As Berkeley Repertory Theatre's new season takes off with the world premiere of Yellowjackets, a swarm of free events has theatre-lovers buzzing. Throughout the year, enthusiastic audiences can make connections and engage with the art at pre-show talks, post-show discussions, gourmet tastings, and popular parties like 30 Below, night/OUT, and Target ® Teen Night.
"Theatres have always offered more than just entertainment," says Susie Medak, Berkeley Rep's managing director. "They serve as community centers, meeting places, and social laboratories - and, at Berkeley Rep, our audience expects us to continue this tradition. So this season there's something going on nearly every night in addition to the show. You can still just watch the play - and there are plenty of opportunities to stay if you want to linger in our café, chat with our artists, or party with your friends."
Here are a few of the events that make Berkeley Rep a veritable hive of activity:
* 30 Below, the coolest night of theatre for people in their twenties, returns for its sophomore year. After a successful debut last season, this event co-hosted by the San Francisco Bay Guardian kicks into high gear. Take in a pre-show happy hour at 7 PM, a provocative play at 8 PM, and a post-show party featuring fantastic music. Down free drinks from Raymond Vineyard and Triple Rock Brewery and delicious delicacies from top local restaurants. Tickets to 30 Below start at just $13.50 for anyone under 30 years of age - a better deal than popcorn and a movie!
* This year night/OUT, a series of wild parties for the LGBT community, expands to include five spectacular shows. See a fabulous play and then stay for the late-night festivities. Gay.com calls night/OUT "a disco party, complete with glitter ball, live DJ, cocktails, and dessert. Cast members hang out with fans, sign autographs, and talk about their plays." Sponsored by Energy 92.7, night/OUT serves up fine food and beverages from Raymond Vineyard, Triple Rock Brewery, and some of Berkeley Rep's favorite restaurants: Bistro Liaison, Maritime East, and Tomatina.
* Target ® Teen Night invites youth to experience adventurous plays with their peers, seven times each year. The party starts at 6:30 PM on a Friday night with a friendly dinner provided by Bowzer's Pizza at the Berkeley Rep School of Theatre. Then the group enjoys a behind-the-scenes chat with a member of the artistic team before going next door to watch the show together. Tickets for this event are only $8 for members of Berkeley Rep's Teen Council and $12 for all other teens!
Berkeley Rep's new series of tastings makes gourmet delights available to theatre-lovers on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings throughout the year - one hour prior to most of those performances. Local culinary artisans come to the Theatre to discuss their craft - and to offer free samples of premium champagne, gelato, spirits, sushi, tea, wine, and more! Consider it an amuse bouche for an evening of exquisite theatre. A complete list of dates for this year's tastings - nearly 100 in all - can be found at berkeleyrep.org.
In addition to these social opportunities, Berkeley Rep also stays true to its roots with several Free Speech programs, which include the following regular events:
* Free pre-show talks led by trained docents take place before evening performances every Tuesday and Thursday. These 30-minute talks, which begin at 7 PM, provide insight into the script, the artists, and the cultural and historical milieu of the show. There's plenty of time for questions during these informative presentations.
* And, at post-show discussions, audience members can chat directly with the artists. Moderated by a member of Berkeley Rep's staff, these conversations take place in the Theatre after select Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday night shows and last approximately 30 minutes.
Subscribe now for the 2008/09 Season, which brings brilliant artists back to Berkeley Rep's stage and provides proof of the Theatre's commitment to commission 50 new plays by 2013. The season kicks off when Artistic Director Tony Taccone directs the world premiere of Yellowjackets, an incisive new play penned by Berkeley native
Itamar Moses. The next five shows present a parade of our audience's favorite artists:
Delroy Lindo stages
August Wilson's masterpiece Joe Turner's Come and Gone;
Mary Zimmerman presents an alluring adaptation of The Arabian Nights; Associate Artistic Director Les Waters reunites with
Sarah Ruhl for the world premiere of The Vibrator Play; former Artistic Director Sharon Ott returns to direct Fyodor Dostoevsky's Crime and Punishment; and Waters tackles
Martin McDonagh again with The Lieutenant of Inishmore. The season concludes with a second show from Ott: the world premiere of You, Nero by Amy Freed. This year of fearless theatre is supported by BART and Wells Fargo, the official sponsors of Berkeley Rep's 41st season. The beautiful bouquets that adorn events at Berkeley Rep are all generously donated by Darling Flowers.
For more information please visit www.berkleyrep.org
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