New York's Theatre of Mass Destruction Debuts

When you're in New York, what does a singer, actress, dancer, photographer, do when she wants to do it ALL? Well, you can do what Ali Skye Bennet did. You start your own theater company. Pretty ambitious. And so, that's how the Theatre of Mass Destruction was born.

The Baltimore native credits her background for giving her the impetus for listening to herself and to attempt what many thought was unthinkable. She started her theater training at the Carver Center for Arts and Technology in Towson, MD appearing in "Hello Dolly", "Bells are Ringing", "Oklahoma", and "Impromptu" where she studied theater, dance and technical theater.

She next attended NYU where she did an independent studio which included the Lee Strasberg Institute, Cap 21, and Stonestreet Studio. She is also an honored photographer receiving eighth place in a world competition from "Photolife" magazine in the category "A World of People" for her photograph "Beautiful Ignorance" which featured a little girl she babysat for.

Following a year doing film work and print work, Bennet and her friend, Matt Lockwood, decided to bite the bullet and in February 2005 decided to start their own theater company. She admits they were a little naive about what lay ahead, especially relating to the legal ramifications (incorporating) and getting tax free status.

What to name their company turned out to be not so difficult. It was Lockwood's idea, Theatre of Mass Destruction, a name easily remembered for sure.

TMD had its first performance in October, 2005 presenting a one woman show with Jessica Johnson.

Last Friday night, TMD had their official opening with their work "Good Enough to be True" by Raphael Bob-Waksberg and directed by Kielsoen Baker. It features Bennet, Lockwood, Jake Alexander and Siobhan Doherty. The show continues through March 19 at the Sargent Theater@ American Theaters of Actors, 314 W. 54^th Street, 4^th floor (between 8^th and 9^th Avenue). Performances are Thursday through Sunday nights at 8 p.m., Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. Tickets are $15 ($12 for seniors and students). Call 212-868-4444 or www.SmartTix.com for tickets.

The mission of TMD is "to give young artists the opportunity to use their creative passions...including theater, music, dance, film, photography and other visual art...with a goal to weave the voices of the old New York City community with the young passionate voices of today's generation of emerging artists, creating a future in the arts that speaks to all walks of life."

For further information about TMD, see www.theatreofmassdestruction.com.