Friday, September 13, 2013
Thursday, September 12, 2013
Video: Toby Minor Speaks about Teaching Stage Combat at Texas State Universty
From a video submitted to the Texas State Star by Christian Alexander Pena:
Thursday, May 30, 2013
AGGADOT BAYA'AR, FOLKTALES IN THE FOREST by Zachary Christman, Theatre at the J, Dell Jewish Community Center, June 9, 16, 23, 2013
presents
This one-of-a-kind, interactive performance is sure to entertain and engage every member of the family! Set on the JCC’s wooded trail, the show will transport audiences into the magical world of Jewish folktales, where you never know quite what you’ll find around the bend. Young audience members will be enlisted by our characters to assist in a special quest as they journey together through an enchanted forest, providing a fun, hands-on introduction to the world of Jewish folklore through theater. But this world-premiere production by Houston playwright Zachary Christman, commissioned especially for JCC Austin/Theater at the J, isn’t just for kids; audience members of every generation will revel in encountering the mythic scenes that await throughout each segment of this unique theatrical adventure!
Running Time: 50 Minutes; Some walking required.
Directed by Adam Roberts, this show features: Robert Deike, Toby Minor, Joseph Dailey and Evelyn Lalonde. Costumes and props by Talena and Trudy Martinez.
Registration to participate and tickets -- click image:
(Click to go to the AustinLiveTheatre front page)
Sunday, May 19, 2013
QUALITIES OF STARLIGHT by Gabriel Jason Dean, Vortex Repertory, May 25 - June 15, 2013
(Vortex Repertory Company, 2307 Manor Rd.)
presents
A twisted comedy by Gabriel Jason Dean | Directed by Rudy Ramirez
May.25-Jun.15, 2013; Thursdays-Sundays 8 pm
Staring Jennifer Underwood, Dennis Bailey, Toby Minor, and Andréa Suzanne Rebecca Smith. Directed by Rudy Ramirez. Scenic Design by Ann Marie Gordon. Lighting Design by Patrick Anthony. Costume Design by Michelle Symons. Sound Design by David DeMaris. Prop Design by Helen Parish. Dramaturgy by Carrie Kaplan and Natashia Lindsey.
Tickets: $30-$10
$30-$25 Priority Seating, $15-$20 General Admission, $10 Starving Artists
2-for-1 admission on Thursdays and Sundays with donation of 2 canned goods for SafePlace.
Limited seating. Advance Purchase Recommended.
“…a well-crafted…engaging drama…
Qualities of Starlight registers as a welcome find.” ~ Washington Post
“…a thoughtful and entertaining new play…Qualities of Starlight shows people determined to recover from the bruises of the past and move towards a brighter, more hopeful future.”~ DC Theatre Scene
Qualities of Starlight is presented with the assistance of SCRIPTWORKS through their FINERPOINT FUND FOR NEW PLAY PRODUCTION and funded and supported in part by VORTEX Repertory Company, a grant from the Texas Commission on the Arts, and by the City of Austin through the Economic Growth and Redevelopment Services Office/Cultural Arts Division, believing an investment in the Arts is an investment in Austin's future."So dang funny!" ~ VSA Arts of Georgia
(Click to go to the AustinLiveTheatre front page)
Tuesday, April 23, 2013
Opportunity: Stage Combat Class with Toby Minor, June 16 - July 14, 2013
Stage Combat Class with Toby Minor
This is a four week workshop on Sunday evenings, June 16, 23, 30, and July 14. Time: 5-7 p.m. or 6-8 p.m. (depending on the night!)
No previous experience necessary. The last class will culminate in a showcase performance of fight scenes for friends and family.
Limit 10 students. Cost is $100. I take credit cards, checks and cash. Please sign up ahead of time by contacting Toby at: tobywon55@gmail.com or calling (512) 909-0254.
The space we are using is on 290 East, just off I-35.
Toby Minor is an actor combatant, certified with the SAFD (Society of American Fight Directors) and received his B.A. training from NMSU. He also holds black belt level in BudoTaijutsu (Ninjitsu), which makes him a real-life Ninja. Toby recently won the B Iden Payne Award for his fight choreography in Hidden Room's "Rose Rage". He has choreographed fights for various shows around town, including "Big Love" with Shrewd Productions, "Coriolanus" with Trinity Street Players, "The Three Musketeers" with Leander High School and Cedar Park High School, "Hamlet" with both Austin Shakespeare and Black Swan Productions, "True West" with DYS theatre, "I Hate Hamlet" with the Georgetown Palace Theater, and "Lear" at the Vortex (for which he was nominated for a BIP Award for outstanding fight choreography). Film Choreography credits include, among others, Haze, and Omniscience with Stage left in Chicago.
