Contact: Elemental Theatre Collective, (401) 447-3001 info@elementaltheatre.org
PROVIDENCE, R.I., June 30, 2009 – A group of theatre artists from the Elemental Theatre Collective and Big Table Productions along with, educators and students from Johnson and Wales University today unveiled The Amadeus Project–a production of Peter Shaffer’s Amadeus. Taking a cue from the creativity that composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart displayed in the face of adversity, the group wants to inspire access to the arts in Rhode Island in the face of inexorable cuts in arts education.
The project began when Trinity Conservatory graduates Max Vogler and Alexander Platt (artistic director of the Elemental Theatre Collective) who dreamed of creating a fresh and compelling production of Peter Shaffer’s Tony Award-winning play Amadeus, sought the help of retired teacher Rosemary “Lolly” Wardle, with whom they had worked on previous projects.
Their immediate goals are to provide mentoring opportunities for students and to raise enough funds to make attendance at a fall production of Amadeus affordable for all. From its inception, The Amadeus Project has been centered on community engagement and demonstrating how theater enriches people’s lives.
Inspiration, Community, Learning
Students from Beacon Charter and West Warwick will work under the tutelage of a professional designer to help design the set. CAD (Computer-aided design) and Construction Tech Ed students from Warwick will be drafting the dimensions of the performance space and building the set and seating at the Beneficent Congregational Church’s Roundtop Center. The church is providing the space for the performance, which will open Thursday, Nov. 5, for two weeks. Auditions are scheduled for student and professional musicians to perform during and/or before the show.
Over 50 Johnson and Wales University business and technology students gained college credit as they and their professors helped form a nonprofit corporation, draft a business plan, develop a website, inaugurate a PR and marketing plan, and prepare and hold a fundraiser and media briefing.
The growing troupe of grassroots supporters is turning the project into a statewide focus on the inspiration that the arts can bring to everyone’s everyday lives. Advertising and communications students from Johnson & Wales University are working under the mentorship of professionals to capture the entire project with an eye to a documentary. They also will canvas the state asking a key question: “What inspires you?” Previewing the project theme at a press briefing at Pizzico Ristorante, Providence, students asked the same question of reporters and other attendees, and encouraged participants to write their thoughts on a wallboard. A student–created video showed responses to the same question by college and high school students, educators and other members of The Amadeus Project community. Art works by students and teachers from the project’s pilot schools were on display at the restaurant. In the spirit of supporting the arts, Pizzico Ristorante created $1,000 worth of free hors d’oeuvres for the occasion, and Graphic Innovations, Providence, donated more than $1,000 worth of printing of student art, signage and advertising materials for the project.
Fundraising Efforts
The art installation at the restaurant included donated works already sold at the June 13th fundraiser as well as others to be sold in future fundraising efforts. These art pieces were sold in a silent auction along with other professional art, photography and donated items. A golf tournament designed and run by Johnson and Wales University student interns is scheduled for Monday, Aug. 3, at the Quidnessett Country Club, North Kingstown and is expected to be the primary fundraiser for the production.
