HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-035-E Arts - Francesca Talenti - Fall 2016 Arts Grant Agreement DocuSign Envelope ID: 32D5DFOB-2201-494E-993F-C356323EDD56 C a r
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ORANGE COUNTY ARTS COMMISSION " _'
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FALI 2016 GRANT AGREEMENT
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THIS AGREEMENT, entered into this 19 day of January, 2017, by and between Orange County
("County"), by and through the Orange County Arts Commission ("Arts Commission") and
Francesca Talenti ("Grant Recipient").
WHEREAS, the Arts Commission is a countywide arts agency that ensures the growth of
local arts experiences by providing funding and support for diverse high quality programs and
projects.
WHEREAS, the Arts Commission administers the Spring and Fall Arts Grants Program
to provide economic opportunities to Orange County artists and non-profit organizations
coordinating arts projects benefiting the citizens of Orange County.
WHEREAS, the Spring Arts Grants Program is supported by Arts Commission with
funds from the Grassroots Program of the North Carolina Arts Council, an agency of the
Department of Cultural Resources and the National Endowment for the Arts.
WHEREAS, the Grant Recipient was selected by the Arts Commission to receive the
Spring Arts Grant through the procedures duly adopted by the Arts Commission; and
WHEREAS, both parties wish to promote and maintain the integrity and clarity of the
Grant Recipient's ideas and statements and delineate the Grant Recipient's obligations to the
County;
NOW, THEREFORE, the County and the Grant Recipient, for the consideration and
under the conditions hereinafter set forth, agree as follows:
1. Approved Grant Project. Grant funds are provided under this Agreement for the project
("Project") described in the Grant Recipient's Grant Application, attached hereto and
incorporated herein as Exhibit A.
2. Grant Award. Grant funds in an amount not to exceed one thousand dollars ($ 1000.00)
have been awarded by the Arts Commission to the Grant Recipient for the approved
Project. These funds must be matched at least dollar-for-dollar with cash from the Grant
Recipient's funds not derived from either Orange County appropriations or the North
Carolina Arts Council.
3. Contingency. This grant is contingent on North Carolina Arts Council Grassroots
Program funding to the Arts Commission. Final decisions on Grassroots Program funds
to the North Carolina Arts Council are subject to approval by the North Carolina General
Assembly.
4. Responsibilities of the Grant Recipient
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A. Implementation. The Project implementation shall take place between January 1,
2017 and December 31, 2017. The Project shall be implemented in the manner
described in Exhibit A. Time is of the essence in the implementation of the
Project.
B. Modifications to project. Grant Recipient shall present major changes to the
original proposal, including but not limited to changes in design, implementation
schedule and increase in Project budget by more than 10%, in writing to the Arts
Commission for approval. Arts Commission shall approve or disapprove Grant
Recipient's request for modifications within seven (7) days of receipt thereof
Consent to project modifications shall not be unreasonably withheld. Arts
Commission's decisions shall be in writing. In the event the Arts Commission
fails to approve or disapprove the requested modifications within the time stated
herein, the modifications shall be deemed approved.
C. Non—assignment. The grant cannot be assigned or transferred to a different project
or artist without prior written approval of the Arts Commission.
D. Records. Grant Recipient must maintain records and other evidence pertaining
to costs incurred and revenues acquired during the Project implementation. Grant
Recipient shall maintain financial records pertaining to the Project for three (3)
years from the date of this Agreement, in case of audit.
E. Use of Funds. Grant Recipient shall not use the grant funds to repay outstanding
taxes or other debts of any nature. The grants shall be utilized solely for the
purpose of implementing the Project and Project related expenses.
F. Final Report. Grant Recipient shall submit to the Arts Commission a Final Report
on January 12, 2018. The Final Report shall be in the format required by the
North Carolina Arts Council. Failure to submit the Final Report or late
submission of the Final Report, for any reason, shall be grounds for denial and/or
cancellation of grant funds for the Project and future grant proposals.
5. Responsibilities of the Arts Commission
A. Payment. The Arts Commission shall release the grant funds in the amount of
$1000.00 to the Grant Recipient.
6. Publicity
A. Acknowledgement. Credit must be given to the Orange County Arts
Commission and/or the North Carolina Arts Council using the proper logo(s)
and credit line in brochures, news releases, programs, and all other printed and
online publications. Copies of such printed materials must accompany the
evaluation report. Official Orange County Arts Commission and North Carolina
Arts Council logos may be downloaded at www.artsorange.org/grantee-resources
and may not be altered in any way. When no printed information is used, verbal
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credit shall be given. In addition, all print and promotional material must include
the following credit line and logo(s) (check all that apply):
i. x County Funds Only. Orange County Arts Commission logo required.
