Our Story
ArtEffects Theatre Company was founded in 2009 by three theatre artists in New York City - Kristi McCarson, Zach McCoy and Phil Newsom. Our goal is to provide a safe place for all artists to create, learn, and grow. Since that time we have built a strong relationship with many actors, writers and directors through a series of productions, workshops, and play readings. The company mission statement is as follows:
ArtEffects Theatre Company strives to provide a positive environment where each artist can express themselves freely without judgement. Our company focuses on creative processes that include equal appreciation and collaboration among all artists.
The Project
We are now embarking on our biggest undertaking yet - presenting the New York premiere of the award-winning play "The Birthday Boys." Playwright Aaron Kozak has written one of the most thrilling, moving, and realistic portrayals of American soldiers in Iraq that we have ever read. If you have not heard of "The Birthday Boys" or Kozak, you soon will. This play won a major award at last year’s LA Fringe Festival (Outstanding Contribution to LA Theatre Overall Fringe Performance), and the reviews were stellar:
To say that this very well may be the best thing to go up in the Fringe is an understatement. The Birthday Boys is written, directed and performed to perfection.
- Marcus Kaye (LA Theatre Review)
This play about three POW’s cuts straight through to the core. The ending left my jaw on the floor. Excellent writing, excellent acting and an excellent fringe production.
- Ashley Steed (LA Stage Times)
With your help, ArtEffects Theatre Company wants to bring this play to New York audiences for the first time in a limited engagement 2-week run in September. I think you will agree that in order to give this play the run it deserves, we will have to assemble not only an amazing cast, but a team of professional designers and technicians. The theatre space is also incredibly important, and we have had the good fortune of securing the beautiful Access Black Box Theatre downtown, which will allow for both the time frame we need and more importantly, total creative freedom. In order to make all this happen, we need your help!
The Impact
We cannot begin to express how important your contribution is to our company and the success of "The Birthday Boys." Producing a play in New York is always a great expense, and your generosity and support of this project means the world to us. Please note that there is no contribution too small - $10 could pay for a prop or an hour of rehearsal time in a studio. Best of all, you will be contributing to a medium that is so important and vital to our culture. Thank you for believing in this project as much as we do. We will see you in the theatre!
