|
Saltpillar Theatre
Company
|
Contents of Prospectus
MISSION STATEMENT
Saltpillar Theatre Company’s aim is to produce plays of interest to the Jewish community and beyond. It is committed to fostering and developing talent which includes actors, writers, directors, producers and production personnel.
ABOUT THE COMPANY
Saltpillar Theatre Company was founded in 1986. Five members of the cast and production team of the first AUJS-Victoria (Australasian Union of Jewish Students) Comedy Revue resolved that the time for the establishment of a Jewish based theatre group was long overdue.
The original five, Ernie Schwartz, Steven Curtis, Eugene Berkovic, David Beresh and Ian Rubinstein soon converted ideas into action. In order to establish a true "community" group, they sought to involve a wide variety of people. By April 1987, a nine-person committee, representing a cross-section of the Melbourne Jewish community, was already planning its first production. In March 1988, Saltpillar staged its first production, the Australian premiere of On Edge, by local playwright Yvonne Fein.
Since then, Saltpillar has staged a production every year, fostered Jewish writing through the Samuel Weisberg Playwriting Award and given many people the opportunity to be part of a Jewish theatre company. Saltpillar has built a strong reputation on the quality of its productions and the high level of professionalism brought to them by all involved.
It has delighted audiences with the Melbourne Premiere of Neil Simon's Biloxi Blues (1989), the Tony Award winning musical Falsettos by Stephen Sondheim, William Finn and James Lapine (1995)- winner of four Victorian Music Guild awards, Neil Simon's hilarious comedy Laughter on the 23rd Floor (1997) and the critically acclaimed Kindertransport (1999).
Last year, for the first time, the company produced an Israeli play, Exile in Jerusalem, by Motti Lerner. Exile in Jerusalem was sponsored by the Embassy of Israel Canberra, the State Zionist Council of Victoria, the Goethe Institute Melbourne and Temple Beth Israel. Motti Lerner, attended the gala performance of this play as well as a writers seminar held in conjunction with Playbox Theatre at the CUB Malthouse.
This year, Saltpillar Theatre is delighted to be presenting Woody Allen's classic comedy Play it Again Sam.
THE PEOPLE
Saltpillar is structured in the following format: an executive committee made up of a Chairperson/Artistic Director, Treasurer and Committee members (with specific functions). All these positions are voluntary and people are elected onto the committee at the annual general meeting. Previous chairpersons of Saltpillar have been:
1987 - 89 Steven Curtis
1989 - 91 Ernie Schwartz
1991 - 92 Michael Wise
1993 Anton Grodek
1994 - 97 Raoul Salter
1998 Gary Starr
1999 - Danny Gesundheit
The current Saltpillar Executive Committee is:
Chairperson/Artistic Director: Danny Gesundheit
Treasurer: Jeff Klein
Committee Member: Danielle Elisha
Committee Member: Peter Haskin
Committee Member: Ilana Tusia
Each Saltpillar show requires a group of individuals to become part of the production team, committed to the success of the production. The production team is made up of highly talented people, some of them working theatre professionals who help create the polished, professional productions that audiences enjoying watching. The production team varies in size from show to show, however the key roles are:
Director Producer Stage Manager
Set designer Lighting Designer Actors
Musicians Sound Designer Lighting/Sound Operator
Costume Design Poster/Program
Volunteers
The people involved in Saltpillar Theatre Company come from all walks of life; including theatre professionals, high school/university students, housewives and a broad cross section of traditional professional people. They all have one thing in common: a love for the theatre, a willingness to be part of a community theatre group and a desire to contribute to Saltpillar. Over the years, hundreds of people have volunteered their time to be part of a show. Here is a sample of the many roles they have played:
Ushers Front of House Back stage crew
Group Bookings Ticketing Make up
Costume Set Construction Opening night gala
VENUES
Saltpillar Theatre Company performed at the Phoenix Theatre, Elwood from 1988 to 1997. In 1993, as part of the Jewish Festival of the Arts, Saltpillar performed two productions at the Cromwell Street Theatre, South Yarra.
Since 1998 Saltpillar has performed at St.Martins Theatre, South Yarra using the Irene Mitchell Studio and the larger Randall Theatre. The move has attracted the attention of the wider community including critics, media, actors, broader audience and sponsors and has made Saltpillar a household name in the Melbourne Theatre scene.
