June 15, 2006 (ITHACA, NY)- There’s an unprecedented amount of activity in the Hangar Theatre this summer—a Mainstage season of five productions and a Kiddstuff series that features eight shows for the whole family. Thanks to four emerging directors and the Hangar’s Lab Company, there are at least eight more cutting edge productions “wedged” into the season as well. The Hangar Theatre is announced its 2007 Lab Company Wedge Season.
Last year's Wedge production of Moliere's Tartuffe featured Lansing actress Alyssa Wasenko
An alternative theatrical space cut out of the Hangar’s lobby, the Wedge is the three-sided realm of the Lab Company’s exciting series of new plays, classic tales, and experimental work. The free-admission shows of the Wedge take place on select nights both before and after Mainstage performances and are helmed by four young artists from the Drama League Directors Project: Tamara Fisch, Michael Perlman, Kate Pines, and Kerry Whigham. The summer is split into four “rotations” for the visiting directors, allowing each to have an opportunity to direct one Kiddstuff performance, two plays in the Wedge—one established play of his or her choice and one original script from the Hangar’s Annual New Play Contest—and also to serve one rotation as the Lab Company Producer, overseeing the overall work of the company.
The Wedge offers an atmosphere of experimentation and innovation in which the entire Lab Company—actors, designers, playwrights, and directors—can explore their craft. Shows in this space frequently challenge the audience as well as the performers. The spatial limitations of the performance area force the imagination of spectators and artists alike into new and often unexpected terrain. Free reservations for any Wedge performance can be made in advance.
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