EXCLUSIVE: Comedic multi-hyphenate Julio Torres (A24’s Problemista) has struck a cope with Ars Nova, the Off-Broadway, non-profit theater in NYC, that can see them accomplice to establish, develop, and fee full-length tasks from early-career comedy artists.
The collaboration additional expands Ars Nova’s two-decade dedication to new comedy at a time when help techniques for NYC-based artists have decreased. Under the partnership, Torres and Ars Nova will look to offer comedians with alternatives for improvement and manufacturing exterior of the standard mannequin of sketch exhibits and 10-minute units. They’ll provide funding up entrance to create model new, uniquely theatrical exhibits, whereas offering mentorship and improvement assets to the artists concerned, the primary set for a fee being Ars Nova Vision Residency Alum River L. Ramirez. Others will likely be introduced at a later date.
To have fun the alliance, Torres will return to the Ars Nova stage on October 26 to host Showgasm. — the theater’s variety-show-meets-party that serves up comedy, burlesque, and extra. In addition to the newly commissioned Ramirez, Showgasm. will characteristic performances by Spike Einbinder, Macy Rodman, and Max Wittert, amongst others. Tickets are Name Your Price beginning at $5 with each greenback going on to the artists concerned.
“This is such a dream—I get to guide Ars Nova into commissioning shows from my brilliant friends, starting with the unique and powerful River L. Ramirez, who has been an inspiration of mine since I met them years ago doing open mics,” mentioned Torres in an announcement to Deadline. “Many years ago, John Early introduced me to Ars Nova where I had my first solo show. I’m proud that now I get to put the spotlight on others and give them the resources they need to translate their talent and experience into formal commissions by a welcoming theater.”
Added Founding Artistic Director Jason Eagan, “Julio is a singular talent whose groundbreaking work in comedy and television continues to redefine our culture. We’re ecstatic to have him actively in our community again and inspired by his desire to help the next wave of comedy talent break barriers, by getting their work made and seen. Placing this partnership alongside our ongoing comedy residency program CAMP, led by Matt Gehring and Mahayla Laurence, further cements Ars Nova’s commitment to its comedy, music, theater, and everything-in-between, mission.”
A Brooklyn-based comic, author, filmmaker and actor, Torres is greatest recognized for his Emmy-nominated and WGA-winning writing on Saturday Night Live, the Peabody and GLAAD Award-winning HBO collection Los Espookys, which he co-created with Fred Armisen and Ana Fabrega, and his forthcoming directorial debut Problemista, a comedy he wrote and stars in alongside Tilda Swinton, which premiered at SXSW and can premiere theatrically in 2024, having been one of many many titles pushed out of 2023 amidst the strikes from the WGA and SAG-AFTRA. A24 and Emma Stone’s Fruit Tree Films are the producers.
First acting on the Ars Nova stage in 2014, Torres has additionally been seen on exhibits like High Maintenance, Search Party and Shrill, the Ed Helms-Patti Harrison indie Together Together, and on assorted late-night exhibits, the place he’s carried out stand-up. His subsequent TV collection, Fantasmas, will premniere on HBO subsequent 12 months.
A NYC-based experimental efficiency artist, comic, musician, storyteller and author, Ramirez seems in Torres’ Problemista and Los Espookys and beforehand wrote, produced and directed the comedy particular program Pervert Everything for Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim. They educate efficiency and public talking at The Brick Aux in BK, carry out experimental comedy at Littlefield in BK, and have been commissioned for authentic musical and dance-based performances by Baryshnikov Arts Center, Gibney, Ars Nova Vision Residency program, and Moma PS1. Named certainly one of Comedy Central’s Up Next Comedians for 2018, Ramirez has moreover written for High Maintenance and The National Lampoon Radio Hour.
Artist incubator Ars Nova operates below the management of Eagan, Producing Executive Director Renee Blinkwolt, and Managing Director Casey York. Honored with an Obie Award and a Special Citation from the New York Drama Critics’ Circle for sustained high quality and dedication to the event and manufacturing of recent work, the theater relies in NYC’s Hell’s Kitchen.
Notable previous productions embody Heather Christian’s three-time Lortel Award-winner Oratorio for Living Things, directed by Lee Sunday Evans; Lortel Award-winner, Rags Parkland Sings the Songs of the Future, created by Andrew R. Butler and directed by Jordan Fein; The Lucky Ones, created by The Bengsons and Sarah Gancher, and directed by Anne Kauffman; Lortel winner KPOP, created by Jason Kim, Max Vernon, Helen Park, and Woodshed Collective, and directed by Teddy Bergman; Jennifer Kidwell and Scott R. Sheppard’s Obie Award-winner Underground Railroad Game, directed by Taibi Magar; Bess Wohl’s Small Mouth Sounds, directed by Rachel Chavkin; Dave Malloy’s Tony Award-winning Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812, directed by Rachel Chavkin; the world premiere of the 2009 season’s most-produced play increase by Peter Sinn Nachtrieb, directed by Alex Timbers; the present that put Bridget Everett on the map, At Least It’s Pink by Everett, Michael Patrick King, and Kenny Mellman, which had King serving as director; and Lin-Manuel Miranda and Thomas Kail’s first New York manufacturing, Freestyle Love Supreme by Anthony Veneziale and Miranda, and directed by Kail.
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