Tag Archives: Gabby Lamm

Now Hiring! Paid Summer Internship at Fountain Theatre

Seeking Undergrad College Student for Paid Summer Internship

Know a college student looking for a job this summer? A student who likes theater? Enjoys working in an office? Is bright, organized, good with people, and eager to learn? The Fountain has a job for him/her this summer.
Supported by a grant from the Los Angeles County Arts Commission, the purpose of the internship is to provide an undergraduate student with meaningful on-the-job training and experience in working in nonprofit arts organizations, while assisting arts organizations to develop future arts leaders. Students eligible for the internship position must be currently enrolled undergraduate college students who are residents of and/or attending college in Los Angeles County.
 
Students must have completed at least one semester of college by June 1, 2015 or will complete their undergraduate degree between May 1 – September 1, 2015 in order to be eligible to participate. Students who have already earned a BA, BS or a higher degree are not eligible.
Students who have previously participated in the Los Angeles County Arts Internship Program are not eligible to participate a second time.
2014 Fountain interns Gabby Lamm and Alice Kors

2014 Fountain interns Gabby Lamm and Alice Kors

A 10 week paid summer internship (40 hours/week) starting no earlier than June 1 and ending no later than August 28. Pay is $400 per week.  The Fountain is seeking one intern this summer for Development.
                     
POSITION DESCRIPTION
The Development Intern will work closely with the Director of Development to create and launch new fundraising and grant writing campaigns. The intern will assist in targeting and contacting new funding sources, creating and implementing new fundraising materials, assist in individual contribution programs, and facilitate special events for donors and community partners. Under professional guidance, he/she will learn and develop grant writing skills to create and submit new grant proposals to major foundations. To assist in gathering the data required for specific grant applications. Other duties will include general administrative tasks, basic data base management, computer entry, administrative tasks, word-processing, phone activity, daily interaction with office staff. The Intern will be welcomed into the Fountain Family, requiring a candidate who is interested in joining a team and learning many aspects of running an intimate non-profit theatre.
2013 Fountain intern Lowes Moore

2013 Fountain intern Lowes Moore

SKILLS REQUIRED
The intern candidate must have basic computer and word-processing skills (PC, Word, Excel, Internet), good communication skills and pleasant phone manner, organizational skills, be detail oriented, and have the ability to multi-task in an intimate office environment. A sense of humor and a willingness to learn many aspects of theatre management. S/he should be self-motivated and have the ability to take initiative when required. S/he should also have a passion for theater. Excellent writing and editing skills. An ability to work effectively both independently and cooperatively. Creativity, enthusiasm for learning, and an outgoing, friendly demeanor.
 
HOW TO APPLY
Please email cover letter and resume to Barbara Goodhill, Director of Development, at barbara@fountaintheatre.com.
Deadline to apply: May 1st, 2015
The Fountain Theatre thanks the Los Angeles County Arts Commission and the LA County Board of Supervisors for supporting the 2015 Los Angeles County Arts Internship Program.

 

 

Lipstick, S’mores and Being Part of a Family

Gabby BROTHERS SIZE Opening Night

Summer Internship Ends But a Fountain Home Remains

by Gabby Lamm

How do I possibly I write a blog post that encapsulates all that I’ve learned at The Fountain this summer?  Without it being 100 pages and then some.

I could make a list of all the technical skills I’ve learned from the tutelage of Stephen, Simon, Barbara, James, Scott, and Deb over the past 10 weeks.  Among many other things:  I now know the ins and outs of soliciting: the necessity of following up, the intricate art of phone calls, messages, and emails, and all oh-so-crucial thank you note. I have practiced reading and evaluating plays, I have attended performances on behalf of the theatre, and I even helped to plan and execute The Fountain’s first ever Student Night. I have fought with my fair share of printers, and actually won some of those battles. These are all things that I can (and most assuredly will) list on my resume.

Gabby, Barbara Goodhill & Alice Kors

Gabby, Barbara Goodhill & Alice Kors

But that will not be my answer when I’m asked what I learned during my summer internship at The Fountain Theatre.

What will my answer be? Thanks for asking!

