It's time for some GOOD NEWS!

GOOD NEWS LIST 2011/2012

Theatres that present 50% or more plays by women

in their 2011/2012 Main Stage Seasons!

*Actors Theatre of Louisville, Louisville, KY

*Arena Stage, Washington, DC

*New Georges, New York, NY

*Wilma Theater, Philadelphia, PA

*Women’s Project, New York, NY

*Arizona Women’s Theater Company, Scottsdale,AZ

*Brava! For Women in the Arts, San Francisco

*Looking For Lillith, Louisville, KY

*Voices and Vision, New York, NY

*Detroit Repertory Theater, Detroit, MI

*Orlando Repertory Theater, Orlando, FL

*Panasian Repertory Theater, New York, NY

*13th St Repertory Company, New York, NY

*Hawaii Repertory Theater, Honolulu, HI

*Tennessee Women’s Theater Project, Nashville, TN

*Kitchen Theatre Company, Ithaca, NY

*Astoria Performing Arts Center, LI City, NY

*Zach Theatre, Austin, TX

*Echo Theatre, Dallas, TX

*Halcyon Theater, Chicago, IL

*Rivendell Theater, Chicago, IL

*Prologue Theatre Co, Chicago, IL

*The Strangetree Group, Chicago, IL

*Full Circle Theatre Company, Jersey City, NJ

*Manhattan Theatre Club, New York, NY

*TheaterWorks, Hartford, CT

*The Attic Ensemble, Jersey City, NJ

*Vortex Theater, Austin, TX

*Vermont Stage Company, Burlington, VT

Actor’s Theatre, Phoenix, AZ

Company of Fools, Hailey, ID

Salt Lake Acting Company, Salt Lake City

Hyde Park Theatre, Austin, TX

Imagination Stage, Bethesda, MD

Kitchen Dog Theater, Dallas, TX

Alliance Theater, Atlanta, GA

Bond Street Theatre, New York, NY

Youth Performance Co., Minneapolis, MN

Borderlands Theatre, Tucson, AZ

New York Theatre Workshop, New York NY

NC Stage Company, Asheville, NC

Playwrights Horizons, New York, NY

BRAT, Philadelphia, PA

Theater of the First Amendment, Fairfax, VA

Westport Country Playhouse, Westport, CT

Interact Theatre Company, Philadelphia, PA

Invisible Theatre, Tucson, AZ

Yale Repertory Theatre, New Haven, CT

Congo Square Theatre Company, Chicago, IL

Coterie Theatre, Kansas City, MO

Bushfire Theatre of Performing Arts, Philadelphia, PA

Swine Palace, Baton Rouge, LA

Court Theatre, Chicago, IL

A.D. Players, Houston, TX

Company of Angels, Los Angeles, CA

Huntington Theatre Company, Boston, MA

Rep Stage, Columbia, MD

Crowded Fire Theatre, San Francisco

Golden Thread, San Francisco

Horizon Theatre Company, Atlanta, GA

The Catastrophic Theatre, Houston, TX

Children’s Theatre Company, Minneapolis, MN

Clubbed Thumb, New York, NY

2econd Stage Theatre, New York, NY

Lexington Children’s Theatre, Lexington, KY

New Ground Theatre, Davenport, IA

Adventure Stage, Chicago, IL

African American Shakespeare Co., San Francisco

Stage Works, Tampa, FL

3Girls Theatre, San Francisco

SF Playhouse, San Francisco

* indicates multiple years on the Good News List

MORE GOOD NEWS

· FOUR theatres that were on the Girlcott List last year are now on the Good News List! The theatres that went from producing NO plays by women to producing 50% or more plays by women are (drumroll…..): The Attic Ensemble, Jersey City, NJ; Vermont Stage Company, Burlington, VT; Manhattan Theatre Club, New York City and Full Circle Theatre Company also in Jersey City.

