Malibu Playhouse will be hosting a series of Guest Artistic Directors to bring a variety of expertise and fresh artistic visions. Each Guest Artistic Director will oversee a six-month period of programming. Jeremy Skidmore, a world-renowned theater director and formerly Artistic Director of Theater Alliance in Washington, D.C. will blaze the trail as inaugural Guest Artistic Director. His programming will launch on Thanksgiving Day weekend and go through June 2016. Additional events will be listed on the Malibu Playhouse website and Facebook page throughout the season.
"The major drive behind the change in model is to attract artistic talent among those working in a variety of industries who may not be able to commit to yearlong or full-time employment," said Jeremy Skidmore, the company's first choice to begin this new venture. "I just moved here from the East Coast where I have been producing and directing theater for more than 16 years. The reason for my move was to diversify the kind of work I am doing across theater, film, television and education. So this opportunity could not be more perfect or well timed."
"We're delighted to have Jeremy at the helm for the new direction the Malibu Playhouse is taking. This is a very exciting time for us as there are many great things coming this next year!" Andi Howard-Ringe, chairperson of the board of directors, Malibu Playhouse.
The Playhouse 2015-2016 season, under Jeremy's direction, will include three limited-run critically acclaimed productions: "Wonderful Life!" (An instant holiday classic one-man show based on the film "It's A Wonderful Life"), "Mary's Wedding," and "Pavillion." Other projects include several one-night benefits, a multi-disciplinary new work mini-festival, collaborations with area universities, and Members Only promotional events (i.e. private dinners with Jeremy and casts, private cocktail parties and meet and greets.). There will also be a film screening of "It's a Wonderful Life," an actual wedding to precede the "Mary's Wedding" show and a high school reunion party unlike any other (since you never know which of Malibu's celebrity local heroes will show up) to get audiences in the right frame of mind for "Pavillion." For information about how to become a member, please go to: www.malibuplayhouse.org or contact: info@malibuplayhouse.org.
Before Skidmore's programming begins on Thanksgiving weekend, Malibu Playhouse will feature a series of one-night events including:
- "The Guys": A Reading Tribute to Firefighters, Saturday, Sept. 12 at 8 p.m.
Written by Anne Nelson, starring Ray Abruzzo (SOPRANOS and TRANSPARENT) and Wendie Malick (HOT IN CLEVELAND), directed by Dan Lauria. An editor and a Fire Chief come together in the aftermath of the 9/11 tragedy to write the eulogies for eight of the men lost in the rescue. A benefit for the Playhouse in which a portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Los Angeles County Fire Department.
- October Open House
"Welcome Jeremy to the Playhouse" event. Details will be available on the Malibu Playhouse website.
-"Rocky Horror Picture Show" Costume Party and Screening Saturday, Oct. 31 at 9 p.m.
Will include a gift bag of throw-able objects.