I learned how to work as part of a team. I learned about determination, about not giving up even when everything indicates that I won’t succeed. I learned the value of optimism and positivity when dreaming up a project. I learned how important it is to work through anxiety and self-doubt, and the amazing things that will then follow after  putting those feelings aside and trusting that I can rely on my team if something goes wrong. I learned some really great jokes.

Best of all, I am now able to call a group of amazing and inspirational people my family.

Thank you to Stephen, Simon, and Deb for allowing me to go beyond what was outlined in my job description to experience the wide variety of responsibilities involved in working a theatre.

Alice, Gabby, William, Barbara & Scott

                                   Alice, Gabby, William, Barbara & Scott

Thank you to Barbara for the incredible lessons you taught me, not only regarding fundraising and event planning, but also general life skills that have already begun to have a tremendous impact on my life outside of work.

Thank you to James for putting up with my near constant questions, whether about the box office and our patrons or the devil machines (also called printers), and for listening to my awful jokes and pretending they were funny.

Thank you to Scott for making me laugh at jokes even more terrible than my own, for showing and explaining the technical aspects of theatre not involved in my desk job, and for fixing my necklace that one time and my glasses that other time.

Thank you to William for bringing a smile and a positive presence every time you came to the office.

Gabby & Misty check their lipstick at 'Forever Flamenco'

Gabby & Misty check their lipstick at ‘Forever Flamenco’

Thank you to Licia for enduring front row seats to the intern desks every time you were in the office.

Thank you to Terri for letting me watch the show from the booth (which is most certainly not built for 3 people, and making it work anyway).

Thank you to Misty for your truly invaluable help and support during Student Night and Forever Flamenco! at the Ford, and for letting me use your lipstick.

Gabby Lamm & Alice Kors

Gabby Lamm & Alice Kors

And, last but certainly not least, a huge thank you to Alice, my partner in crime and lunchtime, for working with me day in and day out; for encouraging me when I doubted myself; for providing endless entertainment, jokes, and snapchat opportunities; for modeling what it looks like to be passionate about your dreams and how to believe in a goal until you make it happen. Oh, and also for that s’mores sandwich on our last day of work. Yum.

I am very sad to have to leave my post at The Fountain, but I know that I will be back for every show and event that happens when I am in town. I am proud to call myself a permanent member part of the Fountain Family.

Our thanks to the Los Angeles County Arts Commission and County Board of Supervisors for their support of the Summer Arts Internship program.  

Young Audiences Enjoy Student Night at the Fountain Theatre

 Students gather in the Fountain Cafe before the performance.

Students gather in the Fountain Cafe before the performance.

Students See ‘The Brothers Size’ with Q&A and Party After

Was that fun, or what? Last night was our first Student Night at the Fountain. And judging from the energy it created, it won’t be our last. Created and launched by our two fab interns Alice Kors and Gabby Lamm, Student Night targeted young audiences to encourage them to see our acclaimed LA Premiere of The Brothers Size by Tarell Alvin McCraney.  The evening also included a Q&A discussion with the cast and director followed by a party upstairs in the cafe.

For many students, this was their first visit to the Fountain Theatre. For one student, it was the first play she had ever seen. “It was wonderful,” she beamed. “Theatre is better than TV! Now I want to see more.”

Our interns Alice and Gabby worked very hard creating, producing and hosting the event. Their enthusiastic labor paid off last night and well into the future: Student Night will now become a regular ongoing program at the Fountain.  

Directed by Shirley Jo Finney and starring Gilbert Glenn Brown, Matthew Hancock and Theodore Perkins, our Los Angeles premiere of The Brothers Size is earning rave reviews everywhere. It is highlighted as Critic’s Choice in the LA Times and is “Ovation Recommended’.  This powerful, joyous and deeply moving production has been extended to September 14.

Enjoy These Snapshots from Student Night

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Fountain Interns Launch New Student Night for ‘The Brothers Size’ This Thursday July 24

Student Night

Fountain Theatre summer interns Alice Kors and Gabby Lamm have launched Student Night, a new Fountain program aimed at attracting young audiences.  The first Student Night will be this Thursday, July 24th at 8pm for the Fountain’s acclaimed Los Angeles premiere of The Brothers Size by Tarell Alvin McCraney.

