An adventure into surrealism and symbology awaits viewers at Redwood Curtain Theatre as the paintings of?Carin Billings are on display. Billings’ images typically show female bodies that are shifted and distorted in?interesting ways. “I love making representational images that are not based in reality” Billings explains. “I also like?my pieces to explore the power held by women. I find the female form very beautiful, but I like to play with?stretching or dropping out body parts to see what power is still there to be wielded.”
Growing up, Billings attended the Children’s Art Academy at Humboldt State University until she turned 18.?She also studied for a summer at an art school in Italy. At an early age Billings learned the fundamentals of?creating art in various media, but also the basic art principles of balance, proportion, form, color, texture, etc. Her?preference now is painting and she especially prefers to paint with oils, though her works also include some?graphite and charcoal drawings. She continues her education currently with the help of YouTube and reading?books.
Billings’ inspiration often comes from fairy tales and mythology. But she also finds doodles that she revisits?can also lead to the creation of new pieces. Her newest work plays with melding creatures together – a human?head sits on the body of a bird, a woman’s body sits on an egg, with the head of a bird. Several of these pieces will?be on display in the upcoming show.
Billings’ paintings will be in the lobby gallery at Redwood Curtain Theatre for the months of October and?November, and through the theatrical production of Rabbit Hole which runs October 31 thru November 23, 2019.?The Redwood Curtain theatre and gallery are located at 220 1 st Street, Eureka. For additional information about?Arts Alive at Redwood Curtain Theatre, Billings’ art show or the upcoming theatre production visit?www.yd8013.com or call the theatre at 707-443-7688.
Redwood Curtain Theatre is excited to exhibit graffiti-influenced paintings by Sonny Wong for the months of April and May. An original “Devil’s Playground” artist, Wong has been graffiti-writing for a long time. “I was knocking down walls long before Devil’s Playground became known as a place for out of town street artists to travel to and make their mark.” Although he’s not painting as many wall-sized murals, Wong is a prolific artist today, He works as a graphic designer, but he’s best known locally for the 101 covers he created for Savage Henry?magazine over the first few years of the magazine’s existence.
Wong helps us understand the origins of graffiti art “Graffiti is letter-based art. In the days of monks creating illuminated manuscripts, they believed that the shape and the forms of the letters they created was a way to keep evil away. Street artists take that concept into the art we create – we build the proverbial strength of a ship into the shapes and designs of the lettering we include in a piece of work.”
Wong’s work is heavily influenced by his early childhood love of cartoons plus kung fu and ninja movies. That later became an interest in the way of the samurai, and an appreciation for Japanese anime. His paintings often include dragons or geisha, or a combination therein. The work on display at Redwood Curtain will be from the past five years and Wong explains that almost every piece is experimental. “I’m always trying new techniques and changing the style of what I’m working on.” He goes on to say “I recently painted a plein air landscape. Because of the graffiti influence, the trees may not look stylistically like trees, but the piece is definitely a plein air painting, where I worked outside and painted the landscape I saw.”
Wong’s graffiti inspired art will be on display in the lobby gallery at Redwood Curtain Theatre for the months of April and May, and through the theatrical production of Prodigal Son?which runs April 25 – May 18.?The Redwood Curtain theatre and gallery are located at 220 1stStreet, Eureka. For additional information about Arts Alive at Redwood Curtain Theatre, Wong’s art show or the upcoming theatre production visit www.yd8013.com?or call the theatre at 707-443-7688.
Redwood Curtain welcomes Freshwater School’s Egyptian Mask Project to the theatre gallery for the months of February and March. Freshwater teacher Kylah Rush immerses her sixth-grade class in an ancient Egypt unit for the month of January. The students learn science, history, art, writing and even math through the lens of the ancient Egyptians. The unit culminates in the students mummifying chickens and making personalized death shroud masks in the style of the ancient mummified pharaohs. The masks will be on display in the Redwood Curtain Theatre Lobby Gallery.
