ECO VILLAGE POST-SHOW SUSTAINABILITY TALKBACK
Phoebe Nir
A Post-Show Sustainability Talkback by Cecil Scheib, NYU Chief Sustainability Officer and Dr. Michael McDonald, Leading Expert on building Climate-Resilient Infrastructure The World Premiere of Eco Village by Phoebe Nir Monday, February 4, 2019 after the 7pm show at The Theatre at St. Clement's
The World Premiere of the new off-Broadway play Eco Village by Phoebe Nir, will include a Post-Show Sustainability Talkback by Cecil Sheib, NYU Chief Sustainability Officer and founder of The Dancing Rabbit Ecovillage in Missouri, and Michael McDonald, Leading Expert on building Climate-Resilient Infrastructure, following the 7pm performance of Eco Village on Monday, February 4, 2019.
Eco Village is currently running at The Theatre at St. Clement's, 423 W. 46th Street, New York, NY 10036 until February 16, 2019. Performances: Monday and Wednesday at 7pm; Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 8pm; and Saturday and Sunday at 3pm. Tickets are $35-69 and can be purchased at ecovillagetheplay.com.
Dr. Michael McDonald is involved in the development of the Kalinago Institute on Global Resilience and Regeneration. The Kalinago people were the dominant society of the Caribbean Sea, which was named after them. The Kalinago, as advanced practitioners of indigenous permanent agriculture and fisher people, are a resurgent, low carbon, sustainable society of 3,300 living communally in the coastal rainforests of Waitukubuli (Dominica). Ninety-five percent of the houses in the Kalinago Territory were destroyed during Hurricane Maria in 2017. They have been living without grid electricity for over a year. Unlike other parts of the Caribbean (e.g. Puerto Rico and other parts of Dominica), no Kalinago died during the hurricane. They had food security from ground provisions (root vegetables), which they have grown in a similar way for thousands of years, even though there wasn't a leaf left on the entire island after Hurrican Maria. The Kalinago are now in a recovery process and may be one of the most climate-resilient societies in the world despite being in the hurricane belt.
As chief sustainability officer at the largest private university in the United States, Cecil Scheib led NYU's successful effort to reduce carbon emissions 30% over five years. Cecil formerly served as Chief Program Officer at Urban Green Council and was the Managing Director of the NYC Building Resiliency Task Force. As founder and current board member of Dancing Rabbit Ecovillage, he helps demonstrate that a lifestyle that slashes ecological footprints by 90% can be happy, healthy, and fun. He holds a BS in Civil Engineering from Stanford University and is a licensed professional engineer in the state of New York.
Loosely based on the experiences of playwright Phoebe Nir at the Bread and Puppet Theater, Eco Village explores the complexities of community and the boundaries of human behavior. When temporarily homeless Robin hitchhikes her way to an eco-village seen online, all she wants is a warm meal, a place to sleep, and some new friends. Instead, she finds a parallel universe, where survival skills and New Age optimism are blended together. When Robin falls for Jake, a brilliant but tormented handyman, their connection sets off a series of events that reveal the limits of human connection and the costs of utopia.
The cast includes Lily Davis (Wicked, Frozen at St. Luke's), Michael Oloyede(SCRAPS, Inanimate at The Flea Theater), Pearl Rhein (Broadway: Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812), Gregory Isaac Stone (Vanya and Sonya and Masha and Spike at The Cleveland Playhouse, Geva Theatre, and Cape Cod Playhouse) Arianna Williams (Cookie Heart at the International Filmmaker Festival) and Zoe Wilson (White Effie in Orange is the New Black).
The production team includes Oliver Wason (Lighting Designer), Chloe Treat (Director), Josh Samuels (Sound Designer), Mike Ross (Dramaturg), Meredith Ries (Scenic Designer), Phoebe Nir (Playwright/Producer), R. Christopher Maxwell (Assistant Stage Manager), Kate Lumpkin, CSA (Casting Director), Megan Garner (Properties Designer), Matt Franta (Violence Designer), Jessi Cotter (Production Stage Manager), Blair Bauerschmidt (Costume Designer), Evan Bernardin Productions (General and Production Management), and ABM (Advertising/Marketing).
Please note that the Theatre at St. Clement's is not wheelchair accessible. The theater is located up a flight of stairs.
For more information, visit www.ecovillagetheplay.com.