Friday, February 15, 2013
THE GIRL WITH TIME IN HER EYES, Hidden Room Theatre at SXSW, March 10, 2013
March 10 at SXSW
Become a volunteer test subject for an emerging technology that allows you to witness and document a mystery that happened sixty years ago. Change the fabric of history as you untangle clues and avoid deceptions. Running time 40 minutes, Next Stage Austin Convention Center, SXSW Interactive. Come back with us as we travel through crime!
Starring Judd Farris, Julia Lorenz-Olson, Toby Minor, Ryan Hamilton, and Robert Matney. Directed by Beth Burns. Story by Robin Jones and Beth Burns.
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Stage Combat Class: Found Weapons, with Toby Minor, Starting January 13, 2013
Stage Combat Workshop with Toby Minor: Found Weapons
Cost is $100. I take credit cards, checks and cash. Please sign up ahead of time by contacting Toby at: tobywon55@gmail.com or calling (512) 909-0254.
Toby recently won the B Iden Payne Award for his fight choreography in Hidden Room's "Rose Rage". He has choreographed fights for various shows around town, including "Big Love" with Shrewd Productions, "Coriolanus" with Trinity Street Players, "The Three Musketeers" with Leander High School and Cedar Park High School, "Hamlet" with both Austin Shakespeare and Black Swan Productions, "True West" with DYS theatre, "I Hate Hamlet" with the Georgetown Palace Theater, and "Lear" at the Vortex (for which he was nominated for a BIP Award for outstanding fight choreography). Film Choreography credits include, among others, Haze, and Omniscience with Stage left in Chicago.
Thursday, December 27, 2012
Opportunity: One-day Light-saber workshop with Toby Minor, January 6, 2013
***To be very clear: this is stage combat class. I will be teaching how to execute these moves safely on a film set or in a play.
Date: Sunday, Jan 6, 3:30-7 pm
Location: 7031 E. Hwy 290. It's just east of I35 at Berkman, a blue building with a nice big secure parking lot.
Cost: $40 Please register before the class as there are only 13 slots. In order to register, please send a check to: T Minor, 1712 Barilla Mountain Trail, Round Rock, TX 78664.
Light-sabers, and by extension light-saber combat, were inspired by the pirate and romantic films of the 1940s, which heavily featured rapier fencing and the like. In keeping with these romanticized depictions of fighting, the light-sabers were intended to represent the honor and chivalry inherent in the Jedi. Jedi were initially conceived as fighting with swords, but George Lucas wanted to provide them with a technological edge, and created the light-saber. His rationale was that in an era of energy weapons, light-sabers could be used to deflect the rays, giving birth to the idea of blast-deflection. Lucas wanted the earliest light-saber duels to feature a very oriental-style of fencing, reminiscent of Japanese fighting styles, which involved a great deal of honor and spirituality.
We will be using single sword practice weapons, focusing on basic oriental-style fencing technique (modified slightly for the use of a light-saber)
All levels of training welcome.
Please RSVP to Toby at: tobywon55@gmail.com or call Toby at 512-909-0254
About the instructor:Toby Minor is an actor combatant, certified with the SAFD (Society of American Fight Directors) and received his B.A. training from NMSU. He also holds black belt level in BudoTaijutsu (Ninjitsu), which makes him a real-life Ninja. Toby has choreographed fights for various shows around town, including Rose Rage with Hidden Room, Big Love with Shrewd Productions, The Three Musketeers with Leander High School, Hamlet with Austin Shakespeare and Black Swan Productions, True West with DYS theatre, I Hate Hamlet with the Georgetown Palace Theater, and Lear at the Vortex . Film Choreography credits include, among others, Haze, and Omniscience with Stage left in Chicago.
Sunday, November 25, 2012
Upcoming: Mystery Show party fundraiser for Hidden Room, December 20
Hidden Room Theatre presents
Mystery Show party and fundraiser
for Invisible, Inc.
Our annual Mystery Show fundraiser supports our ability to open the Hidden Room doors to more theatrical curiosities such as the award-winning Rose Rage, Taming of the Shrew Original Practices, and You Wouldn't Know Her. Enjoy hooch and hoofing, as you wonder at what entertainment may arise. Depression-era clothing is encouraged. Look for hints as to the Mystery Show's secrets. They are everywhere.
