Member of Norfolk based CORE Theatre Ensemble, Edwin Castillo, accepted into illustrious Actor Training Workshop with Suzuki Company of Toga (SCOT), Japan  

January 01, 1970

Norfolk, VA; Toga, Japan– CORE Theatre Ensemble is proud to announce Co-Founder and Theatre Director, Edwin Castillo has been accepted into the Suzuki Company of Toga (SCOT) Summer Training Session taking place in Toga, Toyama, Japan from August 11-27

This selective program is held in Toga Village, deep in the mountains of the Toyama prefecture, Japan, where the Suzuki Company of Toga (SCOT) has been based since 1976.  The intensive training program teaches the basic physicality and ideas of the Suzuki Method of Actor Training, conceived by founder and internationally acclaimed director Tadashi Suzuki and SCOT.  The program also includes observation of SCOT training and rehearsals, viewing of Suzuki-related films, participation in discussions, and seeing performances from the SCOT Summer Season 2023.

About Edwin Castillo 

Edwin has over 2 decades of training in this actor method starting his tutelage at Old Dominion University with Guest Artist Leon Ingulsrud. He has previously trained with Anne Bogart and SITI Company of New York, having attended their Summer Intensive in Saratoga Springs, NY. He is a director, designer, and performer. As co-founder of Core Theatre Ensemble, he has served as director and sound designer for Core’s productions of Macbeth, The Yellow Wallpaper, Othello, A Season In Hell, The Threepenny Opera, and 40 Whacks, a nightmare. Recent acting credits include The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, No Exit and Macbeth (Core Theatre Ensemble), Pride and Prejudice (Virginia Stage Company), The Death of Thomas Edison (Warehouse of Theatre).  Edwin is an alumni of Old Dominion University. Other training includes: Chautauqua Conservatory Theatre Company, Berkshire Theatre Festival, and SITI Company in Saratoga Springs, NY.

About Core Theatre Ensemble

Core is an international touring independent theater company that has been creating since 2006. Totaling over 70 productions in 5 countries, CTE is headed by Emel Ertugrul and Edwin Castillo with artistic associates Laura Agudelo and Nancy Dickerson. Most recently they premiered The Legend of Sleepy Hollow at Zeiders, VB. They work with a philosophy and focus on the performer as the individual and within the ensemble. Their works gravitate towards the group event and the creation process highlights working towards the common goal of performance and presentation. Theatrical collaborations and coproductions include Centro di Creazione Teatrale-Italy, A. Pulka Physical Theater-Lithuania, University of Vilnius-Lithuania, Old Dominion University, Warehouse of Theater, Virginia Stage Company, Chrysler Museum Glass Studio, Limbic System, and Alchemy NFK. CTE’s mission is to create innovative, compelling work that is challenging to the actors involved and engaging to the audiences who watch. We seek to make great theater and have great people see it. Everywhere.

About Tadashi Suzuki and SCOT

Tadashi Suzuki is the founder and director of the Suzuki Company of Toga (SCOT) based in Toga Village, located in the mountains of Toyama prefecture. He is the organizer of Japan’s first international theatre festival (Toga Festival) and the creator of the Suzuki Method of Actor Training. Suzuki also plays an important role with several other organizations: as General Artistic Director of Shizuoka Performing Arts Center (1995~2007), as a member of the International Theatre Olympics Committee, as founding member of the BeSeTo Festival (jointly organized by leading theatre professionals from Japan, China and Korea) and as Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Japan Performing Arts Foundation, a nation-wide network of theatre professionals in Japan.

 Suzuki’s works include “On the Dramatic Passions”, “The Trojan Women”, “Dionysus”, “King Lear”, “Cyrano de Bergerac”, “Madame de Sade” and many others. Besides productions with his own company, he has directed several international collaborations, such as “The Tale of Lear”, co-produced and presented by four leading regional theatres in the US; “King Lear”, presented with the Moscow Art Theatre; “Oedipus Rex”, co-produced by Cultural Olympiad and Düsseldorf Schauspiel haus; and “Electra”, produced by Ansan Arts Center/Arco Arts Theatre in Korea and the Taganka Theatre in Russia.

