THE BIGGEST little THEATRE & NEW WORKS FESTIVAL 2021

Season 29 - ONWARD

Performances Dates:  November 4 – 6, 2021

TICKET AVAILABLE AT:  www.bruka.org
https://tickets.bruka.org/TheatreManager/2/tmEvent/tmEvent467.html

The TENTH annual BIGGEST little Theatre & New Works Festival at Brüka Theatre comes back live and in person as a showcase and experimental platform for original theatre pieces featuring traditional and nontraditional performances and stage readings created by local and regional performing artists. Some past participants have taken their pieces and have gone on to perform in National Festivals.

This festival features three days of presentations including:  Thursday - Dance Night:  Friday Artist Meet & Greet Reception & BIGGEST little Theatre Festival Bohemia and Saturday is “New Play Day”.   Artists will receive a portion of the ticket sales from the festival.  The three day festival is $12 per day or $23 for a three day pass.

THE BIGGEST LITTLE THEATRE & NEW WORKS FESTIVAL LINE-UP

THURSDAY - NOVEMBER 4, 2021  DOUBLE DANCE FEATURE
7 pm SPLATTERED - Keely Cobb

8:15 pm - A YEAR IN DANCE - A Review by Alexander Cain Biber

“BIGGEST little” FRIDAY - NOVEMBER 5, 2021
7 pm FESTIVAL ARTIST MEET & GREET & RECEPTION
8 pm BIGGEST little BOHEMIA

SATURDAY - NOVEMBER 6, 2021 “NEW PLAY DAY”
3:00 pm APOCALYPSE LATER - by Sam Crabtree

4:30 pm TWO NEW PLAYS by Victor Uriz
OLD TIMERS Directed by Stacey Spain
 LOVE & DEATH  - Directed by Nohemy Velasco

6:00 pm LIFE LOAFERS - by Bob Gabrielli

THE BIGGEST LITTLE THEATRE & NEW WORKS FESTIVAL PRODUCTIONS

Thursday - November 4 2021  7:00 PM

SPLATTERED - KEELY COBB

SYNOPSIS:  Splattered is an evening length dance show that reflects the journey we have been through during the COVID-19 pandemic. Acting as an addition to Around the Stage's "Take My Hand"-music video produced for Artown last year (2020), Splattered takes large canvases splattered with paint and reconnects the dancers with the emotional roller coaster we all have faced through contemporary modern dance. This show is relatable, moving, vulnerable, funny, tragic, and everything in between. Do not miss Around the Stage's latest work - Splattered. Featuring company dancers Deena Schmidt, Brandon Butler, Glynis Irving, Noelle Ruggieri, Kimberly Yukes, Kristin Austin, Joss Alfonso, and Sara Eastman. Stage Management by Benjamin Browder, Lighting design, videography, and editing by Derek Nance, Costume design by Katelyn Caufield, and choreography and directing by Keely Cobb with featured guest choreographer Kelly August for the second to last piece in the work

Thursday - November 4 2021  8:15 PM

A YEAR IN DANCE - A REVIEW WITH ALEXANDER CAIN BIBER
SYNOPSIS: Part live dance performance, part on screen, Biber takes the audience through the past year of creation as a dancer and choreographer after relocating back to Reno during the pandemic.  Alex is currently Dance Master at Sierra Nevada Ballet.  He spent 10 years with Sacramento Ballet and has worked with local companies:  Bruka Theatre & Good Luck Macbeth as a choreographer, dancer, artist in residence and actor.  

Friday - November 5, 2021 @ 7:00 PM

ARTIST MEET & GREET CHAMPAGNE RECEPTION
Enjoy the company of others at our reception to honor our artists and co mingle our community.  Champagne and Appetizers  a portion catered by The Wild River Grille. 

BIGGEST little Theatre & New Works BOHEMIA
SIGN UP HERE FOR A 5 - 7 MINUTE SLOT: https://forms.gle/GdH5FmXtKrFY9WdZ7
SYNOPSIS:  BOHEMIA

Music, poetry, art, enlightening guest artists & open mic.  Hosted by President of The Board - Lewis Zaumeyer and Poet In Residence Jesse James Ziegler. 
bohemia - a community of persons with literary tastes who adopt manners more conspicuously different from those expected or approved of by the majority of society.   

Saturday - November 14, 2020 @ 3:00 PM

APOCALYPSE LATER

Written & Directed by SAM CRABTREE

SYNOPSIS:   A couple deals with the cancellation of an apocalypse which brought them together while their friendly local news anchor ruminates on cocaine, Frued's death drive, the complexities of human agency, and cocaine.

