TESTIMONIALS - Thespis Theater Festival

Testimonials from the Thespis Festival

“I have worked in a variety of NYC festivals and I have never worked with a more accommodating venue than Cabrini Repertory Theater. The management made my cast and crew feel instantaneously comfortable. As artists we were given the support we needed to put on a well polished production. I would highly recommend Thespis Theater Festival to artists of all ages.“

Madeleine Rose Parsigiam – Director of “Cal and Grey “(Thespis 2012)

Thespis Theater Festival was an amazing opportunity for my cast and creative team to showcase our work at the professional level. As young artists, it can be difficult to find affordable space and supportive people to sponsor us as we work towards polishing our aesthetic. The management was an invaluable resource to us, being warm, friendly and full of good advice as we went through the festival process. As this was my very first time participating in a festival I feel very lucky to have had the wonderful folks at Thespis to teach me the ropes. Moreover, the opportunity to extend our show into the Finals portion of the competition was incredibly exciting and made the entire team feel as if they had accomplished something at a much higher level. Thespis Theater Festival has been an incredible experience – bringing together many artists into one collaborative atmosphere. Thank you!

Lily Raabe – Director of Eaten Voices ( Winner of 2012)

Theater can be hellish and chaotic, even if you’re very organized and courageously positive. The very experienced Thespis team was expert at taking the suck out of festivals, at looking me in the eye and telepathizing “You’re terrified. It’s going to be okay. Relax and let us help you.” Even if you don’t win that best play/actor thing, it’s important to realize (or remember) your passion, that you have a story to tell which might help, heal or inspire others a little bit.

Sharon Fogarty - Playwright and director of “Devil of Delancey “(Winner

Of Thespis 2014)

I was so honored that my play “ Elevator to Eden” was chosen for the Thespis Theater Festival. This is the first time I am producing a play, and the Thespis Team made it so easy for us they helped us with everything we needed. We had a little problem with our own props and the team took care of it right away and got it for us. We were given a lot of time in the theater to do tech rehearsal and enough time to get ready before every show. It was a wonderful experience and I the production was successful, and the team had a lot to do with it. I want to thank The Thespis Theater Festival for all the support and the personal attention. It wouldn’t be the same without it.

Noa Carmel - Playwright of “Elevator to Even” (Thespis 2014)

I highly recommend the Thespis Festival, especially for playwrights getting a new play up on its feet for the first time. It is a wonderful opportunity to test your play in front of an audience and to get used to the demands and requirements of putting on a play. As a bonus, the Thespis Team is wonderful to deal with. They were always extremely prompt in replying to questions via email – and, very important to me, they were unfailingly courteous and patient in answering questions and providing assistance in person. All in all, having my play in the Thespis Festival was an overwhelmingly positive and invaluable experience – so what are you waiting for – submit your play!

Stephen Larsen - Playwright and Director of “Ferry” (Thespis 2014)

It is my pleasure to write on behalf of the Thespis Theater Festival. If I were the Better Business Bureau, I would give the Thespis team five stars! I cannot think of anything negative to say…they gave us guidance, support, flexibility, understanding, and appreciation for our efforts in producing the musical I WILL. I am looking forward to the possibility of further With the Festival

Luce Amen - Playwright of the musical “I Will” (Thespis 2014)

“I believe true strength develops in someone when they can take a difficult experience and turn it into a beautiful work of art. The Thespis Festival gave me the opportunity to do just that in a beautiful theater with a wonderful, professional, supportive and caring environment - and for that I am forever grateful.”

Anna Duvall - Creator and choreographer for “Soul of a Blue Butterfly ”

(Thespis 2014)

“The adage, ‘the host sets the tone’ applies well to the Thespis Theater which creates a family of artists in a warm atmosphere of caretaking. The 2014 festival was a perfect place for me and my company to smoothly settle in and mount the premiere of my play THE BETTER MAN. I felt supported on all sides and will encourage any playwright to discover the welcoming arms of the gem that is Thespis.” -

- Blake Walton Director/Playwright “THE BETTER MAN”

I had the pleasure of producing my very first stage play “The Boogeyman” with the “Thespis Festival.” Working with the team was an amazing experience. They were very helpful in every aspect, from helping ease our minds to being extremely accommodating to the all who came to see the production. They always responded to questions and concerns in a very timely manner and they made sure our production had everything it needed to have a successful run. The Thespis Festival was the very first festival I have worked with and I must say their professionalism is top notch. What a wonderful experience.

Thank you for everything!!!

Bisa Dewis - Playwright of ” The Booguyman Diaries of a Broken Home”

“Putting up my play with the Thespis Theater Festival was an immensely satisfying experience. I was empowered with the opportunity to put up my play the way I always envisioned it. With total control of the production and a supportive and experienced team from the festival to advise me every step of the way, all my expectations were well exceeded. It is an experience I will never forget!”

