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By admin, May 14, 2013 8:31 pm

Let the submitting begin!

It’s that time of year again and BFD 2013 is off and running.  We are looking for directors, actors, playwrights, designers and technicians to participate in this year’s festival.  Please visit the contact page for information about submitting and deadlines.

WE WANT YOU!

Once we send it out, we’ll post a copy of the press release here… but this is a good enough start.  Right?  Right!

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By admin, October 2, 2012 3:03 pm

Well, the old adage “better late than never” could certainly apply to this web update.  BoxFest Detroit certainly deserves some finger wagging for this oversight and to all the patrons and fans out there waiting with bated breathed for the announcement of the winners, we truly apologize.  But, winners we have and… drum roll please… here they are:

Winner of the Planet Ant Late Night Series directing slot: Jackie Strez
Winner of the Purple Rose Theatre Company Actor/Director Lab scholarship: Carrie Morris
Winner of the BoxFest Detroit financial scholarship: Nati Salgado

The festival received wonderful reviews and wrapped up as another successful festival.

Keep checking our website throughout the year for updates and calls for artists!  Until then, thanks for your support and we’ll see you next year!

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By admin, August 10, 2012 11:57 am

BoxFest Detroit 2012 started off with a bang this year.  Our opening night celebration was a ton of fun and was a great way to kick off the festival.  On Thursday, Kelly A. Rossi, BFD’s Executive Director, directed a staged reading of Ann Forsythe’s play When the Moon Disappeared.  Afterwards, she attempted to answer a question patrons consistently ask us EVERY year: “So what exactly does a director DO?”  Many of the 2012 festival directors were in the audience, with Kelly leading the discussion, they were able to help try to answer this complicated question.

After the staged reading and Kelly’s presentation, Don Calamia, Editorial Director for Encore Michigan, stopped by to interview some of the ladies involved in this year’s festival.  Molly McMahon, Carrie Morris, Kelly A. Rossi and Jackie Strez, along with the audience, had a wonderful conversation about the history of BoxFest Detroit, BFD’s relevance in the community today, as well as details about this year’s festival.  Lots of laughs were had by all.  If you want to listen to the podcast online, click here!

On Friday and Saturday of that week, John Quinn, reviewer from Encore Michigan, stopped by to check out all five blocks of performances.  Click here to read his review: ‘BoxFest Detroit 2012′: Hot plays for the dog days of summer!

All in all, opening weekend was filled with fun, food and most of all THEATRE!  Remember, our second weekend of performances starts tonight at 8pm.  See our schedule of events page for more detailed information.  We’ll see you at the festival!

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By admin, July 30, 2012 9:27 pm

So this update is a little past due, we know.  But we’re excited that you’ve checked back to find out what’s happening with BoxFest Detroit 2012.  The festival is only a few days away!

The producers of BoxFest Detroit are pleased to announce BoxFest Detroit 2012, an annual theatre festival that showcases and creates opportunities for women directors.  The festival will run Friday evenings and Saturday afternoons and evenings, Aug. 3 – 18, with a celebratory opening event on Thursday, Aug. 2.  BoxFest Detroit 2012 will be held at The Furniture Factory, 4126 3rd St, Detroit, MI 48201. Admission is payable by cash only at the door with day passes for $10 and festival passes for $30.  For more information, please visit the website www.boxfestdetroit.com.

This year’s festival showcases ten women directors as they direct original plays.  Half of the directors participating this year are new to the festival and, along with some returning directors, they all exhibit a creative diversity not previously seen at BoxFest Detroit.  “While many of this year’s directors have focused on more familiar theatrical genres, we also have some participating drawing from strong performance art and puppetry backgrounds,” Artistic Director, Molly McMahon reports.  “With the overwhelming majority of this year’s directors having BoxFest Detroit or other professional credits on their resumes, this may be our most experienced group of directors gathered together in one festival yet!” Directors reshaping the box this year include Stephanie Buck, Kennikki Jones-Jones, Madison Lynn McEvilly, Carrie Morris, Ileah-MaRè Nichols, Natividad M. Salgado, Terie Spencer, Jackie Strez, Kristen Nader and Megan Wright.  The production staff for this year’s festival includes Molly McMahon and Kelly Rossi, serving as executive director.

While the festival officially begins on Friday, Aug. 3, BoxFest Detroit 2012 will commence with an opening celebration on Thursday, Aug. 2. Festivities will begin with cocktail hour at 7pm where patrons can meet and mingle with the BoxFest Detroit directors and staff.  Live entertainment follows at 8pm. Following the performance, there will be a live podcast hosted by Encore Michigan featuring a panel of women associated with BoxFest Detroit.  Complimentary food and drink will be provided.  Admission for this event will be $7 per person.

