actress, the original Nessarose in Broadway’s
<i>Wicked</i> and who recently appeared Off Broadway in <i>Anon</i>, and in the film
<i>Flannel Pajamas</i>.</font></font> </li><li style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; COLOR: black" class="MsoNormal"><font face="Times New Roman"><font size="3">Michael McElroy, ’84, New York Tony nominated stage actor,
<i>Big River</i>, <i>Rent, Miss Saigon</i>, <i>Angels in America</i>, <i>Some Men</i>.<span>
</span>Now a Professor at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts.</font></font> </li><li style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; COLOR: black" class="MsoNormal"><font face="Times New Roman"><font size="3">Andrew Kober ’02.<span>
</span>An original member of the Tony-nominated production of <i>Hair</i> on Broadway and in London.</font></font>
</li><li style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; COLOR: black" class="MsoNormal"><font face="Times New Roman"><font size="3">Halle Morse ’05.<span>
</span>In the current production of <i>Mama Mia </i>on Broadway.</font></font> </li><li style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; COLOR: black" class="MsoNormal"><font face="Times New Roman"><font size="3">Laura Jacqmin,’00
<span style="COLOR: #333333">recipient of the second annual Wasserstein Prize, established in memory of the esteemed playwright Wendy Wasserstein, who died in 2006. The $25,000 prize is awarded for an outstanding script by a young woman who has not yet received
national attention. </span></font></font> </li><li style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; COLOR: black" class="MsoNormal"><font face="Times New Roman"><font size="3">Sara Knowlton, ’86, television, film and New York stage actress.<span>
</span>TV includes “House,” “Ugly Betty,” “As the World Turns,” and more.</font></font>
</li><li style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; COLOR: black" class="MsoNormal"><font face="Times New Roman"><font size="3">Betsy Hogg, ’06, appeared Off Broadway in
<i>The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie</i> with Cynthia Nixon and on Broadway in <i>The Crucible</i> with Liam Neeson and Laura Linney and
<i>Fiddler on the Roof</i> with Harvey Fierstein.<span> </span>She appeared in the film,
<i>Rocket </i>Science and on television’s “Law and Order.”</font></font> </li><li style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; COLOR: black" class="MsoNormal"><font face="Times New Roman"><font size="3">Gabrielle Perrin, ’87, former casting director for all West Coast operations for the television channel,
<i>Nickelodeon</i>.</font></font> </li><li style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; COLOR: black" class="MsoNormal"><font face="Times New Roman"><font size="3">Two English Speaking Union Cleveland Shakespeare Competition winners, Valerie Kilmer (2009) and David Wemer (2010)</font></font>
</li><li style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; COLOR: black" class="MsoNormal"><font face="Times New Roman"><font size="3">and many others…</font></font></li></ul>
<p><font face="Times New Roman"><font size="3"><b><span style="COLOR: black">Stage 3</span></b><span style="COLOR: black">—Shaker Heights High School’s intimate black box theatre—was the vision of student Amy Silberman, ’81.<span>
</span>For her Senior Project, she drew a design for a black box theatre and identified the space in the basement of the school.<span>
</span>Amy was the catalyst for turning the former fallout shelter into a performing space. Stage 3, dedicated in her memory, is the perfect venue for
<i>New Stages</i>, seating only 70 people and usually selling out every performance.
</span></font></font></p>
<p><font face="Times New Roman"><font size="3"><span style="COLOR: black"><font face="times new roman"></font></span></font></font> </p>
<p><font face="Times New Roman"><font size="3"><b><span style="COLOR: black">The award-winning Theatre Arts Department</span></b><span style="COLOR: black"> at Shaker Heights High School offers 8 daily theatre classes, produces 4 major productions, several
showcases and tours, and involves nearly 300 students each year. </span></font></font></p>
<p><font face="Times New Roman"><font size="3"><span style="COLOR: black"><font face="times new roman"></font></span></font></font> </p>
<p><span style="COLOR: black"><font face="Times New Roman"><font size="3">This year the program has already hosted numerous
<b>Guest Artists</b>, including:</font></font></span></p>
<p><span style="COLOR: black"><font face="Times New Roman"><font size="3"><font face="times new roman"></font></font></font></span> </p>
<p style="TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; MARGIN-LEFT: 1in"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; COLOR: black"><span><font size="3">·</font><span style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">
</span></span></span><span style="COLOR: black"><font face="Times New Roman"><font size="3">Jamie Babbit ’89</font></font></span></p>
<p style="TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; MARGIN-LEFT: 1in"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; COLOR: black"><span><font size="3">·</font><span style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">
</span></span></span><span style="COLOR: black"><font face="Times New Roman"><font size="3">Writer Karey Dornetto (<i>Portlandia, Community, South Park)</i></font></font></span></p>
<p style="TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; MARGIN-LEFT: 1in"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; COLOR: black"><span><font size="3">·</font><span style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">
</span></span></span><span style="COLOR: black"><font face="Times New Roman"><font size="3">Filmmakers Robert Banks and Eric Swinderman</font></font></span></p>
<p style="TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; MARGIN-LEFT: 1in"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; COLOR: black"><span><font size="3">·</font><span style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">
</span></span></span><span style="COLOR: black"><font face="Times New Roman"><font size="3">Geoff Bullen, Associate Director at London’s Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA)/Tisch NYU.</font></font></span></p>
<p style="TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; MARGIN-LEFT: 1in"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; COLOR: black"><span><font size="3">·</font><span style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">
