New Perspective formed in the summer of 2007 in response to
the suspension of the annual AASD Actors Festival. With the core belief that such a festival serves as a powerful marketing tool for all theatre
artists, our wholly volunteer "staff" set out to fill the void.
As a new entity, New Perspective
had no coffers from which to mount a festival, yet we accepted no submission fees, requested no membership fees, and took
no donations of any kind. Still, from this starting point of zero funds, we were able to mount a 6-night festival of
24 short works written by local authors, envisioned by local directors, and performed by local actors in June of 2008.
On each of those six nights,
we filled a 100-seat house. Even with our low ticket prices ($12 and under) and complimentary seating for our
playwrights and directors; the press; and area agents and artistic directors, we were able not only to break even, but
also to compensate our volunteer staff for their years' efforts, pay our technical staff for their tireless work in the month
of June, and provide a wine and cheese reception for participants on closing night.
In the summer
of 2008, New Perspective was led by:
Kelly Lapczynski: Festival Director
Sally Stockton: Technical Director
Kristina Meek: Marketing Director
Jennie Olson: Box Office
Manager
Upon the closing
of the 2008 festival the board was dissolved, as was the festival's association with Vantage Theatre. New Perspective
became an independent entity owned and operated by Founding President Kelly Lapczynski.
Building on
the success of the first year's effort, New Perspective returned to Swedenborg Hall in the summer of 2009, again accepting
no submission or membership fees and again able not only to break even but also to thank our technical crew and
participants from the revenue generated in ticket sales.
The 2009 team:
Kelly Lapczynski: Festival Director, Marketing, Box Office
Marie Miller:
Technical Director
Lizzie Silverman:
Company Stage Manager
Many thanks to Rev. Carla Friedrich
and the staff of Swedenborg Hall.
