CalArts Center for New Performance

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The CalArts Center for New Performance is our professional producing arm, established to provide a unique artist- and project-driven framework for the development and realization of original theater, music, dance and interdisciplinary projects. Extending the progressive work carried out at CalArts into a direct dialogue with professional communities at the local, national and international levels, CNP offers an alternative model to support emerging directions in the performing arts. It also enables CalArts students to work shoulder-to-shoulder with celebrated artists and acquire a level of experience that goes beyond their curriculum.

Guest Artists

CNP guest artists have included directors MartÍn Acosta, Robert Cantarella and Chen Shi-Zheng, composers Vinny Golia and Stephin Merritt, and actor Stephen Dillane, among others. Recent CNP projects include Timboctou, a bilingual production with a creative ensemble from both CalArts and Mexico, written by emerging Mexican playwright Alejandro Recaño and directed by Martin Acosta. Timboctou received its world premiere at REDCAT and performed in Guadalajara in July, 2012; future performances are scheduled for Mexico City and South America. In 2010, an adaptation of Gertrude Stein’s Brewsie and Willie was created in association with Poor Dog Group, a performance ensemble comprised of CalArts acting alums; the production was later invited to be remounted in 2011 as part of the Radar LA Festival. In 2013, CNP partnered with the Getty Villa to produce a new translation of Prometheus Bound at the Villa’s celebrated outdoor amphitheater.

The CNP represents an integral part of the School of Theater’s commitment to provide a home for alternative theater and cross-disciplinary work on CalArts’ Valencia campus, at REDCAT, and at other national and international venues.

Travis Preston, Artistic Director, Dean/School of Theater
Leslie Tamaribuchi, Executive Director
Miranda Wright, Producer
Gary Kechely, Director of Production
Marrisa Chibas, Head of Duende CalArts
Nataki Garrett, Associate Artistic Director
Chi-wang Yang, Associate Artistic Director
David Rosenboom, Dean/The Herb Alpert School of Music

Students talk about CNP 

Center for New Performance history (pdf)