Entertainment

New Rep’s Virtual Interactive Play Focuses on Indigenous History

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“Moving Play” Playwright, Mwalim Morgan J. Peters (Mashpee Wampanoag), and Director Jaime Carrillo (Aymara). The following announcement was provided by New Rep Theatre:

On March 18, New Repertory Theatre, the Pigsgusset Initiative, and the Watertown Free Public Library invite you to a dynamic community conversation about local Indigenous history and the role of Indigenous culture keepers in challenging narratives that attempt to erase them. In May 2021, New Repertory Theatre will premiere their second Moving Play, centering on local Indigenous history. This virtual, interactive event affords members of the community an opportunity to speak with the Moving Play Playwright, Mwalim Morgan J. Peters (Mashpee Wampanoag), and Director, Jaime Carrillo (Aymara). Dr. Mishy Lesser, of the Upstander Project and the Pigsgusset Initiative, will moderate this inspired dialogue, which includes participation from the audience.

Entertainment

New Rep Theatre Receives Grant from National Endowment for the Arts

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The following information was provided by New Rep Theatre:

New Repertory Theatre is thrilled to announce that they have receivedfunding through the Grants for Arts Project Fund from the National Endowment for the Arts in the amount of $25,000. These funds will be used to help support New Rep’s newly commissioned Indigenous Moving Play, our upcoming 2-person production of Romeo & Juliet, as well as other programming to come. The Grants for Arts Projects (GAP) awards range from $10,000 to $100,000 and cover these artistic disciplines: Artist Communities, Arts Education, Dance, Design, Folk & Traditional Arts, Literary Arts, Local Arts Agencies, Media Arts, Museums, Music, Musical Theater, Opera, Presenting & Multidisciplinary Works, Theater, and Visual Arts. In February 2020, the agency received 1,674 eligible GAP applications requesting more than $82.4 million in FY 2021 support. Approved for funding are 1,073 projects totaling nearly $25 million, with grants recommended to 64% of all applicants and an average grant amount of $23,190.

Entertainment

New Rep Presents Virtual Romeo & Juliet for Schools, Community Groups

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Schools and community groups can view a recording of #RomeoJuliet, New Rep and Queen Mab Productions’ interpretation of one of Shakespeare’s classic plays. New Repertory Theatre and Queen Mab Productions present #RomeoJuliet, a raw and relevant 2-person interpretation of Shakespeare’s classic Romeo & Juliet, directed by Benjamin Evett and starring Diana Lobontiu and Sharmarke Yusuf. Considering our shared experiences of 2020, this production examines deeply the play’s themes of isolation, separation, and what sacrifices we make as we attempt to cross boundaries. The performance will be available to view March 15 – June 15, 2021 for school and group organizations only. More information about #RomeoJuliet can be found athttps://www.newrep.org/productions/romeojuliet/

“We are so thrilled to collaborate with Queen Mab Productions to produce this innovative and contemporary educational version of Romeo & Juliet.” shares New Rep’s Communications Director, Jaclyn Dentino.

Arts

New Rep Director Leaving to Head Mass. Cultural Council

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Michael Bobbitt will take over as New Repertory Theatre’s Artistic Director in August 2019. Michael Bobbitt, the artistic director of New Repertory Theatre, will be leaving the company to become the new executive director of the Mass. Cultural Council. Bobbitt took over New Rep in July of 2019, and left his mark in his time in Watertown — increasing audiences, revenues and leading company’s anti-racism efforts in the wake of the George Floyd’s killing. Prior to that, he had already started efforts to stress the importance of diversity, inclusion and equity at New Rep.

Even during COVID-19, New Rep brought theater to town with its Historical Moving Plays, which were performed on the streets of Watertown.

Around Town

New Rep Adds 10 New Members to Board of Directors

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The following information was provided by New Rep Theatre:

New Repertory Theatre is pleased to announce that it has added tenfantastic new members to its Board of Directors. Working alongside New Rep’s Anti-Racism Action Plan, which states that board will be comprised of 50 percent members of color by July 2023, members who identify as Black, Indigenous, and/or People of Color now account for 33.3 percent of the board. Joining New Rep’s Board of Directors are Michelle Aguillon, Benny Sato Ambush, Nicole Dumas, Shannon Fairley-Pittman, Christopher Jones, Cheryl Price, Christopher Shearer, Natalie Stevenson, and Dr. Robert M. Turner. “One year ago, New Rep had only one person of color on our Board of Directors,” shares New Rep Artistic Director, Michael J. Bobbitt. “This was not at all conducive to our efforts in EDI and anti-racism, or to our goal to be a truly multi-cultural theatre.

Entertainment

NewRep Presenting 2 Original Plays in Virtual Series

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The following information was provided by NewRep Theatre:

New Repertory Theatre has commissioned two short plays to be performed live and virtually as part of the first installment of the new Showstopper Virtual Play Series, an evening of live theatre with a two-play in one-night package from the comfort and safety of your home. The Showstopper Virtual Play Series features [keyp-ing], written by Miranda ADEkoje, directed by Dawn M. Simmons, and A Very Herrera Holiday, written by Alexis Scheer, directed by Sarah Shin. Tickets are $30, and will be available for sale on November 4. More information about the Showstopper Virtual Play Series can be found at https://www.newrep.org/productions/showstopper-virtual-plays. The Showstopper Virtual Play Series will run from Nov.

Around Town

Two Local Leaders on Chamber’s Panel for Most Influential Business People of Color

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The leader of a Watertown-based theatre company and a vice president at Tufts Health Plan will be a panelists for the Newton-Needham Regional Chamber’s 50 Most Influential Business People of Color event. Michael Bobbitt, who took over as artistic director at NewRep in August 2019, will be one of five people on the panel at the event that will take place virtually on Nov. 12. He will be joined by Juan Lopera, vice president of marketing and Rhode Island Medicare at Tufts Health Plan, headquartered on Mt. Auburn Street.

Entertainment

New Rep Brings Theater & History to the Streets of Watertown Square

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Charles Lenox, played by Kadahj Bennett, talks about his time in the Massachusetts 54th Infantry during the Civil War sitting on a cannon at the Watertown Civil War Monument. The performance is the first Moving Play presented by New Rep Theatre. Visitors to Watertown Square may have recently noticed an enthusiastic, precocious and out-spoken young man wandering around the area. Charles Lenox, or Kadahj Bennett portraying Lenox, will gladly share his views about the major issues of his time — the 1860s — many of which are familiar to people today. The performance, called the Charles W. Lenox Experience, is the first of New Repertory Theatre’s Historical Moving Plays, and focuses on a real Watertown resident during the time of the Civil War.