raising money for organizations we believe in by curating joyful theatrical experiences.
To begin with: no, cutting hair and performing surgery on a battlefield in 15th century Europe are not the same thing. And yet, due to an unlikely series of events involving the theologically-informed fashion choices of medeiveal Catholic monks, many barbers (who were also basically dentists, which we don't have time for here) found themselves with the knowledge and ability to, well. Do their best. To help out, however they could, with whatever they had. They weren't necessarily the right people for the job, but that didn't stop them from trying to do what they (or, at least some of them) believed to be the right thing. They were called Barber-Surgeons.
Similarly, the American theater is not generally thought to be a place where money finds itself in abundance. That said, while video killed the radio star, theatre marches on -- not in spite of what it isn't, but because of what it is: a place where humans can gather, speak, listen, move and be moved. Theater cannot change the world. But a good story can change people, who do, on occasion, change the world. Even just an inch in the right direction.
Which brings us to The Barber-Surgeon Theatre Co.
Our business model is simple: we curate a theatrical event filled with life and joy and music and laughter and the price of admission is a donation to a given organization that makes the whole world better.
1 donation = 1 ticket.
We're not here to change the world -- but if we do our best with what we have, muster all the tools that theater has at our disposal, we might be able to tell some good stories. The rest is up to you.
Now. Let's talk about leeches!
THE
TEAM
SO
FAR…
Ismenia Mendes
founder, co-artistic directorIsmenia Mendes is a proud immigrant and Portuguese American actor and producer. Her theatre credits include Mac Beth at the Lucille Lortel Theatre, Mary's Seacole at LCT3, Troilus and Cressida at the Delacorte, and Jonah at Studio Theatre. Ismenia can also be seen in television episodes of Orange is The New Black, High Maintenance, and Evil. She recently produced and starred in Barber Surgeon's inaugural event, a staged reading of Frank Winter's Much Ado About Zombies Nothing where they raised thousands of dollars for Palestine Children's Relief Fund. She is a recipient of Redbull's Matador Award for excellence in classical theater, as well as a Drama Desk ensemble award for The Wayside Motor Inn at Signature Theatre. Ismenia Mendes is a graduate of the Juilliard School for drama.
Frank Winters
founder, co-artistic directorFrank Winters is a playwright, a filmmaker, and a performer based out of New York. His work has been developed, workshopped, and produced Off-Broadway, Off-Off Broadway, to say nothing of attics and basements, colleges and high schools, parks and train stations across the country. His play (co-written with Jen Tullock) Nothing Can Take You From the Hand of God was recently seen at Playwrights Horizons and was nominated for Best Solo Show at the Lucille Lortel Awards. He was a founding member of The Strangemen Theatre Company and a recipient of the Clifford Odets New Play Commissionand the first-ever new play commission from Marquette University. His work has been published by Broadway Play Publishing. He received a BFA in Acting from the Conservatory of Theatre Arts at SUNY Purchase. More info at frankwinters.net