DirectorFest 2006 at the Abingdon Theatre

The Drama League presents DirectorFest 2006, its twenty-third festival of one-acts staged by the Fall Directing Fellows of The Drama League Directors Project, at the Abingdon Theatre Center�s June Havoc Theatre from 7 - 10 Dec 2006.

DirectorFest 2006 offers a glimpse into the future of American theatre by presenting one-act productions by three of the nation�s most talented young directors.

This year�s bill consists of two new plays � Itamar Moses� Authorial Intent, directed by Meredith McDonough and Jonathan Ceniceroz�s The Blessing of the Animals, directed by Alex Torra � and Harold Pinter�s One for the Road, directed by Jaime Castaneda.

DirectorFest 2006 features:

• Jonathan Ceniceroz�s The Blessing of the Animals, a brand new piece that tells the story of a young man whose gifts draw startling parallels to those of St. Francis of Assisi � specifically his gifts in relating to animals. This presents a profound challenge for his traditionalist parents, who have great difficulty grappling with their son�s eccentricities. The work is a special commission, crafted by Mr. Ceniceroz specifically for Alex Torra�s direction.

  Mr. Torra is a recent MFA graduate of the Brown University/Trinity Rep consortium. This fall, Mr. Torra assisted writer/director Neil Labute on Wrecks at The Public Theatre, and will next assist director Eric Schaeffer on the new musical Saving Aimee at Washington, DC�s Signature Theatre.

  
  
• In Itamar Moses� Authorial Intent, directed by Meredith McDonough, we are treated to a glimpse of the fallacies and realities of actors� lives in the theater, both inside and outside the work they are performing together. When the authorial intent of an actor�s lines are introduced in place of the lines themselves the surprising result allows an audience to see the hidden truths of those bringing it to life.

  For her Drama League fellowship Director Meredith McDonough assisted on the Public Theater�s launch of Suzan-Lori Park�s 365 Plays Project, and is currently assisting director Kyle Donnelly on the musical She Loves Me! at Arena Stage. Ms. McDonough received her MFA in Directing from University of California, San Diego.

  
  
• Harold Pinter�s One for the Road continues director Jaime Castaneda�s dedication to giving British works new life across the pond. Pinter�s play is set in an unknown totalitarian state, where a mysterious figure maintains his authority by interrogating a husband, wife and their small child.

  Political and religious questions surface about a government's ability to abuse power and the repercussions that are sure to follow. Mr. Castaneda assisted director Matt August on Pig Farm at The Old Globe, and will assist Neil Pepe on Jez Butterworth�s Parlour Song at Atlantic Theatre Company. Mr. Castaneda has a MFA in Directing from the University of Texas.

Now in its twenty-third year, The Directors Project has gained an international reputation for nurturing a new generation of exceptional directors. Noted alumni include John Rando (The Wedding Singer), Michael Mayer (Spring Awakening), Hal Brooks (No Child), Mark Brokaw (Suddenly Last Summer), Matt August (How the Grinch Stole Christmas), Carolyn Cantor (Artistic Director, Edge Theatre), R.J. Cutler (Emmy-Award winning director of the PBS documentary series �American High�) and James Bundy (Dean, Yale School of Drama).

DirectorFest 2006 is the culmination of the Fall Production Program of The Directors Project, the only career-development program for directors in the nation that guarantees an opportunity to direct a professional production.