VTF 2023 HEADLINER: John Cariani
Jan 14th, Shenandoah University
Playwright John Cariani comes to VA!
All About John Cariani
John Cariani is a Tony Award-nominated actor and an accomplished playwright. He made his Broadway debut in the 2004 revival of Fiddler on the Roof and received an Outer Critics Circle Award and a Tony Award nomination for his portrayal of Motel the Tailor. He originated the role of Nigel Bottom in the Broadway hit, Something Rotten! and received an Outer Critics Circle Award nomination for his performance. He originated the role of Itzik in The Band’s Visit, winner of the 2018 Tony Award for Best Musical, and recently appeared as Stuart Gellman in the Roundabout Theatre Company’s acclaimed revival of Caroline, or Change.
Most people know John from his role on NBC’s long-running drama, Law & Order, on which he played Forensics Tech Beck for five seasons. He also had recurring roles on CBS’ Numbers and on IFC’s The Onion News Network.
As a playwright, John is best known for his first play, Almost, Maine, which premiered at Portland Stage Company in 2004, opened Off-Broadway in 2006, and has since become one of the most popular plays in the United States and around the world. The play has received over 5000 productions to date and has been translated into over a dozen languages. It’s also the most frequently produced play in North American high schools, outpacing classics like A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Crucible, and Our Town.
A darker cousin to Almost, Maine, John’s third play, LOVE/SICK, is a huge hit in Mexico City, where it has been made into the recently released film, Enfermo Amor. The play will soon be touring Spain with Spanish television star Esther Acebo.
John is also a novelist. Almost, Maine-a novel was published in 2020 by Feiwel and Fiends, an imprint of MacMillan. It will be available in paperback in January of 2023.
TIMELINES FOR ALL-STATE SHOW
-Directors Chosen Oct 10th to represent areas of Virginia
-Applications for actors open Oct 1st, close Oct 21st
-Cast Lists will be announced around November 4th
-Rehearsals accordingly will be scheduled November-January (no more than 5, 1-2 hrs. long, just in your region with your scene partners)
-Adult Production Team will meet with John virtually in November
-During the weekend students will have Saturday morning rehearsal for a short workshop with the playwright during an assigned block of time called by scene, an afternoon full cast/ crew dress rehearsal, and performance during the Saturday evening ceremony where John Cariani will introduce the show as our keynote speaker