The Personae Theatre Ensemble

We've Moved!

2009-08-18T06:55:00.000-07:00

The Personae Ensemble has moved -- we're currently looking for a base in our new home state in Upstate, New York.

Stay in touch for the latest in workshops, membership and performances of poignant theatre pieces.

We're looking forward to hearing from you!

Sincerely,

H.E. Philipsen-Meissner,
Artistic Director and Founder

"Tales of Motherhood" to be performed in the 2007 BoxFest at the Planet Ant Theatre!

2007-07-11T19:17:00.001-07:00

The BoxFest Press Release

2007 Box Fest

Hey, Hey, Hey Ladies!!!!

Planet Ant Theatre is proud to announce the 2007 BoxFest!

August 9th -12th 2007 at Planet Ant Theatre

Box Fest used to be short for (and I think the official name of it is still) Pandora's Box Festival. It is a collaboration between and a celebration of female theatre artists, female directors, playwrights, etc...So now you understand the double meaning of "box," right? Yeah, we're clever...

Box Fest has had many incarnations over the past few years. In the past we have concentrated on using female directors for the one act plays that were performed. This year, however, we are branching out and including different artists using all sorts of mediums. Here is the low down:

The festival will run from Thursday Aug. 9 - Sunday Aug. 12 at the Planet Ant Theatre in Hamtramck. There will be different events going on each day, including a collection of 10 minute plays, longer one act plays, full length staged readings, improvisation acts, musical acts, and probably some fun burlesque/cabaret acts taking place outside in the backyard or inside the theatre as well.

While the performances are going on, we will also be displaying 2-D visual art on one of the walls inside the theatre. The art will be lit during the opening and closing festival soirees and also during the transitions between performances.

The BoxFest Gift Program:

The proceeds from each annual BoxFest will now be turned into a scholarship/grant for one BoxFest participant each year! This financial gift will be used to further this woman's career in theatre. For example, this money may be used for education funding (from college to a workshop) or funding for a show produced, written or directed by this woman. The application will be available once the directors are finalized. Please note: The check will be written only to an organization and not to the winner.

Late Night/Abreact Program:

After each block of shows the audience will vote on their favorite show. The winner will be given a late night slot with Planet Ant! And not only that, but Abreact Theatre (proudly announcing their new home at the Zeitgiest) have teamed up with the producers of BoxFest this year! The winner will also be given the opportunity to put up their show for one weekend with the Abreact Theatre!

Please visit the BoxFest myspace at www.myspace.com/boxfestdetroit

Tales of Motherhood a Great Experience

2007-06-26T13:03:00.000-07:00

Thanks to everyone involved -- especially Jennifer Tobin from Canton's Village Theatre -- for their support and talent these last couple of months; Tales of Motherhood would not have become a reality without the women who helped to make it happen.

Special thanks to...
Melissa House
Verena Altkamp
Randa Nasir
Therese Bergling
Anne Nelson
Kelly Allen
and Melissa Mills

Though our houses were not packed, those patrons who did come to our new play workshop had much to contribute in our post-performance "Talk Back" -- several even suggesting that we take the show on the road.

Hmmmmmmm..... Now, there's a thought!

Come See "TALES OF MOTHERHOOD" this Weekend!

2007-05-04T18:36:00.000-07:00

The Personae Ensemble presents…

Five Women. Five Mothers. Five Unique Stories.

Come See

"TALES OF MOTHERHOOD"
written by: Kelly Allen, Therese Bergling, Melissa House, Randa Nasir, Anne Nelson & Heidi Philipsen

performed by: Kelly Allen, Verena Altkamp, Ruth Crawford, Melissa Mills, Randa Nasir, Debbie Pletzer & Heidi Philipsen

And enjoy your Mother's Day weekend two weekends in a row!

Saturday, May 5th, 2 p.m.
Sunday, May 6th, 6 p.m.

All tickets $15 -- Refreshments and Appetizers included

Generously Supported and Nutured by:
The Village Theatre at Cherry Hill in Canton

50400 Cherry Hill Road, Canton, MI 48187
734-394-5460
www.canton-mi.org

What's in the Works with Our Theatre Friends

2007-04-24T07:16:00.000-07:00

HEARTLANDE THEATRE COMPANY WRITING WORKSHOPS TAUGHT BY VINCENT J. CARDINAL For stage and screen Friday, May 18th through Monday, May 21st Checks, Cash or Money Orders accepted.