Credit line: "This program is supported by the Orange County Arts
Commission. "
ii. North Carolina Arts Council Funding. The Orange County Arts
Commission and the North Carolina Arts Council logos are required. Credit
line: "This program is supported by the Orange County Arts Commission
through the N.C. Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural and
Cultural Resources. "
B. The Grant Recipient must enter all events, exhibits and performances open to the
public and related to this grant award on the ExploreChapelHillARTS.com
website and display Orange County Arts Commission publicity materials
(postcards, brochures, etc.) prominently and consistently at their venue or
performance space. In addition, the Grant Recipient must add a link to the
www.artsorange.org (Orange County Arts Commission logo preferred) to their
main webpage.
7. Indemnity. The Grant Recipient agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the County, the
Arts Commission and the North Carolina Arts Council and their officers and employees
from any and all claims or actual injury, damage or loss to a person, or real or personal
property that results from or is in any way connected to the use of the grant funds.
8. Independent Contractor. The Grant Recipient is an independent contractor and not an
employee, agent or other representative of the County and/or the Arts Commission.
Nothing contained in this Agreement shall be construed to create the relationship of
principal and agent, or employer and employee, between Grant Recipient and Arts
Commission or Orange County Government. Grant Recipient understands and agrees
that he/she is not authorized to incur any expenses or any liability whatsoever on behalf
of the County or the Arts Commission and has no authority, expressed or implied, to
obligate or make representations on behalf of the County or the Arts Commission. In
addition, Grant Recipient agrees to maintain his or her own worker's compensation
insurance for himself/herself and his or her employees for the duration of the art work's
installation.
9. Termination
A. In the event of any of the circumstances set forth below (hereinafter referred to as
"default"), the Arts Commission may immediately terminate this Agreement:
(i) Any fraudulent representation in any verification required to obtain
payment under this Agreement or other dishonesty on a material matter
relating to the performance of services under this Agreement.
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(ii) Nonperformance, incomplete service or performance, or failure to
satisfactorily perform any part of the Project or to comply with any
provision of this Agreement, as determined by the Arts Commission in its
sole discretion.
(iii) Failure to adhere to the terms of applicable county, state or federal laws,
regulations, or stated public policy.
B. In the event of default by the Grant Recipient, the Arts Commission has the
discretion to elect to terminate this Agreement, in whole or in part and/or require
the Grant Recipient to repay the grant funds within seven (7) from written notice
of default or allow the grant recipient the opportunity to cure the default. This
clause shall not be interpreted to limit the County's or the Arts Commission's
remedies in law or in equity.
10. Miscellaneous.
A. Entire Agreement. This Agreement and the attachments contain the final and
entire understanding of the parties with respect to the subject matter of this
Agreement. All modifications and amendments to this Agreement shall be in
writing. This Agreement shall be binding upon the parties, their heirs, successors
and assigns.
B. Governing Law. Both parties agree that this Agreement shall be governed by the
laws of the State of North Carolina. Provider shall at all times remain in
compliance with all applicable local, state, and federal laws, rules, and regulations
including but not limited to all state and federal anti-discrimination laws, policies,
rules, and regulations and the Orange County Anti-Discrimination Policy. Any
violation of this requirement is a breach of this Agreement and County may
immediately terminate this Agreement without further obligation on the part of
the County. This paragraph is not intended to limit and does not limit the
definition of breach to discrimination. By executing this Agreement Provider
affirms that Provider is and shall remain in compliance with Article 2 of Chapter
64 of the North Carolina General Statutes. By executing this Agreement Provider
certifies that Provider has not been identified, and has not utilized the services of
any agent or subcontractor, on the list created by the State Treasurer pursuant to
G.S. 147-86.58.
C. Entire Agreement and Signatures. The parties have read this Agreement and agree
to be bound by all of its terms, and further agree that it constitutes the complete
and exclusive statement of the Agreement between the parties unless and until
modified in writing and signed by the parties. This Agreement together with any
amendments or modifications may be executed electronically. All electronic
signatures affixed hereto evidence the intent of the Parties to comply with Article
1 1A and Article 40 of North Carolina General Statute Chapter 66.
[SIGNATURE PAGE TO FOLLOW]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Orange County and the Grant Recipient have signed this Grant
Agreement, effective on the last date this Agreement is signed by both parties as indicated by the
dates set forth under signatures below.
