Nathan Lane, Jonathan Groff, Donna Murphy & More Set for Drama League's 2014 Winter-Spring Season Events

The Drama League has announced their Winter/Spring 2014 Programming Schedule of special performances, events and educational offerings at the new Drama League Theater Center in Tribeca, and elsewhere. Highlights include intimate evenings with Tony® Award winners Nathan Lane, Donna Murphy, Jason Robert Brown, Michael Mayer and John Patrick Shanley, plus Tony® Award Nominee Jonathan Groff.

Also on tap is the exciting new play-meets-poetry-slam series Rough Draft and classes including Beyond Kickstarter: Fundraising for Small Companies, Directing The New Play: From First Read to Production, Creating Solo Work, and more.

The Drama League also offers special performances on Broadway and Off-Broadway, as well as open rehearsals, backstage tours, play readings, intimate gatherings with legendary stars, behind-the-scenes discussions with industry titans, day trips to world-class theatres, and more. To see the entire Program Guide, visit http://www.dramaleague.org.

Selected highlights from the 2014 Winter / Spring Schedule Calendar

UP CLOSE SERIES

Up Close: Nathan Lane
Moderated by Jack O'Brien
Thursday, January 30 at 7:00 p.m.
Premium Seating: $45 General Public: $25
Drama League Members: $20

Two-time Tony Award winner and the recipient of The Drama League 2013 Distinguished Performance Award for his remarkable turn as Chauncey Miles in The Nance, the incomparable Nathan Lane will kick off 2014 by sharing his insights, memories, and backstage experiences from his long and storied career. Sharing his stage triumphs (Guys and Dolls, The Producers, Love! Valour! Compassion!) and his work in film and television (The Birdcage, The Good Wife), Mr. Lane will be joined by the Tony-winning director of The Nance, Jack O'Brien (Hairspray).

Up Close: Jonathan Groff and Michael Mayer
Monday, February 17 at 7:00 p.m.
Premium Seating: $45 General Public: $25
Drama League Members: $15

The director and star of the Tony Award-winning Spring Awakening reunite to catch up, share experiences, and discuss their latest projects. Well-known for his roles on the hit television series Glee and Boss, Jonathan Groff has a busy new year: the recent Disney animated hit Frozen, his new HBO series Looking, and the upcoming TV adaptation of Larry Kramer's The Normal Heart. Mr. Mayer will share glimpses from his work on the upcoming Broadway musical Hedwig and the Angry Inch, starring Neil Patrick Harris.

Up Close: John Patrick Shanley
Tuesday, February 25 at 7:00 p.m.
Premium Seating: $35 General Public:
$20 Drama League Members: $15

As a Tony Award-winning playwright (Doubt) and Academy Award-winning screenwriter (Moonstruck) and director (the film version of Doubt), John Patrick Shanley is the very definition of 'multi-talented.' Believing that "writing is acting is directing is living your life," Mr. Shanley's latest play, Outside Mullingar, is currently in previews on Broadway.

Up Close: Jason Robert Brown
Moderated by Lin-Manuel Miranda
Monday, March 10 at 7:00 p.m.
Premium Seating: $35 General Public: $20
Drama League Members: $15

With one of the most acclaimed careers in modern musical history - including the Tony-winning musical Parade, The Last Five Years, 13, Songs for a New World, the Broadway-bound Honeymoon in Vegas and the current Broadway musical The Bridges of Madison County - the prolific composer Jason Robert Brown will reveal surprising perspectives about his career on stage and screen. Moderated by Tony- award winner, Lin-Manuel Miranda (In The Heights).

Up Close: Donna Murphy
Monday, April 21 at 7:00 p.m.
Premium Seating: $45 General Public: $25
Drama League Members: $20

One of the legends of modern musical theatre, two-time Tony Award winner Donna Murphy has made a career of redefining the art form. Her iconic stage performances in Passion, The King and I, The People in the Picture, Wonderful Town, Into The Woods, Hello Again, Lovemusik and more have revealed her ability to inhabit almost any role. Ms. Murphy will speak about these triumphs and her work in film and television, sharing her insights and taking questions from the audience.

