Another Thank You Letter from a Two Time Glowworm Viewer

It's been a few days now, and I'm still thinking about Glowworm after seeing it for the second time. I figure I owe it to New Century to drop you an email and let you know what I think.

Bottom line first: I couldn't be more excited to see what New Century is doing for theatre in Seattle. Truly. Thank you, all of you, for doing what you do.

I loved not just this play, but your production. Spare, elegant, wonderfully cast, beautifully directed and performed, you all manage to get at the heart of this play, as you did with "On The Nature Of Dust", "Orange Flower Water", and "Adding Machine". It's a production that rewards a second visit, as Paula and I found to our great delight. Great performances from the entire cast, both nights we saw it.

I didn't know Mark really well - just well enough to chat - but I'm confident that he would be thrilled and delighted to see what you've created, as we all are.

Everyone at New Century should be incredibly proud. And everyone in Seattle should be incredibly grateful.

Thank you, thank you. And more, please. Lots more.

-p

A letter of thanks...

O Lovely Glowworm have received some wonderful feedback from the community.  We wanted to share some of it with you.  Here is a letter from Allan Armstrong:

Dear Lovely NCTC Artists,

I was so knocked out by your show last night that I couldn't put two words together during the talk back, and just sat there with a silly smile on my face while other people made intelligent comments. I wanted to rave about the pure shining excellence of the production, but I was dumbstruck and words would not come out. Then I had to take my date home and couldn't stay afterwards to congratulate you all in person, so this email will have to do.

Oh Lovely Glowworm is just sensationally great in every aspect (although the script could possibly benefit from a teeny bit of cutting). This show lives in the same exalted realm as your immortal debut production. From the design and technical standpoints alone it is a stunning accomplishment, but then added to that is ensemble acting, focused energy, and sheer stage virtuosity that sets the platinum standard for all other companies to aim for. Every theater professional and theatergoer should see this production, and pay very close attention to every detail and moment of it, because Glowworm demonstrates what is possible when a band of first-rate artists, fueled by hot passion for their craft, create a sublime theater experience. Dammit, if people would regain consciousness and realize how rarely this happens, every performance would be sold out.

Thank you, NCTC, for working in Seattle and producing these exquisite shows for us. Long may you thrive!

-Allan

Thank you Allan and to all who have seen the show.  We only have 2 weeks left and then it will be gone forever.

After the Show

The process of bringing O Lovely Glowworm to the stage has been a bonding one.  This is one of those shows that demands time after the performance to be in the company of all who just went through it with you.  Here is one such night out.  There will be more.  Usually at 611 Supreme on Capitol Hill.  We'll see you there.

It's a HIT!!!!!

Our production of O Lovely Glowworm just finished the second week of it's run and it's officially a hit!  We have received such wonderful feedback from the community.  But we would love to hear more of what you have to say.  Please comment below so we can have a dialogue.  Thanks.

Ogden Cigarette Cards

Here's Brian Claudio Smith.  Interesting fact; we filmed this yesterday and it's already here.  We really are embracing technology!

Do us a HUGE favor, if you like this, pass the link along to some people that wouldn't normally have a reason to cross paths with NCTC.  It will help us spread the word.  Thanks!

Colman's Mustard

Here's Peter Dylan O'Connor:

Do us a HUGE favor, if you like this, pass the link along to some people that wouldn't normally have a reason to cross paths with NCTC.  It will help us spread the word.  Thanks!

Swan's Soap

Our crackpot marketing team had the idea to create a series of "Scraps of Paper" coming to life as they do for the Goat.   This is Jen Taylor:

Do us a HUGE favor, if you like this, pass the link along to some people that wouldn't normally have a reason to cross paths with NCTC.  It will help us spread the word.  Thanks!

