NEWS

Printable Version
Send Page to Friend
Bookmark this Page
NEWS

MARCH 2013:
A building has been gifted to us: 2711 Harrisburg, near the Soccer Stadium/Minute Maid Park
A truly inclusion theater for Houston and the state of Texas.
 
APRIL 2013
10 actors in Dionysus have been cast in the movie, LOVELAND, to be filmed in Texas
Josh Tate - writer and director.
Holly wood calls, we deliver the talent.




AUDREY 2 FOR RENT!

If your school or theatre is performing Little Shop of Horrors and looking for an inexpensive but quality Audrey 2, contact Raymond@dionysustheatre.org
Pictures coming soon...includes Small Audrey 2, Large Audrey 2, and costumes for five performers for an even larger Audrey 2













Little Shop of Horrors auditions are March 22 - 25 at the Jewish Community Center
Email me at Raymond@dionysustheatre.org or call our office to set up an audition time.
713-728-0041










January 12, 2012
We are now on Twitter @DionysusT.  Follow our Tweets!
January 9, 2012
Due to bad weather, classes have been cancelled this evening.  We will begin our classes next Monday, january 16th.  S
Please do not drive today if you do not have to!  Be safe out there.

January 3, 2012
Classes will begin January 9th, and we still have a few spots available for more student actors.  Register today to make sure he or she will be able to join the class.  Click on our classes week for more details.

December 5, 2011
We have a new audition post up on www.theatreport.com.  Check it out here: http://www.theatreport.com/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?topic_id=6459&forum=1

August 29, 2011
Happy Monday Everyone.
We wish to thank www.713news.com for helping spread the word about our cause and our mission. 
The preview of the upcoming interview is on their home page now.
CLASSES:  Yes, the deadline for class registration has come and gone, but we are postponing the deadline to Thursday, September 7.
Once again, classes will be Monday's now, instead of Tuesdays.  First day of class is September 12.  Here is the link to register: http://dionysustheatre.org/pages/classes_89.asp

August 11, 2011

The Deadline for class registration is Friday, August 26.  You can register right here by clicking on our classes link.
           
There is a job opening at Dionysus Theatre for our next production Art.  Kindly click on the link for more info: http://www.theatreport.com/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?topic_id=6297&start=0#forumpost30678

July
19, 2011
            Dionysus Theatre is currently preparing for its much anticipated 14th season, and we are always looking for people to work for our lovely theatre, including actors, designers, carpenters, stage managers, and even volunteer ushers.  For job postings, you can check here, as well as www.theatreport.com, where you can receive additional information on other shows going on around town.  
            Change is in the air at Dionysus!  We are updating our website with new information, pictures, and videos.  We may even change the layout, for easy, more enjoyable browsing.  If you would like to let us know how we can make your experience on our website an easy and pleasant one, please email raymond@dionysustheatre.org with any suggestions!
            If you have worked with us before, and you have pictures of one of our performances, classes, rehearsals etc., then please send them to raymond@dionysustheatre.org if you would like to see them on the website!

 

April 13, 2011

Whats the Buzz?
Sign up for our BACK STAGE PASS newsletters and win tickets and other fun stuff from the best little theater in Texas that
truly changes lives...email:GPeperone@dionysustheatre.org and start getting HIP to who we are!

AUDITIONS:
Upcoming auditions for "WONDERLAND - The misadventures of Alice"
April 11th 7-9 p.m. and April 13th 5-7 p.m.
713-728-0041

March 11, 2011

Brush Up Your Shakespeare 

The Complete Works of William Shakespeare abridged  

All 37 Plays in 97 Minutes!

Shakespeare

An irreverent, fast-paced romp through the Bard's plays. Join three madcap actors as they weave their wicked way through all of Shakespeare's Comedies, Histories and Tragedies in one wild ride that will leave you breathless and helpless with laughter. Warning! This show is a high-speed roller-coaster type condensation of all of Shakespeare's plays, and is not recommended for people who are faint of heart or do not possess a funny bone. 

March 26 through April 16.  For ticket information call 713.728.0041 or click here.

 
March 11, 2011

Two on the Aisle

Theater Review by Bill O'Roarke

All Things Relative

Nightmare Cast

 

 

Usually I don't care for the work of playwright Christopher Durang. But this production of The Actor's Nightmare was so funny that I might have to rethink that. I have a tendency to laugh loudly and, at one point, an audience member turned around to make sure I was laughing for the right reason. I was! I think that maybe what was wrong with other theaters' Durang productions is that they take him too seriously, get impressed with themselves for doing his work, which gets between him and the audience.

