Kentucky Center MEX Theater Introduces New Education Series

The Kentucky Center's MEX Theater is embarking on a new education initiative. The new initiative will include workshops, master classes, artist conversations and cover a variety of topics appealing to those who work or volunteer in Louisville's theatrical community, as well as to members of the general public.

The schedule has begun to take shape, with the first monthly event on Tuesday, August 16, at 7:30 p.m. Jon Jory, former artistic director of Actors Theatre, will discuss his experiences and how he participated in building a world-renowned theater company in Louisville. Gil Reyes with Theatre [502] will be the interviewer.

Tickets go on sale Wednesday, August 10, and are $8, with a $5 student ticket available at the Box Office with a valid student ID. Call 584-7777, toll free at (800) 775-7777 or (502) 562-0730 (TTY), or visit www.kentuckycenter.org. To avoid handling fees, you can purchase your tickets in person at The Kentucky Center Box Office or Drive-Thru. Please call (502) 562-0111 (V) or (502) 562-0140 (TTY) or visit www.kentuckycenter.org for information about the range of accessibility options offered.

An artist conversation will feature noted lighting designers Chuck Schmidt of Kentucky Opera and Brian Lilienthal of Actors Theatre, who will share their experiences in the area of lighting design on Monday, October 17, at 7:30 p.m. In January, actor and director Bill McNulty will participate in an artist conversation about adaptation, referring to his many years at Actors Theatre in Dracula. Tickets for these events will be available soon.

In addition to artist conversations, master classes will be offered for in-depth study of specific topics. Local director Barrett Cooper will offer a Master Class in Intro to Stage Combat on Saturday, February 18, allowing participants to learn about the art of performing a realistic looking fight on stage. Other master classes, with dates yet to be confirmed, include Stage Management and Stage Electricity. A full schedule of classes and events will be announced upon confirmation within the coming weeks. Ultimately, the ongoing agenda of workshops and master classes will expand and provide an even broader variety of topics in the future.

"The MEX Theater is a small but vital part of The Kentucky Center," said Stephen Klein, President of The Kentucky Center. "It has quietly supported budding actors, directors and theater professionals, and now we are furthering its educational role and extending its reach and depth."

Initially established in 1987 as the Boyd Martin Experimental Theater, the MEX opened its doors to fill a need in Louisville for a small performance venue for new and developing theater and performance companies. Numerous community theater groups have utilized the space, located on the Center's fourth floor in what was formerly a rehearsal space.

The Kentucky Center believes the MEX should provide an incubator for the continued artistic growth of emerging theater artists and theater companies, and provide, in partnership with producing groups, enriching performances to the Louisville community.

Those interested in attending any of the master classes or workshops should contact Lily Bartenstein at (502) 562-0178 or at lbartenstein@kentuckycenter.org.

 

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