John Farmanesh-Bocca
Latest News on John Farmanesh-Bocca:
Review: PICNIC at Odyssey Theatre Ensemble (Apr 3, 2023)
Photos: Odyssey Theatre's Revival Of PICNIC Opens Tonight (Mar 24, 2023)
Interview: Director John Farmanesh-Bocca On His Vision For PICNIC By William Inge (Mar 21, 2023)
Review: PICNIC at Odyssey Theatre Ensemble (Apr 3, 2023)
Photos: Odyssey Theatre's Revival Of PICNIC Opens Tonight (Mar 24, 2023)
Interview: Director John Farmanesh-Bocca On His Vision For PICNIC By William Inge (Mar 21, 2023)
BIO
John Farmanesh-Bocca has spent a 30-year career in the theatre. He is a multi-award winning theatre director and the Founding Artistic Director of both Not Man Apart – Physical Theatre Ensemble (2005-2015) and Shakespeare Santa Monica (2003–2014).
Mr. Farmanesh-Bocca now serves as Emeritus Director of the award-winning Not Man Apart Ensemble, which under his watch was named by Backstage Magazine in 2014 as one of the 13 most innovative physical theatre companies in the world.
An Ovation and Drama Critics Circle award nominated artist, some of Mr. Farmanesh-Bocca’s Award Winning and Award Nominated physical theatre adaptations include, Pericles Redux (European and U.S. Premieres), Wish I Had A Sylvia Plath (Edinburgh Fringe First Award Winner). In LA: Titus Redux (Kirk Douglas Theatre), As/Is (New American Theatre), Hercules Furens (Getty Villa), Tempest Redux (Odyssey Theatre - 13 Nominations, 3 Stage Raw Awards). Ajax in Iraq (LA Premiere), Lysistrata Unbound (World Premiere)
Mr. Farmanesh-Bocca’s plays have been seen at UK venues such as The Burton/Taylor Theatre in Oxford England, The Oxford Playhouse, Theatre Royal, Bath England, Belfast Cathedral Quarter Festival and The Edinburgh Festival Fringe. In the USA; The Kirk Douglas Theatre, The Getty Villa Theatre Lab, The Odyssey Theatre, Pacific Repertory Theatre and The Sunset Center in Central California, The Miles Playhouse, The Hollywood Fringe, The Annenberg Beach House, Performing Arts Center Baton Rouge Louisiana (BRCC), CSULB, NYU and Juilliard.
As an actor, John has had turns in such television series as Shameless, American Horror Story, The Brave and Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders. Mr. Farmanesh-Bocca’s first endeavor in filmmaking, a narrative short film drama called I DID NOT FORGET YOU, which he both wrote and directed, garnered 14 nominations and 7 awards from various national and international film festivals, including the People’s Choice Award at The Hollywood Independent Film Festival.
Awarded an American Theatre Wing Scholarship, John trained at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts in Acting (‘94) before serving as a Directing Fellow at the Julliard School - Drama Division (2003-2005).
News
Review: PICNIC at Odyssey Theatre Ensemble
This production of Inge’s play (also a 1955 movie) has its moments while consistently delivering the longing, the dissatisfaction and, yes, also the sensuality that PICNIC offers up. ur critic think of PICNIC at Odyssey Theatre Ensemble?
This production of Inge’s play (also a 1955 movie) has its moments while consistently delivering the longing, the dissatisfaction and, yes, also the sensuality that PICNIC offers up. ur critic think of PICNIC at Odyssey Theatre Ensemble?
Photos: Odyssey Theatre's Revival Of PICNIC Opens Tonight
Picnic, the sensual, passionate and delightfully funny Pulitzer Prize winning play by William Inge, opens tonight at the Odyssey Theatre Ensemble in an all-new production directed John Farmanesh-Bocca. Check out the photos, below.
