NHT! Nashville: PBT announces 2009-2010 season, auditions and more

People's Branch Theatre, Nashville's professional progressive theatre, proudly celebrates TEN YEARS of innovative and socially progressive theatre for Nashville. PBT is marking this milestone with a season of anniversaries and triumphs as only PBT can. The 2009-2010 season celebrates the lives of extraordinary people and extraordinary events, including an innovative play from one of the twentieth century's most radical and influential playwrights, a new musical about the quintessential American, the much-anticipated return of Hedwig, and another round of original short plays by Nashville's best playwrights. Buy your tickets early, and don't miss a single show!

GALILEO By Bertolt Brecht

September 18-20, 24-27, October 1-4, 2009 Matinee performances Sunday, September 20 & 27 and October 4
Troutt Theatre, Belmont University

The revolutionary ideas of German auteur Bertolt Brecht changed the shape of modern theatre and continue to influence the imaginations of playwrights and filmmakers the world over. Written in response to Brecht's exile from Germany prior to World War II, Galileo chronicles the life of the astronomer whose revolutionary ideas literally shook the heavens. Performed in collaboration with Belmont University at the magnificent Troutt Theatre, Galileo is a multimedia tour de force and a powerful look at how one man can change the world. Rated PG.

10x10x2 PBT's SECOND ANNUAL FESTIVAL OF SHORT PLAYS

March 4, 5, & 6, 2010
Troutt Theatre, Belmont University

Ten playwrights. Ten plays. Ten minutes. Join PBT for three evenings of short plays written by Nashville's best writers. This intimate event gives the audience a chance to become part of the creative process, as professional actors perform staged readings of original ten-minute plays written by local high school, college, and adult playwrights. Each reading is followed by a feedback session giving audience members the opportunity to respond immediately and to offer thought on how to develop each of these works in progress. A testament to the creative community that is Nashville, 10x10x2 gives YOU a chance to help shape the voices of tomorrow. Rated PG.

STRAIGHT OUTTA HANNIBAL! THE MUSICAL LIFE OF MARK TWAIN

By Ross Brooks Music and lyrics by Brooke Bryant & NaTasha O'Brien

April 15-17, 21-24, 2010 Special midnight performance Saturday, April 17
Belcourt Theatre

If you think you know everything there is to know about Twain, think again. Meet Mark Twain: Rock Star! PBT continues its tradition of creating original, provocative new works by presenting STRAIGHT OUTTA HANNIBAL!, an original rock musical based upon Twain's autobiography, his world-famous lectures, and the controversy surrounding his last posthumously published work, Letters from the Earth. Part of Nashville's City-Wide Celebration of Mark Twain in 2009-2010, this original work will focus on Twain's unique position as the world's first celebrity and the lasting effects of his notoriety on America and the world. Featuring original music and lyrics written by Ross Brooks, Brooke Bryant, and NaTasha O'Brien, three of Nashville's best professional performers and writers, STRAIGHT OUTTA HANNIBAL! explores the effects of fame upon the man who described himself as "THE American" and his scathing views of the problems facing the human race in the 20th century. A humorous, radical, provocative and profound look at an American icon, STRAIGHT OUTTA HANNIBAL! will introduce Nashville to a heretofore undiscovered side of Mark Twain and chronicle the events and ideas that led to the creation of the world's first star. Rated PG-13.

HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH

By John Cameron Mitchell Music and lyrics by Stephen Trask

June 17-19, 23-26, 2010 Special midnight performance Saturday, June 19
Belcourt Theatre

You asked for it, you got it: the Glam-tastic smash hit returns to Music City! If you missed it the first time, you definitely want to catch the command performance of local favorite Eric Tichenor as he reprises the title role that led to rave reviews and standing ovations! Rock out once again with internationally ignored song stylist Hedwig and her Eastern Bloc backup band The Angry Inch as she pursues the man who stole her songs, her dreams, and her heart. Part stand-up comedy, part punk rock musical, this Obie Award winning spectacular returns to Nashville by popular demand. Join uber-star Hedwig in all her glory as she journeys from inside the Berlin Wall to the Midwest and beyond in her search for love and identity. This raw, raucous rock 'n' roll extravaganza will have you holding your lighters high as Hedwig shows what it costs to be free and what you must sacrifice to be whole. Rated R.

PBT SEASON AUDITIONS

Monday, August 3, 2009 5-9 pm
Nashville Children's Theatre

PBT is pleased to announce open call auditions for its upcoming 2009-2010 season. Roles are available for Galileo and STRAIGHT OUTTA HANNIBAL! Principal roles in Hedwig have already been cast, but we are seeking actor/musicians to form the band The Angry Inch. PBT will hire professional Equity and non-Equity performers.

• Please prepare two contrasting monologues totaling no more than five minutes. • Singing auditions will be karaoke style - please prepare a verse and chorus of either a showtune or contemporary pop, gospel, folk or rock song. Feel free to knock yourself out and show us what you can do! Karaoke player and microphone will be available, but performer must provide own karaoke accompanying tracks. CD only, but regular CDs will play in this machine.

• Musicians please bring your instrument and be prepared to play a verse and chorus of a contemporary pop, folk or rock song.

• And we do mean rock!

MEMBERSHIPS ON SALE NOW!!!

Don't miss a single show! Become a PBT Member and receive tickets to each production as well as information about classes, workshops, and special events that make YOU a part of Nashville's vibrant arts community. There's a Membership Level that's right for every budget, so visit us on the web and Join the PBT Revolution TODAY! People's Branch Theatre is Nashville's professional progressive theatre. Established in 2000, PBT consistently brings together the best local artists to create bold, innovative, and socially progressive theatre for Nashville. By expanding the boundaries of what is possible on a local stage, PBT adds a dynamic and exciting new voice to Nashville's cultural landscape.