Since November 2005 Hotel Obligado has
been developing an ensemble-created production called
Beauty Is. Our production draws its inspiration from
the tragically skyrocketing rates of HIV among gay men
who use crystal methamphetamine. It seeks to explore
the underlying emotionality that causes people to engage
in self-destructive behavior and to raise awareness
among potential users about the dangers of crystal methamphetamine.
Beauty Is aims to lift the stigma surrounding discussion
of potentially volatile LGBT social issues, while providing
performing opportunities for emerging artists and create
connections between communities by educating the broader
public about LGBT concerns.
Photos
from the production
Philly Weekly Review of the show
Beauty Is Stages of Production:
* November 2005: Created Artistic Team:
Bill Buddendorf – Composer, Dawn Falato –
Director, Helen Faller – Development, Kelly Groves
– Writer, Robin Marcotte – Choreographer
* February-March 2006: Research Period with Young Artists
from The Attic Youth Center for Lesbian, Gay, Transgendered,
and Questioning Youth
* April 2006: Writing Workshop and Rehearsals
* May 5, 2006: First Public Workshop and Audience Feedback,
Equality Forum
* July 2006: Call for Performers & Auditions; Cast
Production
* August 2006: Research on Tina in other cities –
San Francisco, CA; Portland, OR. hotelobligado.blogspot.com
* November 2006: Second Workshop Showing with Audience
Feedback. Kelly Groves passed the writing baton to Graham
Smith.
* December 2006: World AIDS Day Performance
* January-February 2007: Final Research & Creation
Period
* March 2007: Full-Scale Production at Sister's Night
Club in Philadelphia
* November 2007: Performance at Saint Joseph's University
*January 2008: Residency at The Lab Theatre in San
Francisco
This project was made possible through the 5-County
Arts Fund, a Pennsylvania Partners in the Arts program
of the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, a state agency.
It is funded by the citizens of Pennsylvania through
an annual legislative appropriation, and administered
locally by the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance.
The Pennsylvania Council on the Arts is supported by
the National Endowment forthe Arts a federal agency.
The 5-County Arts Fund is also supported by PECO, An
Exelon Company. Some Montgomery County projects are
also funded, in part, by an appropriation from Montgomery
County. For additional information about these grants,
visit the Cultural
Alliance online.
The
Artists 