Contact: Kirk Markley, Managing Director
kirk.markley@catastrophictheatre.com
713.522.2723, ext. 3
For immediate release:
The Catastrophic Theatre receives recognition from the American Theatre Wing
Catastrophic wins prized National Theatre Company Grant honor from Founder of the Tony Awards
September 9, 2013 – Houston, Texas –The Catastrophic Theatre is pleased to announce that the American Theatre Wing, best known as the creator of the Antoinette Perry “Tony” Awards, is awarding the Company with one of the 2013 National Theatre Company grants.
Created by American Theatre Wing to recognize and support the most promising emerging theatre companies from around the country, the National Theatre Company grant honors 10 theaters annually. Companies chosen to receive the $10,000 grant have articulated a distinctive mission, cultivated an audience, and nurtured a community of artists in ways that strengthen and demonstrate the quality, diversity, and dynamism of American theatre.
“The recognition from the American Theatre Wing is a tremendous honor,” said Catastrophic artistic director Jason Nodler. “We are proud of the attention our work has brought to Houston and its contribution to Houston’s growing reputation as a major arts and culture destination.”
More information about the National Theatre Company grants can be found at http://americantheatrewing.org/grants/.
More information about The Catastrophic Theatre is available at http://catastrophictheatre.com.
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About The Catastrophic Theatre:
The Catastrophic Theatre imagines, commissions, develops, and produces new work, with a pronounced emphasis on emotional experience, that encourages diverse interpretations and personal associations, through a focus on mystery, poetry and a considered preference for questions rather than answers. We challenge audiences and artists to rethink questions of form, style, and the value of art in our lives; examine the human experience in all its wild, myriad glories; and promote Houston’s profile as a cultural arts destination.
About the American Theatre Wing:
Best known for creating The Antoinette Perry "Tony" Awards®, the American Theatre Wing's reach extends beyond Broadway and beyond New York, with educational and media work that offers the best in theatre to people around the world. Dedicated to celebrating excellence and supporting education in the theatre, ATW has been an integral and influential part of the theatrical community for nearly 100 years. For more information about all of the American Theatre Wing programs, go to americantheatrewing.org. ATW can be followed on Facebook.com/TheAmericanTheatreWing and Twitter.com/TheWing and additional, unique video can be found at YouTube.com/AmericanTheatreWing.
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The Catastrophic Theatre is proud of the role it plays in the national and local theatre communities.
National Awards
In addition to The American Theatre Wing National Theatre Company Grant, Catastrophic has been awarded two commissioning grants from The MAP Fund, the national leader in funding new work for the stage. The first was for Bluefinger, an original rock opera created by artistic director Jason Nodler in cooperation with Frank Black, which premiered in 2010. The second was for Mickle Maher’s The Pine, premiering later this month. Nodler also recently received an unsolicited and unrestricted individual artist grant from national funder Creative Capital and was a 2009 NEA/MacDowell Colony fellow.
National Media
Catastrophic’s work has been featured in various national and international media outlets as well. Bluefinger was the subject of hundreds of stories worldwide, including a feature article in the academic trade publication Theatre Journal, written by Dr. Rob Shimko of The University of Houston’s School of Theatre and Dance. In American Theatre’s season preview issues three past Catastrophic productions were selected by national theatre leaders as being among those they most anticipated over the following year. And Catastrophic was among six companies featured in an American Theatre cover story about the top American companies exploring new and innovative relationships between theatre and music.
National and International Audiences
Catastrophic has also been successful in attracting audiences from beyond Houston to experience its work. Bluefinger in particular drew patrons from across the United States, The Netherlands, Australia, and England that traveled to Houston explicitly to see the play. But audiences from Austin to the Midwest to New York make regular trips to experience the company’s offerings.
National and Local Advisory Board
The company’s advisory board boasts various notable artists from beyond Houston including recording artists Frank Black and Daniel Johnston; Obie award-winning playwright Lisa D’Amour; Pulitzer Prize in Literature finalist Susan Choi; New York Times national correspondent Shaila Dewan; Chicago playwright Mickle Maher; and television, film, and Broadway star Jim Parsons. They are joined by local luminaries of arts and industry, such as Bill Arning (director, Contemporary Arts Museum); Gregory Boyd (artistic director, Alley Theatre); Kenn McLaughlin (artistic director, Stages Repertory Theatre); Rebecca Udden (artistic director, Main Street Theater); Emily Todd (president, MATCH); Richard Levy (director, InPrint); Dominic Walsh (artistic director, Dominic Walsh Dance Company); Dan Dubrowski (founding partner, Lionstone Group); Michael Zilkha (co-owner, Zilkha Biomass Energy); and Daryl Morey (general manager, Houston Rockets).