New Blog: Back To One - Producing, Directing and Acting in NYC

Van Dirk Fisher, AUDELCO Winner, Founder and Artistic Director of the Riant Theatre and the Strawberry One-Act Festival (Bi-Annually), gives insights on producing, directing and acting in NYC.


I’ve been asked several times for advice from actors, directors, playwrights and producers about this business we call “Show Business” and I’ve decided to write this blog to offer some insight to what I’ve learned over the years working as an actor, director, playwright, theatre producer, novelist and motivational speaker. I hope this blog is helpful. Please feel free to ask me questions and share your experiences in show business and maybe I will address your concerns and share your experiences in future blogs.

Q: What are the THREE “Ps” that every artist should live by?

A: Being Present, Prompt & Prepared. I was trained with the school of thought, while attending the High School of Performing Arts in NYC, that as an artist when we commit to a project we should be present without making excuses. The teacher or director should not have to spend time listening to an actor’s excuses for why they couldn’t be at rehearsal, they should simply be there ready to work. The second “P” is being prompt. This was a must. In fact getting there early was even better, so you could have time to take care of any personal things you needed to tend to so that at the start of the session or rehearsal you are ready to start working. The third “P” is being prepared. That means whatever was due for that particular day you made sure you were prepared to do what was expected. If that meant being off book for a particular scene you made sure you were. If that meant having your script, along with a pencil for taking notes and blocking you made sure you had a couple of pencils just in case one broke.

To read more of this blog click here.

The Riant Theatre : Alumni News

The Riant Theatre : Alumni News

Alumni Michael Jones (Rock-A My Soul, the musical and an AUDELCO winnner as Best Actor) will open in the play, A Night With Pearl Cleage’s Women at Nuyorican from March 31st - April 16th and alumni Dara Bragg (Don't Let Love Pass You By & the Strawberry One-Act Festival 1995) host the SUCCESS IN THE ARTS CONFERENCE on Saturday, April 16th from 9:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. For further details click on the link above.

(Photo: Michael Jones in a scene from BLUES FOR AN ALABAMA SKY)

Testimonies from artists who have worked with the Riant Theatre

Testimonies from artists who have worked with the Riant Theatre

The CORE Project - playwriting workshop NYC

THE CORE PROJECT is an on-going intensive workshop for writers, directors and actors (or any combination thereof) to develop new plays. Playwrights will receive a 1 on 1 consultation with the artistic director about their play. Then they will have 5 private sessions to work on developing their script and work with a director and actors to have their play read.

To sign up for individual sessions, which begin as early as Monday, March 21st, click here. http://www.therianttheatre.com/index.php?n=core_project

playwriting workshop NYC