New York theater ensemble The TEAM \u2013 which will be developing a new performance piece while in residence with PlayMakers Repertory Company at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill — will unveil its work-in-progress May 29 at 7:30 p.m. at Frey Rehearsal Hall in the Center for Dramatic Art on Country Club Road.<\/p>\n
The performance is free and open to the public. A discussion with the creative artists will follow. Space is limited and based on availability. To reserve seats, contact the PlayMakers box office at (919) 962-7529.<\/p>\n
Now in its earliest stages, the piece will be a year-long exploration of the difference between drive and discipline. Each member of the five-member ensemble will commit to a year of learning a new skill or task \u2014 banjo, writing a novel, electric guitar \u2014 and to spending the year learning Mandarin as a group.<\/p>\n
While in residence at PlayMakers from May 24-30, they will begin their studies, as well as meet with UNC faculty to learn about cognitive therapy, early childhood education and contemporary American politics.<\/p>\n
The TEAM is a young, innovative theater company comprised of a core group of New York University alumni plus associated artists dedicated to dissecting and celebrating the experience of living in America today. They describe their performances as \u201cat times a rock concert, at times a sporting event\u201d and \u201cGertrude Stein meets MTV.\u201d The Village Voice (New York) describes The TEAM as \u201cstaggeringly ambitious.\u201d The Herald (Scotland) called the ensemble \u201cthe artistic conscience of a younger generation.\u201d<\/p>\n
They will be joined in the creative process by guest artist Taylor Mac, who was seen in April as the Emcee in PlayMakers\u2019 hit season finale \u201cCabaret.\u201d<\/p>\n
The TEAM is at PlayMakers as part of a residency program that provides support for the company\u2019s creative research and development with access to PlayMakers\u2019 professional staff, production shops, rehearsal halls, performance spaces and the intellectual resources of UNC. The TEAM will then take its creation, incubated at PlayMakers, on to performances around the world.<\/p>\n
The ensemble is the third participant in the PlayMakers residency program, which is supported by a $200,000 grant from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation which funds annual residencies by theater ensembles. Previous participants have been Philadelphia\u2019s Pig Iron Theatre Company and SITI Company of New York.<\/p>\n
Based in UNC\u2019s College of Arts and Sciences, PlayMakers is the Carolinas\u2019 premiere resident professional theater company. The Drama League of New York has named PlayMakers one of the best regional theaters in America. Ticket packages are currently available for PlayMakers\u2019 2013-2014 season. For more information, visit www.playmakersrep.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n The grant also supports the Innovate@Carolina Campaign, a drive to help make Carolina a world leader in launching university-born ideas for the good of society.<\/p>\n