For and on behalf of the Grant Recipient
L-^DocuSigned by:
sari lenti, Date
For and on behalf of Orange County Government L DocuSigned by:
fjbin,l ut, tkcvnott-rStui
Bnersley, County Manager Date
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I I FALL 2016
ARTIST PROJECT GRANT
ORANGE COUNTY ARTS APPLICATION FORM
COMMtSS1ON
1. ARTIST INFORMATION
•
Applicant Name Francesca Talenti
Mailing Address 700 Orange High School Road, Hillsborough, NC 27278
Daytime Phone 919-923-7720 Email Address fptalenti @gmail.com
Web Site www.FrancescaTalenti.com DUNS Number 080469736
2. GRANT REQUEST SUMMARY
Artist Project Grant Request $ 1,000 Total Cash Match $ 1,000
Title of proposed grant program or project: Rap'unzel
3. NARRATIVE
Write a description (no more than three pages, single spaced)that describes the following under !'
separate subheadings:
• Proposed project—what will you do,where will it be performed or displayed,when will the
preparations and public component take place, list any organizational partners.
• Community impact—describe the project's public component, how many people will be
impacted.
• Artist experience—include a brief description of your similar arts projects in the past.
4. APPLICATION CHECKLIST(in this order;do not staple, bind, or put into individual folders)
One copy:1 sided,81/2"x 1r, white paper
Application Form,including signature
Narrative
Budget Sheet
Itemized Budget (if necessary)
Resumes of artist(s)
Sample programs,press,or other materials from this or similar past programs
Sample work by artist(labeled with artists' name,title of work, date of work)produced
in the last three years:
• Visual arts:CD, DVD,or high resolution photographs(5-10 images). Clearly label
each piece with dimensions and media and indicate top of image
■ Dance/theater: CD or DVD, or link to high-quality online video(3-5 minutes)
• Music/spoken word:CID, MP3 or link to high-quality online video(3-5 minutes)
• Literary arts: Manuscript(10-15 pages)submitted as.pdf file or hard copy
T
12-124 2-D/
FRANCESCA TALENT!
Artist Signature Date Typed or Printed Artist Name
DocuSign Envelope ID: 32D5DFOB-2201-494E-993F-C356323EDD56
Patrick Dougherty, world renown sculptor, has graced Hillsborough's Riverwalk
with one of his stickwork sculptures. It is in the shape of a little castle, and is the
perfect setting for a fairy-tale, one that appeals to children and adults alike.
Rap'unzel will be written by Hillsborough Poet Laureate William Davis Jr. and
directed by Hillsborough resident Francesca Talenti. It is a site-specific play,
which audiences will walk to, watch, and participate in.
WHO
Francesca has exhibited her work from The Guthrie to Sundance and PBS
National, by way of Mumbai, GOteborg, Casablanca and many others. She has
won audience and "best of" awards, and has received grants from the
Independent Television Service, Latino Public Broadcasting, and the Kauffman
p g
Foundation. Favorable reviews have appeared in The New York Times and The
Washington Post. Francesca is a professor emerita at the University of North
Carolina at Chapel Hill. Since her retirement, she has focused her energies on
theater in Hillsborough, directing another site-specific play on 3 recurring
occasions: Behind the Scenes, located at The Burwell School, was also written
by local writers (Maureen Quilligan and Michael Malone), and sold out every
single performance in June 2015, October 2015, and October 2016.
2016-18 Hillsborough Poet Laureate William Davis, who goes by the
performance name "Endlesswill," is a spoken word artist dedicated to continuing
the tradition of poetry in living form. His most recent poetry collection, Broken
Perception, is largely autobiographical, exploring the themes of utilizing lessons
of the past to positively shape one's future and the complexities of the human
condition.
Other artists involved in Rap'unzel will be three actors and two musicians, who
will be cast in January 2017; Francesca will also benefit from the aid of an intern
from UNC-Chapel Hill, who has signed on as Associate Producer.
WHAT
Rap'unzel is a pop-up site-specific performance, and comes from the tradition of
Commedia dell'Arte: three stock characters (the "princess", usually the object of
desire; the "prince", who desires; and the `obstacle" to their love, usually an older
character— in this case Witchy Wild Woman). Bright costumes, stilts, and large
props will highlight each character.
What is different from the usual is that the three stock characters will go through
all the possible permutations of the roles in the story, starting with the expected,
described above, but ending with the unexpected: for instance, at some point the
princess will become the obstacle to the desire the prince has for Witchy Wild
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Woman, who is not at all attractive. Comedic possibilities abound, but so do
lessons in acceptance.
The same scripted lines will be used for each permutation, but much
improvisation will also occur, as the actors and musicians will encourage and
respond to audience participation. We are also planning on young children
participating as a band of 12 squirrels who swoop in and out of the scenes. Each
permutation will last 10-15 minutes, and will continue in a round-robin way, with
no particular beginning or ending, until about 90 minutes have gone by. This way
audience members can stay for 5 minutes or 90 minutes— it's entirely up to them.
