A Noise Within (ANW), the acclaimed classical repertory theatre company, stages a free Spring Open House for the general public to experience its unique artistry and stunning new 33,000 square-foot, state-of-the-art Pasadena venue on Sunday, April 1, 2012, 1:00pm to 3:00pm.
Suitable for adults and children of all ages, the event features tours of the facility as well as an opportunity to see rehearsals of a classical masterwork being performed by the company this spring, The Bungler by Molière, and to learn about ANW’s wide-ranging education programs. A Noise Within Producing Artistic Directors Geoff Elliott and Julia Rodriguez-Elliott will be on hand, as will a number of the company’s Resident Artists.
A Noise Within launched its milestone 2011-12 Season and 20th Anniversary in its permanent new home, a 33,000 square-foot, state-of-the-art venue in Pasadena, on Saturday, October 29, 2011. The 283-seat theatre’s thrust stage, expansive backstage area and cutting-edge technology, accommodating productions both epic and intimate, provide tremendous opportunities for artistic exploration. At the same time, it preserves A Noise Within’s unique theatrical communion between actors and audiences, with no seat further from the stage than seven rows. The venue, already being hailed as an arts anchor for East Pasadena, is located in the former Stuart Pharmaceutical building, a historic, mid-century modern masterpiece designed by celebrated architect Edward Durell Stone, known for landmark buildings around the country including the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC, and Radio City Music Hall in New York.
Constructed in the mid-1950s, the Stuart Pharmaceutical building was listed on the National Register in 1998 and features a striking landscape garden designed by Thomas Church. The completely new three-story theatre – which retains the building’s original façade — features support facilities, offices, rehearsal space, a classroom, considerable storage for costumes, props and scenery and large restrooms.
A Noise Within (ANW) is the only year-round classical repertory company in Southern California and one of only a handful in the entire country dedicated solely to producing classical dramatic literature in the repertory tradition of rotating productions with a resident company of professional artists.
Led by Producing Artistic Directors Geoff Elliott and Julia Rodriguez-Elliott, A Noise Within has been hailed by critics as a “premiere classical theatre company,†and an “outstanding ensemble” whose “vibrantly theatrical” “brilliant productions” are “freshly imagined,” “exceptional,” “invigorating,” “riveting,” “brilliantly atmospheric,” “inspired,†and “masterfully crafted.†Founded 20 years ago with a passion for the great classics of world literature, ANW quickly established itself as one of the region’s key theatre companies, attracting fiercely loyal audiences and consistently high praise from the media for its productions and as a key force in arts education. The company has presented more than 140 plays from the classics of world literature, each season producing works from authors ranging from Shakespeare and Molière to Ibsen, O’Neill and Shaw to Miller and Williams.
A Noise Within’s long history of fiscal stability is highlighted by its 19 seasons “in the black” as well as its ability in a challenging economic climate to raise close to $13.5 million for a successful capital campaign.
A NOISE WITHIN is located on the corner of Foothill Boulevard and Sierra Madre Villa Avenue at 3352 East Foothill Blvd. in Pasadena. Free self parking is located in the Sierra Madre Villa Metro parking structure, with entrances on northbound Sierra Madre Villa Avenue or North Halsted Street. The Open House is free, but reservations are required and may be made by calling (626) 356-3127.
For more information: www.ANoiseWithin.org.
