[Show Artwork for Venus in Fur]

Interview With Venus In Fur Director – Carin Jean White

Following an unforgettable 9 weeks of stellar musical theatre, Venus in Fur is heating things up in Rehoboth Beach! We met Director Carin Jean White to discuss the play’s significance in today’s world. Carin shares her insights on the MeToo movement, masochism, and human interactions, hoping the play will shift perspectives and spark reflection. Read our exclusive interview with Director Carin Jean White and join us for the opening of Venus in Fur on Thursday, September 19th, 2024, at 7:00 PM!

Performances on September 19, 20, 21, 22, 26, 27, 28, 29 in 2024!


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Director Carin Jean White started acting at age 4 and directed her first play in high school. She then went on to attend Columbia University, where she earned an MFA in Directing. Favorite projects include creating an immersive theatre festival at Artpark in Western New York for an audience of over 2k, resident directing EMPIRE on Broadway (Speigelworld), and creating site specific dance-theatre pieces for DUMBO (Brooklyn) and the Prague Quadrennial (Prague). She believes that art is a powerful tool for reflection, the sharing of ideas, and developing empathy. She hopes Venus In Fur encourages us to examine human interactions and spark dialogue.

Carin Jean White is a distinguished director renowned for her innovative and thought-provoking approach to theater. Her work on Venus in Fur exemplifies her commitment to exploring complex themes and fostering deep emotional connections with audiences. White brings a unique perspective to every production she helms.

Here is our interview with Director Carin Jean White,

What is something that you think would excite our audience about Venus in Fur?

Carin: Venus in Fur is incredibly exciting because it delves into intimate and provocative themes. It explores gender and power dynamics, which are intriguing as they are evergreen themes about the human experience. And the play’s meta-theatrical elements add another compelling layer to the audience’s experience, especially when the lines between the play and the play-within-the-play begin to blur.

How does the play’s exploration of masochism and power dynamics resonate with today’s audience?

Carin: I think these themes are very relevant to today’s audience, as there is a lot more discussion of masochism, BDSM, and power dynamics- especially as it pertains to gender- in today’s popular culture. Someone doesn’t have to identify with the BDSM community to relate to these characters, themes, or topics. This play, which focuses on the interaction between a director and actress, reveals how power dynamics can shift rapidly in unexpected ways. The story is fascinating because it not only reflects historical narratives but also engages with contemporary thought on gender and sexual dynamics.

What makes the play’s themes so enduring?

Carin: The themes are timeless because they explore fundamental aspects of human interaction and desire.

Can you share what your favorite part of the play is?

Carin: One of my favorite aspects is the echo of Greek tragedy* within the play. It’s unexpected but adds a rich layer to the narrative. There’s a subtle nod to classic tragedy that enhances the play’s depth and resonance. *Greek Tragedy – When the protagonist or someone of importance and outstanding qualities falls to disaster.

How does the play relate to contemporary issues, such as the MeToo movement?

Carin: First let’s keep in mind that the play was written seven years before the MeToo movement occurred in 2017, and we are now seven years after that inciting moment. However, in my mind this play cannot be produced without considering this context. The character of Thomas, for example, represents a kind of opportunistic, misogynistic male director, and there is a kind of satisfaction in how Thomas has a bit of a comeuppance for his actions. Also, how Vanda’s power and agency are portrayed in our production is in response to the context of 2024. While the play was written in 2010, we as theatre artists must always ask “why this play, why now,” and Chris (actor playing Thomas), Eve (actress playing Vanda), and myself are working hard creating our answer to this question onstage for the Clear Space audience.

What do you hope the audience takes away from the experience?

Carin: I want the audience to enjoy the play and have fun. It’s a play that combines humor with heavy themes, providing both entertainment and thought-provoking content. Theatre has a unique power to create empathy and reflection, and I hope the audience gains insight into a part of the human experience they might not often consider and holds empathy for people whom the characters reflect.  Venus in Fur offers a chance to explore topics that some audience members might typically not discuss, so there could be an interesting opportunity for conversation.

 

An Interview with Psyche Composer Jake Landau

This summer, Clear Space Theatre Company is partnering with LHW Productions on a three week workshop of a new musical, Psyche. The musical examines the story of the ancient Greek myth of Psyche, a mortal whose beauty outshone even that of the goddess of love Aphrodite. Adored by all, but never able to love another herself, she feels all but cursed. But when love finally comes, is that the true curse?

Performances are August 23 at 10:30pm, August 24 at 2pm, and August 25 at 2pm.


