The Grand Guignol
2021
Hosted by
Douglas LaTourette and Kimbra Eberly
This project is made possible, in part, by a DCA Premier Grant through Staten Island Arts
Because Covid19 has hit the theatre community hard, we came up with a new strategy for our show. We decided to convert a few of our plays into short films. What is interesting are some of the theatre actors are now learning filmmaking. For some, this is the first time acting in a film. We are now in production for what has been a daunting yet exciting task. We also included films submitted by Staten Island filmmakers. Three movies are Premiers. Our short films:
The Acquisition - A Lance J. Reha film - Written by - Henry P. Gravelle / Starring - Drew Manischalco, Carissa Pignatelli, Dan Gregory,
The Covid Dating Game - Written & directed by Kimbra Eberly / Starring - Ray VaZquez, Carissa Pignatelli, Tony Esco, Mike Veasey, Mike Quinn, Caitlin Alyce Arizmendy (makeup) / filmed by Kenneth Paul Media at Hub17
The Promise - Written by Christopher Mancuso, Directed by Kimbra Eberly / Starring Michael, Rina Sklar Dabdoub, Victoria Gullo, Caitlin Alyce Arizmendy (makeup) / filmed by Kenneth Paul Media at Hub17
Not Alone - Written by Dave Martin, Directed by Lance J. Reha - Starring Nick Dan Gregory and Natasha Kristen Hutchins - Filmed in Staten Island NY
Existence - Written & Directed by Joshua Avalos - Starring Nerses Stamos - Magie Serpica Makeup/FX - Music Skye Domino
Nurse Lila, Written & directed by Mike Veasey - Filmed at Hub17
The Covid Dating Game Photos
The Promise Photos
THE Grand Guignol 2018
Last weekend at Hub17, actors, playwrights, directors, a bunch of tech people, one extraordinary makeup artist, thirty-one people in all celebrated theatre with their own version of “The Grand Guignol.”
The Grand Guignol started when Artist, Douglas LaTourette approached Kimbra Eberly with the idea of having a Staten Island Grand Guignol. He also wanted a severed head that would talk.
With months of preparation, Hub17 was transformed into a small twenty-five seat black box theatre in order to bring you five plays in the horror genre that kept the audience on the edge of their seats.
Staten Island playwright, Larry Schwabacher contributed his published play, “The Barn.” Kimbra Eberly wrote a Lizzie Borden play and “The fearless Ghost Hunter”. Chris Mancuso wrote “Room 309”, a zombie apocalypse story and Brooke Haramija wrote “Dreams and Wishes” about a one hundred seventy-five year old woman.
GRAND GUIGNOL GALLERY
We could not have pulled this off without the help of experienced theatre people. Among many, Jodi Garda and Larry Schwabacher, from Staten Island Playwrights collected, Brooke Haramijia from Sundog theatre, Mike Veasey from Seaview and Dori Aspinwall from the Shakesperian theatre group all pitched in with advice and lessons that was so appreciated. The actors also had many challenges not only learning their parts but adding in special effects. Blood packs, homemade vomit, zombie makeup, fake knives that oozed blood were used and timing was crucial to make the effects work.
Other contributors were artist Stephanie Kosinski who painted the tarp canvas, Patti Kelly who helped with changing of the sets, Caitlin Arizmendy who did all the special effect and of course the seventeen actors who spent hours rehearsing and perfecting their parts.
We had so much fun with this challenging show. Everyone went beyond their comfort zone, figuring out how to make things work. There is nothing like this on Staten Island, said producer Kimbra Eberly. All three performance days were sold out. This speaks volumes and It is our hope to start a longstanding tradition of horror theatre on Staten Island.
Producer /Visual Artist/Poet Doug LaTourette
Producer /Writer/Director Kimbra Eberly
Writer Director Lawrence Schwabacher
Writer /Actor Chris Mancusso
Writer/Actress/stage Manager Brooke Haramija
Tech/ lighting Miriam Silver
Technical Director Kenny Graham
Director Jodi Garda
Director/Actor Mike Veasey
Performance Art/Actress Vivan Vassar
Performance Art/Actress Mary Campbell
Actress Margaret Chase
Actress Dorri Aspinwall
Actress Casrissa Pignatell
Actress June Chen
Actress /Musician Rina Sklar Dabjoub
Actress Shani Mitchell
Actor Daniel Wuerdeman
Actor Calvin Motte
Actor Michael Somogyl
Actor Tyler Cuccinello
Actor Anthony Casino
Actor Ray Vazquez
Caitlin Alyce Arizmendy - Make up / Special Effects
Behind the scenes and Participants/ assistant
Hector Boso - Actor (lizzie borden film)
Jay Sayers- Carpentry
Patti Kelly - Artist/ Installation assist
Stephanie Kosinski - Artist/ Installation
Cassie Lola Arizmendy -Make up assist /Actress
Aaron Wineman - Special Effects
David Altair- Severed head mechanics/design