For Immediate Release: March 28, 2006
Media Contact: Karen Gross, Arden Theatre Company, 215.922.8900 x49

Arden Theatre Company announces its spring series of Salons. Created to deepen the connection between artists and audiences, Salons provide an interactive, informal and entertaining opportunity for up-close-and-personal dialogue between the public and the region's premier theatre professionals. Salons are held at Arden Theatre Company, 40 N. 2nd Street, Old City Philadelphia.

Gain insights and hear anecdotes from behind the scenes! Due to increasing popularity, the Arden has broadened the diversity of Salon topics this spring. New subjects include Slapstick Comedy and Season Selection as well as a special Salon to discuss the newly-commissioned work co-written by Opus playwright Michael Hollinger and Baby Case composer Michael Ogborn. Other Salons this season offer a rare chance to interact with favorite Philadelphia actors including Grace Gonglewski, Tony Braithwaite, and Tom McCarthy.

Salons are hosted by Arden Associate Artistic Director Amy Dugas Brown, who founded the four-year-old Salon series. Says Dugas Brown: "There was a deep need and desire for connection between artists and audience members. I wanted to come up with a way to build a bridge and provide time for both groups to talk and get to know each other. Salons are a real conversation, not just a panel discussion." She adds that Salons are dynamic and festive, leaving both artists and attendees even more excited about theatre.

Held on Mondays from 6pm to 7:30pm, Salons are $25 each, three for $70 or four for $80. The Arden Theatre Company also offers special $10 tickets to students with valid ID. In addition to the discussion, the ticket price includes refreshments.

Space is limited; reservations are strongly encouraged. Participants can register online at www.ardentheatre.org or by calling the Arden box office at 215.922.1122.

SPRING SALONS 2006

• Ensemble Acting
  Monday, April 3
  Featured speakers: Dancing at Lughnasa cast members Grace Gonglewski, Suzanne O'Donnell, and Megan Bellwoar
  
  It's one thing to have a lead role - Hamlet, Blanche DuBois, Willie Loman - and another to work as part of an ensemble. Great actors strive to create on-stage synergy no matter how big or small their role. Come learn the art of building a great ensemble with three of Philadelphia's finest leading ladies!
  
  
• Season Selection
  Monday, April 10
  Featured speakers: Arden Theatre Company's Terrence J. Nolen, Producing Artistic Director and Co-Founder, and Amy Dugas Brown, Associate Artistic Director
  
  Meet the people who choose the plays performed at the Arden! What drives us to choose a piece of work? What practical decisions must be considered? What gets chosen first? Are there ever any regrets? Why choose a classic over a new play? What are the risks of producing world premieres such as Opus and The Dinosaur Musical?
  
  
• Painting with Lights
  Monday, May 1
  Featured speaker: Barrymore Award-winning lighting designer John Stephen Hoey
  
  Lighting design employs a fickle canvas: thin air. The quality of that air transforms a theatre space with color, angle, and intensity. Meet award-winning designer John Stephen Hoey (Sweeney Todd, Dancing at Lughnasa), who reveals the mysteries of his beautiful art (What are all those lighting fixtures hanging in the theatre?) and his secret for combining electrics with a painterly aesthetic.
  
  
• Slapstick Comedy
  Monday, May 8
  Featured speakers: Aaron Cromie, Dave Jadico, and Rob McClure
  
  Nothing makes 'em laugh like slapstick! Join three actors from A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum who are masters of the pratfall, the prank and the double take. Jadico can juggle anything he can hold; Cromie is an expert in Commedia dell'Arte; McClure does rope tricks. These popular, accomplished Philadelphia actors will discuss creating their own new comedic works rooted in improvisation and physical theatre-and if urged, they'll perform a slapstick demonstration!
  
  
• The Commission Mission
  Monday, May 22
  Featured speakers: Playwrights Michael Hollinger and Michael Ogborn
  
  We loved Hollinger's hit drama Opus and comedy Red Herring and Ogborn's musicals Baby Case and Café Puttanesca so much that we commissioned them to co-write a brand new musical. Come learn about the process of these two geniuses and get an update on their progress! Perhaps they'll even share a new song with us.
  
  
• Musical Comedy
  Monday, June 5
  Featured speakers: Tony Braithwaite and Tom McCarthy
  
  What could be funnier than Tony Braithwaite and Tom McCarthy in a room together talkin' comedy? The stars of Forum-and arguably the funniest actors in Philadelphia's history-share stories that are sure to have you rolling in the aisles. Get a backstage glimpse of the highs and lows of performing musical comedy, and learn how two celebrated actors approach their work.

Arden Theatre Company also offers a sensational Summer Day Camp for children grades 1 through 5. Two sessions of the six-day camp are offered: session one runs June 19 to June 24 and session two runs July 10 to July 15. Taught by theatre professionals, Arden Summer Camp aims to expand imaginations, promote collaboration and inspire a lifelong love of theatre. Information regarding the Arden's Summer Camp and theatre classes for children is available on the Arden website, www.ardentheatre.org.

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