Michelle Hensley
Latest News on Michelle Hensley:
BWW Review: THUNDER KNOCKING AT THE DOOR at Ten Thousand Things (Mar 9, 2020)
BWW Review: Intimate, Funny, Moving INTO THE WOODS at Ten Thousand Things (Mar 4, 2019)
BWW Review: Funny and Accessible SCAPIN at Ten Thousand Things (Oct 21, 2018)
BWW Review: THUNDER KNOCKING AT THE DOOR at Ten Thousand Things (Mar 9, 2020)
BWW Review: Intimate, Funny, Moving INTO THE WOODS at Ten Thousand Things (Mar 4, 2019)
BWW Review: Funny and Accessible SCAPIN at Ten Thousand Things (Oct 21, 2018)
News
BWW Review: THUNDER KNOCKING AT THE DOOR at Ten Thousand Things
Enjoy a rare thing: A black musical rooted in the blues that conjures up mythic characters and is also, fundamentally, a feel-good family story. THUNDER KNOCKING ON THE DOOR in the hands of the social activist theater company Ten Thousand Things is a celebration of love, music, movement, and the mystical moments that cause us to transform into new, fuller versions of ourselves.
Enjoy a rare thing: A black musical rooted in the blues that conjures up mythic characters and is also, fundamentally, a feel-good family story. THUNDER KNOCKING ON THE DOOR in the hands of the social activist theater company Ten Thousand Things is a celebration of love, music, movement, and the mystical moments that cause us to transform into new, fuller versions of ourselves.
BWW Review: Intimate, Funny, Moving INTO THE WOODS at Ten Thousand Things
INTO THE WOODS is new artistic director Marcela Lorca's debut directorial outing for Ten Thousand Things after the retirement of renowned artist and social change agent Michelle Hensley, the founder of the company. Seeing this Sondheim masterpiece up close and stripped of pretentiousness is a treat.
INTO THE WOODS is new artistic director Marcela Lorca's debut directorial outing for Ten Thousand Things after the retirement of renowned artist and social change agent Michelle Hensley, the founder of the company. Seeing this Sondheim masterpiece up close and stripped of pretentiousness is a treat.
BWW Review: Funny and Accessible SCAPIN at Ten Thousand Things
Ten Thousand Things is a treasure: a company dedicated to bringing live theater to marginalized and underserved audiences for free. Founding Director Michelle Hensley retired in June of 2018. So this production is the first in new Artistic Director Marcela Lorca's inaugural season, and is directed by Randy Reyes, who is Artistic Director of Theater Mu locally. The mission of TTT is clearly in safe hands, especially given the extant structure of the Artist Core, a group of veteran performers who provide guidance and active advice to the organization.
Ten Thousand Things is a treasure: a company dedicated to bringing live theater to marginalized and underserved audiences for free. Founding Director Michelle Hensley retired in June of 2018. So this production is the first in new Artistic Director Marcela Lorca's inaugural season, and is directed by Randy Reyes, who is Artistic Director of Theater Mu locally. The mission of TTT is clearly in safe hands, especially given the extant structure of the Artist Core, a group of veteran performers who provide guidance and active advice to the organization.
BWW Review: Ten Thousand Things' Magical THE GOOD PERSON OF SZECHWAN is a Fitting Swan Song for Artistic Director Michelle Hensley
Michelle Hensley, retiring Artistic Director and Founder of Ten Thousand Things, is a gift. A gift to theater, a gift to Minnesota, a gift to the world. She taught us a new way to do theater, a new way to experience theater, one that considers who the audience can and should be, which is everyone. Read her book ALL THE LIGHTS ON if you want to know more about it, or go see her beautiful swan song THE GOOD PERSON OF SZECHWAN, which is also the first play that TTT ever did nearly 30 years ago when Michelle started it in California. We've been lucky enough to have TTT as a vital part of the #TCTheater community for 25 years, a tradition that will continue after Michelle's retirement under the leadership of new Artistic Director Marcela Lorca. One can only hope that all of the artists and audience members she's worked with and influenced in those years will continue on this tradition of inclusive, accessible, imaginative theater that is unlike anything else.
