Mentor Project 2007 at Cherry Lane's Studio Theatre

Cherry Lane Theatre will present three showcase productions of this year's Fellows as part of their Mentor Project running from March 20 Mar � 12 May 2007

This year's Mentors and Fellows are

• The Secret Agenda Of Trees.
  Written: by Colin McKenna.
  Directed by Sam Gold.
  Mentored by Lynn Nottage.
  Synopsis: In the backwoods, 13 year old Veronica smolders with unrequited love for a boy she met in study hall. When her mother brings home a mysterious stranger and her methamphetamine use begins to spiral out of control, Veronica turns to her powerful dream life to help her do battle with the dangers that have invaded her home.
  Dates: 20 - 31 Mar 2007.
  
• Topsy Turvy Mouse.
  Written by Peter Gil-Sheridan.
  Directed by Daniella Topol.
  Mentored by Michael Weller.
  Synopsis: A disturbing photograph of Richie's parents' service in Iraq is posted to his locker. When his life begins to unravel, with the help of his friend Amit and a digital camera, Richie decides to take matters into his own hands.
  Dates: 10 - 21 Apr 2007.
  
• Training Wisteria.
  Written by Molly Smith Metzler.
  Directed by Leah Gardiner
  Mentored by Jules Feiffer.
  Synopsis: On the eve of his high school graduation, video game junkie Dylan sneaks beers in the shed while his recently divorced mother Lynn desperately tries to return her neglected suburban yard to its former glory. But when her ex-husband barges in for Dylan's festivities, Lynn realizes that home improvement is the least of her family's worries.
  Dates: 1 - 12 May 2007.
  

  The Mentor Project harkens back to a day when it was more common that apprenticeships were a major stepping stone to the professional world for emerging artists. Understanding that there is great wealth in the artistry, experience, and humanity of the Masters, Cherry Lane is still committed to this method of professional and artistic inspiration.

  The cycle is a year long process. Starting this past spring a Nominating Committee selected and vetted nominees, honing the list down to be passed on to a Selection Committee who narrowed it down to the finalists that were ultimately selected by the mentors themselves. A formal announcement of the season's Mentors and Fellows was then made on 4 Dec 2006. The MP program takes place over an entire season, in three phases: finalists are chosen in September, a private reading between fellow and mentor with professional actors in November, then a public reading in the Cherry Lane Studio in January, 2007. The three winning plays are now in the rehearsal and production phase.