Starving Artists Series Now Running at Wantagh's Cultural Arts Playhouse

Stage veterans Edward Cress and Jason Forella are in the midst of their latest venture in the theater, launching the Starving Artists Series at Wantagh's Cultural Arts Playhouse (CAP) earlier this month. Currently working with local teen artists, the pair hopes their experience and expertise can influence up and coming actors.

Cress, a Farmingdale resident, gave Patch a deeper look in a recent interview.

What exactly is the Starving Artists Series?

The Starving Artists Series is a program dedicated to showcasing new, untested, unseen work by local artists. We feel it is incredibly important for all artists to have a platform to share their work with family, friends and maybe even an adoring public. The Starving Artist Series are mini-seasons of new work by new talent.

How did this series come to fruition?

Jason and I have been looking for a project to do together for years. I recently returned to Long Island after moving to Brooklyn for a brief time. As they say, everything in life is timing. Jason began forming the idea as I was moving back to the island. He knew that I had several unproduced plays that I was looking to put up, and luckily enough, he had an available space and we both had nothing but time on our hands. We created the aeries and the program together and the both of us are currently wearing multiple hats as directors, actors, writers and
producers.

What are your and Jason's background in theater?

I have been pursuing theatre since my high school years as an actor and a playwright. I then studied multiple aspects of drama at SUNY Purchase where I got a bachelors degree in Drama Studies and got the chance to hone my skills as a writer, director and actor. Jason Forella is a Long Island theater veteran and has been performing, directing and teaching with various theaters like CAP, Plaza, Bayway, Creative Ministries and Airport Plaza since the early 2000's.

What are your hopes for the program as it grows in Wantagh?

The Starving Artists want nothing more than to help support Long Island's artistic community. Our long term goal is to have a not-for-profit organization that runs classes, productions and live events year long.

What do you think it will offer local students?

Jason and I are currently running classes for grades 7-10 and developing new ideas for classes everyday. We intend to run an advanced class as well as another beginners class in August. Our sessions focus on acting skills, improvisation and stage movement.

Where many theatre classes have more than 20 students, we aim to keep our classes at a maximum of ten so we can focus on helping young actors shed bad habits and learn skills that are fundamental to being successful. In addition to our classes, we feel that our seasonal series will help give young artists a platform to have their work tested and perfected in front of an audience.

The Wantagh CAP is located at 3477 Merrick Rd. in Wantagh. For a full schedule of performances, see .