Less Than Rent Theatre revels in the joyful, persistent exploration of the purely theatrical, of visceral and innovative work that can only exist within the ephemeral union between artist and audience. We seek to encourage the collaborative core of theatre, connecting actors, directors, designers, playwrights, and dramatists through the pursuit of work that embraces its liveness.

Our work is sprung from the collision of enduring stories with the rapidly shifting world of today. We aim to navigate the complexities of our own generation by exploring the vast canons of the past in new and imaginative ways.

Less Than Rent Theatre is based in New York City, the hub of innovation and the arts. We are a young and exuberant group, tied together by our commitment to passionate, humorous, and immersive theatre for new audiences, from new artists.

www.lessthanrent.org

Sound Street Productions is Donald Gaverick and Mark McDaniels.

STRANGEDOG THEATRE COMPANY is a nomadic troupe intent on creating new plays for
both avid theatre-lovers and people who mistakenly think they don't like plays.

Thank You, Robot has been performing comedy in New York City since 2006. The members met studying long-form improv at the Upright Citizen's Brigade Training Center, under teachers who are now all over film and TV. Collectively, the members of Thank You, Robot have appeared on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, This American Life and College Humor standup showcases, written for The Onion, Letterman's Monologue, SNL's Weekend Update and penned an award-winning sitcom pilot. Since 2007 they have hosted the popular improv show "Summer Fridays"at Under St. Marks Theater in the East Village. The show has featured some of the greatest improv teams to ever perform.

The Drafts are the resident acting ensemble of Horse Trade Theater Group supporting the work of its artistic community. Committed to new play development, The Drafts monthly reading series has featured over 100 original scripts and inspired several full productions.

The African American experience is not represented solely by one voice or one style. Horse Trade Theater Group will present THE FIRETHIS TIME FESTIVAL, a platform for talented early-career playwrights of African and African American descent to explore new voices, styles and challenging new directions for 21st century performing arts, and move beyond common ideas of what's possible in "black theater." 

Founded in 1997 by playwright Paul Wells, THE DYSFUNCTIONAL THEATRE COMPANY is a collective dedicated to producing ensemble works that challenge the status quo without taking themselves too seriously. The company officially incorporated in 1998, achieved non-profit status in 1999, and has produced over 30 shows in its history, many of them original works. Dysfunctional celebrated its 10 year anniversary in 2007 with the Dysfunctional 10th Anniversary Benefit Extravaganza, which featured selections from Dysfunctional shows both old and new, as well as the appearance of many veteran Dysfunctional actors.

WHAT IS RADIOTHEATRE?
Well, we’re NOT an authentic re-creation of old time radio shows.
Rather, we are inspired by the artistry created during the Golden Years of Radio when SOUND was king and STORY TELLING, along with great voices, music and sound effects…as well as, the individual imaginations of its audiences …were the primary ingredients used to provide a memorable, live, theatrical experience. It’s not much different than the earliest form of Theatre…telling tales around a campfire in the dark where all of one’s attention is focused upon the Narrator.  However, primitive it might sound, it’s still the most powerful means of intellectual stimulation, wherein, the audience is invited to participate by conjuring the images in their own minds…something they are not required to do very often these days. Of course, we do like to add some 21st Century touches…such as fully scored orchestral sound tracks which you won‘t hear anywhere else, a plethora of aural effects and, sometimes, a few visuals, too!
As for our stories content, RADIOTHEATRE draws its inspiration from the Pulp Fiction Era when genres such as Adventure, Horror, Science Fiction and Crime dominated the American popular culture…all genres which have been thoroughly mined and exploited by Literature, Cinema and TV, but, generally ignored or spoofed in the Theatre world.
Our cinematic scripts and presentational format allows RADIOTHEATRE to deliver nearly anything …from King Kong roaring atop the Empire State Building to an explosive invasion from outer space to the inner voice of a demented mind...all of which you won’t experience anywhere else on the live stage.
So, there’s your answer! By combining a unique presentation with non -traditional content, RADIOTHEATRE is a singular theatre company creating modern, innovative stage works.