 

Michael F. Iovine, is one of the best things in this play. He's very subtle and very funny. Very funny, indeed. You might notice from his accent and his face that he has Downs Syndrome. But, like the lines above his head, it really isn't something that distracts. He's a good actor.

 

So is Natalia Borja (who was so outstanding in a monologue in the second act that she made me forget that I had already seen it and knew it's - spoiler alert - trick ending). Susanne Picheloup and Susan Ly are good actresses as well...Houston is blessed with some great community theater!

 

For now, as their artistic director says, they are the only truly inclusive theater in Texas, since they are the only one that regularly combines non-disabled actors along with disabled ones.


December 27, 2010
‘Bully’ confessions make the rounds
Dionysus Theatre, a nonprofit organization that brings actors with disabilities together with those who are nondisabled, is touring its originally written show, “True Confessions of a Bully,” by Deborah Nowinski. The show is being performed throughout the greater Houston area in schools and for organizations.

Read more here.
Dionysus Theatre will be participating TCG's Free Night of Theater which is a nationwide program offering free tickets to a broad range of performances.  Beginning September 25 at 10 a.m., free tickets may be reserved online for October 1-11 performances.   Tickets are only available for specific dates and times.

2010 Free Night of Theater PSA from ryland holmes on Vimeo.


Click here to listen to our story in NPR.

Listen here on Friday, August 27, 2010  for our NPR DIONYSUS THEATRE Story  at 6:30 a.m. and then again at 8:30 a.m. This is the story they did while we were doing PUTNAM!

 

Dionysus Theatre will be holding auditions for an original show for the  YOUTH THEATRE “True Confessions of a Bully” by Deborah Emmy Nowinski. Auditions are on Monday, August 23 and Tuesday, August 24,  both at 2:00 p.m.at 5601 S. Braeswood, Houston, Texas 77096 (Joe Frank Theatre). Actors are paid a stipend. Must have day availability to tour schools and organizations. Please call: 713-728-0041 for an audition time or e-mail deb@dionysustheatre.org

The following roles are being cast:

Brandon - the classic bully who is aggressive, physical and manipulative
Hector - his wannabe friend
Janine - the pretty cheerleader who is popular and thinks Brandon is cool.
Nina - a victim. She lives with her mother and sister, Lydia. She has moved to various cities and never had a chance in staying at one schol very long. She is an easy target for a bully
Lydia (cast)
Michael (cast)

 

 

 


Dionysus Theatre to Present Free Educators’ Showcase

 

HISD educators are invited to attend a free review of the Dionysus Theatre Season 12 shows, 7:00—8:30 p.m., on Thursday, September 2, 2010, in the Jewish Community Center’s Joe Frank Theater, 5601 South Braeswood. Attendees will meet Dionysus Theatre actors, directors, and board members; learn about youth theatre outreach tours and initiatives; and receive schedules of upcoming Season 13 shows. No tickets will be collected; however, attendees will be required to present HISD employee identification. Dionysus is the only theatre in Texas to cast actors with disabilities along with able-bodied actors. For more information call Betty Martin, 713-647-6997

 

 

Dionysus Theatre will be honoring Harris County Judge Ed Emmett at this year's Gala. Judge Emmett possesses integrity, compassion and truly cares about Houstonians of all abilities. Much like Dionysus, Judge Emmett changes lives and gives Houstonians a better quality of life and believes inclusion creates a stronger society.
Check out our great review here in the Houston Press from "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee".

Comments have been tallied and the verdict is unanimous: "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" marks another hit from Dionysus Theatre.  Read more about it online at Disabled-World.
 

Another wonderful article about Putman in the Ultimate Woodlands online newspaper. 
Woodlands actress in Dionysus Theatre's musical opening June 12
Winning isn’t everything, nor does losing a round or two in life make you a loser. That’s the central message behind the witty dialogue and lyrics of the musical, “The 25th
Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee." Dionysus Theatre will perform this show June 12th-30th with a troupe of actors who live that theme every day of their lives.

To read the full article online click
here.

Nassau Bay director sets an inclusive stage

 

Lori Evans of Missouri City gets stage directions from director director Deborah Nowinski. Photo by R.Clayton McKee.Lori Evans of Missouri City gets stage directions from director director Deborah Nowinski. Photo by R.Clayton McKee.

For the actors of Dionysus Theatre, the message of its upcoming musical, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, mirrors that of the theater itself — acceptance.