Rush started teaching her ancient Egypt unit more than eight years ago. “I find project based learning is really powerful,” states Rush. “While not everything appeals to every student, there will be a component of the full immersion curriculum that appeals to each student. It’s really rewarding to see students who otherwise struggle, really come into their own as they connect with a particular component of the unit.”
The component that will be on display in the theatre gallery is the mask project. Students work in pairs to cover each other’s faces with plaster strips, then wait with their partner while the plaster hardens enough to form a mask. The students then embellish and decorate the masks with traditional elements of a shroud mask, including gold paint, jewels, beards and hair. In some cases, the masks don’t; cooperate and they fall apart. The students learn how to repair or adjust things.
In addition to learning patience with working through a multi-day project and teamwork to ensure each child has a mask, the students learn how to use tools. Exacto knives, hot glue guns and other things might not be the first things we entrust to a young person, but Rush educates them how to use the tools safely and effectively to complete the mask projects.
The show at Redwood Curtain theatre exhibits a mask from every sixth grade student. The public is invited to the opening night reception for the art show on February 2nd, which occurs in conjunction with Eureka’s February Arts Alive! festivities.
The Redwood Curtain theatre and gallery are located at 220 1st Street, Eureka. The sixth grader’s death masks will be on display in the gallery through the upcoming theatrical production of Everybody?which opens on February 21 and runs through March 16. For additional information about Arts Alive at Redwood Curtain Theatre, the art show or the upcoming theatre production visit www.yd8013.com or call the theatre at 707-443-7688.
Redwood Curtain Theatre is pleased to present Barbara Caldwell’s watercolor paintings in the theatre gallery during the months of August and September. Caldwell works with watercolor. The pieces on display include landscape paintings of places throughout Humboldt County.
Caldwell previously served as the Executive Director for the American Red Cross in Humboldt County. When she retired a few years ago, she found herself at a crossroads in her life. She began exploring watercolors, and soon found an all-consuming passion that she has worked to embrace and train ever since.? As Caldwell explains: “I hadn’t planned on taking up painting when I retired. But it didn’t take long to realize that this is what I’m meant to do.”
Caldwell, whose formal education includes a doctorate in Organizational Leadership, has studied with local artists including Joyce Jonte, Alan Sanborn, and Brent Evenson. She is a diligent student, painting every single day. “I’m a poster child for the phrase ‘practice makes perfect’” Caldwell says, “I’m in no way perfect at my art, but I’ve definitely seen my own personal progress over the three years I’ve been painting.” Her ?goal is to paint pictures that tell a story. She wants viewers to engage with her work – either imagining themselves into the scene or finding a story they can imagine going on within the piece.
Caldwell has tried other mediums, but always comes back to watercolor. “The way water makes the pigment move on the paper is absolutely magical to me.” The pieces that will be on display at Redwood Curtain include recent landscape paintings and some earlier works completed in the studio.
Caldwell’s paintings will be on display in the gallery at Redwood Curtain Theatre for the months of August and September, and through the theatrical production of Marjorie Prime.?The Redwood Curtain theatre and gallery are located at 220 1st Street, Eureka. For additional information about Arts Alive at Redwood Curtain Theatre, Barbara Caldwell’s art show or the upcoming theatre production visit?www.yd8013.com?or call the theatre at 707-443-7688.
Redwood Curtain Theatre is pleased to host drawings by Louise Bacon Ogden in the theatre gallery during the months of February and March. Known by many in Humboldt County as the former owner of Strictly for the Birds, Bacon-Ogden retired from retail in 2004, and pursued more traditional art with a strong enthusiasm. She started with classes through HSU Extension and discovered a joy in drawing the natural world around her.
A regular volunteer at the Humboldt Wildlife Refuge and an avid birder herself, Bacon-Ogden often finds bird treasures that become her art subjects. “I draw nests and wings (left by predators) that I then turn over to Refuge management for educational purposes.” While her drawings aren’t always of birds, they are often representative components of the cycle of life in a bird’s world. In addition to birds, subjects might include spiders and bugs which serve as bird food, flowers which provide nectar to hummingbirds in addition to bird nests, eggs, feather and wings.
