The goal of Big Box is to support new work and local artists.

CPT provides:
– The James Levin Theatre
– Basic production staff, stage management, box office support
– Marketing and advertising support

The artists provide the rest!

The writers, directors, actors, and designers selected for Big Box dedicate themselves to creating new and original work, or stretching their artistic powers by working in new disciplines.

Week #5: February 2 – 4

The Berlioz Project: a multidisciplinary multimedia multi-venue Rock Opera

Written and Directed by Deborah Magid
In Collaboration with Verb Ballets and Lilyana Valentinova Petrova

In 1827, Romantic Era composer Hector Berlioz was at his wits’ end. Disowned by his mother and disdained by the critics, he sought to finish his life with a drug overdose. It’s the Summer of Love in Haight-Ashbury, and rock-star-wannabe Berlioz trips his way to creating his masterwork, Symphonie Fantastique, Episode in the Life of an Artist, which began his long and successful career and inspired other artists and composers, most notably Richard Wagner.

The Berlioz Project’s collaborators transform Symphonie Fantastique and the story behind it into a modern opera with multiple styles of dance, and visual media.

Librettist/composer/arranger Deborah Magid, Verb Ballets (choreography and performances) and Cleveland State University film/video classes are currently collaborating on the Project. Daniel Takacs is Assistant Director, William Anthony and Ken Milder are artistic/technical consultants, and Lilyana Valentinova Petrova is the media consultant.

Artist Bios:
Deborah Magid a member of the Cleveland Play House Playwrights’ Unit, holds a Master of Music degree from Australia’s University of Melbourne. Her plays, musicals, and opera have been awarded grants and have been read, work-shopped and produced at Cleveland Public Theatre, the Melbourne International Fringe Festival, Dobama Theatre, Los Alamos Little Theatre, etc. In 2009, Deb was a Heideman Award finalist, and won the 6 Women Playwriting Festival competition.
http://DeborahMagid.com

Verb Ballets a small-budget contemporary dance company under the leadership of Dr. Margaret Carlson, is recognized for performing dance works of the highest caliber; is a catalyst to promote learning, nurture wellness and encourage dialogue about the dance art form; and strives to be a thought leader in cultivating dance appreciation and support. The 2011-2012 Season theme meshes perfectly with this collaboration: “Dances tell our stories, interpret the music and poetry of writers, send us to places around the world, display the power of dance legends, and reinforce passion and humanity.”