WHEN
Rap'unzel will occur on every one of Hillsborough's Last Fridays, weather
permitting. That is for a total of 7 performances, from the end of April to the end
of September 2017 during daylight hours. The time-line for the production of the
play is as follows:
January 2017 —finalize script; start casting actors and musicians
February through March 2017— rehearse; gather props and costumes
April 28, 2017— First Performance Opens!
May through September 2017— Perform every last Friday of the month.
WHERE
Patrick Dougherty's stickwork sculpture is on Hillsborough's Riverwalk, and I will
have to apply for a Special Event Permit close to the date; I am already in
communication with Shanna Campbell, Hillsborough's Economic Development
Planner and Special Event Permits point person. She indicated that if I make
sure the Riverwalk path is clear for those who do not want to stay, with ropes or
cones, then the event is likely to be permitted. I am fine with that: the most
obvious area for an audience to sit or stand is clearly off the path, on the Western
side of the castle.
Members of The Hillsborough Arts Council, responsible for organizing Last
Fridays, have also pointed out that the Churton Street Access Improvement
Project will be under way in 2017. They very much like that Rap'unzel will lead
people towards the Riverwalk, away from Churton Street, which will be under
construction.
WHY
Hillsborough is home to theatrical company The Orange Community Players.
Right now they produce two shows a year, and cannot do more. This means
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r==
there is plenty of room in Hillsborough for additional theatrical experiences, and
we hope to fill the gap, partnering with The Orange Community Players.
We can guess that we will host approximately 100 people per evening. Multiply
that by 7 Fridays, and we have 700 attendees. Another successful example of a
Hillsborough event that uses audience participation is the Solstice Lantern Walk,
which drew an enormous crowd in 2015: 2,000 people came from all over the
area for this single event, proving that Hillsborough is an Arts Destination, We
will use the same outreach for Rap'unzel.
Francesca's experience putting on the site-specific play at The Burwell School in
Hillsborough has also taught her that in order to draw a diverse crowd in
Hillsborough one needs to attend the Monday evening Fairview community
meetings, as well as reach out to local traditionally African-American churches.
Further outreach will go to local elementary schools, especially in the literary and
drama programs, particularly since there will be the recurring opportunity for
children to participate in the play by becoming one of a band of 12 squirrels,
which are written in the play.
Additional partners are: The Hillsborough Arts Council, The Hillsborough
Chamber of Commerce, and the Tourism Board. The Hillsborough Arts Council
in particular, has pledged help with promotion, logistics, and coordination (see
attached letters).
HOW
The initial $1,000 of the funds sought is to cover an initial signing fee for the 3
actors and 2 musicians, each of whom will receive $200. I am applying for
special project funding from the Tourism Board for the matching $1,000 ($700 for
props and costumes, and $300 for marketing and publicity). The Tourism Board
will not meet until January 9th, 2017. I will personally front the matching $1,000
until they hopefully approve my proposal.
We will pass the hat during the performances, likely after 3 scene permutations �x
have occurred. The donations gathered that way will go directly to the artists, in
an even split between them. This is how we will sustain the show, ideally into the
following year. But the most important part of the funding is the initial one, to get
us going, and this grant is therefore essential.
Thank you for your consideration!
DocuSign Envelope ID: 32D5DFOB-2201-494E-993F-C356323EDD56
I /1 FALL 2016
ARTIST PROJECT GRANT
oRANtE COUNTY ARTS BUDGET SHEET
COMMISSION
PROJECT EXPENSES
Grant Amount + Applicant = Total Expense
Requested Cash Match
A Personnel
Administrative staff
Artistic staff
Technical/Production staff
B Outside Fees and Services
Artistic contracts 5 artists @ $200 each = $1,000
Other contracts:
C Space Rental
D Travel
E Marketing $300 $300
F Remaining Project Expenses
COSTUMES $400 $400
it
PROPS $300 $300
G TOTAL CASH EXPENSES $1,000 $1,000 $2,000
PROJECT INCOME Cash Income
A Admissions Pass-the-hat during performances:all monies will go directly to the artists
B Contracted Services Revenue
C Other Revenue(specify)
D Private Support
Corporate support
Foundation support
Other rivate support
p pp
E Government Support
Federal
State/regional (not including this request)
Local (not including this request):
TOURISM BOARD SPECIAL PROJECTS GRANT $1,000
F Applicant Cash
G Grant Amount Requested in this application $1,000
H Total Cash Income $2,000
(must equal Total Cash Expenses,Item G above)
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RESUME
Francesca Talenti
Email:fptalenti @gmail.com
is
EDUCATION
M.F.A. The University of Southern California,Film Production.
