Railroad Playhouse Announces 2012-2013 Season

The Railroad Playhouse (RRP) is delighted to announce its 2012-2013 season, commencing on October 19, 2012 with the world premiere of playwright-in-residence Alex Goldberg's AMERICA'S BRIGHTEST STAR. Starting in December, there will be four staged readings introducing four new plays. In May 2013, the 2nd Annual One Act Play Festival will feature short plays from the current and new playwrights-in-residence. RRP friend Mission: Improv-able returns as the resident Improv troupe. Educational programs will continue with the after school workshops, Expanded In-School Playmaking Residency, and Glee Summer Camp.

With an enthusiasm for the upcoming year, artistic director Seth Soloway says, "I am thrilled that during the 2012-2013 season, we will producing a fully-staged world premiere, just as we promised when we opened in 2010."

Award-winning playwright Alex Goldberg's AMERICA'S BRIGHTEST STAR, directed by Seth Soloway, after having received a staged reading last summer at RRP, will make its World Premiere on October 19, 2012. In this small-town comedy, shy librarian Sherry with a golden voice quickly becomes an internet sensation, thanks to her discovery on the talent/reality TV show America's Brightest Star. Sherry tries to overcome her nature, the overwhelming crush of potential fame, and the pressures of the townspeople, as they struggle to revive their destitute town. America's Brightest Star will play October 19, 2012 - November 3, 2012 - Thursdays-Fridays - 7:30PM, Saturdays - 2PM & 8PM. America's Brightest Star is made possible in part with public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts Decentralization program administered by Arts in Orange.

Soloway explains why he chose AMERICA'S BRIGHTEST STAR as the opening show of the season, "with its great mix of comedy and social relevance, it is the perfect play to launch the season. With this play, we achieve our dual goals of engaging artists and audiences both locally and from New York City, and we produce a play that has an excellent chance to have a further life after RRP. My long history with collaborator Alex Goldberg assures me that this will be a positive experience for everyone involved in and around The Playhouse."

Like its predecessor, the 2nd Annual One Act Play Festival will feature three to four One Act plays from current and new RRP Playwrights-in-Residence, with each play having its own set in a corner of the theater. Patrons will move their chairs throughout the event for a complete 360* experience. The 2nd Annual One Act Play Festival will occur May 3, 2013 – May 18, 2013 - Thursdays-Fridays - 7:30PM, Saturdays - 2PM & 8PM.

NYC's Mission: Improv-able is high-flying death-defying comedy without a net! Seasoned improvisers David H Cohen, Bryan Cohen, Alan Angevine, Alec Vanacore, and Chris Tighe are back together again by POPULAR DEMAND. The shows feature original scenes, songs, poetry, and puppetry - all based on audience suggestion and participation. M.I. will perform once a month at RRP - exact dates TBD.

The RRP fall programming will feature a professional Acting Workshop for young people called 'Serious Drama' After School Workshop. For ages 13-17, the lessons will include Movement & Vocal Training, Character Development, Improvisation, Audition Techniques, and Scripted Scene Study. The two hour classes will be held Tuesdays from Sept. 25th through Nov. 20th at 4:00 PM, with a final performance on Tuesday, Nov. 20th at 7:30 PM. Auditions are scheduled for Sept. 11 & 12, 4:00PM-7:00PM.

The Young Engineers Series' will include the RRP Playmaking Project, an in classroom residency which fulfills the Railroad Playhouse's vision to involve local students in theatre and to serve as an attractive option for schools that do not have a regular theatre teacher on staff. By bringing a Railroad Playhouse Teaching Artist into the classroom to write and stage a new play, the Playmaking program addresses multiple enrichment needs by providing students a comprehensive theatre arts experience while simultaneously utilizing a critical curriculum area - such as bullying - as a theme, therefore also fulfilling key educational components and reinforcing connections to core areas.

Our week-long summer GLee Camp, featuring some of the finest instructors in the theatre industry, will return - with dates TBA. GLee Campers learn to sing, dance, and act their way through three songs. Using the themes of the songs, campers write the story that serves as the glue for the show. Summer 2013 will mark the third year for this successful and rewarding program.

RRP will be kicking off the Season with its first Newburgh Gala on September 20th, 2012 a the Newburgh Brewing Company, honoring Ray Yannone, owner and renovator of the West Shore Train Station (RRP's home); and Theresa Brown, RRP Board Member and arts-education advocate.

The Railroad Playhouse is dedicated to the revitalization of Newburgh and the preservation of Newburgh's historic West Shore Railroad Station – which it calls home - by providing a space for high-quality, artistically creative performing arts experiences.

The Railroad Playhouse strives to provide a home for playwrights to workshop and showcase new plays; present local, national, and International Artists of all genres; create partnerships with local businesses and organizations to continue revitalizing the area; implement after school programming and a summer arts camp for local children; and create teaching-artists residences in local schools.

For more information, visit http://www.rrplayhouse.org