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[Jake Landau headshot]

Psyche Composer Jake Landau

Jake Landau is the composer of the new musical Psyche. His works have been performed by the New York Philharmonic, Houston Grand Opera, and Premiere Division Ballet in venues as diverse as Carnegie Hall, Birdland Jazz Club, and the Royal Palace of Amsterdam. At age 16, he was accepted to Oscar-, Grammy-, and Pulitzer Prize-winning composer John Corigliano’s studio at The Juilliard School. At Juilliard and as a Composition Fellow at summer institutions including the prestigious Aspen Music Festival, Landau created his core body of work in chamber and vocal music.

At the same time, he worked in premiere pop music studios, experimental queer nightclubs, and as a pianist for both opera and Broadway productions. This unique background led him to a sound that at turns explores and ignores genre, in which hit-factory hooks interact with the concept-driven architectures of classical music—all in service of a theatrical worldbuilding lifted, in abstract, from fantasy novels. A graduate of Oxford University and The Juilliard School, Landau has been published by G. Schirmer (Ayres, for SA and piano) and Edition Peters (Hardware Love, for orchestra). Landau is the youngest-ever winner of the Walter Hinrichsen Award from the American Academy of Arts and Letters and one of NYFOS’S (New York Festival of Song) “9 under 34” composers. A graduate of both Julliard and Oxford, he is now on faculty at Julliard.

Clear Space chatted with Jake about his new musical, which blends musical theater, pop, and operatic styles in a rich and beautiful score.

How do you identify within the LBGTQIA+ spectrum?
Certainly B and hopping along the gray A spectrum, but I find the general Q the most relevant descriptor. The more you spend time with the differences between the letters, the less relevant those differences feel.

How has your lived experience as a member of the queer community impact or influence your work as an artist across your career?
Music, as the most inherently abstract artform, reaches deeper than any other. In musical theater and opera, it can universalize highly-specific stories, welcoming all into a shared emotion. Music’s ability to allow others into the humanity of someone they’d never otherwise understand is a magic I cherish.

Why does the story of the myth of Psyche appeal to you? Why do you think it is particularly resonant in our culture today?
Queerness isn’t just about who you love, but also how. While writing Psyche, Emily and I would joke that every character in the show was “bi until proven guilty” – gender wasn’t relevant to attraction here. This is because the show is most about how the characters love. In a contemporary world so focused on whom, and not the many kinds of how and why we love, we hope a show like Psyche will bring joy and nuance to one’s understanding of the love in one’s life.

Why do you think representation for asexual members of the queer community is important?
When people don’t see themselves represented in media, they think they aren’t supposed to exist.

How do you work together as a writing team?
We’re like if Gilbert & Sullivan liked each other.

What are you most looking forward to about the workshop in Rehoboth Beach?
Clear Space is a beautiful venue with fantastic people, and to share the project in such a queer space is a joy and honor. And the proximity to the beach doesn’t hurt.

What are you hoping that audiences in Rehoboth Beach will take away from seeing the concert readings?
It’s gonna be a fun, extraordinary, unique night. Broadway stars, opera, Ancient Greek—I truly just hope it’s a beautiful experience and believe it will be.

What do you hope to learn from the experience of Rehoboth Beach audiences at the concert readings?
We’re looking forward to seeing what parts of the show folks respond most to!


Read more as Jake’s writing partner Emily Garber talks about her work in writing the lyrics and libretto to Psyche.

An Interview with Psyche Lyricist and Librettist Emily Garber

This summer, Clear Space Theatre Company is partnering with LHW Productions on a three week workshop of a new musical, Psyche. The musical examines the story of the ancient Greek myth of Psyche, a mortal whose beauty outshone even that of the goddess of love Aphrodite. Adored by all, but never able to love another herself, she feels all but cursed. But when love finally comes, is that the true curse?

Performances are August 23 at 10:30pm, August 24 at 2pm, and August 25 at 2pm.

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Emily Garber Heaqdshot

Librettist and Lyricist Emily Garber

Emily Garber writes the lyrics and the libretto to this new musical, alongside composer Jake Landau. Emily is a queer librettist, novelist, and poet who has always created stories inspired by the sky-high trees in her parents’ backyard and the irresistible magic of ancient myth. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Greek & Latin from Tufts University. Her work has been performed internationally by Broadway, West End, and Metropolitan Opera stars alike. Recently her one-act opera &Aeterna received its world premiere at the Narnia Festival in Italy, followed by a US premiere with Opera Idaho. 

