Foundations
James Parenti as Perseus and Gwen Sisco as Medusa in Emily C. A. Snyder's short play in blank verse, TURN TO FLESH
TURN TO FLESH PRODUCTIONS was founded by Michelle Kafel and Emily C. A. Snyder, both alumna of Anathan Theatre's Drama Program at Franciscan University of Steubenville, OH, who had been working successfully but separately in theatre for over a decade in New York City and Boston respectively.
In February 2012, Emily came down to see Michelle in Storm Theatre's wildly successful The London Merchant. They discovered a mutual love for daring theatre in stylized settings - and soon after Emily packed her bags and moved to New York City.
In April 2013, Emily directed her short play in blank verse, Turn to Flesh, at The Workshop at Grace and Saint Paul's Church, about the last moments of Medusa’s life as Perseus comes to claim it. (Pictured.) When it came time to choose a name for their fledgling company, actor James Parenti suggested that the work they were doing - bringing words to life - was already incarnate in the title: TURN TO FLESH PRODUCTIONS was born.
Encouraged by the warm reception for such a short piece of verse drama, TTF turned its sights towards the production of a full-length play. For Valentine's 2014, TTF gave the World Premiere of Emily C. A. Snyder's Cupid and Psyche ~ A New Play in Blank Verse, which played to sold-out audiences in the heart of New York City.
In February 2012, Emily came down to see Michelle in Storm Theatre's wildly successful The London Merchant. They discovered a mutual love for daring theatre in stylized settings - and soon after Emily packed her bags and moved to New York City.
In April 2013, Emily directed her short play in blank verse, Turn to Flesh, at The Workshop at Grace and Saint Paul's Church, about the last moments of Medusa’s life as Perseus comes to claim it. (Pictured.) When it came time to choose a name for their fledgling company, actor James Parenti suggested that the work they were doing - bringing words to life - was already incarnate in the title: TURN TO FLESH PRODUCTIONS was born.
Encouraged by the warm reception for such a short piece of verse drama, TTF turned its sights towards the production of a full-length play. For Valentine's 2014, TTF gave the World Premiere of Emily C. A. Snyder's Cupid and Psyche ~ A New Play in Blank Verse, which played to sold-out audiences in the heart of New York City.
Expansion
The cast of THE NEAR FAR written by Leland Frankel, part of the 2016 Reading Series, curated by Laura Pittenger
Keeping their mission to foster new works in classical styles, and actively working against "founders syndrome," TTF followed the success of Cupid and Psyche not with another play by foundress Emily C. A. Snyder, but with the inauguration of the annual Reading Series, curated by new team member, Literary Manager Laura Pittenger.
Over the course of the following three seasons, from 2014 through 2016, TTF provided development for twelve new plays in heightened text, including Jenny Lyn Bader's In Flight, a new play in rhyming couplets, which was first produced as a reading in 2014, and then given a full production the following year in 2015. Through the Reading Series, TTF is pleased to work with new creatives and cast members, joyfully expanding the TTF community, with a strong eye towards reflecting the rich diversity of New York City, as well as continuing to create roles for women on-stage and off.
At the conclusion of 2014, Co-Founder Michelle Kafel returned to Upper State New York, making room for Samantha Elizabeth Turlington to take the reigns as Executive Director of TTF. With her strong background in business, as well as her roots as a talented performer in the arts, Samantha ushered in pay increases and greater professional standards to match TTF's "People First" business model, as well as establishing the MUSE Program - an open workshop for artists to collaborate.
Over the course of the following three seasons, from 2014 through 2016, TTF provided development for twelve new plays in heightened text, including Jenny Lyn Bader's In Flight, a new play in rhyming couplets, which was first produced as a reading in 2014, and then given a full production the following year in 2015. Through the Reading Series, TTF is pleased to work with new creatives and cast members, joyfully expanding the TTF community, with a strong eye towards reflecting the rich diversity of New York City, as well as continuing to create roles for women on-stage and off.
At the conclusion of 2014, Co-Founder Michelle Kafel returned to Upper State New York, making room for Samantha Elizabeth Turlington to take the reigns as Executive Director of TTF. With her strong background in business, as well as her roots as a talented performer in the arts, Samantha ushered in pay increases and greater professional standards to match TTF's "People First" business model, as well as establishing the MUSE Program - an open workshop for artists to collaborate.
Community
In 2017, TTF reinvested in their community, providing showcases for playwrights, directors and actors from years past, while bringing more collaborators into the fold. With the support of The Sheen Center and The Shakespeare Forum, TTF presented two new heightened language plays for its fifth annual staged reading series, as well as introducing an evening of parodies and homages, called Cocktails and Classics. The Monthly MUSE Program continued to flourish, providing opportunities for playwrights and actors to collaborate on new works in development.
2018 will see increased promotion of vibrant roles for women in our Year of Visibility. Keep an eye on our events and join us in celebrating women in all their vitality.
2018 will see increased promotion of vibrant roles for women in our Year of Visibility. Keep an eye on our events and join us in celebrating women in all their vitality.