Always drawn to black and white imagery, Bacon-Ogden has studied various medium since her first graphite drawing class just after retirement. Even after studying something like watercolor, she always finds herself gravitating back to drawing, using pen and ink, graphite, scratchboard and Sumi-e (Japanese ink wash). “I enjoy learning new mediums,” she says, “but each new medium I learn helps to cement the things I like about drawing.”
Bacon-Ogden’s drawings will be on display in the gallery at Redwood Curtain Theatre for the months of February and March, and through the theatrical production of Women in Jeopardy. The Redwood Curtain theatre and gallery are located at 220 1st Street, Eureka. For additional information about Arts Alive at Redwood Curtain Theatre, Louise Bacon-Ogden’s art show or the upcoming theatre production visit www.yd8013.com or call the theatre at 707-443-7688.
Redwood Curtain Theatre proudly welcomes the art of Patricia Sennott to the theatre’s lobby gallery for the months of August and September. Sennott’s art medium has changed over the years, initially a silk and fabric painter when she finished school with a studio art degree, she then turned to watercolor painting and did that for many years. Since the late 90’s, Sennott discovered monotype printing as a way to challenge herself artistically. Monotype printing is often referred to as a “painterly” form of printmaking as the process is in some ways similar to the? process of a creating painting, although the painted image is then run through an etching press; a process which distorts and changes the painting. Sennott comments “I never know how the image is going to turn out when it comes out of the press. This was a welcome change from the tighter, more controlled style I found myself settling into with my watercolor work.”
Printmaking is typically a medium that allows and encourages the artist to create multiple copies of the same image. By contrast, Sennott’s monotype printmaking is a unique process that yields single image prints. Sennott produces her monotypes by rolling paint onto a sheet of plexiglas then creating a design or image by removing the paint from the plexiglas. The plexiglas is then covered by a wet piece of archival paper and sent through a print press which forces almost all of the ink on the plexiglas onto the paper. “How the colors blend together and then come through onto the paper is always a surprise” Sennott explains, “in my more recent work, I’m exploring both the spontaneous printing I started with in addition to more planned approaches to the printing process.”
A member of the Arcata Artisans group, Sennott’s art is regularly on display in the organization’s Arcata gallery. The upcoming show at Redwood Curtain however gives patrons an opportunity to see a deeper range of Sennott’s work. The theatre gallery will be open for Arts Alive on August 5. The art will continue to be on display through Redwood Curtain’s September production of Disenchanted! that performs September 7-30. The Redwood Curtain theatre and gallery are located at 220 1st?Street, Eureka. For additional information about Arts Alive at Redwood Curtain Theatre, Patricia Sennott’s art show or the upcoming theatre production visit www.yd8013.com or call the theatre at 707-443-7688.
Poisoned apples. Glass slippers. Who needs ’em?! Not Snow White and her posse of disenchanted princesses in the hilarious hit musical Disenchanted! Forget the Disney-like princesses you think you know – these ladies have come back to life to set the record straight, with a whole lotta attitude.
Dennis Giacino’s hilariously subversive and outrageous musical plays at Redwood Curtain September 7th through 30th.
Clint Rebik, Artistic Director, notes that “it’s very much in the style of a cabaret, with moments for each of the ladies to shine. The lyrics are fun and risqué, and move quickly in this rollicking 90-minute show. It’s a perfect late-summer treat!
Local theatregoers will recognize a bevy of beauties taking on the roles of these “non-Disney” divas. Molly Severdia plays Snow White, whose snow may have drifted. Jessi Shieman smirks as Cinderella (complete with fractured glass slipper) and Nan Voss is “Perfect” as the sleep-singing Sleeping Beauty.
The sextet is made complete by Julie Angles as the gin-drinking Little Mermaid, and does triple-duty by playing Belle and Rapunzel as well. Tina Toomata triples up in much the same way, donning the wigs of Hua Mulan, Pocahontas, and Princess Baldroulbadour. Michelle “Chelly” Purnell leaps onto the stage as The Princess Who Kissed the Frog.