Clear Space sat down with Emily to talk a little about Psyche and her relationship to the material as a member of the queer community.
(Note that an abbreviated version of this interview appears in the August edition of Letters from CAMP Rehoboth.)

How do you identify within the LGBTQIA+ spectrum?
I identify as both aromantic and asexual, meaning that I do not experience either romantic or sexual attraction.

How has your lived experience as a member of the queer community impact or influence your work as an artist across your career?It’s interesting because although I have always been queer, I spent most of my formative years unaware that I was. After all, I’d spent my whole life watching movies and reading books where the main characters had never experienced any interest in romance or relationships until their “right” person came along– so I figured that I just hadn’t met that person, yet. And while I’d heard the word “asexual” before, I had always heard an asexual person described as someone who had absolutely zero interest in pursuing those kinds of relationships. And while that is an absolutely valid ace experience for some, it didn’t reflect my own at all. It was only halfway through college that I started to question why pursuing those kinds of relationships felt more like I was following an accepted script than something I actually wanted.

 
In an interesting way, though, I also feel like every time I tried to write a story, particularly one with romance, it never quite worked in the exact same way. I was following a script that someone else had written, and it showed. But the more I began to unpack my own very complicated relationship with intimacy and relationships, the more I was able to bring my own experience into my writing in a way that could never be as simple as “and they lived happily ever after.” Queerness, by its very existence, fundamentally challenges the concept that there is any such thing as “normal.” I take that to heart, not just by writing the stories of queer characters, but by writing stories that on a structural level, fundamentally challenge what it means to be happy and, even more, to be human. 
 
Why does the story of the myth of Psyche appeal to you? Why do you think it is particularly resonant in our culture today?
Cupid and Psyche has always been one of my favorite myths. I’ve always been drawn in by the eeriness of it, and the romance. Looking back, I also think it appealed to me because in many ways it is an allegory for the ace experience. After all, Psyche falls in love with someone she can’t see. Attraction isn’t a piece of her story. It’s also rare to see a woman in mythology have as much agency in her story as Psyche does. She is her own hero, by the end, despite the story beginning with her entirely victim to other peoples’ machinations.
 
I think something about it that feels very timely to me, as well, is an underlying question within the story of “what lengths are you willing to go to for the people you love?” I feel like, increasingly, we are being pushed into a world where people aren’t placing as much value in actually showing up for the people they love in meaningful ways, or are only finding it acceptable to do so in their romantic relationships. And, I know so many of us are finding that to be lonely, and isolating. I think that this story reminds us about how powerful it is to go the extra mile– and that trust goes hand in hand with love.

Why do you think representation for asexual members of the queer community is important?
There are so many ace people I’ve talked to who have had experiences just like mine– who didn’t even realize that it was an option to be ace and spent years feeling as though they were uniquely alone. A word you hear over and over and over again is “broken.” Like you’re missing something crucial. And, given that most asexual representation we currently have in media is in characters who are actual aliens and robots, it only reinforces the idea that sexual and romantic attraction are the two things that make us fundamentally human. That you are missing something without them. So having ace characters who are deeply human, and flawed, and who have relationships that are just as deep and meaningful as romantic ones, is so important. Further, regardless of orientation, there are so many people in this world who don’t find fulfillment in romantic and sexual relationships. Platonic love is just as strong, and just as valid, and it deserves to have epic stories written in its honor the same as any romance.
 
How do you and Jake work together as a writing team?
Jake and I have been friends for two decades, so we know each other very well– and we share a love of all things fantasy that I think comes through in both our contributions to our work! We work really closely to make sure that the music and story are in perfect concert, and to build out lush and immersive worlds.
 
What are you most looking forward to about the workshop in Rehoboth Beach?
Of course, I’m looking forward to getting to know the absolutely beautiful town, but I’m also looking forward to working with the incredible team, here, and to get to use the space to bring this show to life in a new way.
 
What are you hoping that audiences in Rehoboth Beach will take away from seeing the concert readings?
I hope that they feel transported into a world of myth and magic, and find something in this show that makes them either question or understand more deeply their own relationships to the people they love.

Read more as Emily’s writing partner Jake Landau talks about his vision in writing the music to Psyche.


Luker Fellows Showcase

Saturday, August 17, 2024, 10:30pm
All Tickets $25

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What is the Partnership?


2024 is the third year of the Rebecca Luker Theatrical Partnership at Clear Space Theatre, a program dedicated to the memory of Rebecca Luker, who succumbed to ALS in 2020. Rebecca’s fierce commitment to racial justice, equal rights, and reproductive rights inspired James FitzSimmons to create this program in her honor, designed to foster a pipeline for leadership opportunities for future artists and administrators from historically marginalized communities.

