Hosted by
Studio Dante and presented by Architectural Digest, "First Readings: A Benefit For
Studio Dante" took place Monday, March 31 at the Rubin Museum of Art. The event premiered two short plays read by
Chris Cooper,
Drea de Matteo,
Vincent Pastore,
Stanley Tucci and
Aida Turturro introduced by
Michael Imperioli. The featured plays were
when heaven and earth by Anastasia Traina and
Squalor by
Gina Gionfriddo. The evening also featured the presentation of a special award to the legendary
Lauren Bacall.
Studio Dante, built by Michael &
Victoria Imperioli, was conceived to house progressive new plays in a setting inspired by the grand architecture and design of traditional 19th century venues. For the last decade,
Michael Imperioli has produced, directed and acted on New York stages.
Studio Dante is the latest installment of
Victoria Imperioli's design work. Having studied architecture and design at the School of Visual Arts and NYU, she has been involved in various projects in both the US and Europe since the early '90s. Victoria developed a distinct and admired style of her own, which led to her work's exposure in Architectural Digest.
Studio Dante is committed to writers who exhibit a fresh point of view and have the courage to investigate challenging emotional terrain. Past productions include Baptism By Fire, Ponies, Henry Flamethrowa, Late Fragment, Cyclone, Dark Yellow, The Given, Chicken, The Joke and most recently, the critically acclaimed Sisters, Such Devoted Sisters.
For more info, visit
www.StudioDante.com.
Photo Credits Walter McBride/Retna

Studio Dante

Studio Dante

Michael Imperioli

Michael Imperioli

Michael Imperioli

Victoria Imperioli and Michael Imperioli

Victoria Imperioli and Michael Imperioli

Victoria Imperioli and Michael Imperioli

Aida Turturro

Aida Turturro

Aida Turturro

Sharon Angela

Sharon Angela

Sharon Angela

Vincent Pastore

Vincent Pastore

Vincent Pastore

Vincent Pastore

Erika Maconi and Vincent Pastore

Erika Maconi and Vincent Pastore

Brandan Hannan

Brandan Hannan

Scott Cohen

Scott Cohen

Matt Lenz

Nicholas Rodriguez

Chris Cooper

Chris Cooper

Chris Cooper and Michael Imperioli

Chris Cooper and Michael Imperioli

Chris Cooper and Michael Imperioli

Chris Cooper

Drea de Matteo

Drea de Matteo

Drea de Matteo

Drea de Matteo

Drea de Matteo

Drea de Matteo

Michael Imperioli and Drea de Mateo

Michael Imperioli and Dre de Mateo

Michael Imperioli and Drea de Matteo

Michael Imperioli and Drea de Matteo

Tony Sirico

Tony Sirico

Tony Sirico

John Ventimiglia

John Ventimiglia

John Ventimiglia

John Ventimiglia and Michael Imperioli

John Ventimiglia and Michael Imperioli

John Ventimiglia and Michael Imperioli

Stanley Tucci

Stanley Tucci

Stanley Tucci

Jean-Claude Baker and Lauren Bacall

Lauren Bacall and Michael Imperioli

Lauren Bacall

Michael Imperioli and Lauren Bacall

Michael Imperioli and Lauren Bacall

Michael Imperioli and Lauren Bacall

Lauren Bacall

Lauren Bacall

Lauren Bacall