Ars Nova Announces 2012 Programming

Ars Nova (Jason Eagan, Artistic Director; Jeremy Blocker, Managing Director) has announced its 2012 featured programming and exciting developments at its vibrant Hell's Kitchen music, comedy and theater space at 511 West 54th Street. Continuing its commitment to supporting and Producing Artists early in their professional careers through unique development programs, Ars Nova produces concerts, readings, workshops, full productions and festivals that offer audiences over a hundred opportunities to catch something extraordinary. Throughout 2012, Ars Nova will continue to produce its four ongoing core series programs: Out Loud (play readings), Uncharted (musical readings & concerts), Project Residencies (extended project development culminating in public presentations) and Showgasm (a monthly variety show), in addition to producing the four featured events detailed below:

The Urban Dictionary Plays: February 1 – 11
Move over Webster, the Ars Nova Play Group is taking on the dictionary-the Urban Dictionary, that is. Playing 10 performances only and inspired by irreverent, crowd-sourced entries at urbandictionary.com, this night of savvy short plays and hot live music might just redefine the short play genre. This project is supported in part by an award from the National Endowment for the Arts. Art Works.

Written by Joshua Allen, Chad Beckim, Rachel Bonds, Jenny Connell, Kara Lee Corthron, Jon Kern, Josh Koenigsberg, Molly Smith Metzler, Michael Mitnick, Kim Rosenstock, Sharyn Rothstein and Joe Tracz. Directed by Oliver Butler, Wes Grantom, Kate Pines and Laura Savia.

ANT Fest: June 1 – 28
Summer kicks off with Ars Nova's 5th Annual festival of All New Talent, featuring all new works spanning theater, music, comedy, variety and a fusion of all four not seen anywhere else. Shows are selected through an open-submission process, and applications will be accepted from January 3 to February 6, 2012.

54/10 Music Marathon: August 1 – 11
Later in Summer 2012, Ars Nova switches gears for its 3rd Annual summer showcase of dynamic and deliciously off-kilter music acts. Over thirty bands deliver an electrifying mix of new music. Submission period opens April 9, 2012.

Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812: October 2 – November 11
Ars Nova 2011 Composer-in-Residence Dave Malloy and director Rachel Chavkin raise a glass to Tolstoy in this raucous, environmental adaptation of a book of War & Peace. Billed as a folk-classical-indie-rock opera for a new generation, this world premiere musical is an Ars Nova commission. Dave Malloy was recently represented in New York with Three Pianos (Ontological Hysteric Theater, New York Theatre Workshop), which earned a 2010 OBIE Award Special Citation, and was also directed by Rachel Chavkin. Malloy's other work includes Beowulf, which had a sold out New York premiere in 2009 at Abrons Arts Center.

Ars Nova PROUDLY WELCOMES THE NEW MEMBERS OF PLAY GROUP:
New Play Group members Sarah Burgess, Sarah Gancher, Nick Gandiello, Dipika Guha, Stephen Karam, A. Zell Williams and Bess Wohl join second-year members Joshua Allen, Rachel Bonds, Jon Kern, Josh Koenigsberg, Michael Mitnick, Kim Rosenstock and Sharyn Rothstein for 2012. Members are selected through a competitive open application process and join the group for a two-year residency. Play Group offers members the chance to develop their plays with the support of collaborative relationships and a strong sense of community within Ars Nova. Play Group is supported in part by an award from the National Endowment for the Arts. Art Works.

Play Group alumni include Annie Baker, Mike Batistick, Chad Beckim, Bekah Brunstetter, Evan Cabnet, Jenny Connell, Kara Lee Corthron, Dylan Dawson, Kristoffer Diaz, Zayd Dohrn, Ron Fitzgerald, Liz Flahive, Sam Forman, Etan Frankel, Tasha Gordon-Solmon, Amy Herzog, Samuel D. Hunter, Kyle Jarrow, Nick Jones, Steven Levenson, Barry Levey, Matthew Lopez, Liz Meriwether, Carly Mensch, Molly Smith Metzler, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Greg Moss, Janine Nabers, Rachel Shukert, Mat Smart, Aurin Squire, Adam Szymkowicz, Joe Tracz, Samuel Brett Williams and Beau Willimon.

Ars Nova WELCOMES NEW ARTISTS-IN-RESIDENCE:
At the heart of Ars Nova's community are its Artists-in-Residence. The 2012 artists are: The Debate Society (Company-in-Residence), Portia Krieger (Director-in-Residence) and Shaina Taub (Composer-in-Residence). During yearlong residencies, these artists make Ars Nova their artistic home, enjoying access to the organization's staff and resources. In return, they provide expertise to Ars Nova and are integral to artistic planning and programming. The Debate Society and Shaina Taub have each received a commission to create an original piece for the Ars Nova stage.

For more, visit www.arsnovanyc.com/playgroup and www.arsnovanyc.com/residentartists

About Ars Nova:
Ars Nova is committed to developing and producing theater, comedy and music artists in the Early Stages of their professional careers. Its unique development programs are designed to support outside-the-box thinking and encourage innovative, genre-bending work. By providing a safe environment where risk-taking and collaboration are paramount, Ars Nova gives voice to a new generation of artists and audiences, pushing the boundaries of live entertainment by nurturing creative ideas into smart, surprising new work.

Past producing credits include: ANT Fest, The Lapsburgh Layover, Be a Good Little Widow, Now Circa Then, Bloodsong of Love, Missed Connections NYC, Sax & Dixon: We Thee Wed, Mel & El: Show & Tell, Two Girls for Five Bucks and the Ten Dollar Heartbreakers, Playlist, Jollyship the Whiz-Bang, boom, From Up Here, Dixie's Tupperware Party, At Least It's Pink, 25 Questions for a Jewish Mother, Holy Cross Sucks!, Freestyle Love Supreme and The Wau Wau Sisters.

For more information on Ars Nova's programs, visit www.arsnovanyc.com. Ars Nova was founded in memory of Gabe Wiener.

For complete schedule of upcoming shows, tickets & info,
visit www.arsnovanyc.com.

2012 Memberships are on sale now starting at just $30.
Visit www.arsnovanyc.com/membership for more info.

Ars Nova
511 West 54th Street
New York, NY 10019
www.arsnovanyc.com
2012 Artists-in-Residence