“Are you a theatre-loving student?” ask Kors and Lamm. “Do you like cheap theatre tickets, talkbacks with actors and producers, and supporting small independent theatres? Come check out this one-night-only offer: hal-price tickets to see The Fountain Theatre’s production of The Brothers Size. For only $17, you can come see the show, meet the actors and producers, mingle with other students and attend a reception in The Fountain Cafe right above the theatre. “

Gilbert Glenn brown  and Matthew Hancock (photo by Ed Krieger)

Gilbert Glenn Brown and Matthew Hancock (photo by Ed Krieger)

The Brothers Size is …

CRITIC’S CHOICE! “Dazzling!” Los Angeles Times

“The best theater I’ve seen this year!” Eye Spy LA

“Seamless physicality and dramatic urgency.” LA Weekly

“Joyous! Exuberantly theatrical!” Broadway World 

“Excellent! Compelling!” Stage and Cinema 

The theatre hopes that Student Night at the Fountain becomes a permanent ongoing program at the Fountain. It is planned to continue for future productions long after Alice and Gabby have completed their summer internships here and have returned to their respective colleges. A nice legacy created by two intelligent and ambitious summer interns eager to invite more young people to the Fountain. 

Gabby Lamm and Alice Kors

Gabby Lamm and Alice Kors

Student Night TH JULY 24 8pm * For more information or to order tickets without a service charge, please call (323) 663-1525, or email student interns Alice Kors (alice@fountaintheatre.com) and Gabby Lamm (gabby@fountaintheatre.com)

Fountain Spotlight: Actors Gilbert Glenn Brown and Theodore Perkins from ‘The Brothers Size’

Gilbert Glenn Brown and Theodore Perkins

Gilbert Glenn Brown and Theodore Perkins

“I look for inspiration everywhere and in everything.”

by Gabby Lamm

Gilbert Glenn Brown and Theodore Perkins co-star with Matthew Hancock in The Fountain Theatre’s Los Angeles Premiere of The Brothers Size by Tarell Alvin McCraney. Gilbert and Theo both appeared in The Fountain’s In the Red and Brown Water and Gilbert was also seen in Live From Death Row: The Scottsboro Boys.

GABBY LAMM: Where are you from? How did you end up in Los Angeles?

THEO PERKINS: I was born and raised in Elizabeth, New Jersey. After I completed my bachelors at Morehouse College in Atlanta, I entered the MFA Acting program at UCLA.

GILBERT GLENN BROWN: Originally from New York City, born in Brooklyn, grew up in Queens and the Bronx.

GABBY: At what point did you realize you wanted to be an actor? 

GILBERT: I’ve always been a creative person, from drawing my own comic books, writing stories and scripts, but the real bug came, while I was in high school, one of my teachers saw something in me and challenged me to explore it.  Then almost as if by design, a youth theatre company called PYT (Positive Youth Troupe) from the Mind-Builders Creative Arts Center in the Bronx, performed at my school. The musical performance used the voice of the youth to uplift and empower and I thought to myself “Wow. Yeah, I can do that.”

THEO: I actually knew at an early age. I was in the 5th grade when my school choir got the chance to audition for a Broadway musical. At that point, I had no acting experience. A bunch of us got cast and I had no idea what I was in for. It didn’t hit me until our first preview performance. But I knew that feeling was something I would never let go.

Theodore Perkins

Theodore Perkins

GABBY: Who inspires you? 

THEO: Just about anyone who can tell a good story.

GILBERT: Honestly, I look for inspiration everywhere and in everything. I’m bit of a history person, I know that stand on the shoulders of so many that have paved the way I look to and honor them.  I also look at my parents, coming to the States from Jamaica with little or nothing and building a base here.

GABBY: If you could meet anyone from history, who would it be and why? 

THEO: Basquiat. I’d love to compare ideas on art and survival.

GABBY: You have worked in many different types of media, including television, film, and theatre. Do you have a preference? 

GILBERT: No not particularly, I’m an artist having the ability to create to share what I do with world and utilizing the transformative power of each of these arenas is very important to me.

THEO: I do not have a preference. I enjoy the process of discovery and collaboration that comes with opening a play. I get that in film as well. Not so much when doing a guest role on TV.

