Inside A.C.T.

Posted by Dan Rubin, A.C.T. Publications Manager As Humor Abuse closes in on its final performance this weekend, A.C.T. Publications Manager Dan Rubin reflects on what he learned while researching the history of San Francisco's beloved Pickle Family Circus. Rubin interviewed several members of star Lorenzo Pisoni's multitalented family for the latest edition of Words on Plays , A.C.T.'s behind-the-scenes theater guide. Click here to order a print or electronic copy, which includes 16 of Pickle photographer Terry Lorant's dazzling photographs of the Pickle Family Circus in its heyday. Lorenzo Pisoni's parents, Pickle cofounders Larry Pisoni and Peggy Snider, juggle in the Pickle Family Circus. Photo by Terry Lorant. San Francisco's Pickle Family Circus would juggle. I am left with many things from my research into this amazing organization—an investigation that led to interviews with the two cofounders, Larry Pisoni and Peggy Snider; Peggy's daugh...

posted the A.C.T. Master of Fine Arts Program class of 2014 Our coverage of the 2012 Sky Festival concludes with musings from other members of the A.C.T. Master of Fine Arts Program class of 2014, who experienced this intense two-week period of rehearsal and performance for the first time. The festival brings together A.C.T. students, staff, and faculty in the high-speed creation of inventive new work. For many students, the festival also offered an opportunity to delve into something new, as they stepped into roles as writer and director. L to R: Cloud Tectonics director Jeffrey Crockett with Blair Busbee and Aaron Moreland. Photo by Kevin Berne. L to R: The Owl and the Pussycat directors Omozé Idehenre and Lateefah Holder. Photo by Kevin Berne. Blair Busbee Performer, Cloud Tectonics and No Man's Island I was once in an acting class where I had to practice juggling for the first 15 minutes of every class. The first day, I failed. Miserably. I took my frustration ...

posted by Elyse Price, member of the A.C.T. Master of Fine Arts Program class of 2014 Our coverage of the 2012 Sky Festival continues with a post from Elyse Price, whose original work Noncents is one of the selected pieces to come to life over this vibrant two-week festival. L to R: Maggie Leigh and Elyse Price in Noncents . Photo by Kevin Berne. L to R: Noncents performers Maggie Leigh and Elyse Price, assistant director Lisa Kitchens, and director Domenique Lozano. Photo by Kevin Berne. The idea of The Sky Festival is such a fabulous one—its title mantra, "the sky is the limit," mixed with about 50 daring, creative, and energized artists, is dangerously exciting. And it takes place at A.C.T., no less, a theater company that pushes boundaries and wants to challenge its audience. When I found out about this festival during callback weekend for the M.F.A. Program, I was hooked, and already had ideas brewing . . . but when it came to proposal time, after spending m...

posted by Dillon Heape, member of the A.C.T. Master of Fine Arts Program class of 2014 Each year, the A.C.T. community gathers for The Sky Festival—the creation, rehearsal, and performance of a vibrant and eclectic range of work. Students, faculty, core acting company members, and artistic staff submit proposals for projects they are personally passionate about, from self-written work to movement-based interpretations of classic texts. The chosen projects are developed over two weeks of intense rehearsal and exploration, culminating in two days of lively in-house presentations. This year, one production Thieves , a raucous spin on Shakespeare's Henry IV, Parts 1 and 2— will be presented as a full production at The Costume Shop. The first-year Master of Fine Arts Program students were thrown into the creative chaos of the Sky Festival for the first time, and Dillon Heape stole away from rehearsal for a few moments to reflect on his experiences as part of the cast of Thieves...

In celebration of our upcoming production of Humor Abuse , share your favorite Pickle Family Circus memories for a chance to win a VIP package to the show and meet star Lorenzo Pisoni in person. Entries must be submitted by January 22. Click here for details. Pickle Family Circus cofounder Larry Pisoni applies stage makeup to his son, Lorenzo. Photo by Terry Lorant.