The ERS Not-Quite-Monthly Newsletter

So, This Just Happened…

Gatz finished its final New York City run at The Public Theater on December 1. Thank you to everyone who came out to experience the show, and a huge shout out to all who helped make this theatrical and literary tour-de-force possible once more!

Here’s What’s Next:

Join us on April 21 for a celebratory evening featuring rooftop cocktails at sunset, a lavish sit-down dinner, and live entertainment. Mark your calendar now and keep an eye out for more information!

Ulysses at UCLA

Ulysses will play three performances at UCLA’s Center for the Art of Performance from April 4-5. Tickets are currently sold out, but you can join the waitlist here and will be notified if tickets become available!

Baldwin and Buckley at Cambridge in Berlin

Baldwin and Buckley at Cambridge will be presented at the FIND Festival at Schaubuhne, Berlin from April 10-12. If you’re in the area, come join us! Learn more here.

In the Hot Seat:

Dee Beasnael

Dee Beasnael joined ERS in 2022 playing multiple characters in Ulysses. She can most recently be heard collaborating with fellow ERS company members Ben Williams and April Mathis, and Christina Rouner in A Prank of Georges available for your listening pleasure at category:other.

Dee received a best actress award for her role of Maery S. (aka Mary Shelley,) in The Securely Conferred Vouchsafed Keepsakes of Maery S. with 7 Daughters of Eve Thtr. & Perf. Co. Dee was also nominated for her portrayal of Nina Simone in Le Silence et la Peur/Silence and Fear with Compagnie Lieux Dits which toured across Europe. Dee has numerous stage and voiceover credits, her favorite voice credit being the narrator and teacher in the French distribution of Caillou.

Where did you grow up?

I was born in Accra, the capital of Ghana, and grew up in Dallas, Texas. (Go Cowboys – even if they are a huge disappointment these days.)

How did you get involved with ERS?

My time performing in NYC has been full of worlds colliding, sharing spaces, and creative moments with many ERS’ers along the way. When Ulysses started up, I was asked to join in and everything was just welcoming, confusing, and fun!

What excites you most about being a part of ERS?

I have to start with the most incredible and kind group of humans that check in on each other, share ridiculous jokes, encourage and support each other in every aspect of life, and even dethroned me from my long standing reign of winning games like Heardle. The conversations and constant exploration in the work are glorious. Lastly, the push to dive deeper into convoluted worlds (damn you, James Joyce!)

Currently reading:

I’m almost always reading 2 books at the same time, a subway read and a book to unwind at home. The current selections are The Inheritance of Loss by Kiran Desai and re-reading Kindred by Octavia Butler.

Most recent binge-watch:

Standing Up, a French series on Netflix following standup comedians in various phases of their journeys. I also just binged Detroiters over the holidays…my father is now concerned about my taste in series. Loved it!

Favorite restaurant in NYC:

This changes often, but currently a great little place in Crown Heights called Mayfield – specifically for their hen of the woods ravioli and beignet style ricotta doughnuts! 

Town Tattle

News from Company Members and Friends

Ben Williams produced and designed the audio adaptation of A Prank of Georges, by Thalia Field and Abigail Lang. Featuring