- Daniel Rodriguez, Writer and Director of “The Illusion of Kindness”

(Thespis 2014)

The Thespis Theater Festival team were not only welcoming, but gave us the tools to put on a professional and well-run show. From start to finish, the team was supportive and open to our creative ideas. Rarely do festivals invest in the quality of the art above all else, but we truly believe this is the central focus of the Thespis team. We are proud to have been a part of this fantastic run of plays and encourage other artists to submit and share their work with the Thespis and Venus Festivals.

Brian Kirchner Playwright/Producer of “The Kitchen Play” (Thespis

2014)

I have been honored to be a participant in the Thespis Theater Festival, performing in my show Kennedy/Reagan. I have been pleased with the professionalism shown by the management who has been completely prepared and shown me great hospitality. I have been astounded by the high caliber of audience members, many who are very engaged and volunteer helpful comments after the show. I would recommend Thespis to all playwrights as a means of presenting their new work.

John C. Kendall – Playwright of “Reagan/Kennedy” (Thespis 2012)

The Thespis Theater Festival was one of the best experiences of my life. The festival taught me a lot about the business of theater and myself as a person. Being able to showcase a play that I co-wrote with Ed Frias was a dream come true. Being apart of the Thespis theater scene in New York help me grow as an artist and taught me that anything is possible as long as you work hard and believe in yourself.

Gregory Brannon – Playwright of “Breathe” (Thespis 2012)

I had the opportunity to work with Cabrini Repertory Theater last week, and while the venue is beautiful and the neighborhood charming – all of that pales in comparison to the absolute delight it was working with the theater itself. I have never had a production go so smoothly and with so little stress until I met the managment at Cabrini. I not only look forward to future productions at the space but I feel compelled to spend time there if only to be a member of the warm and welcoming community you can find at this playhouse by the park. Any production would be blessed to have the Cabrini Repertory Theater as their venue, and every audience can feel the magic of this place right in their seats. Thank you Cabrini, and managment, for welcoming me into your home!

Ryan Murphy - Set Director of “The Tattered King”

A playwright at the beginning of his career is bound to find it difficult to find a place where he can put up a play. The Cabrini Theater and the Thespis Festival offer a unique venue for newer works to find their legs, and to test themselves in the public arena. Festivals like Thespis are essential to making sure Theater remains a vibrant part of society instead of a retread of old stories and ideas. I therefor sincerely appreciate the hard work and effort that has been put in to keep such an enterprise going, and would like to personally thank the management for all the help, hard work and diligence.

Our experience at the Festival involved more than just writing a play. It involved all the blood, sweat and tears shed by the Tattered King’s cast and crew that worked so hard to put this production together. From rehearsing in parks to throwing together costumes, everyone gave their very best to make this dream a reality. We have all grown through this process and we all have the Thespis Festival to thank for testing us. Thespis gave us a mountain to climb, and we climbed it. Here is to hoping that the Thespis Festival will be raising mountains for many years yet to come, and that many more climbers may yet be discovered. Onward, unto the undiscovered country!

Thomas Tafero – Playwright of “The Tattered King”

“Thespis is the first Theatre Festival I have ever performed in – I came to New York from England two years ago, and recently graduated school from The American Academy of Dramatic Arts. The entire process here has been so enjoyable, I never really thought of Thespis as a competition, more an opportunity to invite people to enjoy a new piece of work that i’m proud to be a part of. Festivals like this are incredibly important, and I hope this one keeps running for a LONG time. The space is beautiful, the managment is so fun to work with, and it gives young actors like me the opportunity to originate and explore another role in a new play. It reminds us that the possibilities are endless.”

Rachel Jane Conn – Actor lead of “Eaten Voices”

New material is never easy to handle, most people can’t roll with the punches. I don’t think a lot of people understand the challenges of putting up anything original. The work doubles and the environment is so intense, there are so many wrongs and so little right moves, we learn to navigate and deal with frustration…because there is something brewing and everyone can almost see it form in the palm of their own hand, but it’s so untouchable. Every moment is an extreme moment, because it becomes personal, it becomes OUR show. It’s about finding the balance, the perfect words to say, cutting the line or the lyric with confidence, losing your mind and your heart and then surprisingly in the least expected place finding it again. We have had a great run so far and having the support of the Thespis Festival team and the community come out and support the show meant so much to all of us. Thank you!

Zee Cohen – “Beyond This Paradise” Book Writer)

I want to thank the people of the festival for hosting us as part of the Thespis Theater Festival at the Cabrini Repertory Theater. It was truly a memorable and totally delightful experience for all of us: the beautiful theater space in which we performed, your warm hospitality, the lovely neighborhood around the theater and the perfect organization of the entire festival, it all made for a great New York experience. We feel fortunate and honored to have participated in this festival and to be part of a vibrant community of theater artists. I very much look forward to future events in his theater and to other festival participation.

Domnica Radulescu – Playwright of “Naturalized Woman”

The Thespis Festival gave me my first full-length production in New York City, and for that I am incredibly grateful. Putting on a show is a lot of hard work, but Thespis made it possible and I look forward to seeing how this festival grows each coming year.

Darren Caulley – Playwright of “Very Important Problems & Unhealthy”