Andrea Hoekstra and Richard Solis rehearse. Photo by R. Clayton McKee

Andrea Hoekstra and Richard Solis rehearse. Photo by R. Clayton McKee

The production, which opens Saturday, June 12, and continues through June 30, follows a diverse group of junior high misfits in the throes of puberty as they experience the mania of competition under the supervision of adults who have barely escaped the trauma of childhood themselves.

The musical underscores the importance of accepting each other for who we are, said Deborah Nowinski, founder and artistic director of the nonprofit organization, which provides an opportunity for actors, regardless of disability or disadvantage, to share the theater experience.
Of the nine cast members involved in the production, four have either a physical disability or a “hidden disability,” such as autism.

Theater: Director Deborah Nowinski instructs Marquia Banks during rehearsal. Photo by R. Clayton McKee.

Theater: Director Deborah Nowinski instructs Marquia Banks during rehearsal. Photo by R. Clayton McKee. 

The mission of the group — which presents its productions in the Joe Frank Theater, a black-box style theater located within the Jewish Community Center — is to take the challenged out of the shadows and fringes and put them on stage and in the spotlight, where they shine, the Nassau Bay resident said.

Marquia Banks, who is blind, said when she learned about Dionysus in 1999, she felt compelled to audition. When she did, she was impressed.

“It wasn’t just a lot of people in wheelchairs,” said Banks, a student at Houston Community College and the mother of a 4-year-old son.

“I asked Deb, how do you get into this troupe?” She said, ‘You’re in.’”

Dionysus, Banks said, shatters stereotypes.
“Here, I’m not a blind actor,” Banks said. “I’m an actor who happens to be blind.”

Dedicated to the memory of her son Dustin, who died of bone marrow cancer at age 15 in 1997, Nowinski said the troupe is her attempt to follow her son’s advice that she “teach to the soul” of those who don’t understand the challenges faced by people with an illness or disability.

The theater, which began with six actors and performed one show the first year, now performs four main stage shows annually.

It also offers three sessions of 10-week theatre classes for teens and young adults with disabilities and a touring troupe that performs in schools.

Clear Lake resident Andrea Hoekstra portrays Lisa Peretti, the spelling bee moderator and former spelling bee champion who clings to her past glories.

“The message of the play is the same as Dionysus Theatres’ message: Accept each other and ourselves’,” Hoekstra said.

Musical director Stephen W. Jones has been with Dionysus for four years.

He said working with a cast that includes both able-bodied and disabled actors has been rewarding and educational — for him and for the audience that sits in the darkened theater and watches the magic unfold.

“When the audience leaves, they are not thinking, ‘That was a good show with disabled people’,” Jones said. “They are saying, ‘That was a good show.’ ”

Theater: The cast rehearses. Front from left: Maredith Zaritsky, Richard Solis and Marquia Banks. Back from left: Raymond Deeb, Noriann Doguim, Ryan Smith. Photo by R. Clayton McKee.Theater: The cast rehearses. Front from left: Maredith Zaritsky, Richard Solis and Marquia Banks. Back from left: Raymond Deeb, Noriann Doguim, Ryan Smith. Photo by R. Clayton McKee.

IF YOU GO

What: The 25th annual Putnam County Spelling Bee

Where: Joe Frank Theatre, 5601 S. Braeswood, Houston

When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, June 16-17, 19, 23, 24, 26 and 30; and 1 p.m. June 13, 20 and 27

Tickets: $20 adults; $15 students and seniors

Details: Call 713-728-0041 or visit www.dionysustheatre.org



A wonderful article about Putman in the Ultimate Katy online newspaper. 
 

“Winning isn’t everything, nor does losing a round or two in life make you a loser.”

That’s the central message behind the witty dialogue and lyrics of the musical, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. Dionysus Theatre will perform this show June 12-30 in southwest Houston by a troupe of actors who live that theme everyday of their lives.

The cast includes three Katy-area actors: Shaun Linsey, Ryan Smith and Noriann Doguim.


Read the full article online
here.


Dionysus Theatre announces our 2010-2011 season!
 

WAIT UNTIL DARK
By Frederick Knott
October 9  - October 28, 2010
 
NEW VOICES
January 15-30,  2011
 
THE COMPLETE WORKS OF WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE (ABRIDGED)
By Adam Long, Daniel Singer, Jess Winfield and Jess Borgeson
March 26-April 16, 2011
 
YADA, YADA, YADA, THAT'S WHAT I'M SAYIN'
By Deborah Nowinski
June 16-June 30, 2011

Dionysus Theatre in Houston, Texas currently seeks script submissions for its 2010-2011 season for their February New Voices slot. Dionysus is a unique non-profit, non-sectarian organization bringing the theater experience to those with disabilities as well as the able-bodied. Dionysus Theatre will select a play that is relevant and well-written and ready to be produced in February 2011. Dionysus Theatre is only interested in work which is written by or about people with disabilities.Please send letter of inquiry, brief bio along with a synopsis and a 10-page selection from the script. If the material interests us, we will contact you with a request for the complete script.

