Some local theater companies that formed during the past few years have quickly become staples of New Orleans’ dramatic scene. Here’s what a few of them have lined up.
NEW ORLEANS FINALLY got its very own Fringe Festival last year, and already it’s taking off. Fringe supports new and emerging theater by making it easy for performers to produce their shows. Writers or producers submit short works for consideration. If selected, Fringe does the organizing to connect the performance with an audience. Plays will be announced shortly for this year’s festival (Nov. 11-15). See details at www.nofringe.org .
THIS AWESOME FOURSOME formed their own company in 2008, and now they are back with another stunner of a season. FourFront Theatre pros Gary Rucker, Kelly Fouchi, Lucas Harms and Megan Sauzer Harms are at work on “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” (Nov. 6-22 at
Le Petit Theatre). Next up: “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels” (Jan. 8-24 at Le Petit). See www.FourFrontTheatre.com for more.
SEVERAL YOUNG COMPANIES that sprang up within the last few years are fast becoming forces for change in local theater. The NOLA Project, launched by Artistic Director Andrew Larimer, pulled in talent from New York and New Orleans and continues to make waves with innovative productions. The troupe presents Adam Rapp’s “Finer Noble Gases” at Marigny Theatre this month and later will collaborate with the New Orleans Indie Rock Collective on a series of theater performances followed by rock concerts. See nolaproject.com for details.
UNO alumni Michael Santos, Ashley Ricord Santos, Mike Harkins and Jim Winter formed InSideOut Productions in 2005 and have continually offered fresh material for local stages. They recently presented the darkly humorous “The Last Days of Judas Iscariot” at UNO. Keep watch on the troupe at www.insideout-nola.com .
During its short history, Cripple Creek Theatre Company has become synonymous with demanding, politically and socially relevant productions, last season ranging from Strindberg’s “Erik the Fourteenth” to Wilder’s “The Skin of our Teeth.” Company co-founder Andrew Vaught says details of the new season will be available soon at www.CrippleCreekPlayers.org.
Fringe Festival’s “Footprints: Traces of Expression”