Founded in September of 2001, RISING SUNPERFORAMNCE COMPANY (RSP) is a downtown Off-Off Broadway theatre company dedicated to producing ensemble-based work. It is run by artists for artists to allow them to create their own opportunities instead of their opportunities creating them. RSP is the full time artistic home for a wide range of theatre artists, including actors, writers, directors, designers, singers, and dancers. 2011 marks the beginning of RSP’s Tenth producing season and its sixth year of residency at Horse Trade Theater Group, culminating in 35plus productions and events. This includes the development of twelve world debut plays, over 30 One Act Plays as part our annual series, the launch of an on-going musical cabaret series, free outdoor performances, children's theatre, immersive themed theatrical experiences and its trademark revivals, including sold out critically acclaimed hits: The Shape of Things, An Adult Evening of Shel Silverstein, Hellcab and most recently The Last Supper.

The Management formed in 2004 as part of New York’s UnConvention Festival.  Our first production was the Brecht-inspired This Jungle of Cities, penned by founding member Berrian Eno-Van Fleet.  In 2005, we enjoyed an eight-month residency at Victory Hall in Jersey City where we produced the East Coast premiere of Naomi Izuka’s Aloha Say the Pretty Girls and Thornton Wilder’s The Long Christmas Dinner.

The Management took part in the inaugural Capital Fringe Festival in Washington D.C. in ’06 with the grotesquely humorous, existential play Self-Obsession in Blue (and again in ’08 with The Chalk Boy) and are currently showcasing new playwriting through our 2nd Salon Series in NYC.  We also produced bi-coastal productions of The Chalk Boy, written by co-artistic director Joshua Conkel in both LA and NYC this past September.  Late ’08 brought us Kristen Kosmas’ extraordinary one-woman piece The Scandal!, our Spring '09 show was Dorothy Fortenberry’s Caitlin and the Swan, and in the Spring of ’10, we produced Joe Tracz’s Song for a Future Generation.

In the winter 2010, the newly formed Management brought you Lonesome Winter by Joshua Conkel and Megan Hill. And in the spring of 2011 the Management received it’s first New York Times Review with Cut by Crystal Skillman.

Amios is a collective whose mission is to build upon the legacy of the National Theatre Conservatory, to harness and cultivate the creative energies of our artists across multiple disciplines, and to have fun while constantly generating fearless and innovative ensemble-driven work.

raw art now

ANIMALPARTS is a New York City based theatre company dedicated to creating unique and vibrant new theatre that not only entertains, but challenge sits audience. Using traditions of clown and bouffon, and juxtaposing multimedia with an honest and true connection with the audience – Animal Parts creates serio-comic performance pieces always rooted in Humor, Heart, and Innovation.

Beaches 2:
Sketch Comedy for Best Friends
An Unoffical History

One cloudy, stormy, menstratey day a goatgirl named Tanya was born to three hillbilly farmhands named Sylvester, Sylvester and Genitalias. She was the happiest goat in all the land. Clop clop clop, she clopped, while clopping.

"Boy i sure do love clopping" Tanya clopped cloppingly. "But you know what? I wish I was famous."

It was at that exact moment when a Duck named Tobly, a rabbit named Mary and a pedophile named Bob chanced across the farm while looking for an inexpensive alternative to tomatoes. All of the sudden everyone got really turned on. There was extended eye contact, billowing of things you billow, weeping. Something very sexy was about to happen when someone farted. We shall not reveal who it was to protect them but their name starts with a B and ends with an OB. Needless to say the mood was sufficiently ruined.

"What should we do now?" said Bob as he dialed up the afterschool homework hotline.

Tobly the Duck and Mary the rabbit had a plan, however.

"A sketch group" quacked Tobly!

"For best friends!" Rabbited Mary

"I disagree." Disagreed Tanya

And so Beaches 2 The Sketch Group was formed. Trumpets were sounded, rays of sun peaked through the crowds, newborn babies were abandoned in bus stop restrooms. And all was right in the world.
Amen.

Counting Squares Theatre is a collective dedicated to telling stories in our own way. We are passionate about creating collaborative works within our company, and taking a fresh look at the classics. We were founded in 2007 as an outlet for our varying interests: acting, directing, producing, scenic design, writing, and music composition. Since its inception Counting Squares Theatre has produced seven full scale productions including: BOYS' LIFE, BENT, CARPE TUNNEL (a CST original devised work), WOYZECK, BIGGER THANi (the 1st incarnation), and THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST, as well as workshops of CAMP WANATACHI, SPANKY AND SPRY, and THE SCOURGE OF DISTRACTION. In 2008 Counting Squares Theatre received the award for The Independent Theatre People of the Year.

