New Venture Series begins with "Standards of Conduct" October 4, 2011

Colorado Theatre Guild New Venture Series Presents

Standards of Conduct

Written by Jeffrey Neuman; Directed by Nicolette Vajtay

On Tuesday, October 4 at 7:30 p.m., the Colorado Theatre Guild presents the next installment in an ongoing FREE series to showcase new works by Colorado playwrights. The Aurora Fox Studio Theatre, 9900 East Colfax Ave in Aurora hosts the New Venture Series reading of “Standards of Conduct” by Colorado playwright Jeffrey Neuman.

Chaos. Cruelty. Sabotage. Fistfights. Profanity. Just your typical day at the office.

Actually, business is not “as usual” at the corporate headquarters of Books & Music Unlimited, a struggling Fortune 500 company. During a media event to announce an initiative that will hopefully save the company from bankruptcy, the Director of Marketing does something so outrageous that it not only rocks the organization to its core, but also creates a national scandal. Standards of Conduct is a dark comedy about humanity and hypocrisy in the business world – a timely send-up of corporate desperation in an age of lay-offs and liquidation.

Under the direction of Nicolette Vajtay, the cast includes (in alphabetical order) Anthony Bianco (Marcus), Michael Catlin (Dave), Don Kraus (Al), Thadd Krueger (Jay) and Ethan Yazzie Mintz (Rick). Stage directions will be read by Nyle Kenning.

Jeffrey Neuman is an award-winning playwright whose work has been produced at theaters and festivals across the United States and the United Kingdom. His plays have been recognized by Paragon Theatre Ensemble, Actors Theatre of Louisville, Emerging Artists Theatre Company, and the Samuel French Off Off Broadway Festival, among others. His first publication, Modern Goddesses: Two Short Plays of Mythic Proportions, was just released by JAC Publishing for licensing and performance. He is a finalist for the 2011 Heideman Award and a proud member of the Dramatists Guild of America. Information about all his writing activities can be found at www.theaterbyjeff.com.

Nicolette Vajtay is a graduate from the American Repertory Theatre's Advanced Theatre Training at Harvard University and performed as an actress regionally for over fifteen years. She has directed in New Jersey, New York City, Boston, Seattle, Los Angeles and now Denver, her new home. She is also an award winning and produced playwright, and loves the collaborative process with playwrights when directing a new work.

The program has been christened “The New Venture Series” and is dedicated to the memory of Al Brooks and Maxine Munt, who in 1966 founded Denver’s influential performance venue The Changing Scene and operated it until the theatre’s closure in 2000.

“Standards of Conduct” is presented FREE to the public and will be followed by a talkback with the playwright, director and cast.

Colorado Theatre Guild presents “Standards of Conduct” by Jeffrey Neuman. Chaos. Cruelty. Sabotage. Fistfights. Profanity. Just your typical day at the office. Tuesday, October 4 at 7:30 p.m. The Aurora Fox studio Theatre, 9900 East Colfax Ave. Aurora. TICKETS: FREE, no reservations required. www.coloradotheatreguild.org