 Suzuki has articulated his theories in a number of books.  A collection of his writings in English, “Culture is the Body” is published by the Theatre Communications Group in New York.  The book has been translated and published in countries including China, Italy, Lithuania, Greece, Indonesia, Hungary, etc. He has taught his system of actor training in schools and theatres throughout the world, including The Juilliard School in New York and the Moscow Art Theatre. Also, a book written on Suzuki titled “The Theatre of Suzuki Tadashi” is published by Cambridge University Press as part of their Directors in Perspective series, featuring leading theatre directors of the 20th Century. These series include works on Meyerhold, Brecht, Strehler, Peter Brook and Robert Wilson among others.

 Not just one of the world’s foremost theatre directors, Suzuki is also a seminal thinker and practitioner whose work has a powerful influence on theatre everywhere. Suzuki’s primary concerns include: the structure of a theatre group, the creation and use of theatrical space, and the overcoming of cultural and national barriers in the interest of creating work that is truly universal. Suzuki has established in Toga one of the largest international theatre centers in the world. Surrounded by the beautiful wilderness of Toga, the facility includes six theatres, rehearsal rooms, offices, lodgings, restaurants, etc.

 Suzuki’s activities, both as a director creating multilingual and multicultural productions and as a festival producer bringing people from throughout the world together in the context of shared theatrical endeavor, reflect an aggressive approach to dealing with the fundamental issues of our times.

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Designer Opportunity: Little Theater of Norfolk

January 01, 1970

Calling all set, lights, sound, and costume designers: LTN is looking for designers for three of our shows during the 97th Season.

But Why Bump Off Barnaby, directed by Jimmy Dragas, is a comedic sendup of the classic murder mysteries beloved around the world.

Chicken & Biscuits, directed by Sharon Davidson Cook, is the funny and heartwarming of estranged sisters coming together to celebrate the life of the family patriarch.

A Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder, directed by Alicia Wolters, is the musical story of Monty Navarro as he squares off against the D’Ysquith family. Based on the 1907 novel The Autobiography of a Criminal.

Interested? Contact [email protected]

Learn more about LTN

Z Resident Artist BJ Griffin Appears on AGT

January 01, 1970

The Z is so excited to support our Z Artist Alum in his upcoming journey on America’s Got Talent! See BJ Griffin’s AGT audition HERE:

Listen to BJ Griffin’s latest single NOW:

BJ Griffin performs in the Live at The Z Music Series in 2016

About BJ Griffin: 

BJ grew up in Virginia Beach, VA where he was a member of the Virginia Youth Symphony Orchestra and other community programs. While in these groups, he performed in various places nationally as well as internationally including China and Greece. He went on to study at James Madison University as a music education, cello performance, and music industry major.

BJ formed a band in 2013 called BJ Griffin and the Galaxy Groove.  He also teamed up with long time friend and pianist Jason Brown creating the BJ Griffin Duo. With his band and duo, BJ has a full performance schedule. The band appeared as the supporting act for artists like Ms. Lauryn Hill,  Smash Mouth, Sir Sly, Lionel Richie most recently the opening act for Erykah Badu.

As a performer, BJ lives to expand the boundaries of musicians of all genres to a broader audience and conjure even more possibilities to spread the joy of learning and performing music.

We are excited to partner with BJ Griffin and Big Juicy Entertainment next season- stay tuned for some exciting musical updates happening at The Z

See BJ’s Performance at the 2021 TasteBreakers Festival:

Local Drag Performer Vivian Valentine Brings Barbie-Themed Drag Brunch to Virginia Beach 

January 01, 1970

Virginia Beach- Drag performer Vivian Valentine presents her “Barbie Brunch” series in partnership with The Z, the Zeiders American Dream Theater, Saturdays this July. 

“Every woman deserves to be a Barbie.” 

