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SUNNY Temp: 51 °F Wind: CLM at 0 mph Thursday, November 21, 2002 SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA HomeLife Magazine W3 Magazine Jobs @ Mail Tribune Tempo A & E Oregon CarZone Wellness Connection Real Estate Newspaper in Education Prime Times Outdoor Journal Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find Everything E SOUTHERN OREGON Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar ABOUT US FAQ What's New Advertise Home Delivery Classified Ad Contact Us Media Kit Email Story to a Friend September 18, 2002 Alzado sets stage for theater comeback Supporters wait in the wings as ex-director of Actors’ Theatre seeks home for new troupe By BILL VARBLE Mail Tribune Peter Alzado has a name for a new theater — it’s the Oregon Stage Works — and a core group of supporters. Now he needs a home in which to stage productions and the money to make it happen. With a number of board members, actors and technicians lined up, Oregon Stage Works could begin presenting plays in Southern Oregon as soon as the Christmas season, Alzado said. "It’s exciting to have the support," he said Tuesday. "I’ve been looking at spaces today. It’ll be exciting to get it all solid." Alzado would be the artistic director of the non-profit theater. Prospective board members so far include non-profit theater board veteran Bill Saurs of Ashland, communications consultant Lee Perlman and former Actors’ Theatre board member Jeanette Larson. Among possible homes mentioned for the proposed theater is the A Street Pavilion in Ashland, which is being remodeled by owner Allan Sandler to accommodate performing arts. Its target completion date is spring 2003. The old Cantwell’s building in the next block is another possibility. And choreographer Suzee Grilley has offered her dance studio on Hersey Street to Alzado’s group. Using Grilley’s space as an interim home would enable the group to have productions up and running for much less money, and therefore sooner, Alzado said. Otherwise, he estimated the group would need to raise roughly $100,000 before it could mount a production. Alzado said he hopes to do "Expecting Carol" by Daniel Sullivan of the Seattle Repertory Theatre as the group’s first play. The play requires a large cast. Among the performers who have said they would like to work with the new theater are local favorites Brandi Carson, Kate Sullivan, Shirley Patton, Leslie Muchmore and Mel and Caroline Shaffer. Alzado is leaving Actors’ Theatre, where he served as artistic director for five years, when his contract expires Sept. 30. The Actors’ Theatre board of directors recently voted not to renew his contract after disagreements with him over play selections and the relationship between the artistic director and the board. Oregon Stage Works will have a target of producing six main stage plays each season, Alzado said, with each running four times a week for five weeks. He said the plays were the same roster he earlier offered to Actors’ Theatre. Included in the first season’s lineup are new plays and classics. A draft mission statement calls for diverse productions, theater lessons and a children’s theater program. Alzado said he also envisions a "Second Stage" series that will focus on the development of regional plays that are not part of the theater’s main stage. Both Saurs and Cheryl French, of Ashland, who are expected to spearhead fund-raising efforts, were out of town Tuesday. In Oregon, groups have 15 months to qualify as 501(c)3 non-profits once they begin operations. Reach reporter Bill Varble at 776-4478 or e-mail [email protected] Printer Friendly Version Email Story to a Friend Subscribe Archive: Click to Search Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright 1997-2002 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy webmaster feedback A D V E R T I S E R S