BoxFest Detroit 2012 opens Friday, Aug. 3 and runs through Saturday, Aug. 18 with a performance schedule as follows:

Fridays: 7pm: Cocktail hour
8pm – 10pm: Two hour-long blocks of programming

Saturdays: 4pm – 6pm: Two hour-long blocks of programming
7pm: Cocktail hour
8pm – 10pm: Two hour-long blocks of programming

Detailed Schedule of BoxFest Detroit 2012

Block 1: Apples and Oranges, by Audra Lord, directed by Stephanie Buck
Saudades, by Savannah Ganster, directed by Natividad M. Salgado

Block 2: Here Comes the Bride, by Ron Morelli, directed by Kennikki Jones-Jones
This is the Play, by Aaron Timlin, directed by Jackie Strez

Block 3: The Blankie, by Suzanne Baillie, directed by Carrie Morris
When I Was, by Rhea MacCallum, directed by Terie Spencer

Block 4: Bronte’s Mom, by Jacquelyn Priskorn, directed by Megan Wright
Sam’s Secret, by Ileah Marè Nichols, directed by Ileah Marè Nichols

Block 5: It’s Not Like It’s a Cat, by Suzanne Baillie, directed by Kristen Nader
Objects, Rooms, by Madison Lynn McEvilly, directed by Madison Lynn McEvilly

Friday, Aug. 3:
7pm: Cocktail hour
8pm: Block 2
9pm: Block 3

Saturday, Aug. 4:
4pm: Block 3
5pm: Block 4
7pm: Cocktail hour
8pm: Block 1
9pm: Block 5

Friday, Aug. 10:
7pm: Cocktail hour
8pm: Block 2
9pm: Block 3

Saturday, Aug. 11:
4pm: Block 1
5pm: Block 5
7pm: Cocktail hour
8pm: Block 4
9pm: Block 1

Friday, Aug. 17:
7pm Cocktail hour
8pm: Block 3
9pm: Block 2

Saturday, Aug. 18:
4pm: Block 4
5pm: Block 2
7pm: Cocktail hour
8pm: Block 1
9pm: Block 5
10pm: Awards and Variety Show

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By admin, June 10, 2012 7:37 pm

Kelly Komlen-Amadei, the winner of the 2011 BoxFest Detroit Audience Vote, opens her show at Planet Ant Theatre to great reviews!  Here’s a link to the review up on EncoreMichigan.com:

http://www.encoremichigan.com/article.html?article=6179

There’s only one weekend left to check it out what this BoxFest Detroit director has been up to, so make your reservations today.  Go to planetant.com for information and reservations.

AND, don’t forget we’re still accepting appointments for our upcoming general auditions!  Email molly@boxfestdetroit.com for information and appointments.

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By admin, May 29, 2012 8:49 am

The winner of BoxFest Detroit’s 2011 Audience Vote Award, Kelly Komlen-Amadei, prepares to open her show, The Do Over, at Planet Ant Theatre.  Her production, A Little Experimenting, was voted best directed at last year’s festival.

Planet Ant Theatre announces the next installment of the 2012 Late Night Series directed by BoxFest Detroit 2011 Winner Kelly Komlen-Amadei, The Do Over, written by Michigan playwright Margaret Edwartowski.  The cast includes Jon Ager, Karen Kron, and Margaret Edwartowski as Tolia, the Polish maid.

In The Do Over, old flames Ben and Bernadette decide to meet in person after re-connecting via social media.  Neither knows what to expect from this stolen weekend.

The Do Over opens June 1, 2012 and runs Fridays and Saturdays at 9PM through June 16^. *Please note there is not a performance on Saturday, June 2. There will be a performance on Tuesday, June 5 in its place. Tickets are $10 and seating is general admission. Planet Ant Theatre is located at 2357 Caniff Street, Hamtramck, MI 48212. For reservations call 313.365.4948, text 313.288.8828 or email reservations@planetant.com. For more information go to www.planetant.com.
PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE:

Friday, June 1 – 9PM – OPENING
*Tuesday, June 5 – 9PM*
Friday, June 8 – 9PM
Saturday, June 9 – 9 PM
Friday, June 15 – 9 PM
Saturday, June 16 – 9 PM

Logo created by Jessica Tiernan.

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By admin, May 21, 2012 6:15 pm

Well, folks, it’s the moment you’ve all been waiting for… BoxFest Detroit is seeking directors, playwrights, actors, designers and technicians for our 2012 festival!

BoxFest Detroit 2012 at the Furniture Factory in Detroit Fridays and Saturdays August 3rd – 18th!

