The Dell'Arte Mad River Festival began with two productions in 1991 and has become one of the fastest growing summer theatrical events in America. The performers and performances that have made up the history of the MRF
include:
2013
"THE COMEDY OF ERRORS"
On the 40th anniversary of its production for the 1973 Grand Comedy Festival, Dell'Arte stages Shakespeare with a local setting, original music, a gender-cross, and a slapstick feel. Directed by Michael Fields with Joan Schirle as the twins, Antiphola of Syracuse and Antiphola of Ephesus.
THE LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Jane Hill was the 2013 recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award. Jane is the co-founder of Dell'Arte International, who with her late husband, Carlo Mazzone-Clementi, planted the seed of physical theatre in Humboldt County, where it flourishes 40 years later.
"BETWEEN THE LINES"
An ensemble-created acro-theatre piece for seven performers, using relationships and atmospheres to suggest dramatic possibilities in an evening of athleticism and risk.
"THE SUBMARINE SHOW"
Created and performed by two physical virtuosi, this comic journey from sea to land to sky was supported by the Nancy Lafrenz Memorial Scholarship. The Lafrenz fund supports Dell'Arte School alumni ensembles to perform at the Festival. Jaron Hollander and Slater Penney, both alumni, have won festival awards from Edinburgh to San Francisco.
"IN-Tents" A Conservation Comedy for Kids
Created by Meghan Frank, Pratik Motwani and Janessa Johnsrude, this funny encounter between a park ranger and a not-too-smart camper climaxes around the setting up of a tent.
"RED LIGHT IN BLUE LAKE" CABARET, produced by Michael Fields, with guests Va Va Voom Burlesque Vixens and the Beat Vixens.
THE HUMBOLDT FOLKLIFE FESTIVAL
2012
"MARY JANE: THE MUSICAL"
With music and lyrics by 14 local composers, this 'theatre-of-place' production allowed the community to take a look into the blooming marijuana culture affecting all aspects of life in Humboldt County. Script revised and 2 new musical numbers added after the 2011 version.
Starring Joan Schirle and directed by Michael Fields.
2012 PRIZE OF HOPE
Awarded to Geoff Hoyle and Dan Hoyle, who both create and perform work that is topical, inspiring, virtuostic and humanistic. Presented by Dell'Arte and Denmark's Institute For Popular Theatre and its directors Lars Olsen, Birthe Rosenfelt, with board member Moqi Trollin.
"THE FISH IN MY HEAD" Funded through the Nancy Lafrenz Memorial Scholarship, this visual spectacle was developed in DAI's MFA program and directed and designed by Ronlin Foreman. Celebrating the life of the imagination, an orange fish helps an adult regain his joy in thinking creatively.
"EXIT 101" Stories, Songs, Poems and discussion about end-of-life choices. Developed by Meghan Frank and Pratik Motwani.
"RED LIGHT IN BLUE LAKE"CABARET, produced by Michael Fields, with guests Bada Bling Burlesque of Southern Humboldt.
THE HUMBOLDT FOLKLIFE FESTIVAL
2011
"MARY JANE: THE MUSICAL"
With music and lyrics by 14 local composers, this 'theatre-of-place' production allowed the community to take a look into the blooming marijuana culture affecting all aspects of life in Humboldt County. Starring Joan Schirle and directed by Michael Fields.
"THREE TREES"
Dell'Arte's clown trio of Stephanie Thompson, Lauren Wilson and Joe Krienke developed this original clown play about 3 clowns caught in the crossfires of war.
"SUICIDE NOTE OF A COCKROACH"
by Artistic Director Carlos Alexis Cruz and Teatro Pelu, this tragi-comedy includes original music, aerialists, acrobatics and was funded through the Nancy Lafrenz Memorial Scholarship for Dell'Arte Alumni.
RED LIGHT IN BLUE LAKE: Dell'Arte Cabaret, produced by Michael Fields
HUMBOLDT FOLKLIFE FESTIVAL
2011 LIFETIME ACHIEVMENT AWARD
Honorees were Lynne and Bob Wells, actors who have performed on Humboldt stages for over 40 years as well as creating a foundation for philanthropy to the arts. Lynne and Bob have performed with Dell'Arte, Redwood Curtain, Ferndale Rep, Northcoast Rep, Arcata Playhouse, Pacific Arts Center, and many other theaters in their long careers.
