Encouraging an Equal, Intersectional, and Engaged Community in New Work Development
For the past four seasons The Summer Fresh Festivals has presented a variety of work in its early stages of development. Carrying on BVOB's mission of enriching the development of new work centering LGBTQIA and POC artists, the Summer Fresh Festival provides a safe environment for artists to gain life long resources and specialized development. Not only are the majority of the shows in the festival free or suggested donations, we also provide free tickets for folx willing to volunteer their time with us and donation based snacks and drinks for the enjoyment of our audience. We pride ourselves in also creating a safe environment for artists to create, work, and thrive in. Each year we curate a list of resources to help our artists grow, such as our Writers Group, rehearsal space, discounts through our Kindred Circle, and a full list of LGBTQIA and POC Industry members. Each August we connect diverse and intersectional technicians, artists, and actors to come together and add to the constantly expanding pool of LGBTQIA and POC art. We provide networks and a community for our artists to strive outside of our festival.
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"The BVOB Creed"
Broad Views on Broadway promotes a professional environment, empathetic ethical procedures, and human connections. All staff members of the Summer Fresh Festival are trained in Broad Views on Broadway's Sexual Harassment and Code of Conduct procedures.
Summer Fresh Festival Staff
Janelle Lawrence
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Executive &
Artistic Director
Interim Marketing Director
Janelle Lawrence is the Artistic Director of Broad Views on Broadway, a non-profit Theatre Company dedicated to providing equal opportunity and representation of new theatre works. ​ In their career they have worked with Award Winning artists such as Austin Pendleton, Ntozake Shange, Chris Wells, and Jeremy Bass. In 2018 they performed with The Lobby Project for DON’T BOTHER ME I CAN’T COPE* at Encore! City Center and at 54 Below. As a writer, composer, and lyricist Janelle has had their musicals SUBLIMINAL, 'TIS THE SEASON, and GROUP THERAPY at various Theaters in the NYC area such as Club Cumming, Teatro La Tea, and Joe’s Pub. Their operetta MIXING MARX WITH MADNESS was presented at Dixon Place on the Main Stage. They recently finished their residency with the 92nd St Y Musical Theatre Development Lab: Collective and is the Co-Moderator of Musical Theatre Factory’s Women/Trans/Gender Non-Conforming Roundtable. Janelle is a 2019 Greenhouse Resident with SPACE on Ryder Farms and a Resident in the Hamilton Project with Barn Arts Collective. They are a proud Dramatist Guild Member and an award nominated Playwright
Eli Schlelcher
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Festival
Manager
Eli Schleicher is a theater artist with a passion for new work that defies categorization. Originally from Blue Bell, PA, he is now based in Brooklyn. He is constantly seeking opportunities to create, support, and advocate for art that centers LGTBQ+, POC, and female voices – including his work with the production company 3DaysPrior and now with the incredible team at Broad Views on Broadway and the Summer Fresh Festival. Directing highlights include The Laramie Project at The American Repertory Theater’s OBERON and The Interrogator with The Network. Upcoming: d.ark/ness as part of The Tank's DarkFest. He has been lucky enough to work in various capacities with The Public Theater, Manhattan Theatre Club, Target Margin Theatre, The Araca Group, The Fire This Time Festival, National Black Theatre, the New York Musical Festival, and New Georges. Say hello & find out at more at elischleicher.com
Margaret Baughman
Sarah Brown
Amanda Warren
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Marketing Assistant
Sarah has been a Stage Manger here in NYC for the past 5 years. After not being creatively fulfilled enough she started She`s An Artist a podcast about Women , Trans & GNC artists. She now hosts and produces The Queerience podcast about discussing topics through a queer lens. You can find all episodes at bit.ly/newshithere. Select Theatre credits include: Mad Cool (Frigid Festival) The Nomad(Flea Theatre) The Good Boy,(Abingdon Theatre Company) Oresteia (Classic Stage Company), Mabel Madness ( Urban Stages). She is excited to continue with Broad Views On Broadway in helping to create space, resources and community for LGBTQIA+ & POC artists.
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Festival Coordinator Intern
Margaret Baughman is a Cleveland-born, Chicago-grown, and New York City-based director, dramaturg, & stage manager with a focus in new play & musical development. Currently: Brothers Wright and Ogygia (Stage Manager at NYTF SummerFest 2019), Bury Me in My Leggings (Director at The Tank), Layer the Walls (Associate Director & Production Stage Manager on tour). Recent credits: Caroline, or Change (Production Stage Manager at Astoria Performing Arts), Death Rules (Director at Insomniacs Festival), Engineers Not Found (Dramaturg & Technical Director at Honest Accomplice Theatre), What's Up America? I'm Reptilian. (Director at The Dirty Blondes & Undiscovered Countries), Cymbeline (PSM at Barefoot Shakespeare), The Trial of Faith (Assistant Director & PSM at WinterFest 2018), 24WORDS (Director at Steppenwolf: LookOut Series), and The Merry Wives of Windsor (Assistant Dramaturg at Oregon Shakespeare Festival). She is a proud member of Ring of Keys & an alum of The Theatre School at DePaul University. Her full portfolio can be found online: www.MargaretCBaughman.com
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Production Assistant
Amanda is the Production Manager with Broad Views on Broadway. BVOB was the place Amanda was able to combine her passion for creating inclusive events with a lifelong infatuation with theater. Working with BVOB has been one of the most rewarding opportunities to date. Amanda looks forward to bringing more of these beautiful projects to the stage.