Tempest is a member of:
ART/NY-Alliance of Resident Theatres, New York
and
The State Charities-
Not-for-Profit Organization of New Jersey
Tempest Productions Inc. is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) theatre company established in 1996 to work in both Manhattan and Hudson County, NJ. Over the past year, we have expanded our educational wng into Centre County, PA.
Tempest celebrates life and man's fortiude in facing the human condition through the presentation of modern and classical plays. Tempest combines both equity and non-equity actors as well as union and non-union designers, techinicans and interns. With an understanding that the process of creating theatre is just as important as the final product, the company encourages and hires student interns, youth theatre apprentices and volunteers of all ages and experience.
Battling the age of fast-paced entertainment and special effects, Tempest has deliberately chosen to return to intimate communication. Dialogues between families, portraits of existenc and characters struggling within themsleves are all depicted through the celebration of spoken words.
Guiding Principles
- To present quality productions that deal with classical universal themes.
- To offer local residents affordable theatre with the ultimate goal of establishing an Equity Regional Theatre.
- To work with youth and children to explore creative dramatics and theatre as a means of expression; to increase literacy skills through the arts; and to introduce youth to live theatre by working with classical texts and themes and infusing them with creative dramatics and creative arts techniques.
It's hard to believe we're almost 10 years old! Founded in 1996 by Jo Wadsworth, Chuck Caudill and Cynthia Mazzant, Tempest's principal mission was to provide New Jersey residents, primarily in Hudson County, with affordable, classically based theatre and to introduce the county's youth to live theatre through the addition os theatre workshops and interactive events for the entire family. Nine years later, we're still striving for the same goals and we've seen some wonderful results.
Tempest at the Jersey City Museum!
In 2003, we were blesssed in joining a new partnership program with the Jersey City Museum. Utilzing the beautiful 153-seat theatre in the museum, Tempest has offered student matinees for local schools at reduced ticket prices, as well as reduced or gratis tickets to senior centers and hospital programs, while also maintaining affordable mainstage ticket prices. Our student programs have become even more interactive - students have the opportunity to visit museum exhibitions, participate in one of many art or craft activities and meet and talk with arists involved in the productions. Students are also asked to "learn lines, sing songs" and play along with the actors! In 2004, we are expanding our programs by offering literacy and reading activities to both student and teacher. Each student will receive a performance workbook and each will receive a guide that can be used to extend the theatre experience into the classroom.
Re-inventing the classics has always been our mission and grants from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts, and by funds from the National Endowment for the Arts, administered by Hudson County Office of Cultural & Heritage Affairs, Thomas A. DeGise, County Executive, and the Board of Chosen Freeholders, as well as private and corporate funding, Tempest is looking forward to an even bigger and better 1004-2005 season.
Providing families a place to play and learn together, providing local professional artists a home to explore thier craft, and encouraging and inviting young aspiring artists with a chance to work alongside professionals, Tempest is hoping to see 2004-2005 come alive with "new" classical theatre. Where else can you learn to make bubbles, sing Elizabethan ballads, create your own Madhatter Hat, fracture a fairy tale, and watch your parent (or child) act out?
Consider joining our partnership in this new and exciting season!