In its first two years, Karen Richards (2022) and Ashley Williams (2023) were the recipients of the partnership. Karen’s project focused on increasing access for young people to the 2022 production of The Submission and creating community conversations around the themes of representation and access that were part of that play. Ashley’s 2023 project focused on building partnerships across organizations and individuals in our community to celebrate and showcase diverse perspectives through theater. This resulted, partly, in the partnership between Clear Space Theatre Company and the Southern Delaware Alliance for Racial Justice on the 2024 “Clear Space Gives Back” production of A Raisin in the Sun.

This year, CSTC continues to evolve the program, focusing on emerging performing arts leaders in our summer repertory company telling the stories of their diverse experiences. Five artists have been commissioned to create original pieces that celebrate and reflect their own lived experiences as part of communities that have not consistently been centered by live theater in America. Each are our Rebecca Luker Fellows this year – and together their original work creates our first ever Luker Fellows Showcase.

 

 

The Original Work in This Year’s Showcase


From Liz Culver
QUEER JOY (AND NOTHING BUT)
This piece, as the title suggests, centers around nothing but queer joy. Joy with no caveats. As a member of the LGBTQ+ community, Liz has found that this is one element that can be dishearteningly hard to find in mainstream theater, particularly concerning characters that aren’t cis white males. While we should explore our history and the struggles we’ve overcome, sometimes we just need to be people and enjoy our lives. (Briana Hernandez and Quinn Gamon appear as well.)

From Caetano de Sá
THE EMOTIONS OF WANTING
Caetano de Sá explores how the strength of the emotional journey transcends language and text using both English and Portuguese.

From Quinn Gamon
INTERSECTIONALITY: A CROSS OVER OF BLACK AND QUEER ARTISTS
As a non-binary performer, Quinn Gamon will be presenting works that represent the queer black experience.

From Briana Hernandez
PASSING THE TORCH
Briana Hernandez will sing through the music of artists that made her feel seen heard as a Mexican-American in the hopes of inspiring other people to do the same.

From Ashley Williams
THE FULL FIGURED AND FABULOUS: WHERE EVERY BODY SHINES
Ashley Williams presents a vibrant cabaret that shines a spotlight on the incredible talent and artistry of plus size women in theatre, celebrating their performance, voices, and unwavering spirit.

2024 Candidates for Rehoboth Beach City Commission Share Feedback on Clear Space and the Arts in Rehoboth Beach

On August 10, 2024 voters in Rehoboth Beach will elect two new members to the Board of Commissioners to replace Toni Sharp and Tim Bennett, whose terms end this year and who are not running for re-election. As an arts organization central to the civic life of our region, Clear Space Theatre Company wanted to speak to the candidates to understand their perspective on the arts and on the future of Clear Space’s building efforts in Rehoboth Beach. All four candidates met in person or by phone with Clear Space Managing Director Joe Gfaller.

Knowing that many Clear Space patrons are also Rehoboth Beach voters, all four candidates agreed to answer a few questions that may be on the mind of our patrons in advance of the election. Knowing how busy canvassing can be in the final days before an election, we are grateful for their willingness to share their points of view in advance of the election. We applaud each candidate for taking the initiative to serve our community in this role. We hope that their answers to the following questions may be helpful as voters consider which candidates they may ultimately support in the election.

Whether you are a Rehoboth Beach voter or not, we hope you will find this information valuable.

These were the questions asked of the candidates:

      (1) What role do you believe the performing arts play in the health and civic life of a community? What role do you see them playing in Rehoboth Beach?

      (2) As you know, Clear Space Theatre Company is working toward a plan to build a new performing arts center for Southern Delaware as it begins its next chapter. CSTC has been in Rehoboth Beach for the first 20 years of its history. What do you see is the role of the Rehoboth Beach Commissioners in developing a plan to ensure that this new facility is able to be built in Rehoboth Beach? Do you want to see CSTC remain in Rehoboth Beach?

      (3) What requirements, if any, would you have for Clear Space’s plans to construct a new performing arts center in Rehoboth Beach? What would you hope that the community would gain from such a new development here?

Suzanne
Goode

[Suzanne Goode Headshot]

(1) Performing arts are a critical, vibrant part of any community.  Rehoboth Beach brings a lot of urban dwellers to the ocean.  Urban residents are accustomed to high caliber cultural arts, so they are elated when it’s available when they’re on vacation or when they’re spending time in their second home.  For full-time residents, it’s a wonderful addition to their lives, especially if they value live performance.  Summer camp and theatre classes add another wonderful dimension for everyone.
 
