KICKSTARTER

Funded! This project was successfully funded on September 8, 2011.

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This fall, The Ensemble Studio Theatre produces its 2nd festival of new short plays by women of color, THE RIVER CROSSES RIVERS II.

THE RIVER CROSSES RIVERS II: A Festival of New Plays by Women of Color

The Ensemble Studio Theatre (EST), a leader in New York City's developmental theatre scene, has been discovering new voices since 1968. EST's Going to the River program addresses the pronounced lack of opportunity for women playwrights of color. Since its start in 1999, Going to the River has been a phenomenal success at developing and presenting new plays by writers in this demographic.

This September, EST will produce Going to the River's second ever festival of new, short plays by women of color, The River Crosses Rivers II, reflective of EST’s mission to develop new American work and nurture individual artists. River will feature plays by well-known writers (Regina Taylor and Pearl Cleage) as well as emerging talents (Cori Thomas, France-Luce Benson, and others).

This festival will make a difference... and so can you! We aim to raise funds to help cover the cost of producing the 2011 festival. By donating to this cause, you are:

  • Investing in the artistic growth of playwrights
  • Supporting the production of new works
  • Creating new opportunities for women artists of color
  • Contributing to the expansion and diversification of the American canon of contemporary plays

The first River festival in 2009 was a critical and box office smash hit! In response to Pulitzer Prize-winner Lynn Nottage's piece, Banana Beer Bath, The New York Times reviewer enthused: "Ms. Nottage uses language with the confidence of a storyteller enthralling listeners around a campfire. The details are visceral, the words poetic but not writerly, the effect intimate. When [the play] finished, a man behind me shouted, 'Wow!'"

The 2011 festival promises to be just as -- if not more -- exciting! Please join us now, and share this project with your friends!

If you'd prefer to contribute off-line, please send your check made out to "The Ensemble Studio Theatre" to: Development Department, The Ensemble Studio Theatre, 549 West 52nd Street, New York, NY 10019. To receive your backer rewards, please put "RIVER Kickstarter Project" in the Memo Line. Thanks!

The River Crosses Rivers II runs from September 14 - October 2 in EST's Curt Dempster Theatre, at 549 W 52nd Street in New York City. Find out more and get tickets at: www.EnsembleStudioTheatre.org.

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    Recognition in Festival Program; Invitation to Festival (snail-mailed postcard)

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    Personalized "Thank You" letter from EST Artistic Director William Carden; PLUS all Rewards listed above

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    Souvenir postcard, signed by Going to the River Producing Artistic Director Elizabeth Van Dyke, an accomplished stage director and award-winning Broadway actress; PLUS all Rewards listed above

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