AWESOME NEWS!
We were notified by the IRS today that Machine Theatre is now a fully legit and official 501(c)3 Nonprofit organization!  This is a huge milestone for Machine Theatre and it comes just 7 months into our existence.  From the beginning we decided that 501(c)3 was something we wanted to fast track, and we've done it. It wouldn't have been possible without the hard work and diligence our Board (I'd like to specifically give props and thanks to Robert Haulbrook for taking the lead on this important process), the services of our most excellent attorney Russell Fergusson, and the generous contributions of our donors.  We share in this achievement together and look forward to our continued work of bringing innovative outreach and training programs, as well as top notch productions of new work to the southeast and beyond!


In Other News....


We have hit the ground running and are in rehearsals for Mum's the Word, our next production.  I am pleased to be working with three intelligent and sensitive actors who have approached the work as active collaborators and are killing it!  The script is growing even as we speak and is really quite exciting. We're dealing with some pretty intense subject matter, but trying to encounter it with humor and honesty. I can't wait to share this work with our audiences!


We're sending Barney Baggett (scooter mechanic, clarinet whiz and Robin Hood enthusiast as well as our director of training) to SETC this week to hobnob, rub shoulders and poison the water supply.  Also while he's there he'll be leading his Art of Play workshop and spreading the Gospel of The Machine.  If you're at the conference, or if you're just hanging out in Lexington, KY be sure to take the workshop and buy him a drink!


Also...We've got a six week intensive class in the Mosaic Process coming up.  It'll be led by Laurelei Ballard who is one of the coolest people around as well as a great teacher.  you can find more info about this class on the Training page of our website.  We hope you'll sign up and have a blast!


alright...that's enough awesome for now...I've gotta run and get ready for rehearsal.


be well and love each other,
Matt

Had another awesome class today at Urban Ministries.  For anyone who is unaware of our partnership with the good people at Urban Ministries' Artworks 945- check out our Outreach Page.  

Dear Machines, 

All this snow is turning me into a 50s era middle class house wife.  I spend lots of time baking, cleaning, and discreetly working through the bottle of Powers in the cupboard.  Matt, my intrepid brofriend, roommate, and collaborator, has gone to DC to visit his girlfriend- a voyage I understand and respect- yet it only heightens the housewife factor. "I hope Matt has the sense to pull over at a filling station if the weather becomes too treacherous.  I hope he eats those sandwiches I made him instead of wasting money at a root beer stand. I hope he hasn't fallen in with those older boys I've seen smoking cigarettes behind the drug store." 

Before I totally destroy my reputation as the Ultimate Badass Pirate Undead Gangsta Ninja Cowboy Outlaw Playboy of the Charlotte Theatre scene, I should say that while the snow might be turning me into a Stepford Wife, the inclement weather has also brought about great productivity for the old Machine.  We've got MUM'S THE WORD coming up at the Patchwerk Playhaus, Starting in March we will be offering acting classes in the Mosaic Technique with the lovely and brilliant Laurelei Ballard (more info coming soon), our work with the neighbors at Urban Ministries continues to flourish, the prospects of merchandise linger on the horizon,and finally, it gives me great pleasure to present you with an excerpt from what it is tentatively titled "Cornelius and Bartholomew", a new original work I'm developing with the beautiful and tenacious Barbi Van Schaik.  So, without further ado, I leave you with this draft of the opening song from C+B.


Cornelius and Bartholomew
Bartholomew and Cornelius

love is love, 
barney