B.A. Brown University,Magna cum Laude,Phi Beta Kappa,
Comparative Literature.
ACADEMIC EXPERIENCE
2016--present Professor Emerita,The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
2012-2016 Professor,Department of Communication Studies,
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
2005 Associate Professor,Department of Communication Studies,UNC-Chapel Hill.
2002 Assistant Professor,Department of Communication Studies,UNC-Chapel Hill.
1994-2001 Assistant Professor,Radio-Television-Film Department,
The University of Texas at Austin.
AWARDS,HONORS,AND DISTINCTIONS
2013 Best in Show,New Media,from the University Film and Videomakers'
Association,for interactive installation entitled 3 Waves.
2012 Adobe Design Achievement Awards 2012 Semifinalist.
2011 Honorable Mention in Experimental Filmmaking,University Film and
Videomakers'Association,for Daphne 2.0.
Winner,Experimental Grit Award,Indie Grits Film Festival,for Daphne 2.0.
2010 Institute for the Arts and Humanities Fellowship,the University of North
Carolina at Chapel Hill(Two course releases for Spring 2010).
2008 "Innovations in New Media"award from the University Film and Videomakers'
Association,for installation entitled Dormant.
2007 Winner of WGBH's Open Call for Short Films:won a commission to produce an
animation entitled The End of the World.
Carolina Women's Center Scholar(One course release for Fall 2007).
2006 Kauffman Fellowship(Two course releases for Spring 2006).
NEH seminar participant,6 weeks at the American Academy of Rome,summer.
2004 Quintet (producer/animator):collection of five animations.
Selected to represent the best of public television from the US at Input 2004,Barcelona.
Audience Award,DC International Film Festival,for Dancing Dog.
2003 Institute for the Arts and Humanities Fellowship,the University of North
Carolina at Chapel Hill(Two course releases for Spring 2003).
The Planets:Honorable Mention in Short Filmmaking at the Sundance Film and Best
Experimental Film at the Nashville International Film Festival
2002 Best Experimental film at the University Film and Videomakers'Association
for Love Defined.
Corporation for Public Broadcasting travel grant,to attend INPUT conference in Rotterdam,The
Netherlands.
2001 Best Animation at the Adobe Digital Cinema Festival for Life Jacket.
Best film under 15 minutes at the Damah Spiritual Film Festival for three animations,Life Jacket,
I Exist,and On Writing Hat Poems.
Best Independent Film Comedy from the Christopher Wetzel Memorial Fund for Snake Tales.
2000 Yaddo Resident Artist.
Rockefeller Fellowship Nominee.
1999 Best Screenplay at the Brussels International Independent Film Festival,Belgium,for Snake Tales.
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Lumiere Award at the New Orleans Film Festival for Snake Tales.
Best Music at the Zoie Film Festival,Atlanta GA,for Snake Tales.
Gold Award at the Houston International Film Festival,for Snake Tales.
Audience Award at ValleyFest,Knoxville,TN,for Snake Tales.
GRANTS AND SIGNIFICANT FUNDING
2011 Institute for the Arts and Humanitites'Innovation Fund Award($50,000),
for The Uncanny Valley.
2009 For The Bathysphere:
Humanities and Fine Arts Award,UNC-Chapel Hill($10,000),
University Research Council,UNC-Chapel Hill:Research Grant($2,000)
Performing Arts Award,UNC-Chapel Hill($1,000)
2004 University Research Center,UNC-Chapel Hill:Publication grant($750),
for Gallery Show at DesignBox,Raleigh.
2003 Junior Faculty Development grant($5,000)
2002 University Research Center,UNC-Chapel Hill:Publication grant($2,700),
for The Planets.
ITVS:The Independent Television Service,funded by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting
($20,000),for Poetry in Motion.
Latino Public Broadcasting($5,000),for Poetry in Motion.
2001 City of Austin Cultural Contract($8,000),for Poetry in Motion.
2000 City of Austin Cultural Contract($10,000),for Poetry in Motion.
1998 Jamail Dean's Excellence Fund,U.T.Austin,($5,000)for Snake Tales.
1997 City of Austin Cultural Contract($6,000)for Snake Tales.
1996 Texas Filmmakers'Production Fund Award($3,000)for Snake Tales.
REVIEWS(excerpted)
For PERICLES,as video designer at The Oregon Shakespeare Festival,The Folger,and The Guthrie,
January 2015-February 2016:
Francesca Talenti provides animated video projections at the back of the stage that feature swirling celestial
images suggestive of"the music of the spheres,"a phrase in the play.