· Los Angeles Female Playwright Initiative:

http://www.theatreinla.com/news.php?articleID=48

· Hedgebrook Women Playwrights Festival: http://www.hedgebrook.org/newsdetails.php?id=26&PHPSESSID=47f50e95435c7a30af3e06e22f81195c

· Theatre Festival Highlights Women Playwrights of Colour: http://feministing.com/2011/09/28/theatre-festival-highlights-women-playwrights-of-colour-2/

· Writer’s Conference to Champion Women Playwrights:

http://featheredquill.blogspot.com/2011/03/writers-conference-to-champion-women.html

· Check out the brand new Women’s Theatre Festival of Memphis:

http://www.womenstheatrefestivalofmemphis.org

Compiled by Liz Walsh

THE 2011/2012 GIRLCOTT LIST and bonus - ethnic casting stats NYC!

GUERRILLA GIRLS ON TOUR! PRESENT

THE 2011/2012 GIRLCOTT LIST

These theatres will not be producing a single play by a woman

on their main stages for the 2011/12 season.

American Folklore Theatre - Fish Creek, WI**

Park Players - Birmingham, AL* **

Theatre Works - Hartford, CT **

New Stage Theatre - Jackson, MS**

A Noise Within Glendale - CA**

Seattle Shakespeare Company - Seattle, WA**

Theater for a New Audience - New York, NY**

Florida Studio Theatre - Sarasota, FL**

Ford’s Theatre - Washington, DC**

(female director added since last year)

Ivoryton Playhouse - Ivoryton, CT**

Connecticut Repertory Theater - Storrs, CT**

Book-It Repertory Theater - Seattle, WA**

Sierra Repertory Theater - Sonora, CA* **

Texas Repertory Theater - Houston, TX**

Stepphenwolf Theatre - Chicago, IL

SecondStory Repertory - Redmond, WA**

Repertory Theater of Iowa - Des Moines, IA**

California Repertory Company - Long Beach, CA**

McKinney Repertory Theater - McKinney, TX**

Rosedale Community Players - Southfield, MI* **

Lofte Community Theater - Manley, NE**

Dreamcatcher Repertory Theater - South Orange, NJ**

Adobe Theater - Albuquerque, NM**

Centre Stage - Greenville, SC**

Mariemont Players - Cincinnati, OH**

Artist’s Cooperative Theater - Nashville, TN**

Community Playhouse - Tullahoma, TN**

American Heartland Theater - Kansas City, MO**

Hangar Theater - Ithaca, NY**

Lucille Ball Theatre - Jamestown, NY**

San Angelo Civic Theatre - San Angelo, TX**

Beaumont Community Players - Beaumont, TX**

Unity Theatre - Brenham, TX**

Theatre Three - Dallas, TX**

Ennis Public Theatre - Ennis, TX**

Kaufman Civic County Theatre - Terrell, TX**

Essex Community Players - Essex, VT**

Northern Stage Company - White River Junction**

Gala Hispanic Theater - Washington, DC^*

Jackson County Community Theatre - Brownstown, IN**

Raven Theater - Chicago, IL **

Remy Bumppo - Chicago, IL **

Strawdog Theater - Chicago, IL**

The House Theatre - Chicago, IL**

Hypocrites - Chicago, IL **

Writers Theater - Chicago, IL**

Clinton County Civic Theatre - Frankfort, IN**

Fort Wayne Civic Theatre - Ft. Wayne, IN**

Colonial Playhouse - Aldan, PA**

Act II Playhouse - Ambler, PA**

Hedgerow Theatre - Media, PA**

The Acting Company - New York, NY*

Lord Leebrick Theatre Company - Eugene, OR

Marin Shakespeare Company - San Rafael, CA

New Jersey Repertory Company - Long Branch, NJ

Olney Theatre Center - Olney, MD *

Pearl Theatre Company - New York, NY *

Classic Stage Company - New York, NY *

The Colony - Burbank, CA

Commonwealth Theatre Comapny - Lanesboro, MN

Writer’s Theatre - Glencoe, IL *

Peninsula Players - Fish Creek, WI

Harrisburg Shakespeare Company - Harrisburg, PA

George Street Playhouse - New Brunswick, NJ *

(1/3 of one musical is written by a woman)