Michelle Hensley, retiring Artistic Director and Founder of Ten Thousand Things, is a gift. A gift to theater, a gift to Minnesota, a gift to the world. She taught us a new way to do theater, a new way to experience theater, one that considers who the audience can and should be, which is everyone. Read her book ALL THE LIGHTS ON if you want to know more about it, or go see her beautiful swan song THE GOOD PERSON OF SZECHWAN, which is also the first play that TTT ever did nearly 30 years ago when Michelle started it in California. We've been lucky enough to have TTT as a vital part of the #TCTheater community for 25 years, a tradition that will continue after Michelle's retirement under the leadership of new Artistic Director Marcela Lorca. One can only hope that all of the artists and audience members she's worked with and influenced in those years will continue on this tradition of inclusive, accessible, imaginative theater that is unlike anything else.
The Old Globe Announces Cast and Creative of A THOUSAND SPLENDID SUNS
The Old Globe's 2017-2018 Season continues with today's announcement of the complete cast and creative team for the Southern California debut of A Thousand Splendid Suns, Ursula Rani Sarma's sweeping and deeply moving theatrical production based on the best-selling book by Khaled Hosseini (The Kite Runner).
The Old Globe's 2017-2018 Season continues with today's announcement of the complete cast and creative team for the Southern California debut of A Thousand Splendid Suns, Ursula Rani Sarma's sweeping and deeply moving theatrical production based on the best-selling book by Khaled Hosseini (The Kite Runner).
OPERA America Awards $1.4M in Innovation Grants
OPERA America, the national service organization for opera and the nation's leading champion of American opera, is pleased to announce the first-ever recipients of Innovation Grants, generously funded by the Ann and Gordon Getty Foundation.
OPERA America, the national service organization for opera and the nation's leading champion of American opera, is pleased to announce the first-ever recipients of Innovation Grants, generously funded by the Ann and Gordon Getty Foundation.
Tamara Tunie to Host TCG's 2016 Gala; BELLA: AN AMERICAN TALL TALE Will Perform
Theatre Communications Group (TCG) has announced the Master of Ceremonies, entertainment, and Gala Committee Members for their upcoming gala honoring playwright and actress Danai Gurira, producers Stephen C. Byrd and Alia Jones-Harvey, and the Vilcek Foundation and Rick Kinsel.
Theatre Communications Group (TCG) has announced the Master of Ceremonies, entertainment, and Gala Committee Members for their upcoming gala honoring playwright and actress Danai Gurira, producers Stephen C. Byrd and Alia Jones-Harvey, and the Vilcek Foundation and Rick Kinsel.
TCG Welcomes Dallas Theater Center Artistic Director as New Board Chair
Theatre Communications Group (TCG), the national organization for theatre, announces Kevin Moriarty, artistic director of Dallas Theater Center, as its new board chair, taking over the position from Diane Rodriguez, associate artistic director of Center Theatre Group.
Theatre Communications Group (TCG), the national organization for theatre, announces Kevin Moriarty, artistic director of Dallas Theater Center, as its new board chair, taking over the position from Diane Rodriguez, associate artistic director of Center Theatre Group.
ECLIPSED Playwright, Producers to Be Feted at TCG's 2016 Gala
Theatre Communications Group (TCG) has announced that its 2016 gala will honor Tony-nominated and OBIE-winning playwright and acclaimed 'The Walking Dead' actress Danai Gurira.
Theatre Communications Group (TCG) has announced that its 2016 gala will honor Tony-nominated and OBIE-winning playwright and acclaimed 'The Walking Dead' actress Danai Gurira.
