‘Breaking down barriers’
New Generation Theatrical expands mission in experimental theater
For the first time, the New Generation Theatrical company is programming a full season focused on new works, unconventional storytelling and creating eventstyle theater.
The Orlando-based nonprofit also has refined its mission to be more accessible and inclusive, with a new four-person leadership team, and to offer extra support to artists through initiatives such as a $20 per hour base pay rate.
It’s all part of founder Aaron Safer’s plan to “bring something different to the table — an alternative or innovative way to look at theater.”
The theater scene in Central Florida has been growing more experimental in recent years. Playwrights’ Round Table, which has long promoted original works, has expanded its programming from evenings of 10-minute plays to full productions. Central Florida Vocal Arts this week premieres “Melina,” an original steampunk-themed musical that invites the audience to come in costume one night.
Donald Rupe’s Renaissance Theatre opened last year, also with an emphasis on original work and alternative forms of theater — such as an office holiday party in which the actors mingled with the guests. And in 2019, New Generation Theatrical debuted its own “Be Original” festival of short new plays — a precursor to this season expansion.
“You can see the love this town has for original theater — every year when the Fringe rolls around,” said Michael Knight, a member of the company’s leadership team, alongside Safer, Faith Boles and Nicole Visco. “Clearly, there is a need and a want for originality.”
The annual Orlando Fringe Festival, coming up in May, is a two-week celebration of new and unconventional artistry.
Safer says pushing the boundaries of theater, through new and re-imagined established works, “is a movement.” But despite a difference in style, New Generation shows will maintain the essence of theater.
“We’re focusing on storytelling,” Visco said. “We’re just getting a little more intimate and emotional with our audience.”
To achieve that, the company will treat its shows like events, the leaders said — with food and drink built into some shows, audience participation and nontraditional staging that could have theatergoers directly interacting with the performers.
In the upcoming spooky comedy “Gothic Manor,” for example, “it’s happening all around you,” Safer said. “People are going to be splattered with ‘blood.’ ”
Knight, who is creating the show, said even the refreshments will be an aspect of the performance.
“The audience will be served drinks that are part of the ticket price — but also part of the plot,” he said.
To make the shows accessible to as many people as possible, tickets will start at just $15, Visco said. But to maintain the intimate quality of productions, seats may be limited.
Accessibility for actors is also a key concern, with minimum pay rate of $20 per hour part of the company’s commitment to nurturing performing. That commitment, the leaders said, will manifest in other ways such as hiring actors as seasonal employees instead of subcontractors — a move that comes with benefits such as workers’ compensation eligibility.
New Generation also will pay actors for the time they spend learning the script — something traditionally done on a performer’s own time before rehearsals begin.
“I’ve been in this business for 20 years, I’ve never been paid for learning lines,”
said Boles. “It’s unheard of. But we recognize how much time and energy it takes to learn a show.”
The company also is working behind the scenes with a trainer in a diversity, equity and inclusion to make sure those values are reflected in casting and other decision making.
“It’s breaking down barriers, it means a lot,” said Boles, who is Black. “It’s hard to walk into a room and see you’re the only person of color. Everyone wants to feel safe and tell our stories in a welcoming environment.”
Announcing an entire season reaffirms the company’s commitment to its ideals, Safer said.
“The point of this season is to show we’re here to stay,” he said. “We’re really excited about it.”
New Generation 2022 season
Reasons to be Pretty: May 5-8 at Orlando Repertory Theatre’s Black Box theater. Playwright Neil LaBute explores the idea of beauty.
Sweeney Todd: July 7-17 at The Mezz in Orlando. The famed Stephen Sondheim musical of a vengeful barber is served up with a meat-pie-and-drinks happy hour.
Gothic Manor: July 28-31 at Orlando Repertory Theatre’s Black Box theater. Mingle and drink up in a Victorian-era ballroom where the spirits are in your glass … and all around … in this comedy.
Heathers The Musical, A Fundraising Concert Event: Aug. 19-20 at The Abbey. Hits are performed from the 1980s highschool themed show in this benefit for a local community organization to be announced later.
Closer: September 2022. Four lives intertwine in a look at modern love and betrayal.
The World Goes ‘Round: Oct. 6-16 at The Mezz. The music of Kander and Ebb (“Chicago,” “Cabaret”) celebrates life and the fighting spirit that keeps us
all going. Guests will have the option of mingling with the cast for drinks and light bites before the show.
Wingman: November 2022. Written by Central Floridian Gretchen Suárez-Peña, the play follows a scientist who helps awkward men connect with women — by reading their minds. But the course of love never runs smoothly.
For more information, go to newgentheatrical.org.