Locals are invited to celebrate their self-confidence and inner supermodel at the all-new Barbie Brunch series, Saturdays at The Z this July. 

Drag veteran Vivian Valentine and friends will perform songs, lip syncs, and lead audiences in fun and games to celebrate women of all colors, shapes, sizes and cultures. 

Every brunch will culminate with an awards ceremony, with audience members receiving a sash for “Miss Barbie Congeniality”, the chance to “lip sync for their life” in a Barbie Showdown. Some brunch dates will also include a special appearance from Ken. 

The Barbie Brunch will be presented at The Z, July 8, 15, 22, and 29 at 11am. Your ticket includes 1 admission to the Barbie Brunch and two complimentary mimosas. Vendors from around Virginia Beach Town Center will provide food options for purchase. 

Tickets for the brunch series are available now HERE. Patrons may call the box office at 757-499-0137 or purchase tickets during open hours, M-F 12-6pm. 

Check out other events with Vivian Valentine on Instagram: @lettersofadragqueen. 

Announcing the 2024 Vocal Jazz Summit Headliner

January 01, 1970

The Z is so excited to announce the 2024 Headlining Act for the Vocal Jazz Summit…

GRAMMY-Award nominated säje

säje is: Sara Gazarek, Amanda Taylor, Johnaye Kendrick, and Erin Bentlage

Featuring: Michael Mayo, voice; Dawn Clement, piano; Ben Williams, bass; Christian Euman, drums

“säje is blazing a new trail for female composers and performers in the jazz world.”- Micah Hendler, Forbes

“…[säje is] taking the vocal jazz ensemble into the 21st century.”- Abe Beeson, KNKX/NPR

“…transcendent music.” – DownBeat Magazine

While it may come as a surprise to hear that the newly-formed vocal super-group, säje (rhymes with beige), received a GRAMMY® nomination for “Best Arrangement, Instruments and Vocals” for their first original composition “Desert Song”, a John Lennon Songwriting Contest Grand Prize Award for their second composition “Wisteria”, and a Jazz Journalists Association Award nomination for “Best Vocal Group”, those in the know continue to eagerly await the debut album from this transcendent and genre-defining group. 

It is through their four previously released singles, ardent social media/patreon following, and multiple self-produced music videos that this all-female compositional/vocal collective has demonstrated their devotion to thoughtful, sophisticated original compositions and heartfelt covers, garnering critical acclaim and fostering a widespread and passionate fanbase. 

In their first debut-album single (“As This Moment Slips Away” September 13th, 2022) from their self-produced debut album, listeners got a sneak peek into the sounds and energy that they can expect from the record itself. In collaboration with three-time GRAMMY® winning drummer Terri Lyne Carrington, the single positioned säje as an empowered, genre-defining, and socially conscious powerhouse ensemble. surpassing any expectations of what one might typically associate with a vocal collective. 

With their second single, there is more to hear than just lush harmonies, powerhouse vocals, complex contrapuntal lines, and symbiosis with their band. There is a deep relationship with the value systems found in purposeful artistic collaborations, authenticity and connection to shape, texture, interaction, and storytelling. There is a real mastery of craft, not least of which can be heard in the mind-blowing improvisations from featured guest vocalist Michael Mayo. With “(You Are) The Oracle” we see that säje is a group to be watched – and that their newest single is only a mouth-watering snapshot of what’s to come.

Kenny Ingram at Helm of New York Premiere of James T. Lane’s Self-Penned TRIPLE THREAT at Theatre Row

January 01, 1970

“Fresh off starring in the role of Billy Flynn in Broadway’s Chicago, theatre veteran James T. Lane’s solo autobiographical show, Triple Threat, begins previews on Saturday, June 17th in advance of Juneteenth and salutes the show’s diverse creatives. Triple Threat plays at THEATRE ROW (410 W. 42nd Street, NYC NY) in advance of opening night on June 23rd.”-Backstage Pass with Lia Chang


James T. Lane’s “Triple Threat”, which made its debut at The Z, is now off-Broadway!