ART Presents A COMMUNITY THEATRE CHRISTMAS Premiere at NCDA, Now thru 12/8

The National Conservatory of Dramatic Arts, the only accredited acting studio in the Greater Washington Area, announced today that its Actors Repertory Theatre (ART) company would present 9 performances of "A Community Theatre Christmas," a brand new comedy commissioned from local playwright Mario Baldessari. The play received a staged reading earlier this summer at the 2012 Kennedy Center Page To Stage Festival.

Randy Baker directs the play, which follows the comedic goings-on that unfold when a small-town theater's annual production of "A Christmas Carol" is threatened by the ghost of a vengeful audience member. The ghost may be the least of the theater's problems, however. Throw in a delightfully zany director, a dangerously distracted stage manager and a fetish-filled paranormal investigator, and you've got the recipe for a comedic holiday disaster. Will this show be the one that closes the theater down for good?

Show times for "A Community Theatre Christmas" are at 8 pm tonight, November 30, December 1, 5, 6, 7 and 8 at 8:00 PM and December 1, 2, and 8 at 3:00 PM. The show is appropriate for ages 16 and up. Admission is free, seating is limited, reservations are strongly recommended. To reserve seats, call 202.333.2202 or email ConservatoryofDramaticArts@gmail.com.

ART is a theater company comprising advanced students in the Conservatory's intensive actor-training program. The 2012 ART company features Zach Brewster-Geisz, Josh Katz, Julie Nakamoto, Jose Pineda, Taylor Ann Robinson, Steven Soto, Cristen Stephansky and Damia Torhagen. Every year, NCDA commissions a new play specifically for ART that provides students with experience in developing and performing in new works.

Baldessari is a local playwright, actor and acting instructor. Randy Baker is the co-artistic director of Rorschach Theatre. The Conservatory is Washington's only accredited, professional, actor-training studio, since 1975. For more information, go to www.theconservatory.org. 

The National Conservatory of Dramatic Arts, located in the basement of the Georgetown Lutheran Church building at Wisconsin Avenue and Volta Place NW. Theater entrance is in the back of the building. Follow the signs and sidewalk leading to the back entrance from Volta Place.

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