PHOEBE NIR (Playwright/Producer) was received by President Obama at the White House as a Presidential Scholar of the Arts in Writing. She is currently developing a graphic novel, "Diana & Navy & The Golden Tooth", with illustrator Steve Buccelatto, as well as a musical by the same name, which has been seen at LaMaMa, Feinstein's/54 Below, Blackbox Theater, and John Jay University. Her short film, "Marcus's Sweater", directed by Chidi Ozieh, was an official selection of the Philadelphia International Film Festival. As a singer/songwriter, she was selected as an official showcase artist at SXSW 2017, where she opened for James Chance & The Contortions and The Modern English. She graduated from Brown University in 2014 with a degree in Writing for Performance, and is currently enrolled at NYU, where she is earning a Master's degree in Drama Therapy. Phoebe is honored to hold space as a yoga teacher and doula, and gratefully thanks her family for their support.
CHLOE TREAT (Director) is a New York based director and choreographer. Born and raised in the great, if not occasionally problematic state of Texas; she directs and choreographs musicals, plays, operas, outdoor dance rituals and feminist westerns. Chloe recently directed productions of Cabaret, James Joyce's The Dead, a new musical The Wave and Spring Awakening. Next she will be directing and choreographing Street Scene at Mannes School of Music
MIKE ROSS (Dramaturg) is a New York-based dramaturg, librettist/lyricist, and author for young readers. Recent theatrical credits include Groundhog Day (August Wilson Theatre, dir. Matthew Warchus), His Name's Not Indian Joe (dir. Don Scardino), Afterglow (dir. S. Asher Gelman) and The Bad Years (dir. Stephen Brackett). His first book will be published in spring 2019. @mcrossisnotapun.
MEREDITH RIES (Scenic Design). Scenic Design (selected): Sweeney Todd (Curtis Opera), Heartland (Geva Theater Center), Lost Laughs (Merrimack Repertory Theater), Cute Activist (The Bushwick Starr), Once the Musical (Weston Playhouse), The Temple Bombing (The Alliance Theater), Peer Gynt and the Norwegian Hapa Band (Ma-Yi Theater Company/ ARTNY), The Universe is a Small Hat (written and composed by Cesar Alvarez), Hamlet (Yale Repertory Theater). Associate design with David Zinn The SpongeBob Musical (Broadway), The Waverly Gallery (Broadway, 2018), Amelie the Musical (Broadway, 2014-2017), Soft Power (Center Theater Group, 2018). Meredith is a graduate of the Yale School of Drama and the University of Chicago.
BLAIR BAUERSCHMIDT (Costume Design) is an artist whose creative designs adorn and enhance performers across all platforms. After graduating from FIT with a degree in accessory design she started her graffiti line of clothing which was sold at Barney's, NY. She has a reputation for being the go-to girl for customization, and Janet Jackson, Weezer, Alicia Keys, and Demi lovato have all sported her gear. She recently designed a custom installation for Beck to promote his new album Colors at Rough Trade in Brooklyn, and she is currently designing theater sets for the Harlem School of the Arts. In February 2019 she is relaunching her new website, stay tuned!
OLIVER WASON (Lighting Design) designs lighting for theater, opera, dance, music, or anything in between. New York work includes The Chinese Lady, Among the Dead, House Rules (Ma-Yi); Don Giovanni, Fidelio (Heartbeat Opera); Sagittarius Ponderosa (NAATCO); Wonderland (Atlantic Theater Co. for Kids); Agrippina (Juilliard Opera). Regional credits include Yale Rep, Barrington Stage, Berkeley Rep, Berkshire Theater Festival, Playmakers Rep, Triad Stage, and the Shanghai Dramatic Arts Center. Faculty: Northeastern University. MFA Yale.
JOSH SAMUELS (Sound Design) is an NYC based sound designer. Recent theatre credits include: As a Designer: The Glow Overhead, Tiny Houses (Chautauqua Theatre Company); I and You (Kitchen Theatre Company); Peter and the Starcatcher, When in Carthage, Red (Cider Mill Playhouse). As an Associate: Network (Broadway), Torch Song (Broadway), The Age of Innocence (McCarter Theatre Center), Three Tall Women (Broadway), The Stone Witch (WestSide Theatre Upstairs), Dirty Dancing (National Tour). He is a member of the Theatrical Sound Designers and Composers Association and has a degree in theatrical design from Ithaca College. http://jsamuelsdesign.com/
MEGAN GARNER (Properties Design) holds a BFA from Purchase College in NY. Over the past ten years she has worked all over the country from Utah Shakespeare Festival to Connecticut Repertory Theatre. Megan's most recent design credits include Spring Awakening, Thoroughly Modern Millie, and Suor Angelica. Megan would like to thank her partner James for supporting and encouraging her, as well as her family and friends. She is currently the resident Properties Designer at Manhattan School of Music.
