Yellow Taxi Productions

Yellow Taxi Productions began in 2002 in Nashua when Artistic Director Suzanne Delle returned to NH after working at Off-Broadway theatre companies, Vineyard Theatre and Naked Angels. Yellow Taxi's mission is to produce contemporary adult theatre that is thought provoking and educational. Many of YTP's productions are premieres in New Hampshire like this season's Topdog/Underdog, The Guys (2002) and The Last Five Years (2003).   New England premieries include:Odd Man Out (2005) and Clean Alternatives (2008).  Play festivals and commissioned projects round out the make-up of a Yellow Taxi season and have helped Yellow Taxi garner four nominations and two wins at the NH Theatre Awards for Best Original Script.

Working with local playwrights Suzanne has commissioned three plays since 2003: There's a Girl in Boston (2003) about Amelia Earhart and written by Margaret McAleese and two plays by Nashua writer Lowell Williams The Warmth of the Cold (2005) (about a Berlin, NH family after mill closures) and Six Nights in the Black Belt (2007) (about Civil Rights martyr and Keene, NH native Jonathan Daniels). Currently, Suzanne is working with Jeannette Angell to adapt Jodi Picoult's novel The Pact (set in New Hampshire) for its world premiere in April 2009.

"It's difficult to sell untested scripts to the general public," states Suzanne, "so I began to concentrate on putting ourselves and our neighbors on stage. When you come from a small state, it's unusual for the setting of a play to be places you recognize." 

This year was a big year for the small company as they moved into their first venue, a 40 seat black box inside a restored mill building in Nashua, NH. Being nomadic has had both its challenges and rewards for the company as they have specialized in site specific work using a historic building in downtown Nashua as the backdrop for the Victorian setting in The Countess (2006) and 1946 Germany in Taking Sides (2008). Starting in 2009, however, Ms. Delle is able to choose scripts based on the company's interests instead of what will work in a specific locale.

"We're taking it slow, Suzanne says.  The company has hired a part-time educational director and office manager to assist in this transition. "It's great to have people to bounce ideas off of," laughs Suzanne, … between volunteers, teachers, directors and staff our space is booked almost nonstop."

Be sure to catch YTP first production in its new venue, Tuesdays with Morrie from February 13-28.  For tickets call 866-811-4111 or visit ww.yellowtaxiproductions.org.

Bad Habit Productions

Founded in October 2006, Bad Habit Productions was created by Artistic Director Daniel Morris and Managing Director Lauren Terry, who met as box office co-workers at the Lyric Stage Company.  BHP’s name is an acronymic tribute to the company’s first improv show, Bartlett High Presents, which cleverly explored the internal tensions of a high school theatre troupe.  Bad Habit Productions strives to entertain and uplift through both theatrical and improvisational experiences.

In addition to highlighting the reciprocity of theatre and improv, Morris and Terry endeavor to produce unique and imaginative productions that result from direct, creative collaboration among Boston artists.

BHP launched its first full theatrical season in 2007, supported by their innovative team of actors, directors and designers. As part of its “Season of Hope,” BHP premiered with The Dining Room.  Shakespeare’s tragedy The Winter’s Tale and a production of Speed-the-Plow followed, and the season ended with the 60s-era classic, Barefoot in the Park. 

Last July, BHP embarked on its second season—a “Season of Truth and Perception”—with a Gatsby-era version of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, and on December 5-13, BHP is excited to present Moisés Kaufman’s The Laramie Project at the Plaza Black Box Theatre at the Boston Center for the Arts.   Honoring the tenth anniversary of Matthew Shepard’s death, BHP’s production will explore the moment that forced America to confront its views on tolerance and forgiveness.  In accordance with its mission, BHP will be presenting original music with this production, created by local musicians who composed their pieces as an emotional reaction to their understanding of the play.  The company also hopes to collaborate with local charities to raise funds and awareness for the social issues the play addresses. 

Through tireless research, BHP contacted most of the people represented in The Laramie Project many of whom still live in Laramie, Wyoming.  Their reactions to the play, ten years later, will be presented at the production.  The production also corresponds with the playwright’s decision to re-visit Laramie and write an epilogue from the information gathered there.  If this epilogue is completed by December, BHP will be the first theatre company to premiere the script in the Boston area.

For more information about BHP or its upcoming production The Laramie Project, please visit BHP online at www.badhabitproductions.org.

 

 

 

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