Scenic, Lighting, and Costume Design is handled by Lynnie Horrigan, who notes that ‘the blush is off the apple” in this tale! “It’s been wonderful working with each of these actresses in bringing a bit of sass to their “traditional” costumes. It’s definitely geared toward adults!”
Details about the play, Season 2017, and ticketing are on the Redwood Curtain website: www.yd8013.com.
Disenchanted! previews on Thursday and Friday, September 7th and 8th, with $10 tickets, and opening night with Gala champagne reception is Saturday, Sept. 9th, with tickets at $22. Performances continue Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights through Sept. 30th. Cheap date Thursdays on Sept. 14th, 21st, and 28th, two tickets for $20. Friday Focus is Sept. 15th, and a 2pm Sunday Matinee takes place on Sept. 24th, with tickets at $17. Ticket price on Friday and Saturday (except Gala) nights is $17.
Redwood Curtain is located at 220 First Street (between C and D) in Old Town, Eureka. Main entrance through Snug Alley. As the theatre is intimate with only 80 seats, reservations are highly recommended, and there is no late seating. Evening performances begin promptly at 8pm, Sunday matinees at 2pm.
Tickets can be reserved or purchased securely online at www.yd8013.com. You may also reserve tickets by emailing boxoffice@redwoodcurtain.com or calling 707-443-7688.
He’s young, he’s broke, his landlord’s knocking at the door, and he’s just found out his wife is going to have a baby! To make matters even more desperate, Casey is fired from his gig as an Elvis impersonator in a run-down, small-town Florida bar. When the bar owner brings in a B-level drag show to replace his act, Casey finds that he has a whole lot to learn about show business—and himself – in this music-filled comedy about singing your own song.
Shea King, director of last summer’s box office record-breaker, Five Lesbians Eating a Quiche, was excited to return to take on this project. “I love Redwood Curtain, I love this script, and I love Humboldt!” King said. “Audiences are going to love these characters, their story and have a lot of fun!”
Local theatregoers will recognize the name of actor David Hamilton, but may not recognize him once he’s in costume as Miss Tracy Mills, a drag performer who takes a young, down-on-his-luck Elvis impersonator, played by William English, under her wing. Rounding out the stellar cast are Christopher Kehoe as Miss Anorexia Nervosa, Michelle Purnell as Casey’s expectant wife Jo, and Jeremy Webb as bar owner Eddie.
In addition to fabulous costumes by Rae Robison, the exquisite make-up and wigs will be designed and executed by Josh Tillett. Scenic Design is by Hanah Toyoda, and Lighting by Jared Sorenson, with Sound by Cory Stewart.
Details about the play, Season 2017, and ticketing are on the Redwood Curtain website: www.yd8013.com.
The Legend of Georgia McBride previews on Thursday and Friday, July 6?and 7, with $10 tickets, and opening night with Gala champagne reception is Saturday, July 8, with tickets at $22. Performances continue Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights through July 29. Cheap date Thursdays on July 13, 20, and 27, two tickets for $20. A 2pm Sunday Matinee takes place on July 23, with tickets at $17. Ticket price on Friday and Saturday (except Gala) nights is $17.
Redwood Curtain is located at 220 First Street (between C and D) in Old Town, Eureka. Main entrance through Snug Alley. ?As the theatre is intimate with only 80 seats, reservations are highly recommended, and there is no late seating. Evening performances begin promptly at 8pm, Sunday matinees at 2pm.
Tickets can be reserved or purchased securely online at www.yd8013.com. You may also reserve tickets by emailing boxoffice@redwoodcurtain.com or calling 707-443-7688.
Redwood Curtain welcomes digital artists Pam Cone, Bosha Struve and Donna Rosebaugh to the lobby gallery for the months of June and July. The women met through the Redwood Art Association and have been influencing and inspiring each other for several years. All three artists are interested in exploring texture and color and they enjoy how digital art allows them to explore building layers of texture and dimension. “Manipulating how the layers of a piece interact is my favorite part” explains Struve as Cone and Rosebaugh nod in agreement.