Picnic, the sensual, passionate and delightfully funny Pulitzer Prize winning play by William Inge, opens tonight at the Odyssey Theatre Ensemble in an all-new production directed John Farmanesh-Bocca. Check out the photos, below.
Interview: Director John Farmanesh-Bocca On His Vision For PICNIC By William Inge
John Farmanesh-Bocca is a multi-award-winning physical theatre director, the Founding Artistic Director of both Not Man Apart - Physical Theatre Ensemble (2005-2015) and Shakespeare Santa Monica (2003-2014). Now he has shifted gears to go on a search for America by directing the sensual, passionate, and delightfully funny Pulitzer Prize winning play Picnic by William Inge, with his version featuring an entirely Black American cast. I decided to speak with him about his vision for presenting the quintessentially American play and the unique challenges faced while shifting gears from physical movement to character development.
John Farmanesh-Bocca is a multi-award-winning physical theatre director, the Founding Artistic Director of both Not Man Apart - Physical Theatre Ensemble (2005-2015) and Shakespeare Santa Monica (2003-2014). Now he has shifted gears to go on a search for America by directing the sensual, passionate, and delightfully funny Pulitzer Prize winning play Picnic by William Inge, with his version featuring an entirely Black American cast. I decided to speak with him about his vision for presenting the quintessentially American play and the unique challenges faced while shifting gears from physical movement to character development.
Physical Theater Artist John Farmanesh-Bocca to Direct PICNIC at The Odyssey
Odyssey Theatre Ensemble will present a revival of Picnic, the sensual, passionate, and delightfully funny Pulitzer Prize-winning play by William Inge. Directed by multiple award winner John Farmanesh-Bocca (Tempest Redux, Lysistrata Unbound), performances will run March 25 through May 28 at the Odyssey Theatre in West L.A.
Odyssey Theatre Ensemble will present a revival of Picnic, the sensual, passionate, and delightfully funny Pulitzer Prize-winning play by William Inge. Directed by multiple award winner John Farmanesh-Bocca (Tempest Redux, Lysistrata Unbound), performances will run March 25 through May 28 at the Odyssey Theatre in West L.A.
Winners Announced For The 2020 BroadwayWorld Los Angeles Awards! 5 Star Theatricals, Long Beach Playhouse, Pantages & More Take Home Wins!
Winners have been announced for the 2020 BroadwayWorld Los Angeles Awards - which were back bigger than ever, celebrating the best in local theatre of the past decade!
Winners have been announced for the 2020 BroadwayWorld Los Angeles Awards - which were back bigger than ever, celebrating the best in local theatre of the past decade!
Stage Raw Announces Its 2019 Theater Award Nominees & Theater Festival Weekend
Digital arts journal Stage Raw announces the nominees for its fifth annual Stage Raw Theater Awards, to be held Monday night September 9, 2019, at Los Angeles Theatre Center, 514 S. Spring Street. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. The show starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets will go on sale Wednesday August 7, 2019. The Stage Raw Theater Awards honor the finest work performed on Los Angeles area stages of 99-seats or fewer, and are selected by a jury of Stage Raw critics. This year's awards celebrate work performed between June 1, 2018 and May 31, 2019.
Digital arts journal Stage Raw announces the nominees for its fifth annual Stage Raw Theater Awards, to be held Monday night September 9, 2019, at Los Angeles Theatre Center, 514 S. Spring Street. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. The show starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets will go on sale Wednesday August 7, 2019. The Stage Raw Theater Awards honor the finest work performed on Los Angeles area stages of 99-seats or fewer, and are selected by a jury of Stage Raw critics. This year's awards celebrate work performed between June 1, 2018 and May 31, 2019.
