Feature: NEW THEATRE OPENING at Denizen Theatre New York

Sarasota's Urbanite Theatre has a little sister about to be born in New York, and her name is Denizen! The Urbanite is known for producing unconventional, outside the box, compelling work, bringing to life the undiscovered artistry of burgeoning playwrights and emerging talents of various artistic mediums. Surely we can expect nothing less from Denizen.

The new Denizen Theatre is a non-profit, arts organization that will produce professional live theater at Water Street Market in New Paltz, New York. Harry Lipstein, developer, designer, and owner of Water Street Market and founder of Urbanite Theatre in Sarasota, Fl., alongside professional theatre artists Brittany Proia and Ben Williamson, are bringing their experience and passion for actor-driven, intimate, live theatre to the Hudson Valley as the founding artistic team.

The Village of New Paltz, NY was chosen because it is recognized as a vibrant artistic hub with a considerable student population located just 90 minutes from the Broadway theatre community.

Lipstein will serve as Producing Artistic Director with Brittany Proia and Ben Williamson as Co- Artistic Directors of the new DENIZEN Theatre. Lipstein is a graduate of Syracuse University and is a trained architect. In theatre, he has been involved as an actor, director, and producer in New York City and Florida.

Brittany Proia, FSU/Asolo Conservatory graduate is a theatre-maker and songwriter originally from Olney, MD. She has produced new, cutting-edge theatre and has performed regionally and in New York City as a singer- songwriter, actress, and cabaret artist.

Ben Williamson, FSU/Asolo Conservatory graduate was recently seen in Capital Repertory's production of Sex with Strangers. As a theatre artist, originally from Binghamton, NY, Ben has worked regionally and in New York City as an actor, director, teacher, writer, and producer of new contemporary theatre.

Under present construction, Denizen is poised to be a flexible 50 - 70 seat theater, allowing the audience to experience intimate, story-telling in a transformative space with a season of plays that focuses on new works, emerging playwrights, and powerful themes. Ticket prices will be $20 for general admission and $5 student tickets for every show upholding their belief in affordable, accessible theatre as one of the most important aspects for nurturing the next generation of theatergoers.

As Water Street Market celebrates it's 20th anniversary, the new professional black box theatre will be the final installment of this celebrated local gathering place that has focused on fostering a sense of belonging and community.

Denizen Theatre says they welcome volunteers and supporters to reach out for more information on how to get involved. The theatre is looking forward to providing an outlet for SUNY New Paltz students to obtainn professional experience in their own backyard. They feel their year-round programing will provide opportunities to local and regional artists from the Hudson Valley to New York City. Programming will start as soon as construction has been finalized which may be as early as late Fall 2018.

Their mission statement sums it up nicely. Denizon Theatre will explore what it means to be human in all it's duality and complexity, producing new works that provoke, challenge, and inspire often ignored conversations.

For more information on Sarasota's Urbanite Theatre visit www.urbanitetheatre.com.

For more information on New York's Denizen Theatre visit www.denizentheatre.com .

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