Bosha Struve has followed a traditional arts path in her life. She has considered herself an artist since high school, pursuing fine arts, ceramics and photography. She worked professionally as a graphic artist for 20 years. Now her focus is on the process of creating photo-montages/collages by combining images she has photographed with images that she has found and altered. “The montages I create are intuitive visual explorations referencing symbols and dreams. They are also a way for me to express my personal connection to the world and how I see it.”
Bosha Struve – Circadian Rythyms
Pam Cone came to the world of digital photography and digital art creation a bit later in her life. Turning a lifelong interest in various art mediums, photography took center stage after coming back from a once-in-a-lifetime vacation with a lot of photos to process, but not knowing what to do with them. This led her to join the Redwood Camera Club and eventually the Eureka Photoshop Users Group. She found that she could incorporate her love of color, texture, lines and even abstract work with her photos or parts of them to create interesting works. Cone has been inspired by many local artists that have encouraged her to continue explorations in her creative journey. She is now exploring using more mixed media with photography in her new works.
Pam Cone – Coastal Wetlands
Donna Rosebaugh worked as a draftsman for over 40 years, and transitioned to AutoCAD as technology became available. She discovered an interesting progression from CAD to Photoshop and from there to working as an artist. “I’m always experimenting and trying new things with my work. I choose a photo for the color, line texture and shadow light patterns, but often the final art piece does not resemble the beginning photo in any way.”
Donna Rosebaugh – Lime Green to mail
The three artists bring their work together in the lobby gallery at Redwood Curtain Theatre for the months of June and July, and through the upcoming theatrical production of The Legend of Georgia McBride which opens on July 6, 2017. The Redwood Curtain theatre and gallery are located at 220 1st Street, Eureka. For additional information about Arts Alive at Redwood Curtain Theatre, the digital art show or the upcoming theatre production visit www.yd8013.com or call the theatre at 707-443-7688.
His name is Woodson Bull III, but you can call him “Third.” and Professor Laurie Jameson is disinclined to like his jockish attitude. Believing that Third’s sophisticated essay on?King Lear?could not possibly have been written by such a student, Professor Jameson reports his plagiarism to the college’s Committee of Academic Standards. But is her accusation justified? Or is she casting Third as the villain in her own struggle with her relationships, her age and the increasingly polarized political environment?
Witty, wise and thought-provoking, Third is the last play written by Tony and Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Wendy Wasserstein, premiering off Broadway in the Fall of 2005, shortly before her untimely death in January of 2006.
The play takes place in a small liberal arts college in New England (delightfully reminiscent of HSU), where Professor Laurie Jameson’s personal and political ideologies are challenged by a young student, at the same time she is facing generational and family issues at home.
Director Justin Takata was thrilled to take on the production. “I just loved the script. We typically think of coming of age as something we only really do in our youth, but really we do it several times throughout our lives. All five characters face a different coming of age…”
The production features Redwood Curtain veteran actor Christina Jioras (last seen in the critically acclaimed Going to St. Ives) in the lead role of Professor Laurie Jameson. Joey Lawrence trods the RC boards for the second time in the titular role of Third. And RC veterans Lincoln Mitchell and Elisa Abelleira, as well as newcomerCate Hatfield, round out the cast.
Details about the play, Season 2017, and ticketing are on the Redwood Curtain website: www.yd8013.com.
Third previews on Thursday and Friday, April 27?and 28, with $10 tickets, and opening night with Gala champagne reception is Saturday, April 29, with tickets at $22. Performances continue Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights through May 20. Cheap date Thursdays on May 4, 11, and 18, two tickets for $20. A 2pm Sunday Matinee takes place on May14, with tickets at $17. Ticket price on Friday and Saturday (except Gala) nights is $17.
Redwood Curtain is located at 220 First Street (between C and D) in Old Town, Eureka. Main entrance through Snug Alley. ?As the theatre is intimate with only 80 seats, reservations are highly recommended, and there is no late seating. Evening performances begin promptly at 8pm, Sunday matinees at 2pm.
Tickets can be reserved or purchased securely online at www.yd8013.com. You may also reserve tickets by emailing boxoffice@redwoodcurtain.com or calling 707-443-7688.