2010
PRIZE OF HOPE -
Dell'Arte and Denmark's Institute for Popular Theatre present the Prize of Hope to Human Nature theatre of Petrolia California and its founder-directors, Jane Lapiner and David Simpson.
"BLUE LAKE: THE OPERA"
A opera set in Blue Lake, 1911. Libretto by Lauren Wilson, Music by Tim Gray, directed by Michael Fields.
"LOS PAYASOS MENDIGOS RISE AGAIN"
This quartet of zany acrobat/clowns who toured internationally for 5 years were last seen at the MRF in 1995. Reunited at last! By Joe Dieffenbacher, Rudi Galindo, David Ferney, Cosmo Kuzmick. Directed by Joan Schirle.
Milo & Olivia in "KLINKE"--an Italian 'new circus' duo who tour throughout Europe: http://www.miloeolivia.net/
RED LIGHT IN BLUE LAKE: Dell'Arte Cabaret, produced by Michael Fields
HUMBOLDT FOLKLIFE FESTIVAL
2009
LIFETIME ACHEIVEMENT AWARD 2009
Dell'Arte honored an American actor whose career embodies the heart of Dell'Arte's work. In René Auberjonois' formative years as a performer, he trained with Dell'Arte Founder Carlo Mazzone-Clementi at Carnegie-Mellon University and later worked with him at such prestigious theater companies as The Arena Stage and The American Conservatory Theater.
INTRIGUE AT AH PAH
Featuring the Dell'Arte Company, written by Jael Weisman, Joan Schirle, Mara Sabinson, Stephen Most, Donald Forrest, and Michael Fields and directed by Michael Fields
THE ONLY FRIENDS WE HAVE
Created by Under the Table and featuring Dell'Arte alumni Matt Chapman as part of the Nancy LaFrenz Memorial Scholarship.
THE BODY REMEMBERS
Student Community Based Arts Project. Idea and script by Brian Moore and Liza Bielby
BLUE LAKE PAGEANT
in conjunction with Blue Lake's Annie & Mary Day, featuring San Francisco's Sun and Moon Ensemble. Directed by Anna Svensson.
DELL'ARTE CABARET: Red Light in Blue Lake
Produced by Michael Fields
HUMBOLDT FOLKLIFE FESTIVAL
2008
PRIZE OF HOPE -
Dell'Arte and Denmark's Institute for Popular Theatre present Prize of Hope to Academy Award winning actor Tim Robbins and his LA theatre ensemble The Actors' Gang. Click here to see live footage of the event!
KORBEL IV: THE ACCIDENT
Featuring the Dell'Arte Company, written by Michael Fields and directed by Michael Fields and Tyler Olsen
THE FORGOTTEN KING
Created by Sweden's Pantomimteatern and featuring Dell'Arte alumni Anna Svensson as part of the Nancy LaFrenz Memorial Scholarship.
GEN NEXT ON STAGE
Featuring Southern Humboldt Teen Ensemble Recycled Youth's "CURTAINS!"
BLUE LAKE PAGEANT
in conjunction with Blue Lake's Annie & Mary Day, featuring San Francisco's Sun and Moon Ensemble. Directed by Anna Svensson.
DELL'ARTE CABARETS: Red Light in Blue Lake & Vaudeville Nouveau
Produced by Kissing Strangers
HUMBOLDT FOLKLIFE FESTIVAL
2007
TARTUFFE
Based on Moliere's Tartuffe
Featuring the Dell'Arte Company, adapted and directed by Giulio Cesare Perrone
THE GREATEST STORY NEVER TOLD
Created by Creatively Independent, featuring Dell'Arte alumni as part of the Nancy LaFrenz Memorial Scholarship.