Mark Chamberlin

MARK CHAMBERLIN

(Mark in the first rehearsal of O Lovely Glowworm)

Our dear friend, colleague, mentor and star of our upcoming show inexplicably passed away on Tuesday and our hearts are broken in a million pieces.  Our deepest and sincerest condolences to Mark's family.

Mark was one of NCTC's first and best friends.  He was our first advisory board member, he moderated our company retreats, he gave fundraising speeches for us, he graced our Pipeline readings, and most recently, he was in rehearsal for our production of Glen Berger's O Lovely Glowworm, starring as a taxidermied goat who looks at scraps of trash and sees elaborate, exquisite tales of love, pain, loss, and ultimately, transcendence in them.  Mark was not just a friend of the company, but a personal friend to many of us.  He acted along side us on Seattle's stages and bought us drinks when we were poor.  Mark was one of the most generous people we knew.  His death comes as a shock to us, and today the world seems a little emptier without him.  His legacy was one of "great beauty" and great generosity. 

O LOVELY GLOWWORM will go on.  It must.  Mark wouldn't have it any other way.  NCTC co-founder and Executive Director Michael Patten has agreed to step into Mark's very large shoes.  

We would like to dedicate this show to the loving memory of our dear friend.  Mark, we're really going miss you.

Hans Talk: O Lovely Glowworm

Co-Artistic Director Hans Altwies talks about his favorite moment in O Lovely Glowworm or Scenes of Great Beauty opening April 15th at the Erickson Theatre. And take a little peak inside our first rehearsal.

The Shirt Off Our Back

Do you find yourself bogged down by the stifling feeling that no matter what you do, no matter where you go, there is a little SPARK missing from your life?  A spot somewhere on you that is missing a certain flare?  Well NCTC may have to answer to all your problems:

Stuff.

But not just any stuff, stuff with our name on it.

I know what you're thinking, "Say no more, I'm totally in!"  But I will say more:

NCTC is venturing into to swag business.  Specifically clothes.  We have just designed some rather kick-ass logos to bedazzle the poop out of you.  To begin, we have a smaller design that is about 4 inches across.  It looks swell on a breast pocket, a hat, or on the arm.  Take a look:
  

 

Next we have the larger fella.  He is about ten inches tall and looks great just about anywhere:

These will go on sale very soon.  Look for them at the next Pipeline.  Each article of clothing will be a totally unique piece of art, as we are not purchasing our shirts in bulk.  And if you want to OD on Green you can bring us a shirt of your own that needs a little kick of NCTC and we will silk screen the logo of your choice and return it for a wonderfully reduced rate.

Expect a commercial soon that will exploit the sexiness of NCTC members.

Would you be interested in a shirt? 

The Year We Make Contact

MJ here,

For a good long while New Century Theatre Company has been easing into the comfortable embrace of the modern age.  This blog is our latest device to update our audience of the most recent developments, but also to give you some great behind-the-scenes glances at our company and the artists' journey along the way. Our real goal, however, is to offer an array of media to document our process.  This means that aside from the written word (updated regularly by our 13 members), we will also offer you photos, artwork, music and VIDEOS.

With pre-production already in full swing for O Lovely Glowworm, or Scenes of Great Beauty, we are ready to start sharing this ride with you.  So, to kick things off in great style, here is an image that will eventually become our poster.  It was created by Katie Hanson, an artist who has contributed to our three previous shows.  It was painted IN REAL TIME at our annul fundraiser  Into The Black.  Below we have founding members Ray Gonzalez and Peter Dylan O'Connor.

And if you like looking at Peter, here is a teaser for Glowworm, which also features Founding Member (and Gregory Award winner) Amy Thone.  Those of you who saw our previous production of On the Nature of Dust will appreciate the Easter Egg at the beginning.

Finally, in order for this blog to grow, we need your help.  Please spread the word.  Tell your friends.  Follow us regularly.  There are many great surprises headed your way.

I suppose that's all I've got for now.  I'm working on some exciting designs for NCTC swag coming at you soon.  

-MJ