SPECIAL EVENT

20 Years: A Beauty and The Beast Reunion with Gary Beach, Beth Fowler, Burke Moses and Paige Price
Monday, March 3 at 7:00 p.m.
Premium Seating: $35 General Public: $20
Drama League Members: $15

It's been 20 years since Disney's Beauty and the Beast first graced Broadway with its wit, talent, and style. Now a staple of theater companies worldwide, The Drama League reunites members of the show's original Broadway cast to reminisce about the creation of Disney's very first film-to-stage musical. Joining us will be the original Lumiere, Tony Award winner Gary Beach; the original Mrs. Potts, Tony nominee Beth Fowler; the original Gaston, Burke Moses; and the original Silly Girl, Paige Price, among others.

ROUGH DRAFT DEVELOPMENT SERIES

Inspired by poetry slams and open-mic nights, The Drama League's new series, Rough Draft, reinvents the new play development process. As part of this micro-residency, playwrights, directors and actors receive one day to explore a project; that evening, over complimentary wine and a lively, fun atmosphere, the artists share with theatre lovers what they've achieved...perhaps a full piece, perhaps scenes or songs, or perhaps something new entirely! Both rehearsal and presentations happen in the comfortable atmosphere of The Drama League Theater Center's Stewart F. Lane and Bonnie Comley Studio Lab.

Rough Draft: Dr. Darling and the Lost Boys of Bushwick
Written and Directed by Jesse Geiger
Friday, January 24 at 7:00 p.m.
Ticket: $5 (includes complimentary glass of wine)

Our inaugural Rough Draft project, Jesse Geiger, directs Dr. Darling and the Lost Boys of Bushwick, a contemporary rock musical loosely inspired by the story of Peter Pan. It recasts Wendy, Peter and the Lost Boys as Brooklyn 20-somethings lost in a video- game and pop-culture infused fantasia of their city. They battle an X-Box villain, Hook, and wander through the rites of passage (and gentrification) on the way to adulthood.

Rough Draft: And She Would Stand Like This
by Harrison David Rivers Directed by David Mendiza?bal
Friday, February 28 at 7:00 p.m
Ticket: $5 (includes complimentary glass of wine)

Directed by David Mendiza?bal, And She Would Stand Like This is "The Trojan Women" meets "Paris is Burning," Jennie Livingston's seminal documentary on Harlem ball culture. Set in a hospital waiting room in the midst of a mysterious plague, the play explores the complicated issues of gender, sexuality, health, family and motherhood.

Rough Draft: Our Class
by Tadeusz Slobodzianek, translated by Ryan Craig Directed by Cosmin Chivu
Friday, March 14 at 7:00 p.m
Ticket: $5 (includes complimentary glass of wine)

Spanning 80 years and moving between Poland and America, this epic play follows ten classmates - five Catholic, five Jewish - as their lives take dramatically unexpected turns in a country torn apart by invading armies, first Soviet, then German, then Soviet again. Director Cosmin Chivu will explore themes and ideas for a future production in this revealing evening of exploration.

CLASSES AND WORKSHOPS Yoga For Artists with Laura Brandel

Drop-In Classes:
Mondays at 2:30 p.m. starting January 13 Wednesdays at 12:30 p.m. starting February 10
Per class: $12 | $10 for Members (at the door) 6-class pass: $60 | $54 for members (online)

Yoga for Artists will guide students in safely releasing tension to achieve mind-body connection and a stronger sense of self. Tension in body, mind or soul is detrimental for the performer. It can block artistic impulses, disrupt focus, and derail the creative process. Learn from and alongside fellow artists in this 75- minute practice, which will include meditation, breathing techniques, and asana specifically tailored for the needs and concerns of the students present. Relax, release and recharge with yoga guru, Laura Brandel. BYO Yoga Mat.