GEN NEXT ON STAGE
Featuring the teen ensembles of the Dell'Arte Youth Academt and Eureka's Hit and Run Theatre
BLUE LAKE PAGEANT
in conjunction with Blue Lake's Annie & Mary Day, featuring Trash Mash-Up
Directed by David Ferney
DELL'ARTE CABARETS: Red Light in Blue Lake & Vaudeville Nouveau
Produced by Kissing Strangers
HUMBOLDT FOLKLIFE FESTIVAL
2006
THE BIG FAT LIAR - Part II of the Peer Gynt Project
Featuring the Dell'Arte Company, Adapted and directed by Michael Fields
Based on Henrik Ibsen’s Peer Gynt
OUT OF SIGHT: A Blind Comedy about God, Israel and my mom
Written and performed by Sara Felder
Directed by Barbara Pitts and David O’Connor
ARTEMISIA
Featuring the Dell'arte Company, directed by Giulio Cesare Perrone
Written by Giulio Cesare Perrone and Barbara Geary
BLUE LAKE PAGEANT
in conjunction with Blue Lake's Annie & Mary Day
Directed by Tyler Olsen
DELL'ARTE CABARET
Directed by Keight Gleason
HUMBOLDT FOLKLIFE FESTIVAL
2005
"THE GOLDEN STATE" an adaptation of Moliere's THE MISER by Lauren WIlson.
Featuring the Dell'Arte Company, directed by Michael Fields.
NATIONAL ENSEMBLE THEATER FESTIVAL
A project of the Network of Ensemble Theatres, hosted by Dell'Arte
Fourteen companies, 80 artists, critics, foundations, presenters and audiences from around the world gathered amid the majestic Redwoods of Northern California’s Pacific Coast in an explosion of performances, lab presentations and forums.
Companies featured:
ABOUT Productions, Campo Santo, Coatlicue Theatre Company, Cultural Odyssey, Dell'Arte Company, NaCL Theatre, Playback NYC, Rude Mechanicals, San Francisco Mime Troupe, SITI Company, Sojourn Theatre, Theater Grottesco, Traveling Jewish Theatre, Universes.
"THE CONFESSIONS OF PUNCH & JUDY" featuring NaCl Theatre, directed by Raymond Bobgan.
BANDS OUT BACK featuring The Rubberneckers & Friends, the Delta Nationals and The Resurrection of the Joyce Hough Band.
THE EDGEFEST
A week of groundbreaking physical theatre featuring Hilary Chaplain, Under the Table Theatre Ensemble, Humboldt Shadows, Other Fish to Fry Productions, Dell'Arte's MFA Ensemble.
THE BLUE LAKE PAGEANT
Directed by Anna Svensson and Tyler Olsen
HUMBOLDT FOLKLIFE FESTIVAL
2004 - Celebrating 30 years of Dell'Arte productions!
"SHADOW OF GIANTS" written by Matthew Graham Smith. Featuring the Dell'Arte Company, directed by Michael Fields.
"THE 30 SHOW" written and performed by the Dell'Arte Company. Directed by Michael Fields.
THE EDGEFEST
A week of groundbreaking physical theatre featuring Amy Drucker, The Mighty Euros, Under the Table Theatre Ensemble.
"SHOWDOWN AT CRAWFORD GULCH" featuring the San Francisco Mime Troupe.
THE BLUE LAKE PAGEANT
Directed by Anna Svensson and Tyler Olsen
HUMBOLDT FOLKLIFE FESTIVAL
2003
"WILD CARD 1.5" written by Michael Fields. Featuring the Dell'Arte Company, directed by Joan Schirle.
"CASANOVA: ANIMAL INSTINCT" written and directed by Giulio Cesare Perrone and Joan Schirle, featuring the Dell'Arte Company.
"VERONIQUE of the MOUNTIES" featuring the San Francisco Mime Troupe.
THE EDGEFEST
A week of groundbreaking physical theatre featuring Under the Table Theatre Ensemble, The Baggy Pants, The Franklin Stage Company, Sharp Tools Theatre, The Nomadic Theatre Co., Richard Cambier & Zeb West, Dell'Arte's Mara Neimanas and Juanita King-Samuels, Four on the Floor Theatre Ensemble, The Paducah Mining Co., Sara Moore, The S.F. Buffons, WIld Rumpus Clown Theatre, foolsFURY Theater Company.