Two L.A. Theaters To Host 'Mueller Report Read-A-Thons' In July
Two venerable Los Angeles intimate theaters will each host a Mueller Report Read-A-Thon, offering Angelenos the opportunity to hear the Mueller Report read aloud, in its entirety, on either side of the City. The Fountain Theatre in East Hollywood will host a single, 15-hour event on Thursday, July 18 from 9 a.m. to midnight. The Odyssey Theatre Ensemble in West L.A. will hold a separate marathon reading, breaking it up into two 8-hour sessions on Monday, July 22 and Tuesday, July 23, each from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. Admission to both Read-A-thons is free and open to the public.
Two venerable Los Angeles intimate theaters will each host a Mueller Report Read-A-Thon, offering Angelenos the opportunity to hear the Mueller Report read aloud, in its entirety, on either side of the City. The Fountain Theatre in East Hollywood will host a single, 15-hour event on Thursday, July 18 from 9 a.m. to midnight. The Odyssey Theatre Ensemble in West L.A. will hold a separate marathon reading, breaking it up into two 8-hour sessions on Monday, July 22 and Tuesday, July 23, each from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. Admission to both Read-A-thons is free and open to the public.
BWW Review: Brenda Strong Stands Tall in LYSISTRATA UNBOUND
John Farmanesh-Bocca directs the world premiere of a bracing new version of Eduardo Machado's LYSISTRATA UNBOUND, starring Brenda Strong (Supergirl, 13 Reasons Why) as Lysistrata, in a collaboration between Odyssey Theatre Ensemble and Not Man Apart - Physical Theatre Ensemble. First presented at the Getty Villa as part of its 2013 Lab Series, it was inspired by American anti-war activist Cindy Sheehan's efforts for peace following the death of her son in Iraq. With unflinching intensity, it examines the insurmountable cost of war and one woman's epiphany in the face of personal tragedy.
John Farmanesh-Bocca directs the world premiere of a bracing new version of Eduardo Machado's LYSISTRATA UNBOUND, starring Brenda Strong (Supergirl, 13 Reasons Why) as Lysistrata, in a collaboration between Odyssey Theatre Ensemble and Not Man Apart - Physical Theatre Ensemble. First presented at the Getty Villa as part of its 2013 Lab Series, it was inspired by American anti-war activist Cindy Sheehan's efforts for peace following the death of her son in Iraq. With unflinching intensity, it examines the insurmountable cost of war and one woman's epiphany in the face of personal tragedy.
BWW Interview: Brenda Strong's Latest Role - A Woke Lysistrata
LYSISTRATA UNBOUND, a new take on Aristophanes' LYSISTRATA by Eduardo Machado will world premiere June 9, 2018 in an Odyssey Theatre/Not Man Apart collaboration, with John Farmanesh-Bocca directing his wife Brenda Strong in the title role. We had the chance to ask a few questions of the always working Brenda.
LYSISTRATA UNBOUND, a new take on Aristophanes' LYSISTRATA by Eduardo Machado will world premiere June 9, 2018 in an Odyssey Theatre/Not Man Apart collaboration, with John Farmanesh-Bocca directing his wife Brenda Strong in the title role. We had the chance to ask a few questions of the always working Brenda.
Brenda Strong Stars in LYSISTRATA UNBOUND in Odyssey Theatre/Not Man Apart Collaboration
Odyssey Theatre Ensemble collaborates with Not Man Apart-Physical Theatre Ensemble to present the world premiere of Lysistrata Unbound, a new and unexpected dramatic version of the classic Greek story written by acclaimed playwright Eduardo Machado. NMA artistic director emeritus John Farmanesh-Bocca (Tempest Redux, Ajax in Iraq) directs June 9 through Aug. 4 at the Odyssey Theatre in West L.A.
Odyssey Theatre Ensemble collaborates with Not Man Apart-Physical Theatre Ensemble to present the world premiere of Lysistrata Unbound, a new and unexpected dramatic version of the classic Greek story written by acclaimed playwright Eduardo Machado. NMA artistic director emeritus John Farmanesh-Bocca (Tempest Redux, Ajax in Iraq) directs June 9 through Aug. 4 at the Odyssey Theatre in West L.A.