'Shakespeare: 1616-2016' Now Underway at Notre Dame
Shakespeare Theatre Association Member Theatre, Shakespeare at Notre Dame is in the midst of hosting two international conferences on campus as part of their "Shakespeare: 1616-2016" celebration. First up is the second iteration of 2013's Shakespeare in Prisons Conference, titled, "Shakespeare in Prisons: In Practice." SIP:IP brings community and prison arts practitioners from around the world to Notre Dame January 25-27 for three days of plenaries, panel discussions, and active workshop training by some of the most noted figures in the field of Shakespeare and social justice (including Curt Tofteland, Shakespeare Behind Bars; Tom Magill, Educational Shakespeare Company; Sabra Williams, The Actors' Gang Prison Project; Michelle Hensley, Ten Thousand Things; Bill Watson and Nancy Smith-Watson, Feast of Crispian; and Meade Palidofsky, Storycatchers Theatre). Participants will be given an opportunity to explore techniques for approaching incarcerated and nontraditional populations.
Shakespeare Theatre Association Member Theatre, Shakespeare at Notre Dame is in the midst of hosting two international conferences on campus as part of their "Shakespeare: 1616-2016" celebration. First up is the second iteration of 2013's Shakespeare in Prisons Conference, titled, "Shakespeare in Prisons: In Practice." SIP:IP brings community and prison arts practitioners from around the world to Notre Dame January 25-27 for three days of plenaries, panel discussions, and active workshop training by some of the most noted figures in the field of Shakespeare and social justice (including Curt Tofteland, Shakespeare Behind Bars; Tom Magill, Educational Shakespeare Company; Sabra Williams, The Actors' Gang Prison Project; Michelle Hensley, Ten Thousand Things; Bill Watson and Nancy Smith-Watson, Feast of Crispian; and Meade Palidofsky, Storycatchers Theatre). Participants will be given an opportunity to explore techniques for approaching incarcerated and nontraditional populations.
Shakespeare at Notre Dame Hosts Two International Conferences
Shakespeare at Notre Dame is in the midst of hosting two international conferences on campus as part of their "Shakespeare: 1616-2016" celebration. First up is the second iteration of 2013's Shakespeare in Prisons Conference, titled, "Shakespeare in Prisons: In Practice."
Shakespeare at Notre Dame is in the midst of hosting two international conferences on campus as part of their "Shakespeare: 1616-2016" celebration. First up is the second iteration of 2013's Shakespeare in Prisons Conference, titled, "Shakespeare in Prisons: In Practice."
Nathan Lane to Read 'Love Letter' to Brian Dennehy at TCG Gala Next Week
Who wouldn't want to see this? BroadwayWorld has learned that Nathan Lane will read a love letter to Brian Dennehy onstage at Threatre Communications Group's gala this coming Monday, November 9, 2015 at The Edison Ballroom.
Who wouldn't want to see this? BroadwayWorld has learned that Nathan Lane will read a love letter to Brian Dennehy onstage at Threatre Communications Group's gala this coming Monday, November 9, 2015 at The Edison Ballroom.
Leaders from Oregon Shakespeare, Roundabout, Woolly Mammoth and More Join TCG's Board of Directors
Theatre Communications Group (TCG), the national organization for theatre, welcomes five new members to its board of directors: Adrian Budhu, managing director, The Theater Offensive, Boston, MA; Christopher Acebo, associate artistic director, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Ashland, OR; Meghan Pressman, managing director, Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company, Washington, DC; Nikkole Salter, actress, playwright, educator, and arts advocate, Bloomfield, NJ; Harold Wolpert, managing director, Roundabout Theatre Company, New York, NY.
Theatre Communications Group (TCG), the national organization for theatre, welcomes five new members to its board of directors: Adrian Budhu, managing director, The Theater Offensive, Boston, MA; Christopher Acebo, associate artistic director, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Ashland, OR; Meghan Pressman, managing director, Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company, Washington, DC; Nikkole Salter, actress, playwright, educator, and arts advocate, Bloomfield, NJ; Harold Wolpert, managing director, Roundabout Theatre Company, New York, NY.
Cal Shakes Opens 41st Season with TWELFTH NIGHT Tonight
California Shakespeare Theater opens its 2015 season with Shakespeare's comic masterpiece, Twelfth Night, directed by Christopher Liam Moore. Twelfth Night plays at the Bruns Amphitheater from tonight, May 27 through June 21.
