Experience NoHo Arts Festival Preview: Free Theater Galore!

If you’re a fan of local theater, or new to the NoHo Arts scene, this weekend’s will offer a chance to get free samples of the theater being produced in our city. In addition to music, dance, art and food, 15 North Hollywood theater are offering free productions between 12:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday.

Some theaters are putting on a complete performance of their current stage production. Some theaters are offering classes. There are improv comedy shows, highlights from dramatic productions and several family friendly events for kids. The complete schedule and theater listings are available at Experience NoHo. Here is a preview of what to expect this weekend.

Children’s Shows

Performances for kids include Total Improv Kids! doing their improv comedy at 1 p.m. at the , the magic show The Wizard of NoHo at 2 p.m. at Actors Forum Theater, and the ’s resident young improv troupes Giggle Gaggle (12:30 and 2 p.m.) and (improv class at 4 p.m and show at 5 p.m.) The free Giggle Gaggle/Detention Span shows run about 45 minutes, only 15 less than standard hour-long performance.

“[Audiences] will get to be entertained and involved with the show as much as they like,” said Janiece Minnick, founder and director of Joy Theater, who produces both Giggle Gaggle and Detention Span. “The adjustment is allowing our houses, which are crazily full during festival time, to watch the show and parents taking a back seat or even waiting in the lobby, then racing to the back to pick up their kid and moving in the new cast. It's very fun, organized chaos, just adding to the comedy.”

Current Productions

If even NoHo’s reasonable ticket prices are too much for you in these tough economic times, this is your chance to catch a complete production for free. 

At 3 p.m., you can see That’s Amore at the

“It's original, it's musical, it's personal and heartfelt, it's intelligent, it's funny,” said Kevin Bailey, owner and producing director of the NoHo Arts Center. “Gilmore [Rizzo] and the Gumbahs who back him up are sensational talents. What's more perfect for the festival than that?”

Musical fans will also be able to preview a selection of songs from three different musicals.  At 2 p.m. at the The Secret Rose offers selections from an upcoming holiday show, Bob Cratchit and Mr. Tightwad. At 5 p.m., songs from will be presented. 

There will also be Noel Coward songs from The Antaeus Company’s at 5 p.m. at the

Antaeus uses two casts for each play, so if you come see this one at the festival, you can still see an entirely different production at another performance.

“The cast will be primarily the ‘Stubbs Special’ cast, who are performing that evening,” said Kathleen Eads, Managing Director of The Antaeus Company. “However, given actor conflicts, it might not be entirely Stubbs. I think people will be excited enough to come and see the play for sure, and once they see one cast, it is almost always the case now that people return to see the other. This play could not be done really anywhere else. With a cast of 23 it would be financially impossible for most theatre's to consider. Also, given the classical training of our membership, they have the skill set to do it well, and with the great guidance of Casey Stangl as the Director, it is a beautiful rare gem. Not to mention the play itself is so timely in regards to our current affairs, and questions of, 'What is patriotism?’”

Classes/Workshops

Some of the educational events at Expereince NoHo include The Kristofer McNeely’s Acting Studio at 3 p.m. at , Young Actor’s Studio’s Method Acting & Comedy Improv Class at 2:30 at , and Fran Montano’s class at the at 2 p.m. Perhaps you’ll want to sign up for the three month course after this session!

“The Studio is dedicated to training and preparing actors for professional work in the film and television industry,” reads Montano’s brochure. “Our actors work!  Learn the craft from the basics. Unleash your creative side, get in touch with your artistic expression. For beginning actors and those interested in exploring the process, emotional exercises, preparation techniques, and beginning character development. Get a strong foundation to the craft. Discover the artist within!”

Improv Comedy

Have some laughs on Saturday with Avery Schrieber Theater’s improv groups The Schtickheads at 3 p.m. and the all-female at 5 p.m. (See above for info on the children’s improv Total Improv Kids!) has hourly comedy at 1, 2, 3 and 4 p.m.

That still leaves you time to head over to at 5 p.m. for the improv show Occupy NoHo performed by the improv group Monkey Butler. Don’t worry, it’s not a political show.

“No, Occupy NoHo is not the theme or style of our improv show,” said Gabe Trevino, artistic director  for Monkey Butler. “We just using it as a current reference. Monkey Butler has been around for four years and has special weekly improv workshop the performers so we are constantly working on our craft. So you can say we've been preparing for this show for the last four years. We are treating this show with the same level of importance any of the shows we produce ourselves.”

Selections

Some NoHo theaters are offering a veritable highlight reel of what their stage offers year-round. The Group Rep at is performing songs and one-acts at 2 p.m., calling it Put On Your Shorts. Perhaps you’ll sign up for a season pass after seeing what they have to offer.

“Our program of shorts include a three character one-act play, a reading from a solo show in development and seven ‘story songs’ from Broadway Shows: Gypsy, Mame, The Music Man and Woman of the Year,” said Richard Alan Woody, Group Rep board president.

Stay at with The Road Theater all day and you’ll see the cooking show Smorgasbord at 12:30 (with samples for the audience!), excerpts from Smoke and Mirrors at 2 p.m., an Intentional Cold Reading Workshop by Loren E. Chadima at 4 p.m., closing with a 30-minute selection from the show Playing Doctor at 5 p.m. The last show will also include food.

“I will be providing my audience with a sample of one of the recipes discussed in my show (which is probably a secret cookie recipe - OH BOY!),” said Lauren Clark, star of Playing Doctor. “In January, to complete my Solo Master Class, I will give a one-night performance of Playing Doctor in it's entirety. In the spring, I will be work shopping Playing Doctor in it's entirety along with two other solo shows at the Lankershim Arts Center on the off-nights to the Road Theatre's main stage performance.”