GABBY: How does working at The Fountain compare to working at other theatres? 

GILBERT: At The Fountain there is a community, a family aspect, that is truly beautiful. You see the artistic director, you know the producer, you are connected to the entire team and they all have a major interest and investment in you as the artist beyond the project of the moment, which is quite unique. The fact that they choose take on challenging pieces, not shying away from the controversial or taboo topics, giving voice to new and at times unheard voices.

THEO: There’s an atmosphere of “family” at the Fountain. On top of that, at the Fountain, I feel extremely safe as an actor. Safe to take risks, safe to trust that the risks I take are in good hands …. safe. And they have the dopest balcony, where I spend most of my time pre-show.

GABBY: The Brothers Size and In The Red and Brown Water are two shows from The Brother/Sister Plays trilogy by Tarell Alvin McCraney. How was your experience different in each show? 

THEO: The cast of Red/Brown was much larger. We really were a community. In Brothers Size, it’s just the three of us. The dynamics shift and we become our own community.

GILBERT:  The work was no less challenging but in ITRABW you had the benefit of 9 other cast/community members to work with. In this it’s just 3 of us and the audience. With ITRABW we have more time to delve into the water and explore a bit more, in TBS you just have to buckle up and hang on for the ride! They exist in the same location, but clearly 2 different worlds.

GABBY: Theo, you play the same character in The Brothers Size as you did in In The Red and Brown Water. What was it like playing the same character for two separate shows? 

THEO: Somewhat challenging. In Red/Brown, we see Elegba as child through adolescence. In Brothers Size, Elegba is an adult. The wants, tactics, obstacles have all matured. It was cool having a prior understanding of Elegba as “deity.” That helped a lot in this process. But the challenge came in having to grow the character “up.” Discovering the new body and mind. It’s hard to let go of physical and mental traits of a character after a process like Red/Brown. But McCraney does a great job in laying down new circumstances that makes the bridge easy to connect.

GABBY: And Gilbert, you play different characters in The Brothers Size and In The Red and Brown Water. What was it like exploring a new character in the series? 

Gilbert Glenn Brown

Gilbert Glenn Brown

GILBERT: It was schizophrenic!! Here I am having played both my friend and adversary. I went in with the intention to make Ogun honest and real and completely different from Shango [Brown’s character in In the Red and Brown Water], yet honor the history. Yes they were friends then “frenemies,” and they were different men, different energies, different temperaments, different orishas yet connected. I’ll admit there were moments in the rehearsal process where I as Ogun would be talking about myself as Shango and would almost have an overload! I am so thankful for Shirley Jo, seeing this and addressing it early on. It was great challenge and wonderful opportunity that few performers get to experience and I love it! It truly challenged me in ways unexpected but thoroughly and humbly, appreciated. As an artist that’s what you want. Raise the bar. Challenge.  I stand transformed.

GABBY: If you were stranded on a deserted island, what is one thing you’d like to have with you? 

GILBERT: Hmmmm, I guess it would have to be pen/pencil and paper, lil bit of a survivalist, I’m sure I can live off the land. But being able to document and create is so necessary.

GABBY: If you were a superhero, what superpower would you like to have? 

GILBERT: Wow. I guess it would be to fly.

GABBY: If you could shoot anything out of your belly button, what would it be and why? 

 THEO: Assorted alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. I would be the life of ANY party!

GABBY: Anything else you’d like to say to the wonderful readers of The Fountain blog?

GILBERT: Thank you for supporting theatre and please come out and experience our show and all upcoming productions at the fearless Fountain Theatre. You will be transformed.

The Brothers Size Now to July 27th (323) 663-1525  MORE

Gabby’s Intern Journal: I Was Blown Away By ‘The Brothers Size’ at the Fountain Theatre

Gilbert Glenn Brown, Matthew Hancock and Theodore Perkins.

Gilbert Glenn Brown, Matthew Hancock and Theodore Perkins

by Gabby Lamm

Before this past Saturday, I had seen neither a Fountain Theatre production nor a Tarell Alvin McCraney play. I had no idea what to expect from The Brothers Size; I didn’t know the plot, the context, or the actors.

