The New Theatre Project Cancels THE TEMPEST PROJECT; Sets New Work Concert for 6/1-3

The New Theatre Project has announced the cancellation of its current production of THE TEMPEST PROJECT. But the Ensemble is concocting another project, set for June 1-3 at 8 pm. The evening will be a concert of new work to feature original songs and spoken word material. The Ensemble of The Tempest Project will also perform pieces regarding their experience with the show, musings on the mixed blessings of failure, and ultimately performing some select material they have written for the play that we will never see. More information to come.

What follows is an open letter from the organization about THE TEMPEST PROJECT's cancellation:

"The New Theatre Project holds as a significant part of its mission to challenge ourselves by creating theatre via unconventional and collaborative processes. If we are not attempting something new, then we are not taking creative risks that will result in work that best represents the mission of the Ensemble.

As such, failure is always an option. Failure is crucial in fact for any creative work. An actor must be bold enough to make choices that have great potential to not work in order to find the one that does. A director must put a lot on the line with a bold concept, defend it, and create a piece of theater that is provocative and inspiring.

It is also important that the work we create is 100% approved by all of the Ensemble members working on the piece. When compromise is made, it is a decision that all are able to stand behind in order to support the project as a whole.

And most importantly, we need commitment and time. It means long hours and upsets and tears and sweat to create a piece of challenging, ensemble built theatre that is less financially rewarding than it is artistically. Way less.

With that said I have decided to cancel our current production of The Tempest Project. It is an Ensemble decision that we have all come to support. We have worked extensively on material for the piece but, now just a little over a week from the planned opening, cannot find a matter of presentation suitable to all.

This ensemble is extremely gifted. Beautiful, inspiring, talented people. And this is not a decision that was made lightly. We strongly believe in many aspects of the material but certain circumstances prevent it from coming to fruition. I’ll have to leave some of the circumstances a secret for our Ensemble to keep...

While a future may exist for the show, it will not be the same. The time, place, people will be different. Our experiences will change. Our truths will develop. And we will have learned to fail in brilliant new ways." - Keith Paul Medelis, Artistic Director, The New Theatre Project

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