—Charles Isherwood,The New York Times
Set designer Jan Chambers works in concert here with video designer Francesca Talenti to conjure angry
sea squalls via a swinging platform and a projection of galloping ocean waves;in other instances,a
backdrop darkens to reveal a lovely starry canopy in the night sky,out of which a gracious god like Diana
can propitiously appear.
—Peter Marks,The Washington Post
Haj owes his technical crew mightily.Francesca Talenti's video designs evoke the cosmos with stars,
tempests and moons --- meshed with Rut Rita's lighting scheme and Jan Chambers'multiplatform set of
what appear to be large plates of marble shards,
--Graydon Royce,StaiTribune Minneapolis
For THE UNCANNY VALLEY,as writer/director for theater at The Brick,Brooklyn,October 2014:
The Uncanny Valley is technically impressive and intellectually haunting,forcing the audience to face the
growing role of technology in our world.
—Sarah Lucie,Show Business Weekly
An inventive cybernetic fairy tale... staged with poetic grace,both touching and ominous.
—Rachel Kerry,New York Theater Review
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It's the Turing test with life-and-death stakes and a conundrum we hopefully won't have to tackle for a
long time to come.
—Rachel Courtland,Spectrum IEEE
The show had me on the edge of my seat the entire time.
—Rachel Weinberg,Broadway World
For HAMLET,as video designer at The Folger,April and May 2010:
The company's current production of Hamlet boasts just one unique feature,but it's a good one.Francesca
Talenti has converted the play-within-a-play into a video presentation,which spills across James Kronzer's
pristine white set and keeps the onstage audience at the center of the action.A... bravura moment.
—Susan Berlin,TalkinBroadway.coin
The play within the play... is staged as a kind of art film,silhouettes projected onto the faces and bodies of
the actors,Velvet Underground"Exploding Plastic Inevitable"-style.It's a stunning effect.
—Chris Kilmek,The Washington Examiner
For THE PLANETS-as writer/director for experimental film:
The Planets,is a gorgeous—and unconventionally animated—rendering of the solar system in rapturously
swirling colors,to narration provided by an old NASA tape.
—David Fellerath,The Independent Weekly
For POETRY IN MOTION-as writer/director for animation:
...Exceptional and imaginative series of animations set to verse...
—David Fellerath,The Independent Weekly
For SNAKE TALES-as writer/director for live-action feature film:
Delightful performances,crisp camera-work,amusing musical counterpoint,and genuinely funny
writing...
—Marjorie Baumgarten The Austin Chronicle
Full of visual splendor and genuine laughs... original and engaging... Snake Tales proves once again that
an imagination is worth its weight in celluloid,
—Jim Barton,Hollywood.com
An absolutely wonderful,almost surreal,serpentine story... Stories {which}all intertwine in completely
unexpected ways,building to a hilarious and perfect ending... One of the funnier films I've seen in some
time.
—Edison Carter,Aint-it-cool-news
Enchanting... Snake Tales slithers through its intoxicating mix of the petty,profound and surreal in fine
fashion.
—Merle Bertrand,Film Threat
To view my work,please see www.FrancescaTalenti.com
Thank you!
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THE CREATORS
Maureen Quilligau (playwright and costume designer) Francesca Talenti (director)
Maureen taught at Yale and at Penn before coining to Duke in Francesca works in theater and film: as waiter/director, she has
2000 as Florence R Brinkley Professor of English as Chair of the made more than 20 independent films and animations, for
Department. A Renaissance scholar and prize-winning teacher, which she has received 18 awards and a number of grants. In
she is the author of The Language of.-lllegorr: Defining the theater, she was playsnight/director for The Uncanny Valley at
Genre;Milton's Spenser The Politics of Reading; TeAllegoiy The Brick,off-off-Broadway. She has also served as Projection
of Female.dutliotity: Christine de Pizan's Book of the City of Designer for Hamlet at The Folger; Pericles (Oregon
Ladies, and Incest and Agency in F.li7abeth's Englvtd. She has Shakespeare Festival,The Folger,and The Gutluie);PalmQuatt
also co-edited three volumes of essays, including Rereading the (RFDCAT); Hysteria (Burning Coal), and Penelope
Black Legend: the Discourses of Racial Difference in the (Play makers Rep). Francesca is a professor emerita at the
Renaissance Empires (2003). She has directed/produced University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she taught
innumerable community productions of plays. For years she media production. She holds a B.A. cum laude from Brown
urged Triangle authors to write a play about Elizabeth Keckley. University, and an M.F.A. in film production from the
She finally gave up and wrote it herself. University of Southern California.
is
Michael Malone (revisions and additional scenes)
Michael has written many novels and short stories, plays,
screenplays and musicals, network television shows, poems,
songs,non-fiction books and essays.They've been published in
numerous languages and won numerous prizes. For over 40
years, at various colleges and universities,he taught theatre and
film,fiction and adaptation. What he loves most in the world is
helping to bring people together to create art.