I was blown away.

If I had to describe The Fountain’s production of The Brothers Size in one word, that word would be “ingenious.” From the creative use of the actors’ bodies for music (either in song or in the form of stomp dance), to manipulating the set to create sounds and sights that suck in the audience, to the creative verbalization of stage directions as actual lines in the show, the performance captured and kept me engrossed from beginning to end, eager to discover what surprising choices would emerge.

Matthew Hancock and Theodore Perkins

Matthew Hancock and Theodore Perkins

The Brothers Size focuses (not surprisingly I suppose) on two brothers with the last name Size. Hard-working and stern Ogun (played by Gilbert Glenn Brown) provides a steady and stark contrast against his brother, the impressionable and aimless Oshoosi (Matthew Hancock). Having recently been released from prison, Oshoosi discovers that he is unable to invest himself in the auto-shop work pursued by his brother. It is therefore easy for the play’s third character, Elegba (Theo Perkins)—who had been in prison with Oshoosi—to influence Oshoosi in a direction that pulls him away from his brother, thus placing Elegba and Ogun in opposition to each other and creating a tension that permeates the play.

Gabby Lamm

Gabby Lamm

One aspect of the show I particularly appreciated was that, as an audience member, I was not allowed to “lose myself” in the show. With the help of the articulated stage directions, I was constantly reminded that I was watching a play, that I was witnessing a story unfold in front of me. This quality forced me to continue consciously thinking about the events that were unraveling and to constantly consider the relationships between the characters’ emotions and their actions. This isn’t to say that I was ever distracted; on the contrary, it was impossible for me to let my mind wander. From the moment the lights went up I felt personally invested in and enraptured by the story.

Perhaps the most incredible characteristic of this show is its universal appeal. The themes of sibling conflict, of influential friends, and of uncertain futures will speak to any audience member regardless of race, cultural background, age, sex, etc. Any viewer will walk out of this show having connected to the characters and having taken away a meaning of personal significance. I recommend this show, without reservation, not only as someone affiliated with The Fountain, but also as a lover of the dramatic arts and as fan of intimate theater in particular.

production photos by Ed Krieger

The Brothers Size  Now to July 27 (323) 663-1525  MORE

 

Gabby’s Intern Journal: Hello Fountain Family!

by Gabby Lamm

Gabby Lamm

Gabby Lamm

Hello Fountain family! My name is Gabby Lamm and I am the Fundraising and Development Intern at The Fountain this summer. I am a rising sophomore at Brandeis University, where I am studying Theatre, Psychology, and Classical Studies. In my free time (a rare commodity) I enjoy reading (avid Harry Potter fan), swimming, cooking, SCUBA diving, and talking about ancient things. Due to a combination of widespread interests and chronic indecisiveness, I have not yet nailed down what I want to pursue post-college, and as a result I am ecstatic to have the opportunity to work at this incredible theatre for the next 10 weeks and experience what is involved in running a “real world” theatre.

I have been involved in theatre for as long as I can remember. Before coming to the unfortunate realization that I can sing as well as a fish can climb a mountain, I participated in musical theatre—and although I mercifully ended my musical career in middle school, my love and appreciation for musicals has not faded. In high school, I exclusively acted in straight plays until my senior year when I was introduced to the magic of behind-the-scenes production as an assistant director. When I entered Brandeis, I explored this magic even further: first semester I assistant stage-managed and assistant produced two undergraduate shows, and second semester I produced a show and directed a senior thesis. I am constantly in awe of my peers’ talent, both onstage and, especially, backstage. Observing these students, from my very own peer group, collaborate to put together entire productions from start to finish is inspiring and humbling, and I enjoyed it so much that I sought out a theatre job this summer exclusively to see if real-world theatre can compare to the amazing experience I’ve had in the past year at Brandeis.

Turns out that I have likely made the right decision: from just these past few days, it is clear the Fountain is an amazing community and I feel more than welcomed into the family. I am honored and grateful to have been given the opportunity to work with everyone, and I look forward to being able to contribute to the team.

The Fountain Theatre thanks the Los Angeles Board of Supervisors and Los Angeles County Arts Commission for the support of their Summer Internship Program.