Requirements:
-The play must be full length.
-There will be no compensation if your play is selected to be produced
-You will only be contacted if we would like to read the complete script
-Small cast, simple set scripts preferred
-work must be written by or about people with disabilities

Send Submissions to by June 15, 2010
The Dionysus Theatre
5300 N. Braeswood #226
Houston, Texas 77096

Thank you very much, and we look forward to reading your work!

 

Dionysus Theatre is proud to announce their Fall production,  Wait Until Dark by Frederick Knott which will run October 16-31, 2010.
THE STORY: A sinister con man, Roat, and two ex-convicts, Mike and Carlino, are about to meet their match. They have traced the location of a mysterious doll, which they are much interested in, to the Greenwich Village apartment of Sam Hendrix and his blind wife, Susy. Sam had apparently been persuaded by a strange woman to transport the doll across the Canadian border, not knowing that sewn inside were several grams of heroin. When the woman is murdered the situation becomes more urgent. The con man and his ex-convicts, through a cleverly constructed deception, convince Susy that the police have implicated Sam in the woman's murder, and the doll, which she believes is the key to his innocence, is evidence. She refuses to reveal its location, and with the help of a young neighbor, figures out she is the victim of a bizarre charade. But when Roat kills his associates, a deadly game of cat and mouse ensues between the two. Susy knows the only way to play fair is by her rules, so when darkness falls she turns off all the lights leaving both of them to maneuver in the dark until the game ends.



The Boys Next Door An audience favorite!
Dionysus Theatre opened Tom Griffin's show, The Boys Next Door on Saturday April 24th to a full house. The audience gave a standing ovation to this wonderful cast. Josh Simms, Jayson White, Shaun Linsey, Michael Iovine, Raymond Deeb, Julie Minerbo, Noriann Doguim, Piper Spiceland and Michael Anthony Iovine truly bring this show into fruition. You can read our reviews here.
 

 

Dionysus Theatre is casting for the musical 25th Annual Putnam Spelling Bee which runs June 12th-30th.
When: Monday, April 19th 7-9:30 p.m.
Wednesday, April 21st - 5:00-7:00 p.m.

Where:
5601 S. Braeswood Houston, TX 77096
Inside the Joe Frank Theatre (JCC)

Notes/What to bring: music to sing, resume & headshot

Contact
  713-728-0041 to make an appointment

Roles available:

Ronal Lisa Perretti (Actor also plays Olive's MOM in fantasy) Putnam's long time spelling bee hostess, a local realtor and 3rd annual Putanm County spelling champion. This is Rona's day to be queen. MUST BE GOOD AT IMPROV
 
Vice Principla Douglas Panch  MUST BE GOOD AT IMPROV He fell into education, less out of love than a general ability uncoupled to a particular passion. The drive of the young spellers is alien to him. He never found anything that important.
 
Mitch Mahoney (Actor also plays Dan Dad and Olives' Dad in fantasy) With a bouncers' physique and demeanor, Mitch appears an odd choice to be the bees "comfort counselor" but its a part of his community service assignment. He has no idea how to offer comfort.


If you'd like to buy an AD in our playbill for Boys Next Door - there is still time.
Deadline to shout out your BUSINESS or a MESSAGE - April 7th, 2010
Support the ONLY inclusive theater in the State of Texas
Business Card - $25.00
1/2 page - $50.00
Full page - $100.00
Inside Cover and Back page - $ 150.00
Contact:
amy@dionysustheatre.org for more information.

SPRING CLASSES ARE FULL.
Now accepting registration for Fall 2010 semester. Classes run August 24 -October 26 with a recital on the last day of class.
 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                    Contact: Deborah Nowinski

                                                                         Amy Loar- Business Manager

713-728-0041

        
Casting the real deal in The Boys Next Door
Dionysus Theatre performs, The Boys Next Door by Tom Griffin

 

 

Dionysus Theatre will perform Tom Griffin’s The Boys Next Door opening April 24 and running through May 2.

 

This touching heartfelt play allows us to enter the world of 4 intellectually challenged men that live in a group home, and the relationship they have with their social worker, Jack.