Starring the talents of Stephanie Delk, Djahari, Amara, Jack Darling, Toby Minor, Cami Alys, Shoulders, members of the cast from Invisible Inc, and more!
Running time approximately 90 minutes plus hot jazz into the night.
TICKETS ON SALE SHORTLY...
(Click to go to the AustinLiveTheatre front page)
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Broadsword combat classes with Toby Minor, November 18 - December 9
This is a four week workshop about learning how to wield a single-handed broadsword, the most commonly used weapon on stage in Shakespeare and classical pieces. It's designed for hacking and slicing. (Lord of the Rings movies, King Arthur, etc)
Each class will begin with a brief physical warm up. We will quickly move into sword strikes and parries, foot positioning and body form. No previous sword experience necessary, as this a basic level training course. The last class will culminate in a showcase performance of fight scenes for friends and family.
Dates: Sunday evenings from Nov 18, 25, Dec 2 and 9. Time: 5-7pm. Limit 10 students. By request we found a space way further south!! This space is 7031 E. Hwy 290. It's just east of I35 at Berkman, a blue building with a nice big secure parking lot.
Cost is $100. I take credit cards, checks and cash. Please sign up ahead of time by contacting Toby at: tobywon55@gmail.com or calling (512) 909-0254.
Click to go to AustinLiveTheatre.com for additional information about Toby Minor.
Friday, October 12, 2012
Upcoming: Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare, Present Company Theatre at Rain Lily Farm, October 19 - November 4
Ladies and Gentlemen!
Present Company is thrilled to present our fourth Shakespeare On the Farm,
Julius Caesar
at the lovely Rain Lily Farm at 914 Shady Lane in East Austin (click for map)
Join us October 19th-November 4th, Fridays - Sundays at 7 p.m., for our journey into Shakespeare's darker side, with his classic tale of ambition and power. The Revolution begins at 7pm on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights with the Shakespeare Field Guide pre-show. Bring a picnic and come spread your blanket under the stars for Austin's favorite new tradition! Rain Lily Farm isa magical, organic working farm located at 914 Shady Lane, in Austin, Texas.
Generously sponsored by Rain Lily Design and Landscaping, Dripping Springs Vodka, and Farmhouse Delivery.
Courageously led by Director Joseph Garlock, Julius Caesar features the talents of Sergio Alvarado, Laura Artesi, Mateo Barrera, Aaron Black, Stephanie Carll, Robert Deike, Renee Fulton, Shannon Grounds, Omid Ghorashi, Kelly Sardinas, Feliz Dia McDonald, Toby Minor, and Ian Ramos.
Visit www.presentcompanytheatre.com or email presentcompanyaustin@gmail.com for more information.
Hail Caesar! And see you on the Farm!
(Click to go to the AustinLiveTheatre front page)
Thursday, September 27, 2012
Opportunity: Single sword/dagger classes with Toby Minor in Round Rock
About the instructor: Toby Minor is an actor combatant, certified with the SAFD (Society of American Fight Directors) and received his B.A. training from NMSU. He also holds black belt level in BudoTaijutsu (Ninjitsu), which makes him a real-life Ninja. Toby teaches classes all over Austin and has choreographed fights for various shows around town, including Rose Rage with Hidden Room (for which he just received a B. Iden Payne nomination for best fight choreography), Medieval Macabre with The Baron's Men, Big Love with Shrewd Productions (for which he just received a B. Iden Payne nomination for best fight choreography), The Three Musketeers with Leander High School, Hamlet with Austin Shakespeare (for which he received a PlayShakespeare.com Falstaff award nomination) and Hamlet with Black Swan Productions, True West with DYS theatre, I Hate Hamlet with the Georgetown Palace Theater, and Lear at the Vortex (for which he was nominated for a B. Iden Payne Award for outstanding fight choreography), among many others. Film Choreography credits include, among others, Haze, and Omniscience with Stage Left in Chicago.
Monday, September 10, 2012
Opportunity: Lightsaber Training with Toby Minor, September 14 - October 12
Light-saber is very similar to single sword with some Asian flair to it. All levels of training welcome. Please RSVP to Toby at: tobywon55@gmail.com.
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Austin Artists Nominated for 2011 Falstaff Awards, PlayShakespeare.com
The website www.PlayShakespeare.com has released the nominations and winners for its 2011 Falstaff awards honoring achevements in the production of Shakespeare and Shakespeare scholarship. Five Austin area artists are among those nominated, three of them for their work on Austin Shakespeare's Hamlet with Helen Merino.
