A Few Extras

We have a very eclectic and dynamic and somewhat opinionated group of nominees this year and we wanted to get to know them a little better so we asked them to answer a few questions about their work. 

A couple of our nominees were busy working on shows (imagine that) and sent their answers a little late. But we loved what they had to say and wanted to share their thoughts with you. So here they are...

Why do you work Off-Off-Broadway?

"Because I want to create the work I want to create, when I want to create it. I don't want to be beholden to anyone else's schedule or aesthetic criteria. By producing our own work, our imaginations lead, and other concerns are secondary."

– Jeff Lewonczyk, Outstanding Original Full-Length Script nominee for Theater of the Arcade, Piper McKenzie & The Fifth Wall in association with The Brick Theater

"I work Off-Off Broadway because Off-Off Broadway opened its arms to me. I believe that Off-Off Broadway attracts a certain kind of performer: the working/thinking actor. The kind of performer who can't not be on stage because they would go mad. That drive and passion to bring read truth and honesty to each performance is rare, and, in my opinion, readily found in Off-Off Broadway houses.” 

– Whitney Branan, Outstanding Ensemble nominee for The Drowsy Chaperone, The Gallery Players

"It's the place where a) We can experiment  b) Our company can afford to produce  c) Our audiences can afford to see us." 

– Paul Zimet, Outstanding Director nominee for The Walk Across America For Mother Earth, Talking Band in association with LaMaMa Experimental Theater Club

"Currently it seems like Off-Off is the only place most of what we do in Neo-Futurism can exist.  We are constantly creating new & crazy work and know that at times it is going to be wild and fun and inspiring and even fail. It is a great and supportive community of audience and artists where we can experiment in addition to bringing on new writers & performers and allowing them to make whatever tiny masterpieces and mess they can dream up." 

– Rob Neill, Managing Director for the New York Neo-Futurists which is nominated for Outstanding Performance Art Production for both (un)afraid and Locker #4173b

"Off-Off-Broadway creates spectacular moments in intimate spaces and on seemingly non-existent budgets." 

 - Virginia Bartholomew, Outstanding Actress in a Lead Role nominee for Macbeth, Redd Tale Theatre Company

What was your favorite OOB production that you saw this season?

"I missed many shows I would have liked to see, but two that I got to and liked very much were The Tempest (Target Margin) and The Inexplicable Redemption of Agent G (Vampire Cowboys)" 

– Paul Zimet, Outstanding Director nominee for The Walk Across America For Mother Earth, Talking Band in association with LaMaMa Experimental Theater Club

"I loved The Tragedy of Maria Macabre." 

– Angela Harriell, Outstanding Choreography/Movement nominee for Circus of Circus, The House of Yes

"Buddy Cop 2. I always am inspire by and enjoy what the Debate Society does. With Buddy Cop 2 they created a police department and a racquet ball court on stage—awesome! Plus the performances were so solid and real." 

– Rob Neill, Managing Director for the New York Neo-Futurists which is nominated for Outstanding Performance Art Production for both (un)afraid and Locker #4173b

"Sleep No More is brilliance."  

 - Virginia Bartholomew, Outstanding Actress in a Lead Role nominee for Macbeth, Redd Tale Theatre Company

What was the most challenging part of the show you were nominated for?

"For both (un)afraid & Locker... we had real issues trying to find and work in new spaces; both times that lead to higher costs for the shows. However, I found the most challenging part was trying to rehearse (un)afraid, a show that had 16 variations and whose selection was determined by a guest spirit summoned by a ouija board." 

– Rob Neill, Managing Director for the New York Neo-Futurists which is nominated for Outstanding Performance Art Production for both (un)afraid and Locker #4173b

"I was warned by several directors that playing Lady Macbeth is a wild ride.  The aftereffects of literally inviting evil into your body can’t be good for one’s psyche so I spent a lot of time laughing last summer.  I rarely dig up deeply personal, dark and unresolved issues, but for the sleepwalking scene I felt I must literally be haunted."    

- Virginia Bartholomew, Outstanding Actress in a Lead Role nominee for Macbeth, Redd Tale Theatre Company

What was your favorite part of the show you were nominated for?

"For Locker... I particularly loved the moments of original song  that popped up from Joey and Borg in the show. For (un)afraid it was the Halloween show when we left the whole audience in white masks dancing to tricked out waltz music." 

– Rob Neill, Managing Director for the New York Neo-Futurists which is nominated for Outstanding Performance Art Production for both (un)afraid and Locker #4173b

"Lady Macbeth is such a treat to play!  She forces you to own your power, and the text incredibly rich, requiring the absolute best of an actor’s instrument." 

 - Virginia Bartholomew, Outstanding Actress in a Lead Role nominee for Macbeth, Redd Tale Theatre Company

If you could work with any OOB artist (that you haven't work with yet), who would it be and why?

"The folks from National Theater of United States of America.  Love their style and wild takes on material. Neo-Futurism & NTUSA would be a dirty cool and riproarin’ marriage for sure." 

– Rob Neill, Managing Director for the New York Neo-Futurists which is nominated for Outstanding Performance Art Production for both (un)afraid and Locker #4173b

"I love Terry Schreiber’s energy.  I’d love to work with him." 

- Virginia Bartholomew, Outstanding Actress in a Lead Role nominee for Macbeth, Redd Tale Theatre Company 

Thanks to all of our nominees for their thoughtful answers.