Through varying situations in the play, they teach us life lessons about love, friendship and what is truly important in life. Enter their world and you’ll walk out a better person.

 

"Our amazing inclusive cast of actors with disabilities and those who are non-disabled, can truly bring this show to fruition. In
Dionysus we can cast the show in the way it was intended to be done: four actors who are varying intellectual challenges who bring this
show realism and heart." says Nowinski, founding artistic director.

 

The cast includes: Shaun Linsey, Michael Iovine, Jayson White, Joshua Simms, Noriann Dogium, Julie Minerbo, Jeff Henninger, Raymond Deep and Piper Spiceland. This show is directed by Deborah Nowinski, founding artistic director

 

Show times and dates:

 

Saturday, April 24 at 7:30 p.m.(opening night)

Sunday, April 25 at 1:00 p.m.

Thursday, April 29 at 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, May 1 at 7:30 p.m.

Sunday,  May 2 at 3:00 p.m.

 

Tickets are $20 for general admission, $15 for senior citizens and students. There is captioning at all performances.

 

Dionysus Theatre is located inside the Jewish Community Center, where they rent the Joe Frank Theatre – 5601 S Braeswood  Houston, Texas 77096

 

For more information on Dionysus or to purchase tickets, please call 713-728-0041 or go to our website: www.dionysustheatre.org


Dionysus is in search of an experienced sound/light board operator for THE BOYS NEXT DOOR. Runs Thursday, Saturday and Sundays, April 24 - May 2. Please email a cover letter and resume to deb@dionysustheatre.org.
 

We are now casting Non-equity actors for The Boys Next Door.

 

Roles available:

JACK (30s)
Where;
Joe Frank Theatre  (inside the JCC) 5601 S. Braeswood, Houston, Texas 77096

Audition:
To schedule an audition please call  713-728-0041 or email  deb@dionysustheatre.org
 

The show runs April 24, 25, 27, May 1 and 2.

Watch a clip of Seussical in ASL - Alone in the Universe from our production in 2008.

 

Brandon - the classic bully who is aggressive, physical and manipulative
Hector - his wannabe friend
Janine - the pretty cheerleader who is popular and thinks Brandon is cool.
Nina - a victim. She lives with her mother and sister, Lydia. She has moved to various cities and never had a chance in staying at one schol very long. She is an easy target for a bully
Lydia (cast)
Michael (cast)

Deborah Nowinski, was featured on February 17, 2010 on Pink Purse International (PPI) Women of Power Hour an intriguing, provocative, informative show dedicated to the career, business, and personal interests of all Women. Click here or below to listen. Deborah Nowinski, artistic director will be speaking at  “Live without Limits,” for the Reeve Foundation’s Paralysis Resource Center, on Wednesday, March 10, 2010  at The Ridgeway in Metairie, Louisiana.  She will be speaking about her commitment to improving the quality of life for people living with disabilities.  The Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation Paralysis Resource Center serves as a national resource for people with paralysis, caregivers, health care personnel, other professionals and members of the public. Visit www.Paralysis.org, or call (800) 539-7309.
 Please join us on February 13, 2010 after the opening performance of Autistic License for a post-show reception with Stacey Dinner-Levin.
Dionysus Theatre is honored to be mentioned in the January 2010 issue of American Theatre Magazine

"Autism in Theatre" by Jenni Loeser
...Take Dionysus Theatre in Houston, made up of physically and   mentally disabled and able-bodied individuals. "Dionysus has empowered  many people," says founder and director Deborah Nowinski, "especially my actors with disabilities. They go on to college, get jobs, get  married, they feel they have a voice. They become advocates for other people with disabilities." Dionysus Theatre has performed at least one  original show each year since it's inception in 1997, as well as established scripts. Next month, as part of its playwrights' series featuring scripts by or about those with disabilities, Dionysus will  mount Dinner-Levin's  Autistic License. The character of Dinner-Levin's son-played by his father, Michael Paul Levin, in  the 2007  premiere at Illusion Theater in Minneapolis-will be portrayed by an  actor with autism in the Dionysus production. Nowiniski believes   theatre grants those with disabilities a life beyond their diagnoses.   "It gives them the chance to be labeled an actor," she says, "instead   of the label that has been hung on them all their lives." 

 

 We are looking for one kind soul to donate a working van for our youth theater and touring troupe! We are a 501(C)(3) organization.
 

  

May 2013

 


There are no postings for this month.
2010 (5)
Sep (2)
Oct (3)
 


Related Forms:

 SPRING 2013 HOUSTON Registration Form
© 2013 Dionysus Theatre. All Rights Reserved.