La Mama Umbria

Here is my friend David Diamond's information about La Mama Umbria this summer. I understand that it's expensive, but it is a magical place. I had an amazing time there a few years ago at the playwrights' intensive.

"La MaMa Umbria Announces Artists for International Theatre Workshops in Italy"

Directors, Actors, Playwrights, Composers and Theatre-Makers from Iraq, Japan, Italy and the United States offer personal insights into theatre-making at La MaMa Umbria in July / August, 2012. This year’s emphasis is on Collaboration amongst artists in the theatre and other disciplines.

Among the renowned theatre practitioners who will participate are: Elizabeth Swados, Neil LaBute, Mac Wellman, Yoji Sakate, Stephan Koplowitz, Kwesi Johnson, Melanie Joseph, John Moran among many others.

Workshops range from Site-Specific Performance, Meyerhold Technique, Using Noh with Modern Texts and The Actor/Playwright Collaboration to Creating Theatre Through Music, Pataphysics of Performance and The Tempest and the Sea.

All participants live and work at La MaMa Umbria International, Founder Ellen Stewart’s 15th century arts complex in the Umbrian hills near Spoleto. La MaMa Umbria includes a rehearsal studio, an outdoor stage, gallery space, a café and other unique spaces. Fresh, delicious food comes from the garden and many meals are cooked in a 500 year-old stone oven.

La MaMa Umbria offers 4 distinct programs in 2012 including International Symposium for Directors/Theatre-makers, Playwright Retreat, Master Acting Workshops and Residencies. Most workshops include visits to areas of local culture including Assisi, Perugia, Orvieto or other ancient towns and performances at summer festivals and community events.

The deadline for Registration/Application for the various programs is May 15, 2012 (except Residencies). Detailed information and Registration/Application Forms can be found at http://lamama.org/programs/la-mama-umbria-international/. For more information, call (212) 620-0703 or (212) 254-6468."