THE CAST
Brenda Stephens (Elizabeth Keclley) Jane Holding (Anna Burwell)
Lifelong Orange County resident, Brenda can trace her Jane performs extensively in the Triangle in roles as varied as
"Hillsboro" family back for over 200 years, Her great, great, Big Mania in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Birdie in The Little
great grandfather Frank Umstead, a town blacksmith born in Foxes,Lucy Marsden in The Oldest Living Confederate Widow
1792, appears in the Orange County "Freedman Marriage Tells All, Belle in the annual A Christmas Carol at St
Records" of 1866. It is highly likely that he knew F,iizabeth Matthew's, and Jean Mulray in Saints Hare Mothers (adapted
g
Keckley. Brenda is selling her fourth term on the Orange from the novella by Allan Gurganus). At UN. C's Hill Hall,she
County Schools Board of Education. She is the first school was the Narrator at the world premiere of the dramatic song
board member from Orange County to be elected to the North cycle Family Secrets. An upcoming project, to be directed by
Carolina Schools Board of Directors. Previously, as Francesca Talenti, is her solo performance as Mrs. Evelyn
Hyconeechee Regional Library Director, Stephens was Dupre Wells in Allan Gurganus' $19.95 Deluxe Walking ing Tour
recognized as the Director of the Year of the N.C. Public of Historic Falls, NC Like Anna Burwell, Jane has read
Libraries Association. The Senate of the North Carolina PARADISE LOST at least a dozen times,enjoys a strong sense
General Assembly presented her with a certificate of recognition of grammar,and wouldn't mind butchering a hog.
for her service. She is a member of the Historic Hillsborough
•
Commission and of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority.
Lilly Nelson (Young Anna Burwell)
Lilly is a NC native with a love of history and storytelling. She
Sara Stephens (Young Lizzie Kecble ) has been a lover of acting from her first memories. Her local
This is Sara's first role in her hometown,where she now serves theatre credits include Boein g Boeing as Gretchen,r1 Streetcar with great success as the CEO of the Hillsborough Orange Named Desire as Stella,Arsenic and Old Lace as Elaine
County Chamber of Commerce. She has a strong commitment Harper,and more. She recently returned to Raleigh from the
to finding ways to improve community in our fast-growing town coast where she entertained the masses as Jameson Flynt. She r
for all its citizens. As a college student,Sara performed regularly also recently filmed a movie in South Carolina that will soon
with the Peace College Theatre Companny in such productions as be seen on TV. She thinks you all are wonderful and hopes
Fire One Act Plays by Alan Ball, you continue to support the;its.
I
i
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REVIEWS
PERICLES-as Video Designer
Francesca Talenti provides animated video projections at the back of the stage that
feature swirling celestial images suggestive of"the music of the spheres"(a phrase
in the play).
-Charles Isherwood,The New York Times
Set designer Jan Chambers works in concert here with video designer Francesca
Talenti to conjure angry sea squalls via a swinging platform and a projection of
galloping ocean waves;in other instances,a backdrop darkens to reveal a lovely
starry canopy in the night sky,out of which a gracious god like Diana(Emily
Serdahl) can propitiously appear.
- Peter Marks,The Washington Post
Haj owes his technical crew mightily.Francesca Talent's video designs evoke the
cosmos with stars,tempests and moons--meshed with Rui Rita's lighting scheme
and Jan Chambers'multiplatform set of what appear to be large plates of marble
shards.
Graydon Royce, StarTribune Minneapolis
THE UNCANNY VALLEY-as Writer/Producer/Director
The Uncanny Valley is technically impressive and intellectually haunting,forcing the
audience to face the growing role of technology in our world.
- Sarah Lucie,Show Business Weekly I
An inventive cybernetic fairy tale...staged with poetic grace,both touching and r
ominous. 1
- Rachel Kerry,New York Theater Review
It's the Turing test with life-and-death stakes-and a conundrum we hopefully won't
have to tackle for a long time to come.
- Rachel Courtland,Spectrum IEEE
is
C
The show had me on the edge of my seat the entire time. r
-Rachel Weinberg,Broadway World
It's as if My Dinner with Andre had been co-written by Thomas Pynchon and
William Gibson.
