FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 05/21/10
PRESS CONTACT: Bridget Bean, Gorilla Theatre (813)765-1486 info@gorillatheatre.com
PUBLIC CONTACT: (813) 879-2914 www.gorillatheatre.com
The Young Dramatists Project from The Gorilla Theatre has been producing plays for ten years now and is beginning to create a strong history. Over fifty plays produced by almost that many teen authors from Hillsborough and Pinellas counties have been presented in full productions with the best actors and directors available in the Tampa Bay area.
This year, however, there is a special distinction for 20 year old Christopher Jackson. He is the first to have been an author, actor, and director for YDP.
Jackson now works as an independent film maker and sometime actor. But, while he has directed a full length film, Past the Fields, this is the first stage play he has directed since he attended Blake High for the Arts in Tampa.
Michael Kefeyalew, a Hillsborough High School student, had his play "The String That Fell" selected for production and Jackson was selected to direct this edgy meditation on death and how we deal with it. The play's episodic structure and varying tones called for a director with imagination and daring.
James Rayfield, Artistic Director for YDP, felt that Jackson has those qualities.
"He's is full of ideas and does a lot of homework on any project he's involved with. And I liked the idea that here was someone that YDP had nurtured over the years who had reached the level that he could be given the responsibility of directing a play."
In 2009 Jackson wrote a play that was selected for the project. Jackson said his theatre teacher at Blake told him about the project. "I decided I would give it a shot." says Jackson. "I can't just focus on one part of something. If I delivered packages, I would want to pack them, deliver them, and follow up to see if the recipient found it all right."
He was surprised that his play which revolved around an inappropriate relationship between a high school teacher and his student was selected. Controversy does not bother the Gorilla Theatre and especially not its founder Aubrey Hampton. It is the theatre that boasts it is "Living theatre for thinking minds."
As an actor, Jackson appeared last year in "This One Night in the Warehouse." He can also be seen May 30 at the University of Tampa's Plant Museum as Henry Dobson, one of the monologues in the series of historic characters connected with the Plant Hotel. Dobson was a young soldier who was stationed in Tampa during the Spanish American War.
As for directing at the Gorilla, Jackson says, "Being a director for YDP is a benchmark for me. I have worked tirelessly over the past four years to morph myself into what I consider a professional artist. Workshops, acting for the stage, acting for film, screenwriting, playwriting -- I have done all of this and met some amazing and inspiring professionals along the way. I feel like YDP is my chance to start leaving my own mark and to start sharing my idea of theatre like I have begun doing with film."
Audiences can see "The String That Fell" and the other four winning plays June 3-13 at the Gorilla Theatre.
YDP PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
WHEN: June 3-13, 2010
Thursdays at 7pm (Thurs June 3 - presentation for winners / Thurs June 10 - talkback)
Fridays at 8pm
Saturdays at 8pm
Two shows on Sundays at 3pm and 7pm
WHERE: Gorilla Theatre, 4419 N. Hubert Avenue, Tampa, Florida 33614 "Behind Steinbrenner Field"
TICKET PRICES
Full price: $20 on Thursdays /$25 on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays
Seniors (age 55+) and Adult Students (with ID):$15 on Thursdays / $20 on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays
Student rush: $10 for adult students, thirty minutes before the show when available.
High School and Middle School students: $5
RESERVATIONS and further information: www.gorillatheatre.com (813) 879-2914
Limited seating capacity. Reservations recommended.
No late admission under any circumstances.
Living theatre for thinking minds!
Tucked away in the same Tampa location for over 17 years, the Gorilla Theatre boasts an intimate, welcoming environment and a fascinating season of plays.
Isn't it time you discovered the Gorilla Theatre? Call us today for season information and directions to your new favorite venue.
PRESS CONTACT: Bridget Bean, Gorilla Theatre (813)765-1486 info@gorillatheatre.com
PUBLIC CONTACT: (813) 879-2914 www.gorillatheatre.com
YOUNG DRAMATISTS' PROJECT (YDP '10)
WINNING PLAYWRIGHT SUCCEEDS, RETURNS TO DIRECT
WINNING PLAYWRIGHT SUCCEEDS, RETURNS TO DIRECT
The Young Dramatists Project from The Gorilla Theatre has been producing plays for ten years now and is beginning to create a strong history. Over fifty plays produced by almost that many teen authors from Hillsborough and Pinellas counties have been presented in full productions with the best actors and directors available in the Tampa Bay area.
This year, however, there is a special distinction for 20 year old Christopher Jackson. He is the first to have been an author, actor, and director for YDP.
Jackson now works as an independent film maker and sometime actor. But, while he has directed a full length film, Past the Fields, this is the first stage play he has directed since he attended Blake High for the Arts in Tampa.
Michael Kefeyalew, a Hillsborough High School student, had his play "The String That Fell" selected for production and Jackson was selected to direct this edgy meditation on death and how we deal with it. The play's episodic structure and varying tones called for a director with imagination and daring.
James Rayfield, Artistic Director for YDP, felt that Jackson has those qualities.
"He's is full of ideas and does a lot of homework on any project he's involved with. And I liked the idea that here was someone that YDP had nurtured over the years who had reached the level that he could be given the responsibility of directing a play."
In 2009 Jackson wrote a play that was selected for the project. Jackson said his theatre teacher at Blake told him about the project. "I decided I would give it a shot." says Jackson. "I can't just focus on one part of something. If I delivered packages, I would want to pack them, deliver them, and follow up to see if the recipient found it all right."
He was surprised that his play which revolved around an inappropriate relationship between a high school teacher and his student was selected. Controversy does not bother the Gorilla Theatre and especially not its founder Aubrey Hampton. It is the theatre that boasts it is "Living theatre for thinking minds."
As an actor, Jackson appeared last year in "This One Night in the Warehouse." He can also be seen May 30 at the University of Tampa's Plant Museum as Henry Dobson, one of the monologues in the series of historic characters connected with the Plant Hotel. Dobson was a young soldier who was stationed in Tampa during the Spanish American War.
As for directing at the Gorilla, Jackson says, "Being a director for YDP is a benchmark for me. I have worked tirelessly over the past four years to morph myself into what I consider a professional artist. Workshops, acting for the stage, acting for film, screenwriting, playwriting -- I have done all of this and met some amazing and inspiring professionals along the way. I feel like YDP is my chance to start leaving my own mark and to start sharing my idea of theatre like I have begun doing with film."
Audiences can see "The String That Fell" and the other four winning plays June 3-13 at the Gorilla Theatre.
YDP PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
WHEN: June 3-13, 2010
Thursdays at 7pm (Thurs June 3 - presentation for winners / Thurs June 10 - talkback)
Fridays at 8pm
Saturdays at 8pm
Two shows on Sundays at 3pm and 7pm
WHERE: Gorilla Theatre, 4419 N. Hubert Avenue, Tampa, Florida 33614 "Behind Steinbrenner Field"
TICKET PRICES
Full price: $20 on Thursdays /$25 on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays
Seniors (age 55+) and Adult Students (with ID):$15 on Thursdays / $20 on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays
Student rush: $10 for adult students, thirty minutes before the show when available.
High School and Middle School students: $5
RESERVATIONS and further information: www.gorillatheatre.com (813) 879-2914
Limited seating capacity. Reservations recommended.
No late admission under any circumstances.
Living theatre for thinking minds!
Tucked away in the same Tampa location for over 17 years, the Gorilla Theatre boasts an intimate, welcoming environment and a fascinating season of plays.
Isn't it time you discovered the Gorilla Theatre? Call us today for season information and directions to your new favorite venue.
