Video Available of Ars Nova's Annual A.N.T. FEST Launch Event

Ars Nova has posted a video of the launch party of their inaugural A.N.T FEST (Ars Nova Theater Festival) on YouTube. Click HERE to view the video and get a preview of what to expect at the festival.

 A.N.T. FEST is dedicated to new work and emerging artists. Featuring over 175 artists performing in 30 nights of music, comedy, theater, dance and genre-defying acts, A.N.T. FEST will run Thursday through Monday evenings, October 16th through November 24th, at Ars Nova (511 West 54th Street). Performances begin at 8pm. The festival will kick off Wednesday October 15th at 7pm with an invited press launch and industry presentation featuring performances from select A.N.T. FEST artists. All tickets are $10 and can be purchased in advance at www.smarttix.com or by phone at (212) 868-4444.  The Box Office opens 30 minutes prior to performance.

In six weeks of mayhem featuring fresh material from today's most daring emerging artists, the festival will push the boundaries of live entertainment by bringing together talented performers from many disciplines under one roof. Ars Nova is dedicated to spotlighting New York's next wave of songwriters, bands, comedy artists, theater-makers, storytellers and genre-defying performers. A.N.T. FEST 2008 takes that mission to the next level.

Ars Nova received over 250 submissions consisting of scripts, CDs, DVDs, YouTube videos, Myspace pages and even one VHS tape. After reviewing material ranging from soul steppers, bands, pirates, ninjas, drag queens, plays, eggmobiles, monologists, Mormons, and everything in between, Ars Nova selected the top thirty submissions and offered each one night in the festival. For more information about each show and a full lineup, visit www.arsnovanyc.com.

"As Ars Nova grows and becomes increasingly able to develop and produce full-scale productions, it's important we remain committed to our role as a crucial point of entry for emerging theater, comedy and music artists. A.N.T. FEST provides just that - we are opening our doors to innovative artists so they can get their work on stage and take risks in front of smart audiences. We received hundreds of open submissions from people who see live performance in surprising and inspiring new ways. There is a huge need for this kind of artist support in New York and we are committed to making this festival a permanent part of the landscape," says Artistic Director Jason Eagan.

In addition to the performances, Ars Nova will also host artist salons throughout the festival, giving A.N.T. FEST participants a social, informal setting where they can engage with the greater community of Ars Nova artists. Salons are closed to the public.

As New York's premiere hub for emerging artists and new work, Ars Nova is committed to developing and producing eclectic theatre, comedy and music to feed today's popular culture. To that end, Ars Nova strives to create daring collaborations, meld disciplines and give voice to a new generation of artists. This season Ars Nova developed and produced critically acclaimed productions of Peter Sinn Nachtrieb's 'Boom,' Liz Flahive's 'From Up Here' (in a co-production with Manhattan Theatre Club), and Nick Jones and Raja Azar's 'Jollyship the Whiz-Bang.'  Past productions include '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.'  In addition to its featured productions, Ars Nova supports and develops new work from the most promising emerging artists through its alternative comedy series ('Tragedy Tomorrow'), music series ('Uncharted'), public play-reading series ('Out Loud'), writer's group ('Play Group') and artist-in-residence program. Ars Nova was founded in memory of Gabe Wiener.

For more information, visit www.arsnovanyc.com

Photo by Pablo Pimienta

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