(2) I absolutely want CST to remain within RB City limits.  I prefer that the Christian Street property be re-purposed once the senior center moves to the land on Hebron Road which has been transferred from the county.  There is an opportunity for cooperation since an existing municipal surface lot is adjacent to the senior center in its current incarnation.  There is also a safe, off-street drop-off zone for the senior center which can be re-designed for theatre-goers with mobility issues (who need to be dropped off and picked up to attend performances or to participate in other CST activities).  Also useful for the constant flow of cars for summer camp drop off and pick up so the traffic on Christian St doesn’t back up, which leads to hazardous conditions for pedestrians.
 
(3) My sole requirement is that CST’s site plan be code-compliant.  That includes off-street parking and a safe, designated drop-off/pickup zone.  The community will benefit tremendously from CST remaining in downtown RB.  I also recommend that CST pursue negotiations with Mr. Keith Monigle who owns the large Baymart parcel on Route 1.  In addition to generous acreage, there is already a DelDOT traffic signal for safe access from the highway.  While Mr. Monigle does not want to subdivide, if push comes to shove, he may well do so if it’s in his best interest.

Rachel
Macha

[Rachel Macha headshot]

(1) I firmly believe that the performing arts, along with broader arts and culture, are essential to the health and vibrancy of any community especially, Rehoboth Beach. They enrich our lives, foster a sense of shared identity, and enhance our quality of life.

During my tenure on the Planning Commission, I was deeply involved in updating the Comprehensive Development Plan (CDP). As part of this initiative, we conducted a survey of property owners to gauge the importance of arts and culture in Rehoboth Beach. An overwhelming 94% of respondents expressed a desire for more arts and entertainment venues, and 84% believed that the city should actively promote and implement economic development strategies for the arts. These responses highlight a clear community mandate: arts and culture are integral to maintaining our high quality of life.

In my role as a Planning Commissioner from 2019 to 2022, I supported Clear Space Theatre’s project because it aligned with the strategic vision outlined in the CDP and because it was code compliant. I was very disappointed when the Mayor and Commissioners overturned the decision of the Planning Commission. Moreover, I was disheartened by the lack of outreach by the Mayor and Commissioners to Clear Space to explore alternative locations, which could have ensured the theatre remained in Rehoboth.

As your Commissioner, I will champion the performing arts as a cornerstone of our community. I will encourage collaboration with Clear Space and the Mayor and Commissioners to find opportunities for artistic expression and cultural events, recognizing their power to bring people together, stimulate our local economy, and enhance the overall well-being of our residents. I envision Rehoboth Beach as a vibrant cultural hub where the arts flourish, contributing to our community’s unique character and vitality.

(2) I am deeply committed to ensuring Clear Space Theatre Company remains an integral part of Rehoboth Beach within our city limits. My family and I have cherished countless events and children’s programs at Clear Space over the years, and I recognize the vital role it plays in our
community.

It is crucial for the Mayor and Commissioners to develop a comprehensive strategy and economic development plan to support Clear Space's new facility. This includes identifying suitable locations, providing incentives, and ensuring a streamlined and fair approval process. In addition to leveraging the survey results, I will actively engage with Clear Space leadership, community stakeholders, and other relevant parties to create a collaborative plan that meets the needs of all involved. This plan will prioritize Clear Space’s presence in Rehoboth Beach, which I believe most of our residents and property owners want – we just need to find the right way to do it.

Together, we can ensure that Clear Space continues to enrich our community, attract visitors, and provide exceptional cultural experiences for generations to come.

(3) I envision a new performing arts center in Rehoboth Beach that is thoughtfully planned for future growth and diverse uses. This center should not only serve as a home for Clear Space Theatre Company but also become a vibrant cultural hub offering year-round programming.

To ensure its success, I would advocate for the following requirements:

1. Scalability: The design should accommodate future expansion to meet the growing needs of our community and contribute to the overall attractiveness of our city
2. Versatility: The center should be adaptable for various events, including theatre productions, concerts, speaker series, workshops, and community gatherings.
3. Accessibility: It must be easily accessible to all residents and visitors, with consideration for parking, transportation, and ADA compliance.
4. Sustainability: Incorporating environmentally friendly practices and materials will ensure the center is sustainable for years to come.

