BETC Enhances its National Reputation for the Development and Presentation of New Work

New work takes flight on October 21st, when Boulder Ensemble Theatre Company (BETC) presents the world premiere of Birds of North America by Anna Moench, directed by Stephen Weitz, Producing Artistic Director.

Moench was the winner of last season's Generations new play competition. Birds, an intimate family drama with environmental overtones, was selected from over 100 submissions from around the country. Moench subsequently came to Boulder for a one-week residency. Now, the play will be featured as a mainstage production featuring two BETC Ensemble members and audience favorites, Lindsey Pierce and Chris Kendall.

"I have long been interested in writing about the emotional experience of climate change. Throughout my lifetime, climate change has been visible all around me. It's not unlike the experience of watching a loved one age and die. That was my way into the material, and why my 'climate change play' is a family drama," said Moench. The story unfolds over a ten-year span, as an aging father and his adult daughter share in their hobby of backyard birding.

"Birds epitomizes everything BETC looks for in a successful script. Strong characterizations, powerful storytelling, and timely, relevant subject matter," Weitz said. "The play is germane on several levels. In addition to its commentary on the environment, it is particularly insightful with regard to the current divisions in our country. This multi-generational story looks at how we communicate with people we love who hold different views, and how we move beyond those differences to embrace the parts of our relationships that truly matter."

Birds is BETC's fifth world premiere and is emblematic of their ongoing commitment to being a vigorous proponent for new work. The Generations program is a playwriting competition specifically for writers who are parents of at least one child 18 years of age or younger.

"The program is supported in part by the Sustainable Arts Foundation. We share their commitment to supporting artists with children and are delighted to offer this opportunity," Weitz explained. Birds will be the second BETC production to come out of the Generations program. Past winners have gone on to production at other regional theatres as well as selection for the National New Play Network Showcase.

Bird lovers can enjoy more than this world premier with BETC's "Birders Weekend" activities on October 27-29.

• Friday 10/27, following the 7:30 p.m. performance, BETC will host a conversation on conservation issues with Boulder Audubon expert Steve Jones.

• Saturday 10/28, at 9 a.m., Boulder Audubon teen naturalist Luke Pheneger will lead a birding nature walk at Sawhill and Walden Ponds.

• Sunday 10/29, following the 2 p.m. performance, BETC will feature a conversation with Karl Brummert and Kate Hogan from the Audubon Society of Greater Denver. The talk will focus on local citizen science opportunities and conservation efforts throughout the region.

All of these events are free and open to the public.

Anna Moench's awards include fellowships from the New York Foundation of the Arts, the Jerome Foundation, and the Van Lier Foundation, the Paul Stephen Lim Playwriting Award from the Kennedy Center, East West Players' 2042: See Change Award, the Jerome Foundation's 2009 Travel Grant, the 2010 T.S. Eliot Exchange with the Old Vic, two EST/Sloan Commissions, and commissions from NYU Tisch, 2G, Keen Teens, and Red Fern. Anna has been a writer in residence at Yaddo, BRIC Arts, Baltimore's CENTERSTAGE, the Tofte Lake Center, and the Vineyard Arts Project. Anna is an alumna of the Emerging Writers Group at The Public Theater, Youngblood at Ensemble Studio Theatre, and The Jam at New Georges.

On October 21st, BETC hosts its Opening Night for Birds of North America in the Grace Gamm Theater at The Dairy Arts Center. Single tickets range from $20 to $45 and 3-play mini-subscriptions are still available for those who want to see the rest of the season.

For more information on the show and to purchase tickets visit: http://betc.org/event/birds/
For more information about the Generations program visit: http://betc.org/programs-events/generations/

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