Public Theater - New York, NY *

St. Michael’s Playhouse - Colchester, VT

Shakespeare Theatre Company - Washington, DC

Amphibean Stage Productions - Fort Worth, TX

The Antaeus Company - North Hollywood, CA

Crede Repertory Theatre - Crede, CO

New Orleans Shakespeare Festival at Tulane - New Orleans, LA

Harlequin Productions - Olympia, WA

L.A. Theatre Works - Los Angeles, CA

Arden Theatre Company - Philadelphia, PA

BookIt Repertory Theatre - Seattle, WA

Bristol Riverside Theatre - Bristol, PA

Guthrie Theatre - Minneapolis, MN

Aurora Theatre - Lawrenceville, GA

Barrington Stage Co - Pittsfield, MA

Center Rep - Walnut Creek, CA

Bickford Theatre - Morristown, NJ

Actor’s Express - Atlanta, GA^

Actor’s Shakespeare Project - Somerville, MA

Lantern Theatre Company - Philadelphia, PA

Long Wharf Theatre - New Haven, CT

Cara Mia Theater Company - Dallas, TX^

The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey - Madison, NJ

Southern Appalachian Repertory Theatre - Mars Hill, NC

Centre Stage - Greenville, SC

Cider Mill Playhouse - Endicott, NY

Syracuse Stage - Syracuse, NY

Triad Stage - Greensboro, NC

The Western Stage - Salinas, CA

Williamstown Theatre Festival - Williamstown, MA *

American Blues Theatre - Chicago, IL

Ensemble Theatre - Santa Barbara, CA

First Folio Theatre - Oak Brook, IL

California Repertory Company - Long Beach, CA

Arts Center of Coastal Carolina - Hilton Head Island, SC

Fusion Theatre Company - Albuquerque, NM

* indicates no women directors have been hired either

** indicates multiple years on the Girlcott List

^indicates at least one playwright is a man of color, but no female playwrights

Complied by Liz Walsh

AND IF THIS ISN'T ENOUGHT TO MAKE YOU CREATE SOME ACTIVIST STREET THEATRE RIGHT NOW, READ ON....

Asians Americans comprise 12.6% of New York City and is the city’s fastest growing minority group, yet they were seen in only 2.3% of all roles on New York City stages in the last five years:

Ethnic breakdown of casting in New York City Theatre*

(2006-07 to 2010-11 Seasons)

Caucasian: 80%

African American: 13%

Hispanic American: 3.6%

Asian American: 2.3%

Middle Eastern/ Arab American: 0.7%

Native American: 0.1%

Non-Traditional Casting by Ethnicity

46% of the roles played by actors of color were roles that did not specify race (non-traditionally cast). This number, however, was still only 9% of total roles available. African Americans were far more likely than any other minority group to be cast in a role which did not specify race. Breakdown by ethnicity as a proportion of all roles which were non-traditionally cast:

African American: 62.8%

Hispanic American: 20.7%

Asian American: 15%

Middle Eastern/ Arab American: 0.6%

Native American: 0.07%

Broadway

When looking at Broadway as a separate industry, the representation of Asian Americans dropped significantly to 1.5 %:

Caucasian: 82%

African American: 12%

Hispanic American: 4 %

Asian American: 1.5%

Middle Eastern/Arab American: 0.25%

Native American: 0.17%

Ethnic breakdown of Casting at the Largest Non-Profit New York Theatre Companies

2006-07 to 2010-11 seasons:

ATLANTIC THEATRE CO

Caucasian: 95%

African American: 3.5%

Hispanic American: 1%

Asian American: 0.5%

ROUNDABOUT THEATER COMPANY:

Caucasian: 90%

African American: 8%

Hispanic American: 1 %

Asian American: 1 %

PLAYWRIGHTS HORIZONS:

Caucasian: 86%

African American: 12.4%

Hispanic American: 1.1%

Asian American: 0.6%

THEATRE FOR A NEW AUDIENCE:

Caucasian: 83%

African American: 14%

Hispanic American: 2 %

Asian American : 1 %

VINEYARD THEATRE COMPANY:

Caucasian: 74%

African American: 21%

Hispanic American: 2.5%

Asian American: 2.5%

LINCOLN CENTER THEATRE:

Caucasian: 76%

African American: 17.5%

Hispanic American: 4 %

Asian American: 2.5%

MCC THEATER:

Caucasian: 84.5%

African American: 5.8%

Hispanic American: 3.8%

Asian American: 3.8%

Arab American: 1.9 %

NEW YORK THEATRE WORKSHOP:

Caucasian: 73%

African American 12 %

Hispanic: 3%

Asian American: 4%

Arab American: 8%

CLASSIC STAGE COMPANY

Caucasian: 85.5 %

African American: 6.5%

Hispanic American: 3%

Asian American: 4%

Arab American: 1.0%

PUBLIC THEATRE:

Caucasian: 64%

African American: 21%

Hispanic American: 5.6%

Asian American: 6.5%

Arab American: 3 %

SECOND STAGE THEATER:

Caucasian: 80%

African American: 8.7%

Hispanic American: 4 %

Asian American: 6.4%

Arab American: 1 %

SIGNATURE THEATRE:

Caucasian: 47.5%

African American: 44.9%

Hispanic American: 2.4%

Asian American: 5.5%

THE NEW GROUP

Caucasian: 88%

African American: 2%

Hispanic American: 2%

Asian American: 7%

Arab American: 1%

MANHATTAN THEATRE CLUB

Caucasian: 86.5%

African American: 11 %

Hispanic American: 1.0 %

Asian American: 1.0%

Arab American: 0.5%

*includes new shows that opened on Broadway during this period (with the exception of “Soul of Shaolin”, a special event imported directly from China), subsequent replacement casts, and the seasons of the fourteen largest non-profit theatre companies. Does not include shows which opened on Broadway prior to this period but may still be running or Commercial Off Broadway shows. Special Note: Ethnic classification was not self-identified though significant effort was made to research interviews and bios which might indicate ethnic self-identification. Asian American actors include those of East Asian, South Asian (India and Pakistan) and South East Asian origin.

These stats were culled by a group of Asian American actors in NYC who recently formed an ad hoc committee to raise awareness about the systemic biases (both conscious and unconscious) within the casting process.

Here is their FB Page:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Aapac-Asian-American-Performers-Action-Committee/274685732556028

COLLEGE OF STATEN ISLAND DIARY #2

Eva and Edith outside our dressing room

November 11, 2011

Hey Diary,

I went to Staten Island and all I brought you back was this diary entry! Ha Ha!

The bomb sniffing dog who checked our bag takes a break at the SI Ferry terminal

If you're free this week I suggest you take a ride on the SI Ferry...it's lovely!

What do they say? Hindsight is 20/20. If I had hindsight my day planner last November would have looked like this:

Wednesday the 9th:

1:30 (ish) - Debark ferry. Meet up with Ellen from College of Staten Island after slight confusion. Basically very few people are picked up from the ferry by car so there was not a clear place to do this. Breaking rules already.

1:30 - 2:00- Take a beautiful ride through Staten Island to the College. Enjoy the harbor and the fall foliage.

2:00 - 4:00 - Meet incredible crew and do wicked fast and professional tech.

4:00 - 5:00 - Play in hallways. Record videos.

5:00 - 6:00 - Finish tech with incredible student volunteer who took the name Frida Kahlo.

6:00 - 7:00 - Eat. More play in hallways. Warm-ups.

7:00 - 9:00 Perform "Feminists Are Funny" and end with Q and A to warm and attentive audience who after slight hesitation about hugging a feminist will jump in and participate. Hear from audience member women do not just need to vote women also need to run for political office on all levels. Receive news during show after an incredible version of 'Lesbian, Vagina, Feminist' that the song moves up on the Netherlands pop charts to #11. Raise your voices and you can affect change.

