Rabble Crew Productions

11/13/2024

We are brokenhearted. Mitch Irzinski has taken his final bow. He was a friend and collaborator with many (most?) of us, having been a part of the theater scene for decades. As is too often the case in the theater world, we are asking for your support to help pay for Mitch's final expenses. His partner-wife of 14 years, Kiki, is racing to raise money to pay for Mitch's cremation before his body is turned over to the state in four days. Please don't let her endure this alone. It's awful to have to deal with such painful realities as we mourn someone we loved. Kiki (Kisha) would be incredibly grateful for anything you can give, and so would we, and to anyone who can share this fundraiser. We collaborated with Mitch many times, but his first and most notable show with us was Glory Us. His range -- from exceptionally silly to heartbreakingly dramatic -- was impressive, and his generosity was as well. He cared for his father and brother for many years, including from his hospital bed (sending them groceries, managing bills, etc.), and Kiki is now faced with his ask that she continue this care. But she is suddenly a single-income household and works full-time, and has lost the love of her life. Our hearts go out to her. Please donate if you can, and share any memories of Mitch that you'd like. And thank you. Sending each of you our love and appreciation. xoxo

Hi! We are Emily and Kelly Canavan, friends and collaborators with Mitch… Emily Canavan needs your support for Help Fund Mitch Irzinski's Final Curtain Call!!

10/23/2023

Thank you SO VERY MUCH to everyone who came to OpenStage is Back (at a new location)! Saturday night!! We were blown away by the creative artistry, powerful performances, and the overwhelming sense of community that made the whole night an absolute joy! There was a little bit of everything - which meant something for everyone and I think the performers felt the love and support of their fellow artists as well as audience members. Hopefully writers gained valuable insight seeing their works produced and under the lights.

To summarize: SO MUCH FUN!!!

We would really appreciate any pictures you took Saturday - we were so busy that we didn't take a single one!! Pictures of any/all performances, the audience, the after-party, etc. Please send them to us on messenger and let us know if it's ok to post them on our social media pages (we can tag with photo credit!).

We were so inspired and encouraged by Saturday that we are already planning the next OpenStage! Please stay tuned for submission guidelines, other ways to get involved and more!!!!

Xoxo,
Emily Canavan & Madeline Farrington

Dr. Khadijah Z. Ali-Coleman Too Much Damn Theater Eileen Haley Dara Singer Marketa Seliyah Nicholson Anton Lande SOLIA Yvonne Paretzky
Preshona Ambri Brett Murray Concerts for Causes inc. Jillian Blair McCabe Raechel Patrese Heather Doyle

10/21/2023

Tonight is the night!!! OpenStage is Back (at a new location)! Seven 10-minute performances of works in progress created by DMV artists. TICKETS ARE BY *CASH* DONATION.
Birthday cupcakes, light fare and non-alcoholic drinks are all free!! BYOB and bring a blanket so you can snuggle up and enjoy the show!! Please RSVP (we want to make sure you get a cupcake and a chair!) Doors at 6:30p, show at 7p
Madeline Farrington Emily Canavan Dr. Khadijah Z. Ali-Coleman Too Much Damn Theater Marketa Seliyah Nicholson Preshona Ambri Anton Lande Yvonne Paretzky SOLIA

10/20/2023

OpenStage is about developing new work, building community, and having fun. We focus on giving artists a chance to workshop new work in front of an audience, but teamwork makes the dream work. Here are some of the outstanding performers you’ll see performing on 10/21:

Preshona Ambri (acting in TMD Theater’s scene, and singing with Dara Gold and Solia) is an edu-activist with Sankofa Homeschool Collective & DC Environmental Justice Coalition. She is trained in improv and theater from Maryam Foye’s Black Gold & Goldie Dean’s Fresssh Inc. at Anacostia Arts Center, and is a Theatre Lab alum. To Follow Preshona's work: www.instagram.com/browngirlsthink , https://www.youtube.com/c/BrownGirlsThink, browngirlsthink.com, and One Love House DC: A house of resident healers serving the community. http://www.oneloveistruechange.com

Jillian Blair (singing with Dara Gold and Solia) is Jillian Blair is a performer and model currently stationed in Arlington, Virginia. She won the National Choral Award in 2014. Since graduating from CAP21/Molloy College Conservatory, she has performed in NYC and DC, has walked in New York Fashion Week, and appeared in the campaign for Rebel Wilson's Shoe line. jillianblaironstage.com

Emily Canavan (acting in Madeline Farrington’s scene, co-host) is co-founder of/partner in Rabble Crew Productions and originator of the Perch Performing Arts Space in Accokeek. She has been acting since she was a child and has directed shows across the DMV, including at this theater.

Anton Lande (acting in Madeline Farrington’s scene) lives in Washington, DC with his wife and new baby daughter. He is a 2022 graduate of the Honors Acting Conservatory at The Theatre Lab (DC). He made his way to acting from music, and still occasionally performs on his violin.

Brett Murray (acting in Yvonne Paretzky’s scene) is a musician and actor who produces Concerts for Causes. They raise money to provide kids with musical instruments, bikes, and other things.

Marketa Nicholson (acting in TMD Theater’s scene that she co-wrote, and acting in Madeline Farrington’s scene) is a native Washingtonian who currently resides in Philadelphia. She is 1/3 of Too Much Damn Theater's leadership. She is a proud graduate of The National Conservatory of Dramatic Arts. She has always had a love for Theater and acting is a true passion for her.

