by Ashley Steed~
Company: Theatre of NOTE
Neighborhood: Hollywood (Cahuenga Corridor)
Address: 1517 N Cahuenga Blvd, Hollywood, CA 90028
Website: www.theatreofnote.com
When founded: 1981
Parking: Street parking (metered). Lots: next to theatre, at CNN building and Arclight Cinemas (we do not validate).
Handicap accessible: Yes
Restrooms:Yes
Amenities: wi-fi, lights and sound equipment, a/c, heat, microwave oven
Lobby: Yes
Concessions: Yes
What’s Nearby:
- Kitchen 24: 1608 North Cahuenga Blvd – About 1 block North. Has a prix fixe theatre menu special.
- Chan Dara: 1511 North Cahuenga Blvd – Less than a block South. Ultra convenient to the theatre, great food.
- Cafe Was: 1521 Vine Street – About 3 blocks West. Brings fine dining to an entirely new level.
- SOI 56: 1556 North Cahuenga Blvd – Less than 1 block North. Skewered meats and vegetables grilled to order. Thai favorites prepared “Tahi style.”
- Umami Burger: 1520 North Cahuenga Blvd – Across the street. A frieze of six tastes stacked onto a very nice patty of custom-ground flap meat, the beefy cut that is the basis of the best carne asada.
- Stout: 1544 North Cahuenga Blvd – Less than 1 block. A simple, upscale restaurant redefining the idea of the local pub.
What’s on:
- Hollywood Fringe Festival – hosting multiple artists. June 17th – 27th
- Shake by Joshua Fardon - Opens July 30, 2010 (Fri, Sat & Sun)
- Eat the Runt by Avery Crozier - Opens August 10, 2010 (Tues, Wed, Thurs)
Theatre of NOTE originally stood for New One-Act Ensemble. Founded in 1981 by UC Irvine graduates Kevin Carr, Kitty Felde and Melanie McQueen, their original intention was to create a breeding ground for budding playwrights – in essence, a safe place for experimentation.
Although they’ve evolved into producing fell length plays, they still hold true to their original intentions. Thus the company’s acronym has morphed into the word “note;” meaning, to take note. Company board member and treasurer John Money says NOTE’s mission comprises of “an enduring ensemble of diverse theatre artists in the heart of Hollywood who inspire, inform, and ignite our audiences by discovering courageous voices and creating entertaining, provocative, and revelatory theatrical works.”
So what makes the company special? Money replies with a Rudyard Kipling quote from his famous poem “If,” stating that Theatre of NOTE “is a non-profit democratic company that ‘can meet with Triumph and Disaster and treat those two impostors just the same.’” He explains, “we are still experimental enough that we don’t mind failing. However, it’s hard to live on that with the current economic climate.”
Yet, the ensemble still believes in taking chances, no matter the outcome.
Taking chances has proven successful for the company. This year they received the Charlie Award from the Hollywood Arts Council – the award honors individuals and companies for significant contributions to the arts and Hollywood. Throughout the years they’ve garnered accolades, nominations and awards from Backstage West, Ovations, LA WEEKLY and others.
Money jokes, “It’s like we’re always trying to find our audience. We seek people who like the new, the raw and edgy. Those who can laugh at the world and themselves and are willing to take a risk and enjoy themselves even when it fails.” He adds, “we’re always trying to bring new energy into the space.”
And there is no lack of energy for the company itself. “Although the company is consistently in production due to the nature of its season, when we are not, we try to improve the theatre’s structure, equipment, patron flow, etc. We continue looking for new plays through our Production Selection Committee – currently reading through over 120 script submissions. We also work to develop relationships in the neighborhood with local restaurants, galleries, and retail stores surrounding the theatre in the Cahuenga pass.”
NOTE has two main programs they host. First is the Young Writers Project (YWP). Each year five or more high schools are chosen to participate in a workshop-based writing experiment that culminates in the staged production of several short plays written by students. “We go to various high schools and help them write plays. I’m hoping we develop it more and try to expand it towards getting college student to come to the theatre.”
There’s also NOTEworthy – Play development through NOTE’s staged reading series, established to foster relationships with playwrights as they develop new works. The playwrights participate in a talkback with the cast and audience, giving the playwright an opportunity to make revisions based on this feedback. “It’s a great way for the writers to hear their words and have the chance to make their plays better,” say Money.
As previously mentioned, NOTE is a democratic company, meaning that it has no Artistic Director or primary leader. There is an Artistic and Management Committee (AMC); the committee members are elected to 2 years.
“We are an incredibly social company,” reveals Money. “We like to think of ourselves as theatre makers. We’re primarily actors, but we also have directors and writers. We have a company meeting every month, so we get to see each other at least once a month.” They also have other meetings to make sure the production selections utilize the company members.
Money has only been a member for about 3 ½ years. He had seen some of there work and was very interested in the company. “I had not acted for awhile. But the company itself is interesting enough that I got involved [with it]. I like what they’re doing and the way they do it.”
The theatre space is a very intimate black box – which means, “We make it any shape we want.” Money likens it to an off-off-Broadway theatre. “I’m always transfixed with what people with creative minds can do with the space. I like it when I walk in and it’s totally different.”
Theatre of NOTE hopes to continue growing. “We hope to see ourselves in a larger space. We’ve been talking to other companies about trying to share a space with other companies.” He expresses, “We’d like to see ourselves continuing to produce new material.”