THE BLUE LAKE PAGEANT
Directed by Michael Fields
HUMBOLDT FOLKLIFE FESTIVAL
2002
"WILD CARD" written by Michael Fields, directed by Joan Schirle, featuring the Dell'Arte Company.
"ELEMENTAL" created and staged by Three on the Tree Productions, featuring performers from the Illuminated Fools, Big Sky Productions and the Green Fools Theatre. Directed by David Ferney.
THE EDGEFEST
A week of groundbreaking physical theatre featuring Steve Tenerelli & Mahayla Slackerelli, Julian Lang & Friends, Joani Rose & Friends, Solomon Daniel DeMontigny, Gergory Lojko & Julia Puranen, Mara Neimanis, The S.F. Buffons, Greg Maupin & Matt Chapman, Moliere Ensemblen, Jeff DeMark, Brian Korlovic, Il Teatro Calimari, Marya Errin Jones.
THE BLUE LAKE PAGEANT
Directed by Michael Fields
HUMBOLDT FOLKLIFE FESTIVAL
2001
"LA BOTTEGA da CAFFE" adapted and performed by the Dell'Arte Company.
"BLUFF" Written & Performed by Lauren Wilson, Joe Krienke & Stephanie Thompson
THE DELTA NATIONALS
"PARADISE LOST:SACRED LAND" adapted & directed by Giulio Cesare Perrone, featuring the Dell'Arte Company
"SECOND SKIN" Written & Performed by Joan Schirle
THE JOYCE HOUGH BAND
"AMINE" Created & Performed by Hungary's The Shamans
"SHTIK! Written & Performed by Sara Felder
THE BLUE LAKE PAGEANT
Directed by Michael Fields
HUMBOLDT FOLKLIFE FESTIVAL
2000
"Shotgun Wedding", adapted from Moliere's "The Forced Marriage" by Joan Schirle, directed by Jael Weisman, with Moliere's interludes staged by Eduardo Moreira of Brazil's Grupo Galpao. Music by Tim Gray. Performed by the Dell'Arte Company .
Blue Heron Youth Theatre
The Humboldt Playmaking Project
"Cravo, Lirio e Rosa" Written & Performed by Brazil's Lume Teatro in their US debut
"Parada de Rua" Developed & Performed by Brazil's Lume Teatro in their US debut
"Eating It" Written & Performed by the San Francisco Mime Troupe
A 30 minute silent film by Brian Karlovic of the 2000 Mad River Festival is at:
http://youtu.be/MK69jvr0sts
"The Karuk Storytellers" with Julian Lang & Lyn Risling
THE BLUE LAKE PAGEANT
Directed by Michael Fields
HUMBOLDT FOLKLIFE FESTIVAL
1999
The Dell'Arte Airborne Millennial Revue with the Dell'Arte Company and Special Guests
"Out of the Blue" Written & Performed by Bob Berky
Make*A*Circus VYSOTA! Stars of the Russian Circus
"Leif the Lucky" Written & Performed by Denmark's Theatret Thalia
"Writing My Way Out of Adolescence" and "Making Every Mistake Twice" Written & Performed by Jeff DeMark
"Birth Mark" Written & Performed by Jeff Raz
"Uncle Gunjiro's Girlfriend" Written & Performed by Brenda Wong Aoki
"Orleans Maiden Spirit Woman" Written & Performed by Julian Lang, Lyn Risling and the Karuk Storytellers
THE BLUE LAKE PAGEANT
Directed by Michael Fields
HUMBOLDT FOLKLIFE FESTIVAL
1998
Make*A*Circus
"The Weave" Written & Directed by Joan Schirle Performed by the Dell'Arte Company
"Deep Frying" Written & Performed by the Dell'Arte Company
"Making Every Mistake Twice" Written & Performed by Jeff DeMark "Frankenstein" Written & Performed by Touchstone Theatre
"Letters to the Editor" Written & Performed by the Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble Teatre Carlson
"The Karuk Storytellers" with Julian Lang & Lyn Risling
"Mating Cries" Written & Performed by the Independent Eye
THE BLUE LAKE PAGEANT
Directed by Michael Fields
HUMBOLDT FOLKLIFE FESTIVAL
1997
Night Train