</span></span></span><span style="COLOR: black"><font face="Times New Roman"><font size="3">Actor Derdriu Ring</font></font></span></p>
<p style="TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; MARGIN-LEFT: 1in"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; COLOR: black"><span><font size="3">·</font><span style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">
</span></span></span><span style="COLOR: black"><font face="Times New Roman"><font size="3">Actor Jim Green</font></font></span></p>
<p style="MARGIN-LEFT: 1in"><span style="COLOR: black"><font face="Times New Roman"><font size="3">And our Associate Guest Artists include:</font></font></span></p>
<p style="TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; MARGIN-LEFT: 1in"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; COLOR: black"><span><font size="3">·</font><span style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">
</span></span></span><span style="COLOR: black"><font face="Times New Roman"><font size="3">James Thornton, Founder of the Shaker Theatre Arts Department & Creator of the Ensemble Program</font></font></span></p>
<p style="TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; MARGIN-LEFT: 1in"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; COLOR: black"><span><font size="3">·</font><span style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">
</span></span></span><span style="COLOR: black"><font face="Times New Roman"><font size="3">Matt Thornton ’92 of Pilobolus Dance Theatre</font></font></span></p>
<p style="TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; MARGIN-LEFT: 1in"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; COLOR: black"><span><font size="3">·</font><span style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">
</span></span></span><span style="COLOR: black"><font face="Times New Roman"><font size="3">Wendy Kriss, Movement Specialist & Director</font></font></span></p>
<p style="TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; MARGIN-LEFT: 1in"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; COLOR: black"><span><font size="3">·</font><span style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">
</span></span></span><span style="COLOR: black"><font face="Times New Roman"><font size="3">Katie Daley, Poet</font></font></span></p>
<p style="TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; MARGIN-LEFT: 1in"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; COLOR: black"><span><font size="3">·</font><span style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">
</span></span></span><span style="COLOR: black"><font face="Times New Roman"><font size="3">Megan Pitcher, Costumer</font></font></span></p>
<p style="TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; MARGIN-LEFT: 1in"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; COLOR: black"><span><font size="3">·</font><span style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">
</span></span></span><span style="COLOR: black"><font face="Times New Roman"><font size="3">Bruce Jennings, Musician</font></font></span></p>
<p style="TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; MARGIN-LEFT: 1in"><span style="COLOR: black"><font face="Times New Roman"><font size="3"><font face="times new roman"></font><b></b></font></font></span> </p>
<p><font face="Times New Roman"><font size="3"><b><span style="COLOR: black">Faculty and staff include</span></b><span style="COLOR: black">:
</span></font></font></p>
<p><font face="Times New Roman"><font size="3"><span style="COLOR: black"><font face="times new roman"></font></span></font></font> </p>
<p style="TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; MARGIN-LEFT: 1in"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; COLOR: black"><span><font size="3">·</font><span style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">
</span></span></span><span style="COLOR: black"><font face="Times New Roman"><font size="3">Theatre Arts Department Chair Christine McBurney, who teaches (or has taught) Dramatic Literature & Writing, Film as Art, IB Theatre Arts, Junior Ensemble, Acting, Improv,
Shakescenes, Theatre I, and<span> </span>Theatre Management</font></font></span></p>
<p style="TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; MARGIN-LEFT: 1in"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; COLOR: black"><span><font size="3">·</font><span style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">
</span></span></span><span style="COLOR: black"><font face="Times New Roman"><font size="3">Ensemble Program Director Erik Johnson, who teaches or has taught Junior, Advanced and Senior Ensembles, IB Theatre Arts, Theatre I, and Theatre Management</font></font></span></p>
<p style="TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; MARGIN-LEFT: 1in"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; COLOR: black"><span><font size="3">·</font><span style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">
</span></span></span><span style="COLOR: black"><font face="Times New Roman"><font size="3">Chuck Tisdale, Technical Designer and Auditorium Manager</font></font></span></p>
<p style="TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; MARGIN-LEFT: 1in"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; COLOR: black"><span><font size="3">·</font><span style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">
</span></span></span><span style="COLOR: black"><font face="Times New Roman"><font size="3">Brian McCann, Stage Manager</font></font></span></p>
<p style="TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; MARGIN-LEFT: 1in"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; COLOR: black"><span><font size="3">·</font><span style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">
</span></span></span><span style="COLOR: black"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">Julia Rossi, Box Office Manager</font></font></span></p>
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<p><span style="COLOR: black"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"></font></span> </p>
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<div class="BodyFragment"><font size="2">
<div class="PlainText"> <br>
Christine McBurney<br>
Theatre Arts Dept. Chair<br>
Shaker Heights High School<br>
15911 Aldersyde Dr.<br>
Shaker Heights, OH 44120<br>
216.295.4258<br>
216.295.4277 fax<br>
www.facebook.com/shakertheatre<br>
<br>
view photos at shakertheatre.zenfolio.com<br>
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