BWW Interview: John Copeland on What Anita Bryant Did & Has Done for Him Lately
Playwright/actor John Copeland's latest theatrical project ANITA BRYANT'S PLAYBOY INTERVIEW recounts a specific incident in the truth-is-stranger-than-fiction saga of the former Miss Oklahoma and runner-up to Miss America whose 'Save Our Children' campaign fought to repeal gay rights in Dale County, Florida in 1977.
Playwright/actor John Copeland's latest theatrical project ANITA BRYANT'S PLAYBOY INTERVIEW recounts a specific incident in the truth-is-stranger-than-fiction saga of the former Miss Oklahoma and runner-up to Miss America whose 'Save Our Children' campaign fought to repeal gay rights in Dale County, Florida in 1977.
BWW Reviews: Not Man Apart Physical Theater Presents Thrilling Staging of HERCULES FURENS
Through combined and extremely intricate dance movements, the skill of the actors/dancers certainly exemplified the group's moniker as a physical theatre ensemble with each scene more exciting that the last. You will not be able to take your eyes off them!
Through combined and extremely intricate dance movements, the skill of the actors/dancers certainly exemplified the group's moniker as a physical theatre ensemble with each scene more exciting that the last. You will not be able to take your eyes off them!
Dax Foundation Presents Not A Man Apart's PERICLES REDUX At Kirk Douglas Theatre Through 7/26
The Dax Foundation - a Los Angeles-based private, non-profit philanthropic foundation dedicated to helping people and animals around the world - presents a limited run of Not Man Apart Physical Theatre Ensemble's critically lauded Pericles Redux at the Kirk Douglas Theatre in Culver City, California to benefit recipients of the Foundation's Performing Arts Charitable Trust (PACT). Conceived and directed by John Farmanesh-Bocca, Pericles Redux premiered Friday, July 17, with performances continuing through Sunday, July 26. The production features the Los Angeles stage debut of three-time Emmy Award-winner, Jennifer Landon.
The Dax Foundation - a Los Angeles-based private, non-profit philanthropic foundation dedicated to helping people and animals around the world - presents a limited run of Not Man Apart Physical Theatre Ensemble's critically lauded Pericles Redux at the Kirk Douglas Theatre in Culver City, California to benefit recipients of the Foundation's Performing Arts Charitable Trust (PACT). Conceived and directed by John Farmanesh-Bocca, Pericles Redux premiered Friday, July 17, with performances continuing through Sunday, July 26. The production features the Los Angeles stage debut of three-time Emmy Award-winner, Jennifer Landon.
Dax Foundation Presents Not A Man Apart's PERICLES REDUX At Kirk Douglas Theatre 7/17-26
The Dax Foundation - a Los Angeles-based private, non-profit philanthropic foundation dedicated to helping people and animals around the world - presents a limited run of Not Man Apart Physical Theatre Ensemble's critically lauded Pericles Redux at the Kirk Douglas Theatre in Culver City, California to benefit recipients of the Foundation's Performing Arts Charitable Trust (PACT). Conceived and directed by John Farmanesh-Bocca, Pericles Redux premieres Friday, July 17, with performances continuing through Sunday, July 26. The production features the Los Angeles stage debut of three-time Emmy Award-winner, Jennifer Landon.
The Dax Foundation - a Los Angeles-based private, non-profit philanthropic foundation dedicated to helping people and animals around the world - presents a limited run of Not Man Apart Physical Theatre Ensemble's critically lauded Pericles Redux at the Kirk Douglas Theatre in Culver City, California to benefit recipients of the Foundation's Performing Arts Charitable Trust (PACT). Conceived and directed by John Farmanesh-Bocca, Pericles Redux premieres Friday, July 17, with performances continuing through Sunday, July 26. The production features the Los Angeles stage debut of three-time Emmy Award-winner, Jennifer Landon.
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