-Brian Howe,The Independent Weekl
is
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HAMLET-as Video Designer
The company's current production of Hamlet boasts just one unique feature,but it's
a good one.Francesca Talent has converted the play-within-a-play into a video
presentation,which spills across James Kronzer's pristine white set and keeps the
onstage audience at the center of the action. A...bravura moment.
- Susan Berlin,TalkinBroadway.com
The play within the play...is staged as a kind of art film,silhouettes projected onto
the faces and bodies of the actors,Velvet Underground"Exploding Plastic
Inevitable"-style.It's a stunning effect.
- Chris Kilmek,The Washington Examiner
Also haunting is the video design by Francesca Talent,which makes for a truly eerie
play-within-the-play scene.
-Jean Larsen,WeLoveDC.com
THE BATHYSPHERE-as Concept Creator/Producer/Director
Designed as a virtual underwater opera and interactive game,The Bathysphere
features three-dimensional animations and projections on the walls, ceiling and
floor of a space, creating under-and above-water worlds.
-The Herald Sun
The work is immersive and quite pleasant as you are surrounded by the soft blue
tones of a simulated underwater environment. Therein,sea creatures wander about
seemingly at random as a minimalistic soundtrack plays in the background.The
projections seem random,that is,until you see your fellow audience members
holding and waving about strange objects. The work is interactive:visitors control
the digital sea creatures by moving around objects with sensors on them: an
umbrella,a fishing pole,a ball.It's really quite playful and a musing; check out the
video for a better idea of what it's like...
-Adam Rogers,Hastac.org
GENESIS-as Concept Creator/Producer/Director
Walking into Francesca Talenti's Genesis: Mishaps in the Kitchen is like walking into
a warped fusion of science and technology with your average kitchen... Using
actual-sized appliances,small-scale sculpture elements and video and audio
presentation,Talenti's alternative kitchen asks big questions... Each installation
intersects life with machine. Talenti points to the idea of how scientific
development has led us to create technology,which,in turn,is now having a hand in
our own creation.
-Sarah Lupton,The Independent Weekly
I"=
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SAMPLE WORKS
I,.
As Writer/Producer/Director:
The Uncanny Valley
Performed at The Brick,Brooklyn New York.
July 2014 and a 2-week run in October 2014
http://www.uncannyvalleyplay.coM/
As Video Designer:
Pericles
Performed at:
The Oregon Shakespeare Festival,2015
The Folger Theater,Washington DC,2015
The Guthrie Theater,Minneapolis MN, 2016
http://francescatalenti.com/pericles-2/
As Producer/Director:
Behind the Scenes
Performed at The Burwell School,Hillsborough NC.
June 2015,October 2015,October 2016
http://wwvv.burwellschool.org/elizabeth-keckly
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121N.Churton St.,Suite 1C
Hillsborough,NC 27278
-— Phone: 919-732-8156
ORANGI- COU_ TY Hillsboroughchamber.com
info @hillsboroughchamber.co
; Chamber of Commerce
November 29th, 2016
To the Orange County Arts Commission:
I am writing to support Ms. Talenti's proposal to stage and perform a fairy tale around Hills-
borough's Stick Sculpture on the Riverwalk.
I saw Ms. Talenti's directorial debut in Hillsborough when I went to see the play Behind the
Scenes, staged at The Burwell School. It was a powerful experience, and showed original di-
recting and staging ideas. I also know she produced the play at three different times (twice
last year and once this year), and that she sold out every time. Based on the success of that
play, I am confident Ms. Talenti will succeed with her fairy tale.
is
Ms. Talenti has also been a core member of our committee to find a performing arts space for
Hillsborough. This indicates her interest in theater and theatrical performance in Hills-
borough.
The Chamber of Commerce is in full support of her project, and will be happy to promote it
when the time comes.
Sincerely,
dASO
Kim Tesoro
Interim CEO
Hillsborough/Orange Co. Chamber of Commerce
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44- 4444'4
testi.
Enriching our community
through the arts
102 NORTH CHURTON STREET
HILLSBOROUGH,NC 27278
November 30, 2016
I am writing this letter of support for Francesca Talenti and her site-specific
project, Rap'unzel.
The Hillsborough Arts Council was pleased to be asked to partner with
Francesca.
The Arts Council has agreed to help with promotion, logistics and
coordination of these events as part of Last Fridays.
We look forward to her success as she has demonstrated with her plays at
the Burwell School as well as other artistic accomplishments.
Thank you,
Neil Stutzer
Chair,
Hillsborough Arts Council
102 North Churton Street
Hillsborough,North Carolina 27278
H it Isboroughartscou ncil.org
919-643-2500 (phone)-www.hillsboroughartscouncil.org