History of Productions

Monk Parrots formerly DTX (DUMBO Theater eXchange) a/k/a DTX Alternative

DUMBO Theatre eXchange (DTX) was founded in 2000 and incorporated in 2001. From 2000 to 2001, DTX occupied a garage-cum-performance space in DUMBO (Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass), Brooklyn where 11 evenings of theatre and approximately 30 productions were produced. DTX changed its name to Monk Parrots in 2007, though, continues its mission to advance the art of theatre and produce and support new works.

TIMELINE

2000
DUMBO Theatre eXchange (DTX) was founded by Luke Leonard, Yukihiro Nishiyama and Natalie Leonard.

September 12, 2001
DTX officially incorporates. The initial directors are Luke Leonard, Yukihiro Nishiyama and Natalie Leonard.

2000 to 2001
DTX manages its own performance venue in downtown Brooklyn during which time 11 evenings of theatre and approximately 30 new plays by emerging artists are produced.

2000
DTX hosts all theatre events for the 4th Annual DUMBO Arts Festival.

2001
The DTX performance venue dissolves due to a landlord dispute resulting from local gentrification.
DTX coordinates the theatre events for the 5th Annual DUMBO Arts Festival.

2002
Michelle Moskowitz of Brooklyn Information and Culture (BRIC) hires Luke Leonard to create a theatre series for a new performance space she is managing at BRIC called BRIC Studio. Luke establishes a monthly series devoted to both emerging and established theater artists and calls it Theater Nexus. He requests that the curating credit be given to DTX as well as the curating fees be made payable to DUMBO Theater eXchange. After losing the 'home' in DUMBO, BRIC was an opportunity for DTX to continue its mission of promoting alternative theater in NYC.

2002 to 2004
DTX was responsible for organizing the events for Theater Nexus where numerous artists, both emerging and established (and those involved with DTX), had the opportunity to present experimental new work before the general public.

2004
The company begins discussing producing a full-length play by Susan Melinda Dunlap entitled Pitched. DTX applies to the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council for a grant to help produce Pitched, but is denied.

2005
DTX continues seeking public support for the production of Pitched.

2006
DTX submits Pitched for consideration to the 10th Annual New York International Fringe Festival and the play is accepted. Pitched takes over 80 hours to rehearse.

2007
DTX makes a long overdue decision and changes its name to Monk Parrots to reflect the company's departure from DUMBO and its goal of generating original, repertory works. The new name has no affect on the company's mission, however, 2007 brings a change in artistic director Luke Leonard's life when he was accepted to UT-Austin's MFA Directing program.

2008
Workshop period for Gay Rodeo By-Laws (GRBL).

2009
Monk Parrots collaborate with Offucina Eclectic Arts in Italy on Trilogia Horovitz.

2010
Premiere of The Art of Depicting Nature As It Is Seen By Toads in Austin, TX.

2011
Monk Parrots receives a six-month space grant from the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council.
Premiere of Gay Rodeo By-Laws in The Vaults at 14 Wall Street.
Premiere of Here I Go at Dixon Place.
Insider's reading of Barry Gifford's Hotel Room Trilogy at the Roger Smith Hotel.
New York premiere of The Art of Depicting Nature As It Is Seen By Toads at Dixon Place.

HISTORY OF PRODUCTIONS

HERE I GO
May 22 – June 3, 2012
59E59 Theaters, Studio C, New York, NY
Conceived and Directed by Luke Leonard
Text by David Todd
Made by Monk Parrots
Featuring Michael Howell, Mariah Ilardi-Lowy, Gates Leonard, Natalie Leonard, Jessica Pohlman, and Julie Nelson

Barry Gifford’s HOTEL ROOM TRILOGY
Oct 27, 28, 29, 2011
Roger Smith Hotel, New York, NY
Co-Production with Roger Smith Hotel and Open Channel Creations
Featuring Larry Fessenden, Darrell Larson, Luke Leonard, Megan McQuillan, Rob Sheridan, Tilly Scott, Joey LePage, Keely Hunt, Eric Hunt, and John Harmon

THE ART OF DEPICTING NATURE AS IT IS SEEN BY TOADS (TAODNAIISBT)
September 24, 2011
Dixon Place, New York, NY

HERE I GO workshop premiere
June 23, 2011
Dixon Place, New York, NY

GAY RODEO BY-LAWS a/k/a GRBL (workshop premiere)
May 22 & 23, 2011
The Vaults at 14 Wall Street, New York, NY

TAODNAIISBT
January 29 and January 30, 2010
The Lab Theater, Austin, TX

TRILOGIA HOROVITZ
Presented in several cities across Italy since September 2009
Co-Production with Offucina Eclectic Arts and La MaMa Umbria International
Featuring Enrico "Chicco" Salimbeni, Nicole Sartirani, Francesco "Bolo" Rossini, Giorgio Marchesi, and Simonetta Solder

