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Dearest
Friends, New and Old -
While
in pursuit of one’s career, we often lose the passion or purpose of the
original pursuit of one’s dreams. For many actors, it could be the sheer
joy of transformation by just reading a play aloud, whether in front of
audience, in class, or acting it out standing on your bed. (and don’t
tell me you didn’t) This passion, this raison d’etre, was enough to
make this once much younger and less corpulent man want to dedicate his
entire life to the pursuit of becoming an actor, comedian and entertainer.
Now,
in the late afternoon of what has been a wonderfully weird and successful
acting career, with many goals achieved and many ideals (and ideas) lost
along the way, I yearned to create again for a less stringent mistress
than just Lady Commerce. I wished to return to my acting “playground”,
that place where we played not for pay, and took chances with our art
because it was just damn f-u-n. I ached for that feeling each day. What I
use to feel but had lost, that link to my creative soul, once set afire by
the words, “L’art pour l’art”.
That early 19th century quote echoed the joy and freedom I felt upon
finding my own avenues of expression. It seemed my new explorations in
craft felt like “art for passion’s sake”. Today, that passion still
courses through me but has morphed into this two-act concept: Create this
virtual theatre community, a portal for actors to exchange ideas and
information, and combine it with a Los Angeles-based yet mobile acting
company, with an even stronger desire to raise funds and focus for people,
groups or places in our community that need help and attention. Our play(s)
helps them play again. Simply, what we create, affects us all, so we give
it away. “L’art pour humanite” – art for humanity’s sake.
So, on Feb. 5, 2008 I asked a group of very talent peers, many of whom
you’ll see tonight, to join me in my new raison d’etre. Actors and
writers getting to do what we love again because we love to do it. A
chance to play and ply our craft and arts, turning the written, spoken and
unspoken words into deeds and dollars for folks who may never get a chance
to do what they love. A chance to change ourselves and the world by
learning about our neighbors in need, and letting you know all about them.
So was born the New Mercury Theatre – Acting Company and Actor’s
Resource and Information Network.
In
our first three months, we’ve raised almost $3000 for three amazing
charities, which you can find out more about on our website or in our
inaugural program. The membership of the NMT raised the funds for
the rest of our 2008 season (and this program) through the generosity of
the fine folks listed on our Angels
page, those who helped by advertising,
and those who just wanted to wish us “merde” on our theatrical
adventure to help those closest to our homes and hearts. Please take the
time to see who helped us help those who need help. With gratitude,
you’re now part of that venture and our extended theatrical family.
Welcome
to the Monkey House. (thank you, Mr. Vonnegut). On behalf of my entire
company of friends, artists and miscreants, we promise to make you laugh.
We promise to make you think. We promise to raise money, awareness and a
little hell in the name of those in need right here at home. Welcome to
the New Mercury Theatre Company - a
new kind of community theatre;
Theatre not just of, but for the
community.
Merde
to us all -
Peter
Spellos
Artistic Director,
The New Mercury Theatre
August 2008
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