“downtime”
November 23, 2009
People often wonder what happens in between the Mo`olelo productions… are we on “downtime,” sitting around eating bonbons, taking long lunches? We wish that were the case, but the truth is that what appears to be our “downtime” is actually a very busy time at the Mo`olelo office. In between productions we’re:
- writing grant applications — ticket sales cover roughly 30% of our operating costs, and so we reach out to foundations, corporations, governments and individuals to support the remaining costs.
- community outreach meetings — meeting new communities and building trust so we can gain their support on our future productions
- strategic planning — The Board of Trustees engages in an annual Strategic Planning Session in December
- developing curriculum, writing study guides for future education programs
- fundraising
- pre-production meetings for the next show
- Finalizing the operating budget and calendar for the next year
- Reading scripts for consideration for future productions
- Group sales for the next production
- Writing the semi-annual Newsletter
- Thanking everyone who supported Mo`olelo in 2009.
Ok…back to work…
pinch(ED) hit
November 20, 2009
Pinched / pinch hit
Dear Mo`olelo Friends:
We’ve been thinking about the word pinch.
To squeeze
It seems many of us are in a pinch this year. We’ve heard from audiences who can no longer afford tickets to a show, corporations that have cut arts education funding, and actors, artists and friends who are out of work.
But a pinch can also be an expression of love or happiness.
We pinch ourselves to make sure we’re not dreaming when we receive good news.
We pinch the cheeks of an adorable child.
And a pinch hitter saves the day.
Mo`olelo stepped up to the plate in 2009 by stretching resources to make our productions and education programs of Good Boys and 9 Parts of Desire accessible to our community.
Now we turn to those who are in a position to do so to pinch hit for Mo`olelo.
Our goal is to raise $20,000 more in 2009 to cover remaining annual expenses and position Mo`olelo for a strong start in 2010. In the past few weeks we’ve raised $4,241. Only $15,759 left to raise. A contribution of any size will help us reach our goal.
Please consider pinch hitting for Mo`olelo with a tax-deductible contribution. Click here to donate online. Or you may call us at 619-342-7395 to donate with a credit card over the phone. Or you may mail a check to:
Mo`olelo Performing Arts Company
PO Box 710564
San Diego, CA 92171-0564
We will mail you a donation receipt for your tax records. Mo`olelo Performing Arts Company is listed in IRS Publication 78 as a section 501(c)(3) charitable organization eligible to receive tax-deductible charitable contributions. You may verify our nonprofit status here. Type “Moolelo” in the search field.
Mahalo for your support,
Seema Sueko, Artistic Director
Clifford D. Sweet, III, President, Board of Trustees
more greening news
November 12, 2009
Scenic Designer David F. Weiner and Artistic Director Seema Sueko will be speaking — via skype — at the LDI Green Day Conference on Thursday, November 19 in Orlando, Florida. They’ll share the lastest versions of Mo`olelo’s Green Theater Choices Scorecards. You can read about the conference here: http://www.ldishow.com/LDI09/Public/Content.aspx?ID=1009691
You can download the latest Green Theater Choices Scorecards here: http://www.tcg.org/pdfs/events/fallforum/Scorecards_for_TCG_Fall_Forum.pdf
greening mo`olelo new york style
November 5, 2009
Mo`olelo’s Artistic Director, Seema Sueko, is heading to New York this weekend to participate in TCG’s (Theatre Communication Group’s) Fall Forum! She’ll be speaking at a breakout session called “The Green Opportunity” at 2:30 PM on Saturday, Nov 7, where she’ll talk about Mo`olelo’s greening initiative and share the latest versions of the Green Theater Choices Toolkit and Scorecards. Her co-panelists are Charlie Deull of Clark Transfer and Broadway Green Alliance, Seth Greenleaf of GFour Productions, and Susan Medak of Berkeley Repertory Theatre. They are all doing amazing working in greening the theater industry. If you’ll be in New York, come to the Fall Forum. Details and info here: http://tcg.org/events/fallforum/2009/index.cfm
wisdomed
November 4, 2009
Last night Lou Spisto, CEO and Executive Producer of The Old Globe, shared his insight and wisdom at Mo`olelo’s Wine, Cheese & Wisdom event at The 10th Avenue Theatre. The audience included theater-lovers, theater critics, actors, producers and directors. Mr. Spisto spoke about his journey from studying architecture to leading the largest theater in San Diego, he shed light on the inside workings of The Old Globe, and he shared his thoughts on the future of American theater, emphasizing that the need to tell and hear stories will always be there, even if the form changes.
Thank you, Lou!
sell outs
October 30, 2009
Hooray!