BoxFest Detroit is an annual theatre festival that showcases and creates opportunities for women directors.  Though the main focus of the event is the directors, BoxFest Detroit creates a festive energy by including special opening and closing night events and by using the lobby to create an art installation featuring local artists.  Proceeds from the event are given to one to two directors as a scholarship to help further her career and the winner of the audience vote competition is given the opportunity to direct a show with Planet Ant Theatre’s Late Night Series.

Here’s what we are looking for:

-DIRECTORS: Ladies, please contact us by Friday, June 8th if you are interested in directing in this year’s festival, e-mail us at molly@boxfestdetroit.com.

-PLAYWRIGHTS: We need scripts from playwrights (male or female and royalty-free) for our directors to direct!  Please send us any scripts between 5-60 minutes in length. Please submit scripts by Friday, June 8th to kelly@boxfestdetroit.com.

-ACTORS: Male or female actors interested in joining the BoxFest Detroit Company.  Actors will have the chance to audition for the directors in June.  Date, location and time will be announced shortly.  If you are interested in auditioning, please e-mail your resume for consideration to molly@boxfestdetroit.com, by June 14th.

-DESIGNERS AND TECHNICIANS: Stage managers, lighting designers, scenic designers, board operators, and stagehands.  Please submit resumes by June 8th to kelly@boxfestdetroit.com.

If you are interested in participating in this year’s event (or if you have any questions) please e-mail boxfestinfo@boxfestdetroit.com.  All positions are volunteer.

Please stay tuned for more information!  Details to be announced soon.

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By admin, August 27, 2011 12:56 pm

BoxFest Detroit’s mission statement is to support and create opportunities for women directors.  Aside from our three week festival every August, we support our directors through our awards programs.  This year, we were honored to bestow awards to four deserving directors.

BoxFest Detroit uses part of its profits from fundraisers and ticket sales to give financial awards to directors to produce independent projects, take classes or workshop to further their education or apply the money toward anything else that is consistent with the BFD mission.

The winners of the financial scholarships are Megan Wright and K Edmonds.  Megan plans to use her award to attend national conferences on teaching theatre.  These conferences are an important part of her education as she is a graduate student at Eastern Michigan University studying Drama and Theatre for the Young.  By attending them she will have the opportunity to network with people in her field and learn invaluable lessons she will use for the rest of her career.  K Edmonds plans to use her financial award to produce a project she is developing about gun violence and its effect on communities.  Having friends who have been personally effected by gun violence gives her a unique and intelligent perspective on the ways people experience all the emotions associated with this kind of tragedy.  She will allow her to tell a story that needs to be told as well as perhaps change the community for the better.

BoxFest Detroit is honored to have a new award to present this year.  Guy Sanville and Purple Rose Theatre Company have graciously donated a scholarship for one director to attend their annual Actor/Director Lab class, a $525 value.  This class is the “most selective and rigorous course for adults” and “features physical training, monologue work and extensive scene study.  Students acquire the tools that professional actors and directors use in their craft.”  Director Barbie Amann Weisserman was awarded the scholarship to attend the A/D Lab and she looks forward getting started this October.

BoxFest Detroit has one award that is chosen by audience members rather than the BFD producers.  All patrons receive a ballot along with their programs and we ask them to vote for the show they think is the best directed.  The director with the most votes at the end of the festival receives the opportunity to direct a show of her choice for Planet Ant Theatre’s Late Night Series.  We are able to offer this award through the support of Planet Ant Theater and Inga Wilson, artistic director.  The vote tallies this year were VERY close.  Winning by one vote was Kelly Komlen, director of A Little Experimenting.  She looks forward to directing for Planet Ant Theater next summer.

We would like to congratulate all of BoxFest Detroit’s award winners and all of our directors who participated in BoxFest Detroit 2011.  It was a fabulous festival and the talent and hard work they exhibited was extraordinary.  And a final thank you goes out to all of our patrons who supported the 2011 festival by attending.  We hope to see you again in 2012!

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By admin, August 27, 2011 12:18 pm

Well, even though the festival closed exactly one week ago, we would be fools not to include the reviews written by the Rogue Critic.  The Rogue’s review came out in a timely manner; however, BoxFest Detroit is at fault for not posting the link up sooner.  So better late than never, right?  Click on the link below to read the great reviews our talented directors received.

http://www.roguecritic.com/home/boxfest-detroit-2011.html

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By admin, August 12, 2011 8:27 am

The Oakland Press wrote a feature on BoxFest Detroit, covering festival details, the influence BoxFest Detroit has had on the lives of its participants as well as the community.  Click the link below to read the full article.

http://www.theoaklandpress.com/articles/2011/08/11/entertainment/doc4e42f31aa0636290304530.txt