10/18/2023

[Part 2 of 2] If you're coming to OpenStage on 10/21, and haven't been to the Alice Ferguson Foundation amphitheater before, it might help to know what to expect. This video is of the paths, facilities, and theater. Please contact us if you have questions or to reserve a seat. Doors at 6:30PM, show at 7:00. 2001 Bryan Point Rd., Accokeek, MD.

Presenters and performers include TMD Theater, Dr. Khadijah Z. Ali-Coleman, Haley-McKenna, Yvonne Paretzky, Dara Gold and Solia, Heather Doyle, Emily Canavan, Marketa Nicholson, Raechel Patrese, Jillian Blair, Anton Lande, Brett Ableman, and Madeline Farrington.

10/15/2023

Happy birthday to the unmatched Yvonne Paretzky!! Working with you is a joy only second to being your friends.

10/12/2023

Madeline Farrington () lives in PGC. Her plays explore why people – often activists and families – do strange things. At OpenStage (10/21, 7PM), she’ll be presenting a scene from the play she’s workshopping, “Mother at the Kotatsu Still Life.”

Madeline grew up performing and learning about theater craft each summer at the Alice Ferguson Foundation amphitheater. She’s collaborated with Liberated Muse, TMD Theater, and Next Day Theater, and acted with Theater Alliance, Thunderous Productions, Hard Bargain Players, and at Katsucon and the Kennedy Center’s Millenium Stage. She’s a disabled former teacher/community organizer/farmer and co-founder (with her sister Emily -- Emily Canavan) of Rabble Crew Productions ( ), committed to producing events only in accessible spaces for people of all appearances, orientations, gender identities, disability statuses, experience levels, etc.

The Play: For their delightfully creepy first date, Mabel brings Henry to her childhood home. On furniture and objects, Mabel’s mother has set envelopes with scripts inside that tell their stories. Just before they start making out, Mabel and Henry read the scripts. Her family’s story unfolds – joyous, complex, excruciating – and Henry’s identity begins to unravel. Can the scripts censor the agony and losses, or will Mabel torch them and keep clinging to her pain, and to Henry?

Reserve seats by sending us a DM or an email at [email protected]. Tickets by donation.

10/09/2023

When you come to OpenStage on 10/21, you'll be treated to two songs from the new film noir genre musical in the works, Private Dicks: "Broken Heart" and "Black Market." Lyrics and music by Dara Gold and music by Solia. Also performing the songs are Preshona Ambri ( ) and Jillian Blair ( ).

Come join us on a theatrical film noir adventure with a modern twist! The musical tells the story of Veena Banana, Private Investigator who is fed up with being the best and getting no recognition because the Private Dick field is a boy’s world. She gets on a BIG case to recover a stolen valuable alcoholic gummy bear. The candyman’s rep is at stake! Will rivals, the femme fatale, and henchmen get in her way?

• Photo top left to bottom right: Dara Gold, Solia, Preshona Ambri, and Jillian Blair

SOLIA is an emotionally aggressive indie pop-rock artist who is making sense of the world around her through songwriting. SOLIA describes her current state of being as “currently writing the soundtrack to your heart sounds.”

Her debut EP, Fast Cars & Midnight is available now for worldwide streaming and purchase (https://iamsolia.bandcamp.com/album/fast-cars-midnight).

Dara is a Washington D.C. based playwright, musical theater creator, theater director, and actor who works in new play development, improv, and short films. She is a co-founder and co-leader of the D.C.women-led theater company Too Much Damn ("TMD Theater"). Dara has presented her original pieces at the Kennedy Center, Capital Fringe Festival, and the D.C. 48 Hour Film Project. She particularly enjoys writing comedies, musicals, and partially immersive-breaking the 4th wall plays. When Dara is not theatering, she is a lawyer fighting for children's rights.

Doors at 6:30, show at 7. Tickets are by donation. Lite fare and cake will be available. DM us to reserve seats.

10/08/2023

Meet our next OpenStage artists! You can see a scene from Too Much Damn Theater's new play "Chucachocolata," written by Dara Gold, Marketa Seliyah Nicholson, and Raechel Patrese on 10/21 at 7PM at the Alice Ferguson Foundation amphitheater.

Too Much Damn (“TMD”) Theater (est. 2017) is a D.C. based theater company dedicated to creating audience entrancing shows inspired and executed by women's participation and voices - in every aspect of the production process. Our shows also cultivate a love for the performing arts so that everyone involved from the audience to the creative team will love and fight for theater as much as they do. After all, there's never too much damn theater. ;)

“Chupachocolata” follows Joceleyn, an up-and-coming Latina pastelería (bakery) owner. To be successful she must balance crazy customers, frustrating employees, a suspicious health inspector, an overbearing mother, and being a chupacabra. Jocelyn cannot let all these pressures interfere with her dreams. It is a story of identity, family, and work-life balance.

• To follow TMD Theater's work:
• https://www.facebook.com/tmdtheater/
• www.instagram.com/tmdtheater
• tmdtheater.mailchimpsites.com
• https://tinyurl.com/tmdyoutube
• https://www.tiktok.com/

Photo of TMD by Sir Harvey Fitz