"Mad Love" Written & Performed by the Dell'Arte Company
"A Way With Words" Jim Dodge & Tracy Gourdine
"Drive" Written & Performed by B.J. Dodge
The Schismatics Vaudeville Extravaganza
"Wolf at the Door" Written & Performed by Feet First
"Fatherland" Written & Performed by Jeff Raz
"Bosom of Abraham" Written & Performed by Peter Buckley
"The Karuk Storytellers" with Julian Lang & Lyn Risling
"Punch & Judy" Written & Performed by the Green Fools
"The Death of Benevenuto Cellini" Written & Performed by the Green Fools
The Blue Lake Pageant
1996
"Korbel III -- the Birth" Part Three of the "Korbel" Trilogy Written & Performed by the Dell'Arte Company
"Lot's Wife" Written & Performed by Mara Neimanis
"Takin' It to the Streets" Written & Performed by Los Payasos Mendigos
"Up All Night" Written & Performed by Joan Schirle Francine & Nymiah
"There's A Chick on the Field" Written & Performed by Bernie Sabath Aire Flamenco
The Flying Karamazov Brothers and the New Old Time Chautauqua
1995
"Korbel II -- the Wedding" Part Two of the "Korbel" Trilogy Written & Performed by the Dell'Arte
Company
"Grandes Exitos" Written & Performed by Los Payasos Mendigos
The Dan Anderson Quintet
"The Karuk Storytellers" with Julian Lang & Lyn Risling
"Pickle Slices" with the New Pickle Circus Acrobats
"June Bride" Written & Performed by Sara Felder
Carter Family Marionettes
"Trash City" Written & Performed by the San Francisco Mime Troupe Leapin' Louie Lichtenstein
Aire Flamenco
1994
The Rodz Sisters
New Pickle Circus Clowns Pino & Raz
"The Karuk Storytellers" with Julian Lang & Lyn Risling
"Korbel -- the Funeral" Part One of the "Korbel" Triology Written & Performed by the Dell'Arte Company
"Getting It" Written & Performed by Jane Hill
"Circo Payaso" Written & Performed by Los Payasos Mendigos
"Went to Lunch, Never Returned" Written & Performed by Jeff DeMark
"Perfect Getaway" Written & Performed by Peter Buckley
Dr. Loco's Rockin' Jalapeno Band
Bob Hartman Puppetry & Hypnotist Show
"Uncommon Extremities" Written & Performed by Colin Gee
"Sword of the Goddess Babes" Written & Performed by Howling Woolf Theatre
"Company Dell'Arte: the Next Generation" Directed by Bruce Marrs
"Mad River Anthology" with Humboldt County Poets
1993
"Big Tent Vaudeville Show" with the Dell'Arte Company and Special Guests
"The Karuk Storytellers" with Julian Lang & Lyn Risling Carter
Family Marionettes
Los Payosos Mendigos' "Don Quixote" Written & Performed by David Ferney, Joe Dieffenbacher, Rudi Galindo & Cosmo Kuzmick
"Land of Dreams" Written & Performed by Fred Curchack
"Writing My Way Out of Adolescence" Written & Performed by Jeff DeMark
"Dancing Naked on the White House Lawn" Written & Performed by Donna Lachman
"Betty Boop & Olyve Oyl" Written & Performed by Kate Smith and Erin Bouvy
"Dell'Arte: the Next Generation" Directed by Bruce Marrs
1992
"Punch" by Joan Schirle, Performed by the Dell'Arte Company
"Waiting for the Fridge" Written & Performed by Joe Dieffenbacher "Fatherland" Written & Performed by Jeff Raz
"Los Payosos Mendigos" Written & Performed by David Ferney, Joe Dieffenbacher, Rudi Galindo & Cosmo Kuzmick
"Getting It" Written & Performed by Jane Hill
"Truck Dog" Written & Performed by James Donlon
1991
"The Drunkard" Directed by Jane Hill
"Max Gilroy" Written & Directed by Peter Buckley
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