Thursday the 10th:

1:30 - 3:30 - Do a theatre workshop. Come to conclusions. In many workshops you see people who are eager to jump in and you also see people who begin with their arms crossed, or their eyes down. They are nervous and uncertain. Then you start working and they hopefully open up to the experience. In this particular workshop everyone opened up. It was a big beautiful class full of expression. I could only come to the conclusion that in their lives these students know trust, stability, guidance, support, generosity. They know it in at least one area of their lives - home, school, friends, relationships - and probably more. I think that's why this workshop opened up so much and everyone glowed. Those who had that trust from the beginning kept it, those who didn't found it, and they all offered it to each other. If I could, I would send this workshop out as my holiday card for all to be inspired by in the New Year. Check out the video of one of the devised theatre pieces created by the awesome CSI students below.

Monkey Love,

Edith Evans

COLLEGE OF STATEN ISLAND DIARY #1

Audrey Hepburn leading workshop in street theatre in Staten Island

Dearest Diary,

What a great workshop at the College of Staten Island! I was so excited to dust off my mask, get back on the road and teach some theatre.

The ride on the SI ferry was beautiful and as my first time on Staten Island I was amazed at how big it was!

The students were a mix of performers and "non performers," but by the end of the workshop you couldn't tell which was which. You could tell there were students more hesitant about learning improv from Gorillas, but we showed them how to get nice and loose.

We started with some warm ups to get them out of their self consciousness, playing my favorite game, "YES!" In this game, one person does a big physical movement with a sound and then everyone shouts "YES!" and repeats it. The students had great fun pushing their own boundaries. And “YES” is such a great word.

We moved on to creating their own devised pieces made up of a few elements: a choreographed dance, a strong entrance and exit, and a short scene with defined characters. It was incredible to see the once hesitant students suddenly leading their group when it came time to use their creativity.

The pieces were all excellent, bursting with life. Everyone had an amazing time performing and working as a team to create something original. Some pieces had themes of strength (even letting out their own "GRR!" which I can't help but think was inspired by the Guerrilla Girls On Tour) and playfulness. Some even used Michael Jackson for inspiration. But the one thing that defined all of the performances was that you could see the growth and confidence in each of the performers and how well they had used their creativity to have fun as an artist.

Until we meet again on the Staten Island Ferry or elsewhere,

Yours,

Audrey Hepburn

Aphra Behn and the "YES!" exercise

Dear Book,

Just back from The College of Staten Island - the college with the best theater stats we have ever seen in a college! This year the students are putting on two plays, both written by women. They also have a course that focuses on women in theater and an awesome women’s center. Located in the former Willowbrook State School, (a state-supported mental hospital), the College of Staten Island, has a beautiful and expansive campus. The stairway that led from the theater to our dressing room though was outfitted with a hefty barred door - that reminded us of the building’s history.

Our tech crew was stellar - we totally wanted to guerrilla-nap our baboon boy and all-around-tech-rock-star, Dan. And the student volunteer actor, Amy, was quick, witty, and nailed every line. I wish we could have stayed longer and gotten to know more people. Personally I think Staten Island could be a perfect ‘natural habitat’ for a band of Guerrilla Girls [when we’re not] on Tour.

Hope to see you on the road!

Xxxx,

Eva La Gallienne

FEMINIST FRIDAY PORTFOLIO SALE

It’s not Santa Con, it’s not Buy Nothing Day it’s….

FEMINIST FRIDAY and Guerrilla Girls On Tour’s

ONE DAY ONLY PORTFOLIO SALE!

Friday, December 9, 2011 Guerrilla Girls On Tour’s portfolio “MONKEY BUSINESS: The First Ten Years” will be available for $500 plus shipping (reduced from $2000).

Our new limited edition portfolio contains 16 high-quality prints (all 8.5"x17" or 11"x17" depending on the original design). Posters in this collection have been included in exhibits at SOMArts, Rutgers, Exit Art, Museo Castagnino, Palais De Tokyo, and the Busan Biennale.

Please visit the link below to view all of the posters in MONKEY BUSINESS.

http://www.guerrillagirlsontour.com/portfoliosales.htm

If you are interested in purchasing please send an email to posters@ggontour.com

Feel free to share this email with curators, museum directors and other feminists who might be interested in GGOT's Feminist Friday portfolio sale.

Thank you for your support. See you on the road!

Go bananas,

Guerrilla Girls On Tour!

www.guerrillagirlsontour.com

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