Happy New Year, Friends!
I spent some time in upstate New York over the holidays and love the vibe. I joked that my travel resolution is going to be an expensive one but I am really serious about it. The arts scene is different just a few hours outside of New York City. It isn’t over saturated as it is “Downstate”. I decided to virtually travel to Northwest New York. My only time there is when I’ve passed through on my way to Canada. I was doing some research and I HAVE to make my way to the Buffalo/Niagara region. I reached out to my friend, Michael Providence, whose roots are there and who kicked off his acting career in The City of Good Neighbors before heading southeast to the The Big Apple.
Malini: Michael, how would you describe the theatre scene in the Western part of the New York State?
Michael: The theatre scene in the Western part of New York State is vibrant, resilient, and diverse. There are high-quality theatre companies in Buffalo, Rochester, Chautauqua, and Syracuse that have been producing groundbreaking work for decades. One major loss to regional theatre was the closing of Studio Arena theatre in Buffalo in 2011 after years of producing important regional theatre. However, the Buffalo theatre scene (which I am most familiar with) has several terrific theatre companies that have filled the void. Buffalo’s theatre community is filled with tremendous artists who have relocated from around the country, in many cases drawn to the opportunity to work on great productions in small professional theatres without being required to be a member of Actors’ Equity
Malini: What was your experience working in theater there? Were you solely an actor or were you given opportunities to explore all aspects of theater?
Michael: I had a chance to perform at several great theatres in Buffalo, including the Irish Classical Theatre Company, Shakespeare in Delaware Park, and Theatre of Youth. All three of these companies, in addition to the Kavinoky Theatre, are major cultural institutions in Western NY. I was able to work in different theatre styles at these theatres that gave me a diverse education and acting resume.
Malini: If you want to see a commercial production, where can you get to within a couple of hours?
Michael: If you’re willing and able to get to the Finger Lakes area to experience the many terrific wineries there, then getting to Syracuse or Rochester to see professional productions of great plays is not too hard. Buffalo and Chautauqua are farther out and a long drive – at least 7 hours – from New York City. But I would highly recommend taking in a play if you’re ever in the area.
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Folks, I am ready to take in a play right now. I came across the Theatre Alliance of Buffalo which brings together “a uniquely diverse group of theatres which strongly believe in the power and relevance of theatre in today’s culture. Within TAB, you’re sure to find a theatre experience that will speak directly to you!”. David Bondrow, President of TAB, is on point. Below are a list of theatre companies that are bringing creative and innovative theatre beyond Broadway.
- Brazen-Faced Varlets: A troupe of theatre artists who challenge, provoke and delight to promote artistic growth.
- Buffalo ComedySportz: Credited with bringing improvisational comedy to Buffalo in 1993, and has since performed more than 2,000 interactive, all-ages, improvisational shows in and around WNY (primarily, since 2009, at its home, the ComedySportz Arena at Snyder Square).
- Buffalo Laboratory Theatre: A place where magic is created. A place where spectators can experience new plays and new modes of theatrical expression, all while in a friendly and comfortable environment that focuses on the needs of the audience.
- Buffalo United Artists: A self-supporting collective of professional theater artists working constantly to create accessible, professional-quality theater consistent with the great passion we feel for our art.
- Irish Classical Theatre Company: Presents the greatest works of dramatic literature.
- Jewish Repertory Theatre: Avprofessional theatre whose objective is to share our vibrant Jewish culture with the broader WNY community by presenting plays that deal with Jewish and multi-cultural themes and issues.
- Kaleidoscope Theatre: Their mission is “To be an instrument of enrichment, enhancement, and enlightenment, through the creation of quality theatrical experiences.”
- The Kavinoky Theatre: Brings the newest and best Broadway plays directly to Buffalo.
- MusicalFare Theatre: A not-for-profit professional musical theatre company dedicated to bringing quality musical theatre to Western New York, and to becoming a significant regional theatre with national prominence by developing and presenting new musicals, new versions of traditional musicals and area premieres.
- New Phoenix Theatre: Presents new and classic works in ways that speak to our community, to rediscover the theatrical experience through the spirit of collaboration, and to revitalize the neighborhood in which our theatre stands.
- Paul Robeson Theatre: The oldest African American theater in Western New York , founded in 1968 to nurture and showcase the artistic talents of African American playwrights, producers, directors, actors and stage technicians.
- Red Thread Theatre: Presents productions of the highest quality in direction, performance and design.
- Road Less Traveled Productions: Tells stories which are important to our community, reflect our lives, and reveal our common relationships and diverse humanity.
- Shakespeare in Delaware Park: Enriches, inspire and entertain diverse audiences through performance and educational programing, with a focus on the works of William Shakespeare.
- Shea’s Performing Arts Center: Restores and maintains Shea’s Buffalo Theatre for present and future generations to enjoy as a working historic theatre.
- Subversive Theatre Collective: Revitalizes the august tradition of American Protest Theatre by performing the radical political plays that are typically overlooked by commercially-minded theatres.
- Theatre of Youth: Dedicated to the enhancement of life in the community through the enrichment, education, and entertainment of young audiences.
- Torn Space Theater: Draws upon the traditions of sculpture, architecture and multi-media in order to reinterpret existing works, create original productions, and design large scale installation performances.
- Ujima Company: A multi-ethnic professional theatre company whose primary purpose is the preservation, perpetuation and performance of African American theatre by providing working opportunities for established artists and training experience for aspiring artists.
Live, Love, Learn,