Sharing Our Passion in New Ways

If you’ve been following our summer email campaign, you’ve had the chance to relive the artistic highlights of the 2019/20 season, and you’ve read about how we’ve adapted our existing programming in order to continue our work during this time. Today, we want to highlight the new programs and donor benefits we’ve created to meet the current moment and maintain connection for the Antaeus community.

MASTERCLASSES

With in-person activities in the theater paused, we debuted a wildly popular Masterclass series for our audiences online this spring. These classes led by luminary Company members Armin Shimerman and Dakin Matthews, created an exciting opportunity for participants (joining us from all corners of the world) to share in our passion for study of the classical theater canon. 

NEW CLASSICS INITIATIVE

As an artist-driven theater, we believe in the power and importance of storytellers. They are the architects of culture and windows to our history. Great theater demands varying ideas and perspectives. The purpose of our New Classics Initiative (NCI) is to nurture an inclusive generation of writers, supporting the creation of extraordinary new plays that will stand the test of time.

Since live productions and the launch of our 30th Season will have to wait a bit longer, we’re taking this as an opportunity to deepen our focus on the New Classics Initiative. As you may already know, this fall we’ll debut an exciting new project from the Playwrights Lab: The Zip Code Radio Plays.  This series of radio plays celebrating the rich cultural history and diversity of Los Angeles neighborhoods will be shared free of charge on our website and your favorite podcast platforms. 

The plays were selected to highlight the diverse history and cultures of Los Angeles, with titles including: 90011: South Central Los Angeles by Khari Wyatt; 90012: DTLA by Angela J. Davis; 90024: Westwood by Deb Hiett;  90272: Pacific Palisades by Alex Goldberg; 90403: Santa Monica by Nayna Agrawal; and 91352: Sun Valley by Steve Serpas. 

In addition to The Zip Code Radio Plays, we’re now finalizing plans for an ambitious and exciting new NCI project, with details to be announced later this fall.

SPECIAL (ONLINE) ACTIVITIES & EVENTS

Antaeus Book Club (ABC): For a new way to connect and share the work we love, in 2020/21 we’re starting a theater-themed book club. Each month we’ll gather on Zoom for a guided discussion of a classic (or “new classic”) play. Plays for this series will be curated by our Artistic Directors and conversations will feature special guest artists. ABC meetings will be open to all donors at the Stage Crew ($100) level and above.

Radio Play Salons: To celebrate the release of The Zip Code Radio Plays, we’ll be inviting all Director’s Circle & Producer’s Circle donors ($1,500+) to join us for a series of fun and informative virtual salons, to share insights from artists from this series.

SUPPORT ARTISTIC INNOVATION AT ANTAEUS

Of course, we wish we could all be together again tomorrow, preparing for our celebratory 30th Anniversary Season. But while this crisis persists, we’re trying to use this unplanned intermission as an opportunity to break creative ground and find new ways to connect with our community. 

So for those who are still able to give, please consider making a donation before the end of our Fiscal Year on August 31. Your generosity will help support Antaeus creating compelling, original stories; sharing high-quality performances that can be enjoyed from the safety of home; and fostering a sense of togetherness for our community during this time of social distancing. 

Help us continue our mission to share the transformative power of theater by making a gift today.