2014 Directors Project Application Workshop
With Roger T. Danforth
Saturday, January 11, 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. General Public: $10
Drama League Members: Free

After three decades as the preeminent career development and training program for professional theater directors, The Drama League Directors Project has never seen more competition for its coveted places. In this informative, insightful workshop, Artistic Director Roger T. Danforth offers prospective applicants a rare glimpse into the criteria used for selecting this year's fellowship recipients, and offers personal advice for crafting a strong, competitive application.

Beyond Kickstarter: Fundraising for Small Companies With Toby Banks
Saturday, January 25, 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
General Public: $40
Drama League members: $30

Spend an enlightening day with award-winning arts veteran Toby Banks as she unveils the secrets of professional fundraising. Learn how to put your best foot forward, win grants and turn one-time donors into loyal supporters. Explore strategies that you can implement to help your company grow to its full potential. Topics will include donor relations, fundraising planning, the grant process - from prospect research through grant writing and reporting - and how to best utilize your existing resources.

Creating Solo Work With Michael Goldfried
Wednesdays, February 12 - March 26, 6:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. General Public: $395
Drama League members: $355

Solo work presents a great opportunity to all theater artists: actors can generate and showcase their original work, and writers and directors who wish to perform get to step into the light and communicate directly with an audience. In this practical and intimate writing/acting course, acclaimed director, writer and solo performer Michael Goldfried will help you discover your voice and tell compelling stories. Using a range of techniques, you will explore ways to dramatize source material, including personal experiences, and create vivid characters. This class is ideal for solo performers of all levels of experience - as well as actors, directors, writers and improvisers who want to expand and enhance their body of work. In the final week, students will have the opportunity to present their work-in-progress to invited guests

Directing The New Play: From First Read to Production With Hal Brooks
Saturday, February 15 and Sunday, February 16, 12:30 p.m. -3:00 p.m.
General Public: $99
Drama League members: $99

In this workshop, learn how to direct the new play, from early development stages to first production. Acclaimed director Hal Brooks, in collaboration with professional playwrights, will show you what questions to ask, how design conversations emerge from the text, how to address the unique challenges actors face in approaching the newplay, and when and how to tackle dramaturgical questions. Participants will examine successive drafts of a play to analyzing changes, and engage in on-your-feet exercises and discussions. Hal Brooks shares his expertise with directors and those who have a serious interest in the new play directing process.

Audition Bootcamp: New Plays With Michael Goldfried
Saturday, February 22, 11:00 a.m. -6:00 p.m.
General Public: $139
Drama League members: $120

Auditioning for a new play can be challenging, because there is no previous production or cast to reference. However, it's also a unique opportunity to interpret and give life to a character. Impress the creative team with your vision and win a chance to originate a role on stage. Audition Bootcamp: New Plays is a rigorous, one-day workshop that offers actors specialized techniques you can bring to new play auditions including: what to look for in reading the new play; how to best prepare and work with new sides; and how to bring your relaxed, best self to the room. Taught by acclaimed director Michael Goldfried, the class will work with each student on a specially selected monologue from a new play and will culminate in a master class with industry professionals who will see and respond to the actor's work.

The Great Directors: Brecht & Grotowski With Jess Jung
Saturday, March 15, 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. (Brecht) Sunday, March 16, 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. (Grotowski) General Public: Single Day $75, Weekend $130 Drama League members: Single Day $60, Weekend $100

The Great Directors is a series of workshops that delve in to the theories and techniques of directing icons. In March, we examineBertolt Brecht and Jerzy Grotowski! This unique workshop offers participants a thorough understanding of these master directors. Acclaimed director Jess Jung will lead participants through an exploration of the directing theories of Brecht and Grotowski, before investigating their techniques through active and practical scene work. Participants can choose to attend a single workshop (focusing on a single director), or join us for both days to discover surprising connections and contrasts between the two directors. The Great Directors is a model of the masters directing course at The Theatre School at De Paul University. Participants of all directing levels are welcome.

To become a member of The Drama League, call (212) 244-9494, or visit http://www.dramaleague.org/programguide.