PlayShakespeare.com writes,
Sweeping the awards with 8 wins and 1 nomination this year was the highly acclaimed Sleep No More, a collaboration with Punchdrunk and Emursive. An entire New York City building was transformed into an theatrical experience of Macbeth like no other. With over 100 rooms, sold out audiences donned eerie masks and experienced a highly choreographed performance close up, even interacting with the actors themselves. A Hitchcockian flair to sets, music, and lighting earned Felix Barrett and Maxine Doyle awards for Best Director, Best Set Design and Best Lighting Design. Top honors for Best Principal Performance (Male and Female) went to Nicholas Bruder and Sophie Bortolussi.
Austin area artists appearing on the list:
Best Principal Performance, Male: Philip Kreyche as Othello for his No'Az Productions
Best Scenic Design: Marketa Fantova for As You Like It, Texas State University (now at Alfred University, New York)
Best Lighting Design: Jason Amato, Hamlet, Austin Shakespeare (click to view dress rehearsal images by Kimberley Mead)
Best Cosume Design: Pam Fletcher Friday, Hamlet, Austin Shakespeare
Best Choreography or Fight Direction: Toby Minor, Hamlet, Austin Shakespeare (click to view Austin Shakespeare video including brief excerpts of the final duel)
AustinLiveTheatre.com also nominated Pam Martin and Dawn Allee for their costuming of Henry V by the Baron's Men, providing a link to the company's promotional video for the production. PlayShakespeare.com editors compared it with Kimberley Mead's portfolio of 53 images for Austin Shakespeare's Hamlet and decided to favor the work by Pam Fletcher Friday.
Monday, February 13, 2012
Class on Single Sword Combat with Toby Minor, March 5 - 26
March 5, 12, 19 and 26
Cost: $100 per student for 4-week session
Payment either by check in the mail, or due first day of class at registration (check or credit card). Extra $3 fee for credit cards.
Cancellation policy: full refund within 48 hours of first class
About the Instructor: Toby Minor is an actor combatant, certified with the SAFD (Society of American Fight Directors) and received his B.A. training from NMSU. He also holds black belt level in BudoTaijutsu (Ninjitsu), which makes him a real-life Ninja. Toby has choreographed fights for various shows around town, including Big Love with Shrewd Productions, The Three Musketeers with Leander High School, Hamlet with Austin Shakespeare and Black Swan Productions, True West with DYS theatre, I Hate Hamlet with the Georgetown Palace Theater, and Lear at the Vortex (for which he was nominated for a BIP Award for outstanding fight choreography). Film Choreography credits include, among others, Haze, and Omniscience with Stage left in Chicago.
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Upcoming: The 21 Would-Be Lives of Phineas Hamm by Rachel McGinnis, Paper Moon Repertory at the Blue Theatre, February 17 - March 4
Received directly:
presents
The 21 Would-Be Lives of Phineas Hamm
by Rachel McGinnis
February 17 - March 4
Thursdays - Saturdays, Mondays at 7:30 p.m.; Sundays at 6 p.m.
Playing as the first part of a double bill with Will Hollis Snider's Messenger No. 4
Blue Theatre, 916 Springdale (click for map)
Purchase double-bill on-line ($26.72 per ticket) or call to reserve: (512) 524-3761
When a powerful invention lands in the hands of impulsive Phineas Hamm on his 25th birthday, he’s faced with the possibility of altering his reality with the single pull of a lever. What happens when desires and abandon trump resilience and loyalty? Set to music with choreography by Ballet Austin’s Kaitlyn Moise, Phineas is an exploration of tempting fortunes and their immediate outcomes.
The cast features Austin favorites Aaron Alexander (Big Love), Katie Blacksmith (Servant of Two Masters), Molly Fonseca (Going with Jenny), Jay Fraley (Spirits to Enforce), Omid Ghorashi (The Assumption), Toby Minor (Spirits to Enforce), Andrea Smith (Big Love), Breanna Stogner (Down the Drain), Brie Walker (The Tempest), and newcomer Gabriel Peña as Phineas.
The late 1800s. Dancing and indulgence. Invention and industry. The world of Phineas Hamm is ever-changing, swiftly shifting from opulence to poverty and barreling through 21 versions of reality in an age of mass produced workhouses, manors, tenements and brothels. A visual feast set to music with choreography by Ballet Austin’s Kaitlyn Moise, The 21 Would-Be Lives of Phineas Hamm is a tender look at the power of choice, the pressure of the future, and the spectacular possibility of changing the past.
