Fall Production

A terminally ill woman sets out to film a video message for her toddler daughter to watch on her twelfth birthday. Struggling to find the right words and technologically challenged, she embarks upon what she considers a "dress rehearsal." Armed with animal puppets, tap shoes, and an irreverent sense of humor, she explores the daunting task of passing on some kind of motherly wisdom. Through a series of candid stories about her own growth to maturity, she tries to justify choices she's making that will prevent her from being part of her little girl's life. In doing so, she confronts aspects of her identity that are the source of her deepest fears and greatest strengths.

Blackbird Pie

a deliciously dark confection

written and performed by Mary Lipple

with dramaturgy and direction by Kyle Bostian

"Some people are pushed, some fall, some jump. We all splatter the same."

October 6-22, Thurs-Sat 8 PM and Sat 2 PM

(no matinee on October 8)
Grey Box Theatre, 3595 Butler St, PGH, PA 15201

Tickets may be available at the door: cash only

$15 general/$10 ages 25 and under (w/ID)

Contains adult themes and language

Not recommended for under age 16

Running time is approximately 80 minutes

Each performance will be followed by a talkback

Staged Reading of a Work-in-Progress

A woman sets out to film a video message for her toddler daughter to watch on her twelfth birthday. Struggling to find the right words and technologically challenged, she embarks upon what she considers a "dress rehearsal." Armed with animal puppets, tap shoes, and a wickedly dark sense of humor, she explores the daunting task of passing on some kind of motherly wisdom. Through a series of candid stories about her own growth to maturity, she tries to justify why she's making choices that will prevent her from being part of her little girl's life. Faced with the pressure of a limited time in which to complete her project, she confronts aspects of her identity that are the source of her deepest fears and greatest strengths.

written and performed by Mary Lipple

with dramaturgy and direction by Kyle Bostian

Tuesday, March 15 and Wednesday, March 16, 8:00 PM

Pittsburgh Playwrights Theater
542 Penn Avenue, PGH, PA 15222

(Enter through the parking garage and go to the 2nd floor)

Free admission. Limited seating. Reservations recommended.

Running time is just over an hour, to be followed by a talkback.

To reserve seats, email kbostian67@gmail.com with the date you'd like to attend.

In Development

Blackbird Pie

written and performed by Mary Lipple

with dramaturgy and staging by Kyle Bostian

A public staged reading is planned for spring 2011, with a full production to follow later in the year.

On Hiatus

NEW stAGE is temporarily inactive while the founder/producing dramaturg gives his attention to developing another project: Pittsburgh PACT (Public Action Communitarian Theatre). For more information go to http://pghpact.blogspot.com/.

Pittsburgh PACT also can be found on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pghpact.

Fall Solo Show Performance Run

Sex, Drugs, and Spiritual Enlightenment

(or, How I’ve Become the Man I Am Today)

a perpetual work-in-progress

written and performed by Kyle Bostian

A humorous, poignant, sometimes shocking, and ultimately inspirational story of one man’s journey toward self-acceptance and wholeness.

September 18-20 and October 2-4, 8:00 PM
937 Liberty Avenue – 1st Floor (Bricolage space)
Tix: $10 /$5 (age 25 and under), at the door, cash only
May not be suitable for all audiences

In this autobiographical solo show, Bostian follows the model of Spalding Gray and other theatre monologists who recount personal experiences in an attempt to illuminate broader aspects of existence. The work combines spoken narrative with visual projections and devices borrowed from Stephen Colbert and David Letterman. Sharing details of his life generally considered taboo or at least inappropriate for public disclosure, the writer/performer paints an unflinching and sometimes unflattering self-portrait. For Bostian, that kind of honesty is vital to art, which he says “should tell the truth and stimulate.” He believes this piece will have particular impact on young adults struggling to formulate and maintain a healthy sense of identity in a culture that often makes that difficult. It also should resonate with older adults who have reflected on their own journeys to maturity – or are open to doing so.

Another One Night Stand

Sex, Drugs, and Spiritual Enlightenment;
or, How I've Become the Man I Am Today

a staged reading of a perpetual work-in-progress

Written and performed by Kyle Bostian

A humorous, poignant, sometimes shocking, and ultimately inspirational story of one man’s journey toward self-acceptance and wholeness.

NOTE: Explicit language and graphic descriptions may not be suitable for all audiences.

Thursday, May 1, 2008, 8 PM
Your Inner Vagabond Coffeehouse & World Lounge
4130 Butler St., Lawrenceville
FREE!!!

On the Move

As of August 2007, NEW stAGE will operate in Pittsburgh.