Potato!
Conceived and Directed by Melissa Fendell
Featured Alex Demers, Melissa Fendell, Jean Goto,
Jason Griffith, Liz Maestri, Matt Murumba,
Ricardo Perez Gonzalez, Sonja Sweeney, and Baris Tuncer
September 11-16, 2007

One Million Forgotten Moments

Presented by The Lower Manhattan Cultural Council

Pitched

By Susan Melinda Dunlap

Directed by Luke Leonard

August 2006

The 10^th Annual New York International Fringe Festival

Actors’ Playhouse

Scenic Design by Luke Leonard

Costumes by Jen Boutell

Music by Matthew Horton

Choreography by Prisca Ouya

Stage Managed by Nora McLaughlin

Lighting and Technical Direction by Russell Cowans

Theater Nexus

13 Playwrights

Friday, April 16 & Saturday, April 17, 2004

BRIC Studio, Brooklyn, NY

For some, 13 is an unlucky number but for 13 Playwrights it's the number of empowerment. This brand new collective of emerging writers consists of some of the hottest, most professional young writers working today. Curated by DTX Alternative.

Theater Nexus

Friday, March 19 & Saturday, March 20, 2004

BRIC Studio, Brooklyn, NY

In March, Theater Nexus presents a director's dream: some rehearsal time, a bare stage, and 30 minutes in which to perform. Turkish actor and director, Serap Erincin explores the body in time and space; Americans Jonathan Mazer and Luke Leonard are presenting eclectic plays written by emerging playwrights. It's an evening to see the next generation of theatre directors at work. Curated by DTX Alternative.

Theater Nexus

Friday, February 20 & Saturday, February 21, 2004

BRIC Studio, Brooklyn, NY

Brooklyn-trained playwrights showcase four new works. Eclectic and zany, the works are not connected by style or theme so expect a diverse evening by these emerging writers. Curated by DTX Alternative.

American Theater Nexus

Thursday, May 15, 2003

BRIC Studio, Brooklyn, NY

American Theater Nexus brings new experimental theater to the stage every month. This month features Jeffrey M. Jones and emerging artists Tom X. Chao, Judd Silverman, and S. Melinda Dunlap. Curated by DTX.

American Theater Nexus

Thursday, April 24, 2003

BRIC Studio, Brooklyn, NY

Showcasing new experimental theater directed by emerging directors, this month presented new work by Connie Congdon, Sheila Calaghan, Amie Hartman & Joanie Ellen and Ken Urban. Curated by S. Melinda Dunlap of DTX.

American Theater Nexus

Thursday, March 27, 2003

BRIC Studio, Brooklyn, NY

Showcasing new experimental theater directed by emerging directors, this month we presented new work by Walker Sampson, Barbara Cassidy, Young Jean Lee, Jonathan Bernstein, and Douglas Green. Curated by S. Melinda Dunlap of DTX.

American Theater Nexus

Thursday, February 20, 2003

BRIC Studio, Brooklyn, NY

Showcasing new experimental theater directed by emerging directors, this month’s bill features new work by Erik Ehn, Ann Marie Healey and Gary Winter.

New Works by David Todd and Luke Leonard

January 21, 2003

BRIC Studio, Brooklyn, NY

American Theater Nexus

Showcase of Works by Sam Shepard and Joseph Chaikin

December 17, 2002

BRIC Studio, Brooklyn, NY

The Sad Lament of Pecos Bill on the Eve of Killing His Wife

Directed by Natalie Leonard

Featuring John Weisenburger and Annalisa Loeffler

Tongues

Directed by Michael LoPorto

With Max Faugno

The War in Heaven

Adapted for stage, directed, and performed by Luke Leonard

Music and video by Artyom Trubnikov

American Theater Nexus

November 19, 2002

BRIC Studio, Brooklyn, NY

Mister Original Bugg

By Mac Wellman

Directed by Luke Leonard

Totemic Compulsions

A Play by S. Melinda Dunlap

American Theater Nexus

October 15, 2002

BRIC Studio, Brooklyn, NY

Featuring the premiere of Mister Original Bugg by Mac Wellman and new works by Erin Courtney, S. Melinda Dunlap, and Kate Ryan

The 2nd Annual eXchange Sampler

December 6, 2001

BRIC Studio, Brooklyn, NY

New works by: Jennifer Boutell, Luke Leonard, Yukihiro Nishiyama and David Todd

The 5th Annual DUMBO Art Under the Bridge Festival

October 19 – 21, 2001

DUMBO, Brooklyn

Disposable Plays: An evening of short works by Luke Leonard

March 1 – March 18, 2001