A new performing arts center would bring numerous benefits to Rehoboth Beach. It would provide a platform for local talent as well as talent from other performing arts centers, provide unique opportunities for aspiring performers, attract visitors, boost our economy, and offer enriching cultural experiences. Year-round programming would enhance our community’s quality of life, making Rehoboth Beach a cultural destination.

Imagine a place where residents, businesses, and visitors can enjoy a full spectrum of arts—from captivating theatre performances to inspiring concerts and thought-provoking speaker series. This center would foster creativity, promote economic development, and strengthen our sense of community.

As Commissioner, I will work tirelessly to ensure that the new performing arts center aligns with these goals, enhancing Rehoboth Beach’s cultural landscape and providing lasting value for our community.

Mark
Saunders

[Headshot of Mark Saunders]

(1) I believe the community of Rehoboth Beach extends far beyond the physical borders of the city. That said, a regional performing arts center is crucial to a vibrant, involved, well-educated community. The coastal region absolutely must include art and cultural pursuits of various forms, including the performing arts, if it hopes to attract smart, well-rounded citizens to the area. A well-rounded community is a happy community.

(2) Yes, I absolutely want the City of Rehoboth Beach to be the center of all things cultural, including the proposed Clear Space Performing Arts Center. I believe the city leaders will, and should work with the search and planning committees of Clear Space to come up with a solution benefiting the City, the Community, and of course Clear Space itself as it enters into its second twenty year run in Rehoboth Beach.

(3) I believe the Clear Space launch several years ago was poorly conceived, and mistakes were made by all parties involved. Let’s not do that ever again. Instead, let us find an attractive, well-located location, with adequate parking and minimal impact on residential areas. I would encourage city leaders to make property available on a generous partnership basis, and make reasonable accommodations, considering the unique needs of a
professional theatre.

This can be, and I hope will be, a win-win situation and another jewel for the City of Rehoboth Beach.

Thank you for reaching out to us candidates and wishing you all the success as you move forward.

Craig
Thier

As my wife Lorrie and I have been canvassing Rehoboth Beach the past several weeks for my commissioner candidacy, it is clear that there is community support for Clear Space Theater Company (CSTC). I support CSTC, and would like to see CTSC remain in Rehoboth Beach. 

There are numerous studies detailing the positive role of the arts on the social well being of a community, and I could not agree more. In addition to this role, I believe CSTC’s new theater presents an opportunity to revitalize an area within the commercial district of Rehoboth Beach. As a Commissioner, I will be firmly committed to the revitalization of our downtown. 

But, if we have learned anything about the residents of Rehoboth Beach over the course of my campaign, it is that the residents want and demand transparency and communication. 

I would encourage CSTC to be transparent in sharing your concepts, designs, and plans, as well as wants, needs and goals with the residents. Schedule community meetings, live stream them, and listen to the resident feedback. You can then incorporate this feedback where you see appropriate and above all, seek compromise when necessary. This will showcase your willingness to work with the community that CSTC serves and will further endear residents to the artistic vision CSTC is bringing to Rehoboth Beach. 

 

Highlights from CSTC Annual Meeting

Clear Space Theatre Company’s patrons, board, and Producer’s Circle met on Tuesday May 14 for the company’s annual meeting. News from the most recent season was shared, as well as updates on future plans and programs.

After a musical performance from Autumn Schneider, board chair Megan Nehrbas opened the gathering by welcoming the many new faces joining Clear Space for an annual meeting for the first time, recognizing that this was our largest attended annual meeting ever. She thanked everyone for their support and service.

After celebrating the artistic successes of the 2023 season (including sold out runs for Young Frankenstein and Kinky Boots), Artistic Director David Button shared plans for this year’s exciting summer season – including not only three blockbuster mainstage productions of Jersey Boys, Rock of Ages, and The Prom, but also our annual Saturday morning series for young audiences and a two new series. The Signature Cabaret Series will give members of the season ensemble the opportunity to shine in exciting new ways. The Presenting Series will help Clear Space welcome artists of great caliber to our stage for special one night or one weekend engagements – including such artists as Tony Award winner Len Cariou, Tony nominees Sarah Stiles and Liz Larsen, and comedienne Fay Jacobs. In addition, David Button announced the breaking news that CSTC has secured the rights to Hairspray for our 2025 summer season. (The rest of the 2025 season will be announced later this year.)