Since its first production in March 1988, over 40,000 people have seen a Saltpillar show. The makeup of the audience has been quite diverse and includes:
q Jewish Community groups such as WIZO, United Israel Appeal, Maccabi Victoria, Theodore Hertzl Club
q Jewish day schools such as Mt.Scopus Memorial College and Bialik College
q Students of Drama from government high schools and tertiary institutions
q Jewish Youth Movements such as Habonim Dror, SKIF, Hineni, Hashomer etc.
q Theatre professionals/practitioners from the MTC, Playbox, Melbourne Fringe Festival, Victorian Drama League and amateur theatre companies
q Supporters of Jewish art and culture and people who generally support the arts in Melbourne
q Friends and family of performers/production personnel
THE PLAYS
March 1988 On Edge by Yvonne Fein
Director: Brendan Cohen
Producers: Eugene Berkovic & Steven Curtis
Part of the Bicentennial Jewish Festival of Arts
Australian Premiere
September 1988 The Suicide by Nicolai Erdman
Director: Jack Migdalek
Producer: Steven Curtis
June 1989 Biloxi Blues by Neil Simon
Director: Pip Mushin
Producer: Gabby Walters
Melbourne Premiere
August 1990 Witness for the Prosecution by Agatha Christie
Director: Brad Felstead
Producer: Michael Wise
February 1991 Big Al by Susan Nanus
Director: Pip Mushin
Producer: Gabby Walters
October 1990 Wasting Away by David Young
Director: Tori Taft
Producer: Amanda Shapiro
August 1991 God by Woody Allen
Director: Sergio Tell
Producer: Susie Ashkenazi
August 1992 Crossing Delancy by Susan Sandler
Director: Pip Mushin
Producer: Jamie Mushin
March 1993 Night Train by Sandy McCutcheon
Director: Eli Erez
Producer: Gabby Walters
The Mighty and Condemned by Abraham Cykiert
Director: Brendan Cohen
Producer: Gabby Walters
1994 Yentl the Yeshiva Boy by Issac Bashevis Singer
Director: Pip Mushin
Producer: Gary Starr
1994 Beau Jest by James Sherman
Director: Brendan Cohen
Producer: Jon Moss
1995 Falsettos by William Finn and James Lapine
Director: Pip Mushin
Musical Direction: Sam Schwarz
Producer: Michael Wise
Winner of Four Victorian Music Guild Awards
1996 Lost in Yonkers by Neil Simon
Director: Cameron Wenn
Producer: by David Presser
April 1997 Other People's Money by Jerry Sterner
Director: Ernie Schwartz
Producer: Tanya Cawthorne
Oct/Nov 1997 Laughter on the 23rd Floor by Neil Simon
Director: Pip Mushin
Producer: Andrea Gore
Australian Premiere
1998 Conversations with my Father by Herb Gardner
Director: Caroline Stacey
Producer: Jamie Mushin
Australian Premiere
1999 Kindertransport by Diane Samuels
Director: Janice Muller
Producer: David Presser
Australian Premiere
2000 Exile in Jerusalem by Motti Lerner
Director: Danny Gesundheit
Producer: Jeff Klein
Australian Premiere
WHAT PEOPLE HAVE SAID ABOUT SALTPILLAR….
" Saltpillar Theatre's production of BILOXI BLUES is one of the most memorable and outstanding productions of 1989."
"Applause Applause"- Theatre
Programme of the Victorian Drama League
"…BILOXI BLUES is a performance worthy of the professional stage."
Carol-Ann Croaker, 3LO Sunday Show
" Saltpillar does American comedy much better than any Australian theatre
company…LAUGHTER ON THE 23RD FLOOR is brilliantly timed comedy."
Peter Kohn, The Jewish News, 1997
" Saltpillar productions have consistently presented plays on Jewish
themes with professionalism and dedication."
Dina Ross, The Age, 1998
" Conversations with My Father is an admirable production by a community
theatre company."
Jason Steger, The Age, 1998
" …the interest in Jewish history has not yet produced great literary reflections, but Saltpillar's professionally polished production of KINDERTRANSPORT is a step in the right direction."
Felicity Bloch, The Jewish News, 1999
" EXILE IN JERUSALEM is a fascinating glimpse into pre-Israeli Palestine,
and the lives of two people who struggle to find a place in it. In a place
like Australia, a country partly built by exiles and immigrants, it has
particular relevance."
Tim Richards, Stage Left, 2000
" EXILE IN JERUSALEM is a play about a lesser known aspect of the
Yishuv's history actually illuminates the post-Zionist mood of contemporary
Israel. Saltpillar's interesting choice deserves support."
Felicity Bloch, Jewish News, 2000
" I'm very glad that Saltpillar have done so many of my plays."
Neil Simon, author of such plays as
BILOXI BLUES, LOST IN YONKERS,
LAUGHTER ON THE 23rd FLOOR
And THE ODD COUPLE.