Saturday - November 14, 2020 @ 4:00 PM - DOUBLE FEATURE NEW PLAYS

OLD TIMERS

Written by VICTOR URIZ

Directed by:  STACEY SPAIN

SYNOPSIS:   This play depicts the struggles a son faces as his father begins to show signs of Alzheimer’s and dementia. He must decide to either place his father in an assisted living facility or to have him continue to live at home with him and his wife.

He feels guilty at the prospect of placing his father in an assisted living facility, but also feels he and his wife may no longer be capable of providing the care he requires. Baby Boomers are reaching the age where they must face the dilemma of what to do when their folks can no longer live independently. The topic of aging can at times be morbid and sad, but in this story there’s also room for calamity and humor. Sometimes there are no easy answers or good decisions.

LOVE & DEATH

Written by VICTOR URIZ

Directed by:  NOHEMY VELASCO

SYNOPSIS:   The lessons of compassion, sympathy and love are the central themes of this complex story. The plot considers the peculiar connection between love and death. It’s a tale that grapples with the “why’s” and “why not’s” of life. Like life itself, the story is at times humorous and at other times sorrowful. Some of life’s mistakes can be overcome and rectified, while others leave a scar that one must learn to live with——-Beware!

Saturday - November 14, 2020 @ 4:00 PM - DOUBLE FEATURE NEW PLAYS

LIFE LOAFERS

Written & Directed by BOB GABRIELLI

SYNOPSIS:   During the early days of the pandemic, a neighborhood encounter goes sideways.

ACCESSABILITY

Festival performances will be “live” at Brüka Theatre in downtown Reno.  The performances include pre-recorded and live presentations.  Some of the Festival may be available for viewing on Brüka Theatre & Ghost Light TV Youtube Channels.

PRICES:  Brüka Theatre is in the process of upgrading the box office technology to an “in house system” to better serve our patrons.  Additional Ticket fees will be incurred on all online and phone ticket transactions.  Daily admission: $12.  A Festival Pass for all 3 days: $23.  

REQUIREMENTS DUE TO COVID - 19 -  Brüka Theatre guests will need to show proof of vaccination at their time of entry into the theater and they must be fully-vaccinated with a FDA- or WHO-authorized vaccine. This means guests must wait at least two weeks after their final shots to attend a performance. Guests under 12 or those who have a medical issue prohibiting them from receiving a vaccine will need proof of ONE of the following instead of proof of vaccination:

• negative COVID-19 PCR test performed within 72 hours of the performance start time. The test results must clearly show the date and time of the test; OR

• a negative COVID-19 rapid antigen test taken within 6 hours of the performance start time. The test results must clearly show the date and time of the test.

Proof may be shown with your vaccination card, on your phone, or your vaccination/test record. Masks are required for the audience except while eating or drinking in designated locations.  We ask that all guests self - check before they attend the show.  As vaccination has proven the most effective way to stay healthy and reduce transmission, Brüka Theatre has decided to implement these safeguards for the health and welfare of our community.

RESERVATIONS are available in person or by phone through the Brüka Box Office (775) 323-3221, online at www.bruka.org or at the Melting Pot World Emporium @ their location: 1049 S. Virginia Street, Reno.  Our box office is open Thursdays through Saturdays from 3-6 pm and Wednesdays by appointment.  We are closed on most holidays.  

PARKING

We suggest convenient parking in the Court Street parking lot across from The Pioneer Theater and walking across the new Virginia Street Bridge to Brüka. FREE after 5:00 PM weekdays and NO CHARGE on weekends.

ABOUT BRÜKA THEATREReopening after a 16 month shutdown due to Covid - 19 and now celebrating the 29th season in downtown Reno, Brüka Theatre is moving forward and onward with our art and community and re-opening on a show by show basis. As an artistic leader in the region, Brüka is recognized for innovative productions, exceptionally talented artists and acclaimed Theatre for Children touring series since its founding in 1992. Central to Brüka is the commitment to the re-investigation of contemporary and classic plays and developing new plays within Brüka’s Artistic Collective, a group that includes winners of the Nevada Arts Council and Sierra Arts Foundation artist grants and nine local best actor honors. Brüka was named “Best Theatre Company” by Reno News and Review for twenty-one years. Brüka, a non-equity, small professional, not-for-profit member theater company of the national TCG (Theatre Communications Group). Brüka Theatre has produced over 200 shows in our downtown Reno location.