Actors Co-op Announces Directors for 20th Anniversary Season

Actors Co-op is pleased to be collaborating with four directors for its upcoming 20th Anniversary season. The team includes former Artistic Director Gary Lee Reed, former Producing Directors Nan McNamara and Marianne Savell and current Artistic Chairperson, Heather Chesley.

Nan McNamara directs the season opener, THE 1940’S RADIO HOUR by Walton Jones, opening September 23, 2011. Ms. McNamara is the recipient of the 2011 Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Award and LA Weekly Award for her portrayal of Vivian Bearing in Actors Co-op’s production of WIT. Her directorial credits include two of the three plays comprising THE NIBROC TRILOGY at Actors Co-op, receiving a Garland Award Honorable Mention for her direction (shared with Marianne Savell) and amassing “Critic’s Choice†from the Los Angeles Times, “Critic’s Pick†from Backstage West and was “Recommended†by the LA Weekly. Ms. McNamara was Producing Director of Actors Co-op from 1999 to 2002.

Gary Lee Reed helms TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD adapated by Christopher Sergel from the novel by Harper Lee, opening October 14, 2011. Mr. Reed most recently directed BONNIE AND CLYDE: THE TWO-FISTED, SIX-GUN MUSICAL for ITW in Bend, Oregon. He currently has a comedy improv duo, Theatre Off The Cuff, on a National tour. His critically-acclaimed Actors Co-op production of GODSPELL garnered 22 different nominations and awards including Critic’s Choice in the Los Angeles Times, Pick-of-the-Week in the LA Weekly and Critic’s Pick in Daily Variety. As Artistic Director of Actors Co-op for four years, he directed THE MOST HAPPY FELLA, 1776, JERRY’S GIRLS, THE WOMAN IN BLACK, SENTIMENTAL JOURNEY and the world premiere, LIGHTS.

Marianne Savell is set to direct two productions in the 2011-12 season: the American Premiere of YOURS, ISABEL by Christy Hall, opening February 3, 2012 and Eugene O’Neill’s LONG DAY’S JOURNEY INTO NIGHT, opening March 16, 2012. Ms. Savell was invited to the prestigious New Harmony Project to direct Margaret Hunt’s new play AND THE RAVENS FEED US.  Professional directing credits include the critically-acclaimed Jeff-nominated SOMEONE WHO’LL WATCH OVER ME (Victory Gardens, Chicago), the multi-award nominated and Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle and LA Weekly award-winning WIT (Best Revival), the world premiere and LA Weekly award-winner GULF VIEW DRIVE, KING LEAR, ANGEL STREET, TRANSLATIONS, the critically-acclaimed and multi-award nominated AS IT IS IN HEAVEN, IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE:  A Live Radio Play, THE CRUCIBLE, HAMLET, GOD & SHAKESPEARE, MOLLY SWEENEY, and PSYCHOPATHIA SEXUALIS.  Ms. Savell is an adjunct professor at Vanguard University where she directed the American College Theatre Festival finalists THE LION IN WINTER and AS IT IS IN HEAVEN as well as SAINT JOAN, AMERICA’S BROADWAY and THREE SISTERS.  

Heather Chesley directs the final production of Actors Co-op’s 20th season, THE LEARNED LADIES by Moliere, translated by Richard Wilbur. At Actors Co-op, Ms. Chesley directed a workshop presentation of the new musical, TRAILS as part of the Los Angeles New American Musicals Festival.

About Actors Co-op.
Actors Co-op operates two 99-seat Equity-approved theatres on the campus of Hollywood Presbyterian Church. Actors Co-op began on January 8th, 1987, with a dozen actors. Currently, its membership exceeds 40 professionals. Since the Crossley Theatre opened its doors in April of 1989 and its second theatre, the Crossley Terrace Theatre opened February of 1995, Actors Co-op has produced over 80 main stage productions, over 30 Second Stage productions, staged readings of original works, and has received 19 Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Awards (six wins) 30 LA Weekly Award nominations (six wins), 29 Ovation Award nominations (two wins), five Garland Awards and 125 Drama-Logue Awards. Hollywood Arts Council.

Actors Co-op’s Crossley Theatres are located at 1760 N. Gower Street, Hollywood, CA 90028, on the campus of Hollywood Presbyterian Church, one block north of Hollywood Boulevard, just off the Gower Street exit of the 101 Hollywood Freeway. Free, well-lit parking is available on Carlos Street (1/2 block east of Gower).

Season Ticket Information. PREFERRED Season Subscriptions are available for $110 – a savings of 30% off individual ticket prices and are eligible to attend any performance.

EARLY BIRD subscriptions are available for $85 – a savings of 45% off individual ticket prices. Early Bird subscribers must attend the first three weeks of a scheduled run. All subscribers have preferred access to tickets before they go on sale to the general public and receive priority reserved seating in the Crossley Terrace Theatre, complimentary tickets to all Co-op Too! (second stage) productions, invitations to opening night galas and easy ticket exchanges.

For additional information or to purchase a subscription, contact Actors Co-op at (323) 462-8460, ext. 300 or email boxoffice@actorsco-op.org.