Managing Director Joe Gfaller highlighted recent organizational accomplishments, including CSTC’s 2023 reach (nearly 19,000 audience members from across 61 of 62 zip codes in the state and 36 states across the country) and 2024 audience growth (with attendance up 59% to date year-over year). He further highlighted the exciting opportunity for coastal Delaware audiences to experience the creation of a new musical firsthand with one of the summer presented events: a staged reading of the new musical Psyche by Jake Landeau and Emily Garber. This New York-based creative team will spend three weeks in residence this summer before a weekend of performances, which will include both Broadway artists and CSTC summer ensemble performers. Not only will this workshop help the project take its final shape artistically, it will also enable our season artists to work together with national artists of significant caliber during their summer residency with us. Plus, CSTC announced the hire of new Director of Development and Community Engagement, Todd Espeland who will join us in late June.

Neil Kirschling, Executive Director of Delaware Arts Alliance, shared details on DAA’s statewide CREATE study and emphasized the importance of empowering artists and fostering understanding among elected officials about the significance of the arts for our state. The CREATE study is the first of its kind nationwide, in analyzing and providing recommendations at the municipal, county, and state level for how the cultural sector can be better be embraced for economic impact and quality of life. The study offers up 25 recommendations, varying from review of municipal ordinances to reduce barriers of access to the arts to recommendations for the creation of arts hubs in key communities across the state to help artists of all disciplines gather, develop, and grow. Neil also encouraged attendees to advocate to their elected officials to help increase funding for the Delaware Division of the Arts during the current legislative session.

After remarks, there were questions for Neil, Joe, and David. Then, board member and Producer’s Circle member Ida Rowe shared a few closing words about why she and her husband Jeff participate in Clear Space – encouraging our guests to consider joining them as volunteers and donors to help bring us all one step closer to Clear Space’s bright future.

Before and after the program, guests enjoyed a light reception which was sponsored by Ida and Jeff Rowe.

Thanks to everyone who joined us at the event. Here’s to 2024!

Clear Space Announces Casting for Summer Repertory Season

Summer Season Opens June 25 and Includes Company Premieres of Jersey Boys, Rock of Ages, and The Prom

Members of the Summer Ensemble to Also Perform in CSTC’s New Signature Cabaret Series and in Morning Performances for Young Audiences

Rehoboth Beach, DE (May 13, 2024) – Clear Space Theatre Company’s 20th anniversary continues with its beloved annual summer repertory season, featuring three CSTC premieres: Jersey Boys, Rock of Ages, and The Prom. After holding both local auditions in Rehoboth Beach and national auditions in New York City from nearly 1,200 audition submissions, CSTC is pleased to announce casts for these three summer mainstage shows, performing in rotating repertory from June 25 through August 31, 2024. Members of the ensemble will also perform in a series of late night cabaret events and in morning performances of two short plays for young audiences. Tickets for all productions are available at www.clearspacetheatre.org.

CSTC’s summer casts include a combination of returning national artists, national artists new to the Clear Space stage, favorite local performers, and a special teen ensemble who will supplement the cast of The Prom. Most artists perform in all three mainstage shows. Once all three productions are open, all three are offered every week of the summer, making it possible for summer visitors to the area to enjoy all three over the course of a weeklong vacation to the Delaware beaches.

Returning national artists in the upcoming season include Tiffany Beckford (last seen at CSTC as Ruth in A Raisin in the Sun), Liz Culver (returning from CSTC’s current production of The Bodyguard: The Musical), Eva Gary (Lauren in 2023’s sold out summer production of Kinky Boots), Thomas Higgins (title role in 2023’s SpongeBob SquarePants), Scott Taylor-Cole (last playing Pip in CSTC’s 2023 holiday production Estella Scrooge), and Ashley Williams (returning after her leading role as Rachel Marron in CSTC’s current production of The Bodyguard: The Musical).

Local favorites returning for the 2024 summer season include Billy Burke (ensembles of Victor/Victoria and Damn Yankees), Carissa Meiklejohn (Alison in Fun Home and Rosie in Mamma Mia), Rick Nazzaro (Henry Higgins in My Fair Lady and Trotter in The Mousetrap), Elli Oechsler (Inga in Young Frankenstein and Mollie in The Mousetrap), Autumn Schneider (Donna in Mamma Mia! and Adelaide in Guys and Dolls), Julia Sturla (Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors and the title role in Carrie), and Matt Whalen (the title role in Young Frankenstein and Pilate in Jesus Christ Superstar).

National newcomers to Clear Space include William Coffey (seen in The Tank Theater in NYC in Like Father, Like Son), Caetano de Sá (credits include Boston Conservatory, Prairie Repertory Theatre, Denver Center for the Performing Arts), Briana Hernandez (roles at Cumberland County Playhouse, Red Mountain Theatre, and Woodstock Playhouse), Emma Schilling (roles with Sharon Playhouse and Butler Ballet), Harry Sperduto (professional debut at Pioneer Theater), and Jason Tobias (performances at Papermill Playhouse and The Madison Theatre).