THE PERFORMERS
Josh Ackerstein Jeremie Bracka Carl Davis
Natalie Aizanstros Daniel Broder Helen Delcahno
Allon Baron Daniel Burrows Daniel Dinnen
Anita Beckman Ashley Bush Elliot Epstein
Philip Benjamin Dione Chait Eli Erez
Ric Benjamin Brendan Cohen Michelle Farber
Arthur Best Donna Cohen Michael Fein
Ray Black Gabi Crafti Jonothan Felbel
Sharona Blum Peter Curtis Emma Fredman
John Borowski Steven Curtis Derek Freedman
Jonothan Finkelstein Nici Gray Fay Joske
Rita Gelbart Michelle Gray Rachael Kafka
Danny Gesundheit Kevin Groves Mark Kessel
David Gillis Danny Gruber Jeff Klein
Jonothan Glickfield Adam Held Joel Kohn
Jonothan Goldberg Will Hodgson Sam Komesarook
Susan Gottlieb David Jaffa Dorothy Kristy
Elisa Gray Joel Jaffa Rick Leventer
Maurie Johns Simone Lerner
Ross Levin Margie Nunn Leah Rothberg
Natalie Lewenberg Jacob Oberman Deborah Rothfield
Talya Masel Sara Olcha Jo Rosenberg
Debbie Meltzer David Opat Ian Rubenstein
Esme Melville Andrea Opat Mark Salter
Jordana Millanan Marguerite Owen Raoul Salter
Caro Millstead Yael Phillips Ron Saunders
Helen Mizrahi Rachael Polke Amanda Shapiro
Pip Mushin Sam Recht Michael Shapp
Freydi Mrocki Doodie Ringelblum Robert Sharpe
Marlo Newton David Rothberg
Russell Shayer Vanessa Steinberg DavidWeinstein
Ez Sion Mendele Szmerling Anne Waisberg
Lana Schwarcz Dano Szuc Cameron Wenn
Ernie Schwartz Michael Szuc Judy Wexler
Julia Shtepa Tori Taft Michael Wise
Jonothan Skovron Joe Tigel Josh Wolf
Rahel Spivakovsky Daniel Tobias Ruth Yaffe
Elana Steinberg Ari Unglick Margaret Younger
Adam Wajnberg
Lani Zaitman
Mark Zandle
Carey Zivin
By Woody Allen
Directed by Cameron Wenn
Play it again Sam is about Alan Felix, a 30 some thing film critic whose wife upon leaving him laments “ You are one of life’s great watchers”
Allan is the antithesis of “cool" and is visited by his hero Humphrey Bogart, who gives him advice like "Dames are simple. I never met one that didn't understand a slap in the mouth or a slug from a forty-five." To boost his spirits Allan's married friends try to fix him up with an assortment of women. Their meddling and his attempts to emulate his hero lead him into many failures and one undesired success in the game of love.
D A T E S : NOVEMBER 4 – NOVEMBER 22, 2001.
Tues, Wed, Thurs & Saturdays - 8pm
Sundays - 6.30pm
V E N U E :
Irene Mitchell Studio, St.Martins Theatre,
St.Martins Lane, South Yarra.
B O O K I N G S :
C.U.B. Malthouse - 9685 5111
T I C K E T S :
$22.00 Adults, $18.50 Concession & $16.50 Group (+10) – all prices include G.S.T.
SPONSORSHIP PACKAGES
q Thirty two complimentary tickets, including sixteen for opening night
q Company logo on all promotional material
q Company Logo or name on poster, flyer and program.
q Naming rights to season, inconjunction with Saltpillar Theatre Company Inc
q Company Logo or name on all promotional material including media releases, letters and advertising
q Sixteen complimentary tickets, including eight for opening night
q Company logo on all promotional material
q Company Logo or name on poster, flyer and program.
q Company Logo or name on all promotional material including media releases, letters and advertising.
q Eight complimentary tickets, including four for opening night.
q Full page advertisement in program
q Company Logo or name on poster and/or flyer
q Four complimentary tickets, including two for opening night.
q Half page advertisement in program
CONTACT US
Thank you for taking the time to read “prospectus 2001”. We hope that you are as excited about the future of Saltpillar Theatre Company, the only Jewish community theatre in Victoria, as we are.
If you wish to subscribe to any of the packages covered in the prospectus or if you have any queries in relation to any of the packages, please do not hesitate to contact Jeff Klein on 0412 558 444 or by e-mail saltpillartc@hotmail.com
I look forward to discussing the future of Saltpillar Theatre Company with you.
Yours truly,
Jeff Klein
Treasurer
Saltpillar Theatre Company