Pramila Vasudevan moves from Resident Artist to Director of Naked Stages replacing former Director Molly Van Avery. Pramila is a choreographer and founder of Aniccha Arts. She commented on the new position: “I am grateful for this opportunity and I look forward to being an integral part of a great program that has potential in providing a transformative experience for emerging artists.“
Her sense of optimism, willingness to learn, and eagerness to share are values that permeate the Pillsbury House + Theatre building. “It’s a unique place to be,” she reports.
Naked Stages fellows participate in regular feedback sessions and receive financial and institutional support to bring an original performance to Pillsbury House Theatre’s stage or building. Once a month they also participate in production meetings focused on the business side of art, from audience development to technical support, helping to develop their unique voice into a sustainable, artistic career. Artists have also received ongoing mentorship from nationally celebrated performance artist Sharon Bridgforth. Molly Van Avery says “Sharon and I have felt honored to work with the powerful and brave artists that have come through this fellowship. We have witnessed artists taking huge steps forward in actualizing ambitious visions while simultaneously exploring profound depths of their histories and psyches. We are grateful for the ways this fellowship has also inspired us as artists. We know Pramila will push artists to make honest and refined work and we will continue to support her and the artists in this program into the future.”
Naked Stages performances happen December 8-10, 15-17, 2016, and are the final step of a multi-layered program designed to empower artists to be their most bold and creative and to challenge artists and audiences alike to push past their previous boundaries. The 2016 fellows will be announced in April.