Theresa Masters

That Uppity Theatre Company and the Vital Voice are both known as advocates for inclusion and for using their organizations as platforms to promote diversity. This year, the Briefs team is focusing on The Islamic Foundation of Greater St. Louis and The International Institute of St. Louis.

With funding for the arts under attack and more anti-LGBTQ legislation in the wings under the new administration, the sixth annual Briefs: A Festival of Short LGBTQ Plays is needed now more than ever. Pearl Vodka in conjunction with That Uppity Theatre Company and Vital VOICE Magazine will present the sixth annual Briefs: A Festival of Short LGBTQ Plays. Briefs is a unique venture in St. Louis that brings together numerous directors and theatrical artists to showcase the work of eight different playwrights all under one roof. Briefs presents theatrical work that address the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer or questioning people. The festival is targeted to a diverse and mature audience that appreciates good theatre in unique settings.

That Uppity Theatre Company and the Vital Voice are both known as advocates for inclusion and for using their organizations as platforms to promote diversity. This year, the Briefs team is focusing on The Islamic Foundation of Greater St. Louis and The International Institute of St. Louis.

With funding for the arts under attack and more anti-LGBTQ legislation in the wings under the new administration, the sixth annual Briefs: A Festival of Short LGBTQ Plays is needed now more than ever. Pearl Vodka in conjunction with That Uppity Theatre Company and Vital VOICE Magazine will present the sixth annual Briefs: A Festival of Short LGBTQ Plays. Briefs is a unique venture in St. Louis that brings together numerous directors and theatrical artists to showcase the work of eight different playwrights all under one roof. Briefs presents theatrical work that address the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer or questioning people. The festival is targeted to a diverse and mature audience that appreciates good theatre in unique settings.

That Uppity Theatre Company will be hosting this year's event, National Coming Out Day, at the Missouri History Museum (5700 Lindell Blvd. St. Louis, MO. 63112). The event will feature a myriad of local organization booths where attendees can get information about resources on their growing community. We will also offer a production of playback theatre around the theme of LGBTQIA, Allied Lives, and Coming Out Stories.

That Uppity Theatre Company will be hosting this year's event, National Coming Out Day, at the Missouri History Museum (5700 Lindell Blvd. St. Louis, MO. 63112). The event will feature a myriad of local organization booths where attendees can get information about resources on their growing community. We will also offer a production of playback theatre around the theme of LGBTQIA, Allied Lives, and Coming Out Stories.

Theatre companies are always on the lookout for performance space. There are just not enough venues to house all the groups that have sprung up in the last few years. Even veteran companies have to sometimes choose unusual settings for their productions. Such is the case with BRIEFS, A FESTIVAL OF SHORT LESBIAN AND GAY PLAYS, which was performed at La Perla (February 24-26, 2012), which has probably seen more wedding receptions and private parties than play festivals over the years. However, the issue of space proved to be a non-factor, as a simple stage and just enough chairs allowed the festival to flourish, regularly selling out for every performance. I found it to be an enjoyable and entertaining excursion, myself, and was grateful for the opportunity to see an evening of short plays that centered around the subject of homosexuality, but brought to light different aspects than we're used to seeing.

The second level of our Improv Trick's new Stand-Up class starts tonight. Stand-Up 2 helps students who have already taken the Stand-Up I class be better prepared for performance at open mic nights, comedy showcases, and corporate opportunities. The class includes ongoing evaluation of written material, how to structure a showcase set in order to get work, and emphasis on honing your set both in material and presentation.

This week, The Improv Trick kicks off the fall season with a new slate of classes in St. Louis!

Learn 'The Trick' to Improv in one compressed, workshop-style class! This intensive version of our acclaimed Intro-to-Improv class teaches you the basics you need to start performing improv, all in a supportive and comfortable environment. Newcomers who have never been on stage before find the work easier than they thought, and advanced performers find The Improv Trick's approach fresh and inspirational. Tricksters with Lifetime Status can take this class for free, and get in on one of the most interesting Improv Trick experiences they've ever had.

Learn 'The Trick' to Improv in one compressed, workshop-style class! This intensive version of our acclaimed Intro-to-Improv class teaches you the basics you need to start performing improv, all in a supportive and comfortable environment. Newcomers who have never been on stage before find the work easier than they thought, and advanced performers find The Improv Trick's approach fresh and inspirational. Tricksters with Lifetime Status can take this class for free, and get in on one of the most interesting Improv Trick experiences they've ever had.

The NonProphet Theater Company presents the final show of their 2010 season RECKLESS by Craig Lucas opening Friday, December 3, 8pm at the Regional Arts Commission, 6128 Delmar Blvd., St. Louis, Missouri 63112. The show will run until Sunday, December 12 with performances Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm and Sundays at 5pm. Tickets are $15 for general audiences and $12 for students (must provide a valid ID) and seniors (Ages 55+).

There are a number of unique holiday-themed shows currently playing in local theatres, and the NonProphet Theater Company has joined in the yuletide fray with their current production of RECKLESS. Playwright Craig Lucas has crafted a strangely affecting little tale that takes any number of twists and turns as it lurches forward through time, playfully confounding expectations along its path toward a surprisingly satisfying conclusion.

The NonProphet Theater Company presents the final show of their 2010 season RECKLESS by Craig Lucas opening Friday, December 3, 8pm at the Regional Arts Commission, 6128 Delmar Blvd., St. Louis, Missouri 63112. The show will run until Sunday, December 12 with performances Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm and Sundays at 5pm. Tickets are $15 for general audiences and $12 for students (must provide a valid ID) and seniors (Ages 55+).

The NonProphet Theater Company presents the final show of their 2010 season RECKLESS by Craig Lucas opening Friday, December 3, 8pm at the Regional Arts Commission, 6128 Delmar Blvd., St. Louis, Missouri 63112. The show will run until Sunday, December 12 with performances Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm and Sundays at 5pm. Tickets are $15 for general audiences and $12 for students (must provide a valid ID) and seniors (Ages 55+).

The St. Louis Actors' Studio and That Uppity Theatre Company have combined their efforts to close their season with the premiere of Joan Lipkin's (with collaborator JT Ricroft) original play, THE STATE OF MARRIAGE. The title does double duty here, allowing for commentary on the current state of nuptial bliss (or lack, thereof) in our country, while also referencing the fact that there are relatively few states that are currently allowing same sex marriages to be performed. The show is structured like a surreal wedding reception, with the audience invited to join in the festivities, including the distribution of cake to attendees. But there are also serious messages about tolerance and acceptance that are being conveyed here, making this an intriguing project.

St. Louis Actors' Studio concludes its third season with the world premiere of the performance piece THE STATE OF MARRIAGE. Conceived by Joan Lipkin, this original work is co-produced by That Uppity Theatre Company and St. Louis Actors' Studio in their first collaboration. The piece explores the changing face of marriage and considers the institution's complicated emotional, religious, and social dimensions and history.

St. Louis Actors' Studio concludes its third season with the world premiere of the performance piece THE STATE OF MARRIAGE. Conceived by Joan Lipkin, this original work is co-produced by That Uppity Theatre Company and St. Louis Actors' Studio in their first collaboration. The piece explores the changing face of marriage and considers the institution's complicated emotional, religious, and social dimensions and history.