Artistic Mission

Theatre Plus seeks to produce plays about women and their experiences, works by women, plays traditionally performed by men but reinterpreted for women, and works which redefine the roles of women and men in such a way as to empower both. Theatre Plus provides opportunities for the development of women directors, playwrights, producers, technicians, and performers, and is committed to presenting the diversity of women artists by showcasing works by women songwriters, poets and fine artists.

Betsy Bittar

Betsy Bittar
in BECCA & HEIDI, 2005

A Little History

Founded in 1995 as Pandora’s Box Theatre Company by Michele Ninacs and Alleyway Theatre Executive Director Neal Radice, the company debuted with its production of Cynthia Heimel’s A GIRL’S GUIDE TO CHAOS. This was followed with Kathleen Tolan’s APPROXIMATING MOTHER. It’s first Curtain Up! presentation was Beckett’s classic WAITING FOR GODOT, presented with an all female cast. 1996 saw two of PBTC‘s most controversial and ambitious projects KEELEY & DU by Jane Martin and A PIECE OF MY HEART by Shirley Lauro. 1997 was a year of new works beginning with REMEMBER LAST NIGHT by Wendy Lement, followed by other plays by local women; Marcia Morrison’s TOSSING BACK THE APPLE and Mara Neimanis’ one-women show LOT’S WIFE. In 1998 the company presented GRACE AND GLORIE by Tom Ziegler, directed by Michele Ninacs.
Under the artistic direction of Ellen Opiela, the 99-00 season featured the first annual production of ESCAPING THE BOX, a collection of short plays and other pieces of music, dance, poetry and visual arts. Through 2004 the company maintained its commitment to theatre that responds to women. Julie Kittsley served as Artistic Director in 2004-05. The life and works of Ellen Opiela were celebrated at a memorial held at Alleyway Theatre on April 2, 2006. Friends and family shared memories, viewed photos of Ellen and enjoyed an exhibit of her visual arts creations in the exhibit gallery. The company’s name changed to Theatre Plus, and on May 1, 2006, Kim Piazza stepped into the role of Artistic Director.

Linda Stein

Linda Stein in her one-woman show CLICK THIS! June, 2006

 

2010-11 Season

Bring On The Men

a musical cabaret conceived by Todd Warfield
September 9-25
Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 PM
Main Street Cabaret, 672 Main Street
$25/$13 students

A gender bending evening of fun featuring Kim Piazza, Micah Andrew Stanton David Bondrow, Stephanie Bax, Michael Hake and Todd Warfield. Unofficially dedicated to the Bea Arthur in us all.
A New Comedy/Musical Cabaret.
Plus&Beyond

January 13-29
Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 PM
Main Street Cabaret, 672 Main Street
$25/$13 students
An eclectic evening of short works and independent presentations by women performing and visual artists of Western New York. Expect an unorthodox mix of theatre, music, poetry and dance.
Theatre/Arts Mix.  Annual Presentation.
Pirandello's Wife

by Lynn Elliott
February 3-19
Alleyway Theatre Main Stage
Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 PM
$25/$13 students

For forty years, an insane asylum in Rome has been home to the wife of Italy’s most famous playwright. Now, her fellow inmates do their laughable best to perform Antonietta’s own little play, challenging the “official version” of her life, exposing her husband and revealing the truth behind her permanent incarceration. Suitable for adults and teens. World Premiere Serio-Comic Drama.

Play-Rites Of Spring

Sunday April 10, 2011 at 7PM
Main Street Cabaret
Admission free/Donations encouraged
Staged reading of new play(s) by women followed by audience discussion. Your two cents may make the difference. These could be the shows that will shape Theatre Plus seasons of the future. New Play Readings.

Tammy Anderson

Tammy Anderson in I DON’T WANNA PLAY HOUSE, 2004