Category Archives: Unique Events

Film, Unique Events

Meet Miguel & Raymond: The Kings of Comedy in the Dominican Republic

Raymond and Miguel are two of the Dominican Republic’s most notable celebrities. From their humble beginnings as small-time comedians to becoming the Kings of Comedy, Raymond and Miguel’s influence has grown internationally. The most beloved comedians of the Dominican Republic, premiere Las vacaciones de los reyes, a comedy derived from the Dominican success La casa de veraneo, which will be premiered exclusively in the United States by Television Dominicana on Sunday, August 19 at 9pm ET / 6pm PT.

Spanish Translation:
Raymond y Miguel son dos de las celebridades más importantes de la República Dominicana. Desde sus humildes comienzos como comediantes de poca monta hasta convertirse en los Reyes de la Comedia, la influencia de Raymond y Miguel ha crecido internacionalmente. Los comediantes más queridos de la República Dominicana estrena Las vacaciones de los reyes, una comedia derivada del éxito dominicano La casa de veraneo, que se estrenará exclusivamente en los Estados Unidos por Televisión Dominicana el domingo 19 de agosto a las 9p ET / 6p PT.

 

Theatre, Unique Events

Up Theater Company: Detained Q & A with Director Nancy Robillard and Playwright Rosel-Mary Harrington

DETAINED: Q & A

DETAINED director NANCY ROBILLARD (L) and playwright ROSE-MARY HARRINGTON take a few questions from UP’s artistic director James Bosley about this timely new play.

Rehearsal photos by Jacki Goldhammer

JAMES: Rose-Mary, what drew you to this story?

ROSE-MARY: I was compelled to write Detained in 2008 after I learned of the plight of asylum seeking families who were being incarcerated in a former penitentiary in Texas. Children along with their parents were treated as criminals. The families fled persecution and violence and threats in their home countries seeking refuge in the United States of America. When they were apprehended at the border they were shipped to Hutto, a privately-run family detention center in Texas. In Hutto they were stripped of belongings, men and women were separated, and children over seven years old confined to their own cells. Hutto was run like a prison—with counts, laser trip wires, and meager mental and physical stimulation for the children. Even stuffed toys were banned. As Captain Viv, one of the facilitators laments, “America is better than this.”  I hope this play serves as a voice for those who do not have a voice.  I never imagined how topical immigration would become ten years from the inception of Detained.
Ken Dillon (L.E.) and Laura Fois (Captain Viv)
Ken Dillon (L.E.), Laura Fois (Captain Viv)

JAMES: Nancy, what was your first impression when you initially read the play?

NANCY: When I read the play for the first time, I realized that I had a knot in my chest the entire time I was reading it. That was a good thing—it meant I’d been deeply moved by it. I felt for the characters and the situation they are in—being in detention, their futures uncertain. Some have been there a long time, with no end in sight. I wanted to be part of telling their story.
Director, Nancy Robillard
Director, Nancy Robillard

JAMES: Rose-Mary, we’ve had a lot of back and forth on the script, including a staged reading, since you sent it to us three years ago. Was there a moment during that process that really helped clarify the story for you? Was there a moment that was especially painful?

ROSE-MARY: From the staged reading in 2016 it became apparent that I needed to develop a central character. This became Maria, a teen caught in the crossfire of immigration. She is smart, endearing, and recognizable as any kid struggling with adolescence, and with her relationship with her mother. Maria now gives the play focus and cohesiveness. The moment that was especially painful to write, and now to witness in rehearsal, is at the conclusion of the play. It is heart-breaking to watch a teen so despondent due to the suffocating circumstance she finds herself in this play.
Thomas Vorsteg (James),  Nercido Mota (Paco)
Thomas Vorsteg (James),  Nercido Mota (Paco)

JAMES: What draws you to doing new plays?

NANCY: Working with the playwright is a privilege and a luxury. It is great to be able to ask the writer. “Is this what you meant here?” Rose-Mary lives in South Carolina and flew up here to be with us for the first week of rehearsal. The cast and I spent that week with her sitting around a table, reading and analyzing scenes. She made script changes every day based on what she learned from the rehearsals. As we are staging the play, we continue to discover things about the script—what is working and what is not. Rose-Mary has joined us sometimes by Skype or Face-Time so that she can watch rehearsals and continue to make adjustments in the text. At times a writer is inspired to re-write because of something specific an actor or director has done. Other times it happens simply because we have put the play up on its feet. The writer can see it and say. “Now I know how to fix the ending.” (It is almost always the ending.) So we really learn what is working and what is not. Then we bring in the audience and learn about the play from them. It is thrilling to be part of that process, and I truly appreciate UP Theater for giving us the opportunity. It is no small feat for a theater company to produce new plays, and UP does it beautifully.
Robert S. Gregory (Firouz), Rose-Mary Harrington (playwright), Natalia Plaza (Maria), Beau McGhee (Doug)
Robert S. Gregory (Firouz), Rose-Mary Harrington (playwright), Natalia Plaza (Maria), Beau McGhee (Doug)
Unique Events

NMAC: Job Posting Marketing Coordinator

Job Summary:

Northern Manhattan Arts and Culture (NMAC) is seeking a Marketing Coordinator to work on district marketing project focused on highlighting businesses, arts and culture in Inwood — “UpinInwood.nyc”. The marketing coordinator will be working closely with NMAC’s Steering Committee in creating content for a new website, gathering information and creating a database of businesses and events, creating a marketing strategy and content to drive traffic to site and social media accounts. This is a position that is starting as full-time and transitioning to part-time over the course of the year.

Responsibilities:

~ Updating website content.

~ Creating social media marketing strategies and maintaining all social media accounts.

~ Creating relationships with local businesses and gathering information for database in an effort to attract and cultivate new traffic to Inwood.

~ Coordinate postcard racks buy-in in local businesses and maintain racks stocked.

~ Respond to website inquiries, customer service and offer constructive interaction with users.

~ Implementing design layout for printed promotional materials.

~ Coordinate the continued development of dynamic content including web development, video content, and e-marketing.

~ Maintain marketing calendar.

~ Coordinate advertisements to promote events, working within budget.

Qualifications and Skills:

~ Fluent English and Spanish.

~ Strong attention to detail.

~ Must be motivated and able to work with minimal supervision.

~ Exceptional verbal and written communication skills.

~ Knowledge of Facebook, Instagram, Twitter a must.

~ Basic knowledge of WordPress.

~ Possess a minimum of two years of marketing experience.

~ Meet deadlines, track budgets and work under pressure with a positive attitude.

~ Resident of, or strong familiarity with, the Manhattan neighborhood of Inwood is a plus.

Email cover letter, resume with references and salary requirement to: info@nmac.nyc.

Unique Events

The Pie Lady is Back

Summer Pies are Here!

 

When: 06/15 to 07/04* | 11am to 11pm Daily

Where: Le Cheile (Enter thru the side room)
Address: 839 West 181st (181st & Cabrini)

(*Open 11am – 3pm July 4th)

Mini Pies $6 | 8″ Pies $20
Volume Discounts

Call/Text 646 504-PIES (7437) To Order Ahead Today