9 Parts of Desire is SOLD OUT tonight, Friday, Oct 30, and Sunday, Nov 1. There are only 48 tickets remaining for the run on Saturday, Oct 31 at 7:30 PM. Available at www.moolelo.net or 619-342-7395.
mo`olelo’s next production
October 28, 2009
Mo`olelo’s next full production will be
self (the remix)
Written and performed by Robert Farid Karimi
Directed by Ellen Sebastian Chang
February 24 – March 21, 2010
Mo`olelo at The 10th Avenue Theatre
930 10th Avenue, San Diego CA 92101
self (the remix) mixes together stories, movement, and music to tell the tale of a first generation child of Iranian and Guatemalan immigrants growing up in California in the 1970s and 1980s in the shadow of the Iranian Hostage Crisis. Acclaimed playwright and performer Robert Farid Karimi, accompanied with a soundscape created by DJ D Double, tells a “remixed” autobiographical tale of a boy struggling to learn about manhood, nationhood, and neighborhood with the voices and music of his environment helping him along.
Information: 619-342-7395 or tickets@moolelo.net
Save up to $17!
Advance ticket vouchers for self (the remix) are now on sale. The vouchers cost only $18 and are good for any performance of self (the remix), including opening night! When you purchase your ticket early, you assist Mo`olelo with cash flow and ensure you get the best deal for the show!
To order an advance voucher, call 619-342-7395, OR mail a check payable to “Mo`olelo” to:
Mo`olelo Performing Arts Company
PO Box 710564
San Diego, CA 92171-0564
Your voucher will be mailed to you.
BOOKING GROUPS NOW
We are now booking university groups, high schools, nonprofit organizations and other groups of 10 or more for the production. Call 619-342-7395 if you’re interested in exploring how to bring your group to the show — discounts are available for groups of 10 or more.
staged reading: 26 MILES
October 28, 2009
Mo`olelo Performing Arts Company invites you to join us for a staged reading of 26 MILES written by Quiara Alegria Hudes, Pulitzer Prize finalist and book writer for the Tony-winning musical IN THE HEIGHTS.
About the play
The time is 1986. Olivia is a half-Cuban, half-Jewish 15-year old. She doesn’t fit in at school and she doesn’t fit in at home with her new step-mother’s rules. After a failed attempt to swallow sixteen ibuprofens, she calls her estranged mother and the two embark on a spontaneous road trip, searching for antiques, buffalo, and a remedy for their broken hearts.
Featuring: Rachael Van Wormer, Catalina Maynard*, Lance Arthur Smith*, and Claudio Raygoza.
Directed by Seema Sueko*
*member of Actors Equity Association, the union of professional actors and stage managers in the United States.
Reading Details:
What: Staged Reading of 26 MILES
When: Tuesday, November 17, 2009, 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Where: The 10th Avenue Theatre, 930 10th Avenue, San Diego, CA 92101 (Downtown, on 10th Avenue between Broadway & E Street).
Parking: Metered street parking (free after 6 PM); OR there is a $5 lot at the NE corner of 11th Ave and E Street. The machine accepts Visa, MasterCard or exact cash.
Admission: FREE
Suggested donation of $10 at the door.
Reservations: Space is limited. RSVP to tickets@moolelo.net or call 619-342-7395.
last week of the run!
October 26, 2009
There are only FIVE performances remaining of 9 PARTS OF DESIRE… and TWO of those are already SOLD OUT!
We have tickets available for:
Thursday, Oct 29 at 7:30 PM (Post show discussion)
Friday, Oct 30 at 7:30 PM
Saturday, Oct 31 at 7:30 PM
Order your tickets at www.moolelo.net or 619-342-7395.
Wine, Cheese & Wisdom with Lou Spisto
October 18, 2009
Join us on Tuesday, November 3, 2009 for a Wine, Cheese & Wisdom event featuring Lou Spisto, CEO/Executive Producer of The Old Globe.
Mo`olelo’s Wine, Cheese & Wisdom events are opportunities for local artists and audiences to glean wisdom from a nationally-recognized theater practitioner and for Mo`olelo to bridge the gap between artist and audience and between local and national. The informal wine & cheese reception at 5:30 p.m. will be followed by a facilitated chat and Q&A with Mr. Spisto from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.. Learn about his career path, his thoughts on the future of American theater and more. You can find Mr. Spisto’s biography here.
Event Details:
What: Wine, Cheese & Wisdom with Lou Spisto
When: Tuesday, November 3, 2009; Wine & Cheese at 5:30 p.m.; Wisdom from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Where: The 10th Avenue Theatre, 930 10th Avenue, San Diego, CA 92101 (Downtown, on 10th Avenue between Broadway & E Street).
Parking: Metered street parking; or there is a $5 lot at the NE corner of 11th Ave and E Street. The machine accepts Visa, MasterCard or exact cash.
Admission: FREE!
We request audiences help out by bringing a bottle of wine or cheese and crackers to share, or make a $10 donation at the door.
Reservations: Space is limited. RSVP to tickets@moolelo.net or call 619-342-7395.
