L.A.'s newest theatre troupe launches its inaugural season with an anthology of one acts exploring themes at the heart and soul of the city of angels.

Theatre Unleashed is proud to announce its first show on the 2008 schedule. What We Should Have Said: An Anthology of One Acts for L.A. will run from June 13-29 (Thursdays-Sundays) at The East Theater at The Complex on the historic Theatre Row in Hollywood. The series of five original works will feature the company's top actors and directors as well as guest directors from other theatre companies, continuing with the company's mission of uniting and building upon the L.A. theatre scene.

What We Should Have Said is a collection of short comedic and dramatic works from local playwrights that explore the bittersweet, humorous and redemptive themes of self-identity and our desire to communicate who we are and what we want in a city with its own wants and needs. As this is the first show for Theatre Unleashed, it was important to focus on where the company was born.

"My only real requirements were that the writers tap into themes that those of us living in L.A. can identify with, themes that are often affected and influenced by the city itself," said Artistic Director Phillip Kelly. "What I received was an overwhelming desire to talk about universal issues like communication and identity, set against more specific backdrops familiar to those of us trying to survive and perhaps even make it out here – ego, financial struggles, censorship, addiction, political influence, sexuality, artistic integrity, etc."

At The Threshold: In this sardonic and surreal journey, down-on-his-luck Paul Allen faces financial and personal ruin while trying to find a conclusion to the unending (and uninspiring) middle portion of his life. Written by Phillip Kelly and directed by Andrew Moore.

An Evening With Liberace: The enigmatic soul of Liberace is brought back from the dead for one final night of singing, soul-searching... and a twisted twist. Written by Will Manus and directed by Carlos Martinez.

Shades: This shrewd, comedic, award-winning piece tears through its own walls, ripping the masks off of three everyday characters and revealing the truth of human nature. Written by Mark Harvey Levine and directed by Susannah Myrvold.

The End: This insightful and humorous piece explores a broken-hearted Rachel's desire to indulge her wounded ego over a cup of coffee. Written by Kristyn Leigh Robinson and directed by Carlos Martinez.

Three Small People in Very Big Shoes: In this mini-farce, three Disneyland characters attempt to sort out the sordid details of their lives in the warm California sun. Written by Andrew Moore and directed by Jim Blanchette.

PERFORMANCES:
June 13-29
Thursday-Saturday at 8 p.m., Sunday at 7 p.m.
Tickets: $20
For further information please call: (818) 849-4039
Or check out our website at: www.theatreunleashed.com

Also, sign up for our mailing list and receive a code for discount tickets!

Thanks to everyone who came out and supported us at the Yard Sale yesterday! I'm pleased to announce that we raised over $400 for the company! That's more than TWICE what we were hoping for. Here are some fun pictures from the event. I think some of us went a little crazy from the heat...

ONE DAY ONLY!!!
When: Saturday, May 17th from 9am to 4pm
Where: 11324 Martha St., North Hollywood [Directions]

Theatre Unleashed is Proud to Present... YARD SALE!!!
(Unlike any other yard sale you've ever seen!)

You'll get deals on DVDs, Electronics, Furniture, you name it!

LIVE PERFORMANCES THROUGHOUT THE DAY
Live Music, Juggling, Face Painting and even a Burlesque (cup)Cake Walk!

The best part? All proceeds go to benefit Theatre Unleashed, a non-profit company! This means anything you spend (or donate to us) not only goes to a great cause, but is Tax-Deductible! Right on!

Hey gang!

Just wanted to let you know that pre-sale tickets are now available for What We Should Have Said: An Anthology of Original Works for LA. If you would like to purchase tickets, please click the link below the postcard. We look forward to entertaining you!

Also, sign up for our mailing list and receive a code for discount tickets!

Hey gang! Artistic Director Phil Kelly has put out the following announcement about our latest project: Coffee Shop One Acts! Here's a rundown about what we're looking for:

"Coffee Shop One Acts will be a series of Experimental One Acts to be performed throughout coffee shops in Los Angeles. We're currently looking for completely original, unproduced shows 10-40 minutes long.

2-4 characters. To be performed in coffee shops throughout Los Angeles.

You've sat in a coffee shop before. You know what you'll be working with.

Some of the venues may have a small stage, others may not.

Think about the space that you'll be writing for: a table with a couple chairs, a bathroom, a line to get coffee, the entrance to the coffee shop. The idea is to use the environment so that the audience will be experiencing something almost too real - hyper realism! Use this to your advantage. Be clever, have fun, get a little abstract. Some level of improv written into the piece may be necessary as unexpected things may happen in a coffee shop that may not happen in a theatre space. That's part of the excitement of the project. If someone has to go use the bathroom, for the show to continue, they may need to wait for a patron to finish using the bathroom first.

We're not looking for a specific genre, but please let us know what it is when you send it in.

There are so many stories in Los Angeles to be told and so many different types of people that meet in coffee shops, take advantage of this spectrum.

While we always push for shows to focus on story and character, this setting will also allow us to be experimental. So have fun with the ideas.

These shows will have absolutely no budget - so make them interesting on the page.

This is Theatre Unleashed continuing to find ways to bring theatre to the community rather than waiting for them to discover us.

The deadline for submission is June 7th. That gives you guys a whole month. Get to typing!"

You can send your submissions to Artistic Director Phil Kelly.

I just wanted to say a quick THANK YOU to everyone that came out and saw our SOLD OUT World Premiere at M Bar last Thursday. I'm pleased to announce that we not only met, but greatly exceeded our fund raising target! These extra funds are going to be crucial in making our 2008 season a reality! Thank you, again!

~Spike

Theatre Unleashed
Spring Company Member Auditions

Theatre Unleashed is a highly organized, artistically motivated force looking for fellow artists to partake in creating something spectacular in the world of live theatre in Los Angeles. We're not only looking for actors, but writers, directors, designers, stage managers and tech people to join our company and help us bring new life to the classics but also to help shape and mold original works.

At its core, the mission of Theatre Unleashed is simple: to work together as one, passionately and professionally, in creating truly remarkable theatre. Theatre Unleashed celebrates the creative collaboration process by encouraging its members to explore fresh, thought-provoking approaches to both original works and established shows. Theatre Unleashed will experiment with various forms of multimedia to heighten the entertainment experience while staying true to the playwright's words, characters and thematic intent. Story-telling will always be the driving force behind any Theatre Unleashed production as the company pledges to always push its artistic boundaries, striving to reach that emotional resonance with our audience that only live theatre can create.

Theatre Unleashed is a dues paying company. The $40.00 a month will allow you the opportunity to be a part of a creative community as we bring some of the finest theatre to Los Angeles through our series of main stage shows, travelling variety shows, experimental theatre, labs and workshops specific to the Theatre Unleashed experience. It will also allow you the opportunity to hone your skills in a community of exceptionally talented writers, directors, actors and other like-minded artists.

Having a strong company with members focused on supporting each other in creating great theatre is the only way we feel an impact can truly be made on our audience and the members truly recognized for their craft. Our goal is to unleash ourselves from artistic restraints and to unleash ourselves upon the city of Los Angeles... To be a part of this:

Please prepare a one minute contemporary monologue and a one minute classical monologue for your audition.

To learn more about our company and our 2008 Season check out our website: www.theatreunleashed.com

The Details:
When: Sunday, May 18th 11:30-4 and Monday, May 19th 6:30-10pm
To schedule an audition please email: erin.scott@theatreunleashed.com

We welcome

James McMurray
Jacob Smith

to Theatre Unleashed!