Frannie Shepherd-Bates Devoted To Detroit Co-founder of the Magenta Giraffe aims to grow the downtown theater scene. Suzanne Chessler Special to The Jewish News F rannie Shepherd-Bates, programming assistant for Jewish Life and Learning at the Jewish Community Center in West Bloomfield, devotes off-work time to a new project that promotes theater in the heart of Detroit. Shepherd-Bates, a 2006 Wayne State graduate with a bachelor of fine arts in acting, helped develop the Magenta Giraffe Theatre Company and is prepar- ing for the troupe's First Annual Staged Reading Festival with three selections beginning 2 p.m. Saturday, May 30, at the Gryphon Theatre in Detroit. The readings start with Into the D, a comic one-act written by Jacquelyn Priskorn and directed by Lisa Melinn to get suburban kids excited about what the city has to offer. At 4 p.m., Speed Dating! offers a skewed take on romance through the lens of a game show as written by Audra Lord and directed by LoriGoe Nowak. At 6 p.m., To Dog, written by Ed Shaw and directed by Bates-Shepherd, examines the relationship of two clowns waiting for the circus to return. "We launched in November to help Detroit grow its theater scene and encourage people to stay in the area',' says Shepherd-Bates, 24 and the the- ater's artistic director. "Our first produc- tion was No Exit by Jean-Paul Sartre." The idea for the company came dur- ing brainstorming with two friends from the WSU theater program — Nowak, Magenta Giraffe's executive director, and Kevin Beltz, its production director. The three came up with the com- pany name by starting with "giraffe," an animal that can see above and beyond the throng. "Magenta" has been associated with theater by people into theories about what different col- ors represent. Original funding came through a scholarship awarded to Shepherd-Bates by BoxFest, an annual theater festival showcasing the talents of women. "We really want to promote Michigan people so our festival of plays includes works by Michigan natives," explains Shepherd-Bates, who has performed with the Jewish Ensemble Theatre, Hilberry Theatre and Planet Ant Theatre; served as director for 1515 Broadway, Roeper Theatre Company and Studio Theatre; and taught the- ater camp at the JCC and Waterworks Theatre Company. "We want to eliminate apathy, vio- lence, prejudice and barriers to educa- tion through our programs and expand Detroit's theater district. We hope to reach new audiences." With their goals in mind, the three- member administrative team already has chosen works for the 2009-2010 season. The fall production will be Amiri Baraka's Dutchman, a play about a black man married to a Jewish woman before becoming involved with black nationalism. The winter produc- tion will be Bert Royal's Dog Sees God, which explores problems of teens when adults are not involved in their lives. "We consider ourselves a professional company, and we hope our plays will spark discussions," says Shepherd-Bates, a resident of Royal Oak who grew up in Commerce Township and is affili- ated with Temple Shir Shalom in West Bloomfield. "We have a very flexible space with folding seats:' The First Annual Staged Reading Festival of Magenta Giraffe runs Saturday, May 30, at the Gryphon Theatre, located above the Park Bar at 2040 Park Ave., in Detroit. The bar is in the same building as the Bucharest Grill, which has a sign on Elizabeth. Readings are at 2, 4 and 6 p.m. $4 per play, $8 for all three. www.magentagiraffe.org . MOSAIC RESTAURANT Free appetizer 501 MONROE DETROIT. M with purchase of an entree OR 313.962.9366 25% OFF any bottle of wine expires June 30, 2009 of valid wittiWbther offer,„ limit one coupon per table ma Aiwa ME atm am vim met wet Ewa Homemade Italian Dishes & Pastas Fresh Seafood • Fresh-Cut Steak Salad & Flat Pizza and more! GRAND OPENING SPECIAL, www.loccino.com Open Mon-Fri for lunch and dinner. Sat. dinner only. Private Banquet and Conference Rooms Up to 85 People LOCCINO ITALIAN GRILL & BAR $10 OFF 2 Dinner Entrees Free entrée up to $10 value with the purchase of a second entrée of equal or 5600 Crooks Rd. greater value. Not valid with any other offer or discount. Maximum value $10. (North of Long lake Rd.) Expires 6/30/09 Troy, MI • 248-813-0700 THE GALLERY RESTAURANT ) ) ) ) ) Enjoy gracious dining amid a beauti atmosphere of casual elegance BREAKFAST • LUNCH • DINNER Now offering bountiful deli trays. a.m.- 9:30 p.m. SUN. 8 a.m.- 9 p.m. Bloomfield Plaza • 6638 Telegraph Road and Maple • 248-851-0313 OPEN 7 DAYS: MON. SAT. 7 - 1504190 May 21 . 2009 A61