we had to cancel "miss julie" scheduled to open in october at actor's theatre (matt cosper was slated to adapt and direct).
we are actively working on a replacement show scheduled for the duke energy theatre in december as matt was slated to write and direct.
we are also deciding a replacement for the may 2011 production at actor's theatre (matt was slated to adapt and direct).
 
obviously, matt was the principal artistic force behind machine theatre - the season plan was his.  matt cited the unexpected death of his father three months after the death of his mother as the reason for his departure from charlotte (he's still on the company board).

matt is currently with his girlfriend in new york, he's planning a trip to europe in a few weeks then he has theatre work planned in portland and chicago.
 
i was very encouraged by charlotte's response to our productions - we got love and support from so many people.  charlotte did not discourage me at all.

i was devastated by matt's decision to leave and begged him to stay, but given the circumstances, i cannot fault him for his reaction to tragic events for which no one could be prepared.
 
barney baggett decided to leave charlotte after thomthom closed before matt's father died - barney is still a board member.  carlisle kellam remains in charlotte but resigned from the board after matt decided to leave.  local artists remaining active with the company are barbi van schaik, myself, jeremy shane, emily covington, and jon lindsay.

i will do my best to keep you posted - thanks for your love and support.

-robert haulbrook

Check out this message from Lynn Nottage, Pulitzer Prize winning playwright!
For best quality, make sure you turn down the tunes first.

Check out photos from Mum's the Word ...

We're working tirelessly at Century Vintage to prepare the space for our opening (in two days!).  The biggest project has been putting in a 12' X 16' stage.  Our last performance at Century, The Bald Soprano, was plagued by visibility problems, and since we want all of our patrons to actually be able to see the art we make, we made it a priority to raise the action so that it might be seen by all.  Machine Theatre Gangsters Carlisle Kellum and Emily Covington have been working their tails off, with Allyson Speaks and July Bohm of Century, to get the space ready and you should give them hugs and beer when you see them next.  Their sweat and blood are making this work possible.


 They have been tackling that project while I have been laying by the pool eating bonbons.  well, no.  Actually I have been plugging a new actress into the show since saturday.  yep.  last week, our beloved Stephanie had to bow out of the project for personal reasons and we had to re-cast.  Julie Strassel was found and has, like a ninja, leapt in and taken over the lead role of Lois (Mother of the Year).  She's doing great work, as are Biniam Tekola in the role of The Kid (Straight outta Mogadishu) and Jim Yost as Todd (Ambien and Internet Porn).


We did a run through/spacing rehearsal at Century last night and it was inspiring to see the awesome work going on.  These actors and technicians, this team of theatre makers, are forging a funny and disturbing evening of homegrown theatre.  I am incredibly proud of them and can't wait to share their work with you!

We'll be posting pictures on this blog soon so that you can get a glimpse of what we're up to, and I hope that you and your friends will make it out to see the show...brand new work created and brought to life locally by local artists.


Love to all,
Matt

After a wonderful breakfast, my agenda for the morning is as follows:


Experiential Ritualistic Theatre:  Applications Towards Actor Training and Beyond


Theatre for Social Change, The Models: The Living Newspaper and the work of Augusto Boal


The Prospect and Challenge of Taking a show to the New York International Fringe Festival


OK.  Gotta Dangle.  More Later. 


b

Just arrived here in Lexington.  I've successfully checked into the conference and acquired my Presenter's Credentials (which means my name tag has a ribbon on it!), as well as the convention schedule.  At the moment, not much is going on.  I'm currently perched in what appears to be a food court at the Lexington Convention Center, pouring over the schedule.  What workshops should I attend?  What festivities?  What performances?  I've got an idea, but feel free to chime in.  To check out the SETC convention schedule and weigh in on the topic, click here, then post your suggestion here on the blog.

Dear Everyone, 

It is too, too early in the morning.  It's 5:30 and as soon as I can eat some cereal I am off to Lexington, KY for the Southeastern Theatre Conference.  It's a long drive, even from my current staging point in Black Mountain- but I'm going.  It's been decided long ago.  Anyway, there I will be representing Machine Theatre and our interests, teaching a workshop, taking several more, and forging relationships in the regional community.  In other words- it's yer basic advance recon mission.  Follow all my adventures right here on the MT Blog and help me navigate the madness of thousands of theatre dorks descending upon one single city.  Trust me- these conferences are nuts.  Your company will be appreciated.  


cheers, 
barney 

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