Firebird Presents Romeo + Juliet

ROMEO + JULIET
Adapted by Leo Lion & Zoe Senese-Grossberg
Directed by Leo Lion

ROMEO + JULIET June 16-18, 2017 Hudson Guild Theatre

Romeo and Juliet is the most famous love story of all time – but who is it really about? Firebird’s answer is: “It’s about teenagers.” Grounding their production in the evocative themes of youth and growth, FYT is pulling age to the foreground with a mixed-age cast of adults and teens. This intergenerational, present-day take on the Elizabethan classic is tailored to resonate with modern teenagers and make the trials of the play’s young heroes hit close to home for the new generation.

This age-centric production is fraught with significance for the award-winning Firebird Youth Theater, which is run entirely by teenagers. ROMEO + JULIET will be the company’s fifth annual production, following last year’s world-premiere of a new adaptation of the literary classic Treasure Island. Firebird’s past two shows both received National Youth Arts awards for Direction and Ensemble. This year’s production is FYT’s first to feature adult actors. 17-year-old director Leo Lion says, “Romeo and Juliet is usually performed either with adults or with youth actors, never with both. Putting the true number of years between these children and their parents gives the story new life. We’re a teen-run company committed to creating adult-grade work – who is better suited to tell this story?”

(Visit thefirebirdproject.org/theater for show info and more.)

Dates & Times:
Evenings: June 16th – 18th, at 7:00pm
Matinees: June 17th – 18th, at 1:00pm

Place: Hudson Guild Theatre in NYC – 441 West 26 St. (Between 9th and 10th Avenues).

Approximate run time: 105 minutes • 15-minute intermission • firebird.stage@gmail.com

Cost/Admission: $20 General Admission

Age Advisory: Kids 10+ to Adult

Ticket Information:
www.thefirebirdproject.org

FYT’s “Treasure Island” Receives National Youth Arts Awards

Firebird Youth Theater, Leo’s teen-run theater company, recently produced a stage adaptation of Treasure Island, directed by Leo. In August 2016, National Youth Arts granted Firebird Youth Theater four awards and five nominations, including an award for outstanding direction.

Awards:

Alioune Fall – Outstanding Supporting Actor
Leigh Stern – Outstanding Supporting Actress
Leo Lion – Outstanding Director
Company – Outstanding Ensemble

Nominees:

Jeremiah Burch – Supporting Actor
Julien Feret – Supporting Actor
Leo Lion – Supporting Actor
Benny Rendell – Supporting Actor
Kenzo Repola – Original Music/Sound Design

Read more about Treasure Island on Firebird’s site.

Godspell – Wingspan Summer Conservatory 2016

Wingspan Arts‘ Summer production of Godspell performed August 11th, 13th, and 14th, featuring Leo as Judas/John. This colorful, electric, and starkly relevant production of the 2011 revival of the classic musical, was directed by Valerie Issembert, and is Leo’s fifth Wingspan production (following The Wiz, Annie, and Shrek the Musical, Romeo and Juliet).

Photos from dress rehearsal – August 10th

 

Film – “Leafman” receives Gold Key in the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards

Leafman, a short student film directed by Dan Allen, stars Leo as the titular being of nature. The film is produced by KnightFilms and was released on YouTube in fall of 2015. In February of 2016, the film received a Regional Gold Key in the annual Scholastic Art & Writing Awards. Its gold status means that the film is now going into the national level competition – hopefully, more on this soon.

Film – “Orpheus and the Scapegoat” Released.

A 12-minute mockumentary short directed by Leo is now available on YouTube. The film is produced by KnightFilms, an innovative “improv-filmmaking” studio created by Leo and fellow filmmaker Dan Allen.

The film, starring both Knightfilms founders in the unlikely pairing of a pretentious film director and a literal goat, is a self-described “exploration of the human condition” – commenting on issues of discrimination, crooked artistic agendas, and the struggle that follows a loss of balance.

FYT’s “Alice” Receives National Youth Arts Awards

Firebird Youth Theater, Leo’s teen-run theater company, recently produced a stage adaptation of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, directed by Leo. In August 2015, National Youth Arts granted Firebird Youth Theater three awards and two nominations, including an award for outstanding direction.

Awards:

Leigh Stern – Outstanding Lead Actress
Leo Lion – Outstanding Director
Company – Outstanding Ensemble

Nominees:

Alioune Fall – Supporting Actor
Kaiulani Lee – Supporting Actress

Read more about “Alice” on Firebird’s site.

FYT at NYA Ceremony. Photo by Joanne Rendell

Romeo and Juliet – Wingspan Summer Conservatory 2015

Wingspan Arts‘ Summer production of Romeo and Juliet performed August 13th, 15th, and 16th, featuring Leo as Mercutio, Friar Laurence, and the Apothecary. The play, an imaginative ensemble production with a cast of 12 teenagers, was directed by Valerie Issembert, and is Leo’s fourth Wingspan production (following The Wiz, Annie, and Shrek the Musical).

Photos from final dress rehearsal – August 12th

FYT’s “Alice’s Adventures of Wonderland” – DVD for Sale

Alice Cover2Firebird Youth Theater, Leo’s teen-run theater company, recently produced a stage adaptation of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, directed by Leo.

The DVD video recording of the production is for sale, at $20 a copy. Email Firebird at firebird.stage@gmail.com to order yours today!

“Alice” is a transformative theatrical adventure, brought to life by a versatile ensemble and artfully crafted visuals. Creating Wonderland, envisioned in a new, yet familiar light, the show seeks to bring out the child in every audience member, inviting them to explore their imagination to the fullest.

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