MATT FRANTA (Violence Design). Off-Broadway: We Are The Tigers, The Video Games. Other credits include work with the Guthrie Theater, Children's Theatre Company, Marin Shakespeare Company, Long Beach Playhouse, Four Clowns, and the National Theatre for Children. Matt holds a BA in Drama/Speech from Clarke University in Dubuque, IA, and is a graduate of the International Stunt School in Seattle. He currently teaches stage combat at the American Musical and Dramatics Academy in Los Angeles. www.MattFranta.com
LILY DAVIS (Sammi) hails from Mercer Island, WA by way of LA, and Pittsburgh, PA. She was last seen down the street at St. Luke's Theatre in Wicked Frozen as Glindanna (yes, Glinda and Anna COMBINED) in NYC. You may also catch her on an episode of Happy! on the SYFY network with Chris Meloni, or on an episode of Bull on CBS. Other credits include: Estella-Great Expectations, Witch 2-Macbeth, Ariel- Footloose, Polly-Crazy For You, Cassie- A Chorus Line, Lady Teazle-The School For Scandal, among others. Lily holds her BFA from Point Park, is an avid yogi, a dedicated Freeman Studio member, and the youngest of four goofy Davis sisters.
MICHAEL OLOYEDE (Jean-Lerois) is a London born, Atlanta raised, New York City based actor. Off Broadway credits include: SCRAPS, Inanimate (The Flea Theater) Black Angels Over Tuskegee (St. Luke's Theater), Bella Napoli (Gallery Players), Chokehold (14 St. Y), Master Harold And The Boys, Their Eyes Were Watching God (Wow Theater). Films and TV credits include Silent Morning, Curtis (SundanceNow), and Brooklyn Blue Sky (BET). Oloyede received training from the Stella Adler Studio of Acting in New York City. www.michael-oloyede.com
PEARL RHEIN (Ursula) Broadway: "Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812". NYC: "Taming of the Shrew" (The Public/Shakespeare in the Park), "The Lucky Ones" (Ars Nova). Regional: "Such Things As Vampires" (People's Light), "Ah, Wilderness!" (Arena Stage), "Cowgirls!" (Alabama Shakes), "Memphis!" (La Jolla Playhouse). TV: HBO's "Succession". Film: Troma's "Gutboy: A Badtime Story". MFA: UC San Diego, BA: Ball State University. Singer-songwriter & composer of TYA solo show about women in S.T.E.M. Proud member Actors Equity & Local 802. pearlrhein.com. @pearlrhein
GREGORY ISAAC STONE (Jake) is a graduate of The Boston Conservatory. Regional credits include: "Lord of the Flies" (Jack) at The Denver Center and "Vanya and Sonya and Masha and Spike" (Spike) at The Cleveland Playhouse, Geva Theatre, and Cape Cod Playhouse. Film: "Write When You Get Work" (Wegs).
ARIANA WILLIAMS (Robin) is a Junior at NYU Tisch. She studied at the Strasberg Institute and the Stonestreet Film Studio. She is thrilled to be making her Off-Broadway debut in Eco Village. Favorite credits: Juror #8 in 12 Angry Men, Lady Macbeth in Macbeth, Susan Hendrix in Wait Until Dark, and Grace Fryer in Radium Girls. Her recent film Cookie Heart won Best Cinematography at the International Filmmaker Festival of New York.
ZOE WILSON (Casey) (16) is an actress/singer/songwriter & winner of 2017 NYMF Outstanding Individual Performance Award. Select Professional Credits: White Effie in Orange is the New Black, Play Like A Winner @ Playwrights Horizons, Transport Group's Three Days to See @ NYTW, Peter Pan @ The Signature, The Pill @ LaMaMa, and The Opera is Always on the Table @The New Ohio Theatre. NEXT UP 2019 FILM DEBUT: My Dinner With Schwartzey and The Shallow End. Zoe is represented by Lauren Singer Talent and Innovative Artists. Follow @ instagram.com/zoeferdie
Monday, February 4, 2019 after the 7pm show:
Theater: Theatre at St. Clements
Google Maps Cost:Tickets are $35-69
Buy Tickets Online or Call: at