The Artist's Project 2009 - Awe Inspiring!

This weekend concludes the 2009 Artist's Project at the Conservatory and what an action packed project it has been this year! For those who don't know - The Artist's Project - now in its ninth year - is when Conservatory students, alumni and faculty come together to self produce and the Conservatory provides the space, equipment, marketing and box office assistance they need to realize their dreams. As we all know - one of the biggest barriers to artists being able to produce their own work is affordable space.

This year's project included Love and Whiskey - a new play written and produced by Conservatory guest faculty member Allyson Currin; Late Bloomers and Glory Days also by Currin and produced by the Conservatory Alumni Committee, featuring Conservatory alumni. Next up was Conservatory Cabaret - now in its fifth year - a cross between Saturday Night Live and vaudeville featuring students, alumni and faculty. This year there were over 20 acts and very entertaining hosting by emcees Doug Wilder (one of our faculty bloggers) and George Michael Harris III (affectionately known around the school as Three) who pulled the whole evening of entertainment together - especially Doug, who directed. This past weekend - for one night only - alumna Leigh Anna Fry and board member Renee Gentry brought us Dear Mr. President... an original work featuring alumni in stand-up routines that was a like a hybrid of The Daily Show and letters to Santa.

We wrap up the 2009 Artist's Project this weekend with a production of The Houseguests produced by Alumni Roger Payano. At first tech last night the production was definitely on it's way to a great opening night! This is also Roger directorial debut - he produced the show so that he could begin building his directing resume. Go Rog!

Nearing the end of 14 weeks of non-stop production here at the Conservatory (think very positive, and excited exhaustion...) I have to say that I am personally in awe of the many students, alumni and faculty who took advantage of the opportunity that the Artist's Project provides to produce, write, act, direct and share some amazing work with the public. Our curriculum here at the Conservatory is designed to produce not just actors who audition and wait for the phone to ring, but artists who have a fully developed aesthetic and the knowledge, skills and ambition to make great art. This year's Artists's Project reinforced for me what is possible.

There's still time to catch The Houseguests this weekend - April 10, 11 & 12 at 7:30 PM. To reserve your seat contact me at NFicca@TheConservatory.org.

Did you see any of the performances in this year's Artist's Project? If so, I'd love to know what you thought - post your comments here. Or even questions if you are thinking of producing next year.