News / Blog
Festival Theatre celebrates it’s 30th season!
New Bedford Festival Theatre is celebrating its 30th season and its 2019 production of MAMMA MIA! with a special fundraiser: “Having the Time of Your Life!” on Saturday, November 10, 2018 at Rachel’s Lakeside, Dartmouth, MA. The fundraiser will help support Festival Theatre’s varied programs including its highly praised Summer Academy for high school and…
Read MoreMeet the cast of West Side Story (Part 2) – JOHN PAUL BATISTA as Bernardo
1. My Background I was born and raised in El Paso, Texas. I am the middle child in a home full of men. (my brothers Ruben and Eric) Brought into this world by my awesome parents Ruben and Irene. I graduated with a BFA from AMDA.(American Musical and Dramatic Academy) I currently live in Los…
Read MoreMeet the cast of West Side Story (Part 2) – TAYLOR WRIGHT as Riff
TAYLOR WRIGHT as Riff 1. Tell us a bit about your background – family, education, upbringing, etc I grew up in a small town south of Dallas, TX, and was raised there until I graduated high school. I grew up playing a variety of different instruments and got involved with the theatre department my sophomore…
Read More2018 Summer Academy
For the 28th consecutive year, the New Bedford Festival Theatre is planning its 2018 Summer Academy for local high school apprentices and college aged interns who will work side-by-side with theatre professionals in all areas of theatrical production for this summer’s production of WEST SIDE STORY. Students from New Bedford, Fall River, Dartmouth, Fairhaven, Westport,…
Read MoreMeet the cast of West Side Story (Part 1)
In preparing for the Festival Theatre production of WEST SIDE STORY the search for the actors who fit the characters of Tony and Maria tops the list and presents the greatest challenge for the creative Team. The correct blend of innocence and vulnerability coupled with excellent voices that can meet the vocal demands of such…
Read MoreNew Bedford Festival Theatre offers a master class in dance
New Bedford Festival Theatre is pleased to offer a Master Class in dance with the original Broadway choreography of WEST SIDE STORY taught by nationally-known award-winning director/choreographer Wendy Hall. The master Class will be held Sunday, February 11 from 12 noon to 1:30pm at the New Bedford YMCA Aerobics Room. Registration is online at HERE.…
Read MoreCasting/Audition Information for WEST SIDE STORY
The following website will give you all the major information you need to know to begin preparation for WEST SIDE STORY auditions. http://www.musicaltheatreaudition.net/shows/westsidestory.html LOCAL AUDITIONS: SUNDAY, MARCH 4, 2018 10:30 AM. THE ZEITERION PERFORMING ARTS CENTER, 684 PURCHASE ST. NEW BEDFORD, MA Be prepared to sing a song from the show and perform a dance…
Read MoreJerome Robbins Idea, Conception, Direction & Choreography for west side story
Jerome Robbins was born in New York City in 1918. He was trained in modern dance and ballet and began his career in 1937 as a dancer in musicals. In 1940 he moved over to ballet. The first time he created the choreography for a ballet was in 1944 for the show Fancy Free, which…
Read MoreFestival Theatre to celebrate the 100 year anniversary of Leonard Bernstein with West Side Story
With its presentation of the American Musical classic WEST SIDE STORY, New Bedford Festival Theatre will celebrate the 100th Birthday of its composer, the illimitable Leonard Bernstein. Born in Lawrence, MA , August 25, 1918, Leonard Bernstein rose to incredible heights as a composer, conductor, and teacher of myriads of theatrical presentations, international orchestras, operas,…
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