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Upcoming: The Eight: Reindeer Monologues, City Theatre, December 2 - 18
Found on-line:
presents
The Eight: Reindeer Monologues
by Jeff Goode
directed by Stacey Glazer
December 1 - 18
**AFTER HOURS SHOWS** Fridays and Saturdays at 10 p.m., Sundays 8:00 p.m. (no show Dec. 11.)
City Theatre, 3823 Airport Rd, behind the Shell station (click for map)
For reservations, call 512-524-2870 or e-mail info@citytheatreaustin.org. General seating $10.
www.citytheatreaustin.org
A wickedly funny alternative to traditional candy-cane cheer. Scandal erupts at the North Pole when one of Santa's eight tiny reindeer accuses him of sexual harassment. As the mass media descends upon the event, the other members of the sleigh team demand to share their perspectives, and a horrific tale of corruption and perversion emerges - which seems to implicate everyone from the teeniest elf to the tainted Saint himself. With each deer's stunning confession, the truth behind the shocking allegations becomes clearer...and murkier... Don't miss this hilarious holiday spectacle.
Featuring the cast of Clay Avery – Dasher, Matthew Burnett - Cupid, Toby Minor – Hollywood, Mindy Rast-Keenan – Blitzen, Mario Silva – Comet, Megan Ortiz – Dancer, Andy Brown – Donner and Lesley O’Neal – Vixen. Directed by Stacey Glazer.
Monday, October 10, 2011
Upcoming: Big Love by Charles Mee, Shrewd Productions at the Rollins Theatre, Long Center, November 10 - 27
Received directly:
presents
Big Love
a comedy by Charles Mee
directed by Robert Faires
November 10 - 27, 2011
Thursdays - Sundays at 8 p.m.
Rollins Studio Theatre at the Long Center for the Performing Arts
50 runaway brides seek refuge in a villa on the Italian coast in this hilarious and heartbreaking comedy by Charles Mee. When 50 determined grooms drop out of the sky, the villa erupts in a clash of wills, song and dance, romantic reverie, violent fits, satin ribbon, and one final, unforgettable showdown.
Based on the oldest play in the western world, The Suppliants by Aeschylus, Mee's modern take is at once an unflinching look at the themes of justice and revenge, and an ode to the enduring power of love.
Robert Faires directs this tulle covered, rice throwing, dangerous confection of a play. Big Love features some of Austin's finest theatrical talent, including Aaron Alexander, Lana Dieterich, Shannon Grounds, Anne Hulsman, Rob Matney, Nathan Osburn, Michael Slefinger, Andrea Smith, Rommel Sulit and Julianna Elizabeth Wright with lighting design by Patrick Anthony, set by Ia Enstara, costumes by Pam Friday, choreography by Toby Minor and sound by Buzz Moran.
Presented by special arrangement with International Creative Management, Inc.
Friday, August 19, 2011
Upcoming: Stage Combat Showcase by Toby Minor and class, August 29
Published by
Stage Combat Showcase
Monday, August 29, 8:45 p.m.
Clear Spring Studio, 605-A Copeland (click for map)
Enjoy Austin Shakes Stage Combat Showcase on Mon, Aug 29th at 8:45pm at the beautiful CLEAR SPRING STUDIO just off S 1st St. (605-A Copeland) with:Dakota Willingham, Emily Withers, Andrew Matthews, Ben Wolfe, Andrea Smith, Kathy Rodgers and Daniel Cline. taught by Toby Minor.
See hand-to-hand stage combat executed with safe, inspired, passionate VIOLENCE. Come watch them punch, kick, slap, and throw each other . Afterwards: Drinks and socializing at the Upper Decks (Barton Springs & Riverside)
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Stage Combat Classes with Toby Minor, August 8 - 29
Found on-line:
presents
Stage combat classes with Toby Minor
August 8 - 29, Mondays, 7:45 pm - 9:15 pm
Toby Minor is a smart, talented and powerful instructor. Toby is certified SAFD (Society of American Fight Directors).
Email your payment to alex (at) austinshakespeare.org. Classes to be held at the beautiful CLEAR SPRING STUDIO just off South First St.(click for map)
Ages 13 and up to adult.
LIMITED -- secure your space NOW.
[image: Toby Minor as 'The Pleaser' in Capital T Theatre's Spirits to Enforce]