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We are proud of where we have been and are excited about where we will go, but most importantly we are focused on where we are now. We are proud to be a grassroots ensemble based in NYC, and more specifically the amazing arts scene in Brooklyn. We get our inspiration from our surroundings and tell the stories of the world as we see it. We are truthful and edgy, but always try to temper life with a little humor. We believe that where you were last month is not all all where you will be next month, so like life, our collective is dynamic and versatile because we believe it will keep our story telling vital...plus it's fun.

Direct Arts is an intercultural theater and film company dedicated to producing and promoting plays and films that explore the intersection between different cultures. A second mission is to level the playing field for low-income minority artists.

DMT was founded as Danse Macabre Theatrics in 1999 by producer/director Frank Cwiklik in New York City. DMTheatrics was launched with the express purpose of creating theater for audiences, not agents or academics, and for taking advantage of the immediacy and aggressiveness of live performance by creating immersive, emotionally engaging and spectacular theatrical pieces. By looking back to the classic forms of burlesque, vaudeville, cabaret, linear storytelling, and spectacle, DMT hopes to create new and exciting theater for the present and help usher in the future of performance with clean, direct, attractive works that excite, inspire, and most importantly, entertain.

DMT does not workshop its pieces, nor does it hold staged or seated readings, as we firmly believe that the only way to truly "break" a show is by doing it, no pretention, no discussion, no nonsense. Even with an 18-month break in the middle of its first decade, DMT has staged more shows in the past 11 years than most theater or production companies manage in a quarter century, and has more shows planned and prepared for staging than many people have even seen. Our shows may be loud, they may be chaotic, they may be eccentric, they may even be stupid, but they are always heartfelt and engaging, and they are never, ever boring.

Edge of Insanity was born in June of 2000 when co-creators Marc Morales and Kari O'Donnell were working as singing waiters in a really crappy place. One day while working in this really crappy place, their eyes locked across the dirty bar and Edge of Insanity was born. Taking a few people from work, Edge began with its own variety show interpretation in local comedy clubs. A gig at UNDER St. Marks followed, where they were seen by a member of Horse Trade Theater Group and offered a home in their resident company program, continuing their variety show weekly in The Red Room. After 7 months, they were told that they needed a full length production, and Galaxy Video was born. The show went on to be published in Plays and Playwrights 2003 as well as Greatest Women's Stage Monologues 2004 . Galaxy has since been revived at California State University Northridge and the University of Montana . But one day like the great Simpson and Bruckheimer Morales and O'Donnell broke up, but without the cocaine and death. Edge survived, however, going on to produce The Lounge, The Show, and The Coming of Dick all produced by Jennifer Lieberman and Roxane Policare. After losing Roxane to Las Vegas and Jen to Canada , Edge rocked its 5th season with the long awaited sequel, Galaxy Video 2 , performed in rep with the first NYC revival of Galaxy Video , both produced by Morgan Lindsey Tachco, with the always resourceful and dependable help of Joanna H. Clay and our girl in Vegas. Now having gone bicoastal, Edge is proud to present Heartbreak …come on down to see it – but we can't promise not to bite.

Lively Productions presents new work for the stage by emerging artists, and seeks to create innovative theatrical opportunities in a world increasingly defined by real time interactions and new technologies. Through the cultivation of new work and exploration of projects based on current events, trends and new media, we endeavor to expand the definition of performance today.

NO TEA PRODUCTIONS exists as an outlet for creative expression, especially through original works, and to bring new voices to the independent theatre community. With each show we strive to be funny and entertaining, but also to always present a larger truth. No Tea was founded by Jeff Sproul and Lindsey Moore in 2006, and started its residency at Horse Trade in the 2008-2009 season.

Spookfish Theatre Company is a group of diverse young artists committed to making inventive and explosively theatrical artwork that exposes underlying issues concerning self-identity and the human condition that are continually underrepresented or misrepresented in our society. By providing a multicultural lens through artistic collaboration in which mixed media and original text serve as the forefront, we explore issues of race, gender, sexuality, and socio-economics with a unique style and voice that challenges audiences to explore their own volatile worldview.

As multi-ethnic theatre artists, we believe in exploring our art as a true reflection of the world we live in, and thus, actively seek gender and race equality concerning our casting, subject matter, and hiring opportunities.

The Assembly Production is a New York based ensemble of multi-disciplinary artists formed by five Wesleyan University graduates. Assembly members seek to unite varied interests in service of creating wide reaching, unabashedly theatrical and rigorously researched ensemble performances that address the complexities of our ever-changing world. They embrace collaboration as the core of the creative process, developing all the elements of text, action, and design side-by-side within the rehearsal environment. The Assembly’s plays have been performed in Connecticut and Edinburgh (where they were nominated for the 2006 Edinburgh Fringe Festival Fringe First Award) as well as in multiple venues throughout New York City: The Ontological Theater, The Brick Theater, The Bowery Poetry Club, The Abingdon Theater Complex and The Flea.

The BE Company was founded in the spring of 2008 as a collaboration between industry professionals seeking an artistic home. As a company we are focused on the greater mission of what art can accomplish.

We aim to build a creative home for artists both emerging and established by providing developmental support through salons, readings, workshops, theatre productions, and events in the New York City area and beyond.

In the future, we look to expand into film and production, pushing the boundaries of different mediums in service of uniting people through storytelling.

The main thread connecting all of our endeavors is the support of innovative work that results in diverse and exciting collaborations.

The Subjective Theatre Company is dedicated to producing a wide range of politically and socially relevant theatre and presenting it at no cost to the public.  We aspire to create work that consistently challenges and entertains our audience while inspiring creativity and social responsibility within our community.

THEATER IN ASYLUM (TIA) is a New York-based dance-theater company founded in 2010 by Paul Bedard and Katie Palmer to provide asylum to highly charged subjects and characters. With thrilling performance, TIA suspends preconceptions, analyzes a subject’s origin, and leaves audiences with new-found understanding and empathy. Suspend beliefs, believe again. Follow us on Facebook at facebook/theaterinasylum and on Twitter @THEATERINASYLUM.

Wasabassco Burlesque produces sexy, couple-friendly burlesque shows full of risque fun, spicy shenanigans, and plenty of saucy striptease. For over 7 years, Wasabassco has been bringing the best in live performance to New York and points beyond.

Wasabassco presents weekly shows at Affaire Bistro & Lounge in Manhattan and monthly shows at City Winery in Manhattan, and Union Hall in Park Slope Brooklyn, as well as recurring shows at The Bell House also in Brooklyn. Wasabassco has also appeared throughout NYC and Brooklyn at Corio, The Delancey, The Dog House, Element, Galapagos Art Space, Irondale, The Kraine Theater, Living Room Lounge, Museum Of Sex, NoCa, Northsix, Public Assembly, The New Roadhouse, Sputnik, Southpaw, Studio B, and Tainted Lady Lounge, and at Acoustic Cafe (Bridgeport, CT), Asbury Lanes (Asbury Park, NJ), Creative Alliance at the Patterson Theater, Ottobar (Baltimore, MD), The Haunt (Ithaca, NY) and The Palace Of Wonders (Washington DC).

Wide Eyed was founded by Liz White, Kristin Skye Hoffmann, and Sky Seals, all graduates of University of Northern Colorado’s' performing arts program. After a few years in New York City the three realized that they were literally surrounded by hundreds of talented people, most of them their friends. Everything to make a good company was already there just waiting for someone to take action. The thought had been tossed around more than once, but it was after a successful run of Medea with Hudson Shakespeare Company with a cast of all friends and pure talent that Wide Eyed came to fruition. The birth was all at once painful and miraculous. We want Wide Eyed to be a platform for talented people to be recognized, and where quality productions are abound.

Wide Eyed Productions is a New York City-based collective of artists dedicated to the pursuit of excellence in risk-taking, relevant theatre. Our core ensemble is committed to the birth of new works and also the rebirth of the classic texts. Through our collaborative process Wide Eyed discovers and creates theatre that both stimulates the imagination and awakens the public's passion for high standards in the performing arts.

Mission
Wreckio Ensemble Theater Company produces original and innovative works on social issues through their developing movement technique. Wreckio integrates the body, mind, and voice in storytelling to stimulate thought, creating a symbiotic relationship between audience and ensemble.