Youth performers will supplement the ensemble of The Prom, the recent Broadway hit making its professional regional debut at Clear Space Theatre Company as part of the summer season. Reaching from as far as Berlin, MD and Dover, DE, these young people are among the top teen performers in the region. The young artists include Alex DeEmedio, Julia DiSabatino, Marley Fyock, Trista Harner, Chase Reynolds, Brooke Rhue, Kate Slaysman, Abby Whitcomb, Brianna Wittman, and Cassidy Yiengst, with Zoe Cullen, Liv Nehrbas, Gio Porfido, and Ruby Quinn serving as covers. All of the young artists have performed previously on the CSTC stage in Arts Institute productions such as Disney Descendants, Godspell, and Matilda and in such recent mainstage productions as My Fair Lady, Estella Scrooge, and Young Frankenstein.

Dubbed CSTC’s “Young Company” each summer, these young performers will also produce two Saturday morning productions for young audiences, an annual tradition in CSTC’s summer repertory season. This summer’s productions for young audiences are Three Bearos, or the Truth about Goldilocks and Rescue from the Snow Queen. Productions will be offered on alternate Saturday mornings at 11am throughout the summer.

Members of the summer professional company will also perform in CSTC’s new Signature Cabaret Series, which will be offered as late night performances at 10:30pm on select Friday and Saturday evenings. Summer cabaret titles include Divas Live (July 12), Broadway Backwards (July 26), Let’s Hear it for the Boy (August 9), Summer Lovin’ (August 16), and Final Bow (August 31). In addition, select season artists are scheduled both to participate in a summer workshop of a new musical being developed in partnership between CSTC and a New York City-based creative team and to perform in a Luker Fellows Showcase (August 17) as part of CSTC’s Rebecca Luker Partnership.

Additional late night and dark night programming featuring presented artists will be announced at a later date to round out the full summer repertory festival. In total, CSTC will offer 84 performances between June 25 and August 31, 2024, the largest volume of summer performances in company history. Summer flex passes including all 3 mainstage productions and choice of 2 special events from the Signature Cabaret Series or presented series, are available for $129, plus service fees. For individual tickets or summer flex passes, visit www.clearspacetheatre.org, call 302-227-2270, or visit the box office in person at 20 Baltimore Avenue, Rehoboth Beach DE 19971.

About Clear Space Theatre Company
Clear Space Theatre Company, is Delaware’s second-largest professional non-profit theater and the state’s most prolific producer of professional theater. A 501(c)3 cultural organization, CSTC was founded in 2004 and is currently located at 20 Baltimore Avenue, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971. Each year, the company produces a 10-13 production season of plays and musicals, including a summer repertory festival and a series featuring young artists. Through the Rebecca Luker Theatrical Partnership, CSTC is paving a path forward to create a more inclusive space for future arts leaders of color while honoring the company’s mission and Ms. Luker’s commitment to racial justice. The company’s Performing Arts Institute reaches students of all ages, building self-confidence, inspiring collaborative problem solving, and awakening creativity. Under the current leadership of Artistic Director David Button and Managing Director Joe Gfaller, Clear Space Theatre Company is comprised of a remarkable team of full-time, part-time, and volunteer administrators, artists, and educators.

Welcome Jadine Pilotti to Clear Space!

House Manager & Development Coordinator

Jadine Pilotti, a proud Rehoboth local, brings a captivating blend of artistic flair and dedicated hospitality and management expertise to her role as House Manager and Development Coordinator at Clear Space Theatre Group. With a rich background as the Operator/Marketer of Ocean Glass Inn, Jadine has spent five years passionately curating unforgettable guest experiences, honing her understanding of people, operations, and promotions.

In her dual capacity, Jadine infuses Clear Space Theatre Company with her vibrant energy, striving to elevate the atmosphere and ensure exceptional customer service for all patrons. Her primary focus is on creating a warm and welcoming environment, where everyone feels included and valued and on nurturing positive relationships with CSTC’s generous supporters. 

Prior to her time leading Ocean Glass Inn, Jadine’s journey has included  roles at Skylar Marketing, APM, and Transamerica She looks forward to meeting you at the theater! 

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20 Baltimore Ave. Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971

302.227.2270

Delaware Division of the Arts

This organization is supported, in part, by a grant from the Delaware Division of the Arts, a state agency, in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts.

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