California Shakespeare Theater opens its 2015 season with Shakespeare's comic masterpiece, Twelfth Night, directed by Christopher Liam Moore. Twelfth Night plays at the Bruns Amphitheater from tonight, May 27 through June 21.
BWW Reviews: Ten Thousand Things Delights with FORGET ME NOT WHEN FAR AWAY, a New Play about Coming Home
?The village of Farmingtown has been devoid of men for so long that when one returns from the far away and long-lasting war, the first woman he meets rushes up to him and inhales him deeply. This hilarious and oddly touching moment at the beginning of Kira Obolensky's new play FORGET ME NOT WHEN FAR AWAY sets the tone for this playful and poignant fairy tale about a soldier returning to a home he once knew. Ten Thousand Things has been on the road with the show for a few weeks, performing at correctional facilities, community centers, and other unlikely venues. As director Michelle Hensley said in her introduction of the show, the fact that this play has resonated with such diverse audiences in different ways is a credit to the skills of the playwright, who has created a world outside of time and space that somehow feels familiar and relatable to everyone. This world is brought to life in the beautifully sparse way that only Ten Thousand Things can do, with a brilliant cast of six performing in a fully lit room in a space so small that they literally trip over the audience. The fanciful story is grounded in truth and made to feel very real by the universality of the story, the charming accessibility of the language, the up-close-and-personal performances by the actors in whom you can feel every nuance of every emotion through a look in the eyes, the twinge of a facial muscle, or a subtle movement of the body. Ten Thousand Things harnesses the magic of theater in its most basic form like no other company can.
?The village of Farmingtown has been devoid of men for so long that when one returns from the far away and long-lasting war, the first woman he meets rushes up to him and inhales him deeply. This hilarious and oddly touching moment at the beginning of Kira Obolensky's new play FORGET ME NOT WHEN FAR AWAY sets the tone for this playful and poignant fairy tale about a soldier returning to a home he once knew. Ten Thousand Things has been on the road with the show for a few weeks, performing at correctional facilities, community centers, and other unlikely venues. As director Michelle Hensley said in her introduction of the show, the fact that this play has resonated with such diverse audiences in different ways is a credit to the skills of the playwright, who has created a world outside of time and space that somehow feels familiar and relatable to everyone. This world is brought to life in the beautifully sparse way that only Ten Thousand Things can do, with a brilliant cast of six performing in a fully lit room in a space so small that they literally trip over the audience. The fanciful story is grounded in truth and made to feel very real by the universality of the story, the charming accessibility of the language, the up-close-and-personal performances by the actors in whom you can feel every nuance of every emotion through a look in the eyes, the twinge of a facial muscle, or a subtle movement of the body. Ten Thousand Things harnesses the magic of theater in its most basic form like no other company can.
Cal Shakes to Open 41st Season with TWELFTH NIGHT, 5/27
California Shakespeare Theater opens its 2015 season with Shakespeare's comic masterpiece, Twelfth Night, directed by Christopher Liam Moore. Twelfth Night plays at the Bruns Amphitheater from May 27 through June 21.
California Shakespeare Theater opens its 2015 season with Shakespeare's comic masterpiece, Twelfth Night, directed by Christopher Liam Moore. Twelfth Night plays at the Bruns Amphitheater from May 27 through June 21.
BWW Reviews: Ten Thousand Things' Sparsely Lovely THE UNSINKABLE MOLLY BROWN Gets Right to the Heart of the Sweet and Inspiring Story
No one does musicals like Ten Thousand Things does musicals. And even though it defies everything we know about musical theater, after seeing a TTT musical I think that maybe that's the way musicals should always be done. The music, like everything else about the show, is stripped down to the very basics, extraneous layers removed to reveal the very heart of the matter. A one-man orchestra provides the minimal accompaniment, and the small cast imperceptibly transitions from speaking to singing, so that you can't even tell where songs end and begin, it's just all one seamless story. And above all else, Artistic Director Michelle Hensley and all of the artists at Ten Thousand Things are storytellers. Whether it's Shakespeare or a classic American musical, they share the story in a pure and unadorned way so that all of their audiences, whether prisoners or seasoned theater-goers, can hear it and see themselves in it. One such masterpiece is their latest musical venture, THE UNSINKABLE MOLLY BROWN, a reprise of their very first musical venture 15 years ago. It's lovely, spirited, sweet, funny, moving, heart-warming, and real.
