AspenDream Theater Company Giving Back During COVID

Naugatuck CT

01 January, 2021

7:28 PM

Description

THEATER COMPANY GIVING BACK DURING COVIDCONNECTICUT - Theater loves a second act and everyone in the industry is imagining how we might rebuild differently than before. One such director and producer is Janice Luise from Burlington, Connecticut, a member of the Dramatists Guild of America, League of Professional Theater Women, and Stage Directors and Choreographers Society with decades of professional experience. Luise studied theatre at UCONN and directing at Yale University. Luise's touring Dinner Theater Company, AspenDream Productions™ was shut down during the pandemic pause. "Our rehearsal process and shows were canceled in March. We have thirty paid actors. That's a lot of lives affected. A lot of financial strain and tough decisions had to be made." "Unfortunately, given the shoestring budget I had and COVID restrictions, I had to think of something or close. I refused to give up." "ADP was founded on innovation, diversity, and dignity." The online streaming of plays proved to be hugely popular during lockdown. As is typical of AspenDream Productions™, this courageous theater group decided on a totally different route for their company of 25 years. Since her company weathered many storms, she knew she had to reset and reevaluate her business plan for the future. "I felt that following the crowd makes you settle for what everyone else feels good enough." Luise feels the 'new-normal' may require theaters to be economically independent and have smaller cast sizes. Immersive theaters like AspenDream Productions™ can add in social distancing measures quite easily unlike traditional theatre where guests need a spare seat between them making it hard to cover the cost of the show. These ideas along with many others required AspenDream Productions™ to write another, "specialized" murder mystery during the pandemic called, "I Haven't Got a Clue©" Clue"Almost everyone in the "ADP" team offered to help in its creation once parameters were set up. "These amazing artists make what they do look effortless. Yet, we know it is anything but easy." "When we get a behind the scenes look at what they go thru through to be successful, we see hour upon grueling hour of practice and study they endure to raise their performance to their personal best." NEW MURDER MYSTERY SHOW CREATEDAspenDream Productions™ and their cast of professionals made magic on the stages of New England with their live, site specific murder mystery performances and comedy wedding shows. "We sold-out almost every show in the past 25 years. Who can say that?", said Luise. It wasn't luck, it was pure hard work. So when COVID hit, AspenDream Productions™ wrote an exciting new murder mystery and also produced, with the help of "Carissa", a promotional (COVID Safe) video for inauguration of our newest show: "I Haven't Got a Clue©" Take a look: https://bit.ly/3qIwiRQSome of the strategic safety precautions for this show will include reduced seating, ticketless entry, digital playbills, and disinfection of the facilities before and after the performance, as well as before and after intermission. For businesses that want to know more, just give us a call. We aren't going anywhere. 860-309-1341 For artists: We are not holding auditions at this time. But please watch our web site or go to our new web site and sign up for our free news letter. BEYOND THE BLACK BOX - OUR HISTORYAspenDream ProductionsLuise had very little background in marketing or business when she started. "A small group of us wanted to entertain and raise money for good causes" said Luise. "But we wanted to perform more expansively than just black box theater", said Luise. AspenDream Productions™ became so popular throughout New England with their unique shows that they raised 1.5 million dollars for charities and non-profits. They performed for over 50,000 guests throughout New England. We spent the last 25 years pioneering what has become known as "immersive" or "site specific" theater, in which audiences are allowed to become a part of the story of Don Franco, a mob boss, as the drama plays out around them. Luise says she frequently had doors slammed in her face and business cards ripped up on her. As a business owner in the entertainment field, you have to have a thick skin. Because everyone will criticize your work. Don't let rejection get to you. Don't let criticism or bad reviews crush your spirit. I lost a lot of so called "friends" over the years. But I gained some of the best supporters I could ever ask for. "What I learned was to have the courage to chose your own path and not the path others choose for you." "If I knew how hard it would be...I'm not sure I ever would have done it." says Luise. It wasn't easy, but the experiences helped me when later pitching AspenDream shows to major clients. Luise launched her theater company with just $3,500 she saved from doing commercial work. Call us: 860-309-1341 ASPENDREAM LAUNCHED A NEW WEBSITE 2021 We are very excited to announce the launch of our new website. After months of hard work and dedication, Carissa (last name withheld), our Web Designer and Matthew Duffy, Web Administer, made our site faster, easier to navigate, and easier to use. These experts donated their time to ensure 'ADP' artists could get back to work and businesses could start to open their doors to theaters. "I am so grateful to them and to all that helped out during this difficult time. Another artist, Barbara Paradise, assisted me with editing, Steve Ossias vetted all music along with our wonderful DJ, Joe from Night Owl DJ Service (860-459-0925). All of us at AspenDream are very fortunate," said Luise. http://www.aspendreamproductio... NEW SHOW OFFERRED AT COST!"I Haven't Got a Clue©", murder mystery will be offered to qualifying businesses 'at cost' for the next year once we are allowed to open up again. Our goal is to get audiences back in the door. This is a special immersive COVID-Safe show was also built as an economic model for future generations. The current situation has forced us all to cut costs on all levels. AspenDream Productions™ has weathered all kinds of storms and we are still in the black," says Luise. This murder mystery is great. We can't wait until we can hold auditions! To find out more, please call:860-309-1341Or Email:http://[email protected] A NEW YOUTUBE SERIES 2021 directorchair1Theatre is a tough avenue to pursue and Janice has done everything from producing, directing, acting to everything in between in her 25+ years in the business. Coming up this year, she will debut a new YouTube series called "Scene to Seen with Janice". This weekly series will highlight the shocking and harsh reality, of the entertainment business? She will share real life tips on how to get the audition, produce the show and interview celebrities. Don't miss it! Please find the link on:https://www.facebook.com/Aspen... If you are in entertainment industry and are interested in being interviewed, contact Janice at:http://[email protected]. THE UPWARD TREND OF IMMERSIVE THEATERFSnCrFFsAs we continue to weather these days of quarantine, many of us have newly recognized our real hunger for audiences, that were commonplace a few short months ago are now nowhere to be found. "Some theaters may never open again. But the ones that survive will be the ones that have used this time to change their strategic and economic direction. We are not focused on competition or even necessarily making money right now. It's time for development" said Luise. "Immersive/site specific theater is in a much better position to be active during the pandemic recovery and respond creatively. We bring theater into public spaces the same way that restaurants do for dining." Immersive theatre takes people away from the close proximity of enclosed theatre seating and into open areas. Luise has several decades of expertise as a consultant for businesses, theaters and artists. She is launching her youtube series, "From Scene to Seen with Janice©" in early 2021. Shakespeare wrote "Macbeth," "Lear" and "Antony and Cleopatra" during his quarantine, his finest work. This crisis will end, and I'm going to be there. For more information: contact Janice Luise at: 860-309-1341 [email protected] Directing Site: http://janicedirects.com Copyright 2020 All rights reserved.