Newsletter (August 30, 2024)
NEW PERSPECTIVES THEATRE COMPANY NEWSLETTER
"LABOR DAY" EDITION
Wishing the NPTC Family a Happy Labor Day!
Congress created Labor Day as a national holiday in 1894, thanks to the growing strength of the Labor Movement and unions (although this initial holiday was only for Federal Workers.) Throughout the early to mid-20th Century, unions were still fighting for this to be a statutory holiday. Now, all U.S. States and Territories have made it so, but that doesn't mean it's a mandatory day off for private employers or even for the government! How many "Labor Day" sales events will take place this weekend?
The idea for a day to honor working people and their contributions to the country grew out of the successful movement for a shorter work week. Labor Day was celebrated with parades and speeches followed by a massive picnic. We still have the picnics (mostly in the form of cook-outs) but we seem to have lost the focus on the workers and their essential place in society. We were reminded of this fact during the COVID pandemic and even had a designated time to make some noise about it (7:00pm in NYC.) Sadly, that enthusiasm seems to have faded.
NPTC could not exist without the labor of dozens of artists and technicians, averaging at least 60 per year. We take this opportunity to acknowledge their vital contributions to our creative and educational programs, and to encourage ALL members of the NPTC community to recognize, support and honor every worker who crosses your path on any given day.
Thank you to all who labor for a better and just world!
ROAD TRIP!
We are delighted to have been invited to perform at the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Historical Park in Church Creek, Maryland as part of their FOOTSTEPS TO FREEDOM Festival!
STEAL AWAY: The Living History of Harriet Tubman was created in 1999 and launched our World Voices Program. Playwright Rick Balian created five plays for the program based on folk tales from different cultures and performed with puppets and live actors.
Although Harriet's story is not a folk tale, STEAL AWAY is crafted in a similar style and has become the signature piece in World Voices. The play has been presented to thousands of NYC students and families, performing in schools, public parks, and museums. It even toured to Philadelphia and Maine. In 2009 we received a special 10th Anniversary Citation from then NYS Governor David Paterson.
We will be performing on September 14th at 10:00am and 3:00pm. The play is directed by long-time NPTC Artistic Associate Ray Rodriguez, and features CK Allen, Asa Johnson, Elizabeth June and Ashley Winkfield. If you happen to be in Maryland on September 14th, you can find details about getting a ticket HERE.
One Month to Apply!
Applications to the 2025 Women's Work Short Play LAB will be accepted until September 30th!
Playwrights who are not currently enrolled in a degree program are eligible to apply. Six members will be invited to join us after the application review.
We are also accepting applications from Directors.
The LAB meets the 2nd Sunday of each month from February to June, then plays begin rehearsals for the Meganne George Short Play Festival, which performs the second week of August.
Click here to learn more about the LAB and the application requirements.
We could use your help!
We have a lot going on this Fall and money is tight. We rely on the support of friends and family to make it all happen. Donations are especially important for paying artists! A little goes a long way at NPTC; we don't have a lot of overhead expenses and we're very frugal when it comes to production costs. Please consider making a donation TODAY!