No one does musicals like Ten Thousand Things does musicals. And even though it defies everything we know about musical theater, after seeing a TTT musical I think that maybe that's the way musicals should always be done. The music, like everything else about the show, is stripped down to the very basics, extraneous layers removed to reveal the very heart of the matter. A one-man orchestra provides the minimal accompaniment, and the small cast imperceptibly transitions from speaking to singing, so that you can't even tell where songs end and begin, it's just all one seamless story. And above all else, Artistic Director Michelle Hensley and all of the artists at Ten Thousand Things are storytellers. Whether it's Shakespeare or a classic American musical, they share the story in a pure and unadorned way so that all of their audiences, whether prisoners or seasoned theater-goers, can hear it and see themselves in it. One such masterpiece is their latest musical venture, THE UNSINKABLE MOLLY BROWN, a reprise of their very first musical venture 15 years ago. It's lovely, spirited, sweet, funny, moving, heart-warming, and real.
Over 30 Additional Artistic Directors Sign Open Letter in Support of Ari Roth
In a continued outpouring of solidarity among a giant consortium of the American theater's artistic directors, more than 30 additional artistic directors have signed the open letter that was issued yesterday in support of Ari Roth, following his recent dismissal from the Jewish Community Center in Washington, D.C., where he has served as Artistic Director of Theater J for the past 18 years.
In a continued outpouring of solidarity among a giant consortium of the American theater's artistic directors, more than 30 additional artistic directors have signed the open letter that was issued yesterday in support of Ari Roth, following his recent dismissal from the Jewish Community Center in Washington, D.C., where he has served as Artistic Director of Theater J for the past 18 years.
Artistic Directors of The American Theater Voice Support for Ari Roth Following Theater J Dismissal
In an unprecedented display of solidarity among a giant consortium of the American theater's artistic directors, an open letter has been issued in support of Ari Roth, following his recent dismissal from the Jewish Community Center in Washington, D.C., where he has served as Artistic Director of Theater J for the past 18 years. The letter, released earlier today represents the views of top theater brass from coast-to-coast, who believe that his dismissal was an act of politically motivated censorship in retaliation for Roth's choice to produce and publicly defend challenging and provocative work.
In an unprecedented display of solidarity among a giant consortium of the American theater's artistic directors, an open letter has been issued in support of Ari Roth, following his recent dismissal from the Jewish Community Center in Washington, D.C., where he has served as Artistic Director of Theater J for the past 18 years. The letter, released earlier today represents the views of top theater brass from coast-to-coast, who believe that his dismissal was an act of politically motivated censorship in retaliation for Roth's choice to produce and publicly defend challenging and provocative work.
Playwrights' Center to Open Ruth Easton New Play Series with FORGET ME NOT WHEN FAR AWAY, 12/8-9
The Playwrights' Center kicks off its 2014-15 Ruth Easton New Play Series in December with Core Writer Kira Obolensky's new play 'Forget Me Not When Far Away.' There will be two readings of the play: Monday, December 8 and Tuesday, December 9 at 7 p.m. at the Playwrights' Center, 2301 E. Franklin Avenue in Minneapolis. The readings are free and open to the public.
The Playwrights' Center kicks off its 2014-15 Ruth Easton New Play Series in December with Core Writer Kira Obolensky's new play 'Forget Me Not When Far Away.' There will be two readings of the play: Monday, December 8 and Tuesday, December 9 at 7 p.m. at the Playwrights' Center, 2301 E. Franklin Avenue in Minneapolis. The readings are free and open to the public.
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