Send to HTC at P.O. Box 2014 - Birmingham, MI 48012

Playwriting Intensive: $125 for participating writers Fee covers cost of Basic Structure & Dialogue lectures, participation as a writer in the class, (auditing the screenwriting sessions), and admission to the reading of the workshop plays on Monday, May 21st.

Screenwriting: $100 for participating writers Fee covers the cost of the Basic Structure & Dialog Lecture, participation as a writer in the screenwriting process from idea to outline, (auditing the playwriting intensive sessions, and admission to the reading of the workshop plays on Monday, May 21st.)

COST TO TAKE BOTH WORKSHOPS as a participating writer: $225Auditor Pass: $50 Fee covers auditing both the Playwriting and Screenwriting sessions and admission to the reading of the workshop plays on Monday, May 21st.

SCHEDULE OF SESSIONS All writing sessions take place in the rehearsal room at Meadow Brook Theatre on the Rochester Campus of Oakland University Friday - May 18 6:30 - 8:30pm Writing Intensive Beginning (both screenwriting & playwrighting attend)

Basic Structure & Dialogue Writing assignment will be given to participating writers at the end of this session. Saturday - May 19 10:30am - 12 noon Screenwriting 1st session and assignment 2pm-6pm Playwriting 1st drafts of the assignment will be read during this session.

Feedback will be given for rewrites. Sunday - May 20 Noon - 3pm
Screenwriting 2nd session will go over ideas and outlines that have been developed. 4:30pm - 7:30pm

Playwriting 2nd drafts of the assignment will be read during this session by an ensemble of actors. Feedback will be given for rewrites. Monday - May 21 4pm-6pm Run-through of all the plays written 7:30pm Public reading of plays
Admission for the general public: $5 suggested donation
For more information: Email:
mailto:admin@heartlande.com">admin@heartlande.com
Call: 248-988-1094
Visit: www.heartlande.com

Auditions for "TALES OF MOTHERHOOD"

2007-04-09T12:27:00.000-07:00

Come one, come all FEMALES to the audition for "Tales of Motherhood"

When:
Sunday, May 15th, 2:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Where:
The Village Theater at Cherry Hill
50400 Cherry Hill Road
Canton, MI 48187
734-394-5484 desk

Notes:
Please come prepared with a comedic monologue and be prepared to read cold from the script.
Age description: mid-twenties to early 40s.

For questions or further information, please contact Heidi Philipsen at: The_Personae_Ensemble@yahoo.com or go to the Village Theater at Cherry Hill web site: http://www.canton-mi.org/villagetheater/performancessearch.asp

Thank you and "Break a Leg!"

Call for Volunteers!

2007-02-11T13:36:00.000-08:00

The Personae Theatre Ensemble is looking for volunteers!

We are looking for Directors, Actors, Producers, Stage Managers, Set Designers and Builders, Program Designers and P.R., as well as Lighting Tech.

If you love theatre and would like to volunteer in our productions, please email us at: The_Personae_Ensemble@yahoo.com and include your area of interest and time available.

If you are interested in directing, please send us a proposal with your play of choice (or whether you would be willing to consider directing a play already picked out) along with a paragraph describing your previous experience.

Thank you for considering The Personae Theatre Ensemble for your volunteerism--we won't take it for granted!

Heidi E. Philipsen
Artistic Director
The Personae Ensemble

Our Premiere Post!

2007-02-09T23:05:00.000-08:00

"All the world is a stage," Shakespeare once wrote. As the studious individuals of the Personae Ensemble, we take these words to heart and look across the globe for current human stories and seek to combine their cause with a powerful piece of theatre.

In the coming weeks, I'll be working on putting together our very first ensemble piece--created "from scratch"--about motherhood.

No, I'm not talking cutie-pie baby-booties and jokes about smelly diapers...though, certainly, there's nothing wrong in such tender dialogue about precious little ones.

Rather, we are going to look into the heart of motherhood, and as Joseph Conrad found in his tale "The Heart of Darkness," not all tales of motherhood are light, pink and sing sweet lullabies at night.

Sincerely,
H.E.P.