Solo Show Staged Reading

Sex, Drugs, and Spiritual Enlightenment;
or, How I've Become the Man I Am Today

a work-in-progress

Written and performed by Kyle Bostian

With staging input from Jeremy Larson and Becca Hengstenberg
Scenic/graphic design by Tiffany Wilhelm

Thursday, April 26, 8 PM
UWSP Studio Theatre, Noel Fine Arts Center
Sponsored by UWSP Gay-Straight Alliance and UWSP Players
FREE!!! (donations go to UWSP Gay-Straight Alliance)

Spring Production

With Rosie Zurad and Jake Paque

Staged by Kyle Bostian and Christine Grimm

Thursday, March 29, 8 PM
Friday, March 30, 8 PM
Saturday, March 31, 5 PM & 8 PM

CenterPoint MarketPlace (just off Center Court)
Downtown Stevens Point

Tix: $8 general & $5 student
UWSP Box Office
200 Division St.
715-346-4100


Meet the Brilliant Traces Company

Rosie Zurad is completing her BFA degree in musical theatre from UWSP this spring. Favorite roles include Lisa in Lisa and David, Luisa in The Fantasticks, and Lizabette in Anton in Show Business. She recently toured Minnesota with Prairie Fire Children's Theatre and is thrilled to have the opportunity to be a part of NEW stAGE. She thanks her friends, family, and professors, both old and new, for their support and encouragement.

Jake Paque is thrilled to be making his first appearance with NEW stAGE this spring. Prior to this production, Jake toured the country in a bilingual adaptation of Pedro Calderon de la Barca’s Mornings of April and May. Previous roles include Dorantes in Arthur Kopit’s Discovery of America (dir. Kyle Bostian), Patsy in Three Men on a Horse, and Pablo Picasso in Picasso at the Lapin Agile. He thanks his family and friends for their continual support.

Christine Grimm will finish her BA theatre degree with an emphasis in directing, and with a minor in English literature, from UWSP in December. She has previously directed children’s theatre and high school theatre in her hometown of Portage, WI. She thanks her friends and family for their support, and especially Kyle for giving her this fantastic opportunity!

"In the Works"

How I Became the Man I Am Today:
A Memoir of Sex, Drugs, and Spiritual Enlightenment

Written and performed by Kyle Bostian

Developmental reading and talkback
Sunday, December 17, 7:30 PM
NFAC 283, UWSP campus

Inaugural Production

"a dizzying, ontological joyride through the post-everything American landscape ... and beyond"

With Tony Kaehny and Jeremy Larson

Thursday, September 28, 8 PM
Friday, September 29, 8 PM & 11 PM
Saturday, September 30, 6 PM

Mission Coffee Bar & Lounge
Downtown Stevens Point

Tix $5 general & $3 students at the Mission in advance or at the door


Meet the Horse Country Company

Tony Kaehny is honored to act under Kyle’s and Becca’s direction again, having done so in Discovery of America and Keely and Du, respectively, last spring. He and Jeremy have worked together numerous times, beginning with The Country Wife in 2003. He thanks his wonderful family and friends for their support.

Jeremy Larson is excited to be in NEW stAGE’s inaugural production. Favorite past roles include Castillo in Arthur Kopit’s Discovery of America, Nick in Sight Unseen, and multiple characters in Sex, Drugs, and Rock & Roll. He also performs Improv with The Dons. He thanks his parents for their endless support and love.

Becca Hengstenberg's previous directing credits include the UWSP Players production of Jane Martin’s Keely and Du, for which she received the Stelmahoske Student Directing Award, and Kyle’s play To(ta)lerance. She thanks the Horse Country team for the creativity & ingenuity which they contributed so generously!

About the Founder

I'm a theatre artist, teacher, and scholar. I hold an MFA in Playwriting (University of Washington) and a PhD in Theatre and Dramaturgy (Florida State University). My plays have been finalists and semifinalists in regional and national competitions and have had readings and productions at university and professional theatres. In recent years I've become increasingly interested in staging and helping develop the works of other writers. That impulse, along with my belief that the solutions to the world's social and political problems have a spiritual basis, has led to the establishment of NEW stAGE. I'm currently on the theatre faculty at Point Park University. Previously I taught at the University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point, where I directed a workshop production of Arthur Kopit's Discovery of America as part of the author's residency in Spring 2006.


Why "Producing Dramaturg"?

I've chosen my title over the more common "artistic director" in order to reflect my approach to the process of developing and staging theatrical works. I see my function as facilitating communication between dramatist and audience, with the performer(s) being the media through which that sacred, communal interaction takes place. When the playwright is present and the script under development, I strive to help the author realize his or her vision in a way that can be translated effectively from the page to the stage. When it comes to finished work, I select material that I believe speaks powerfully for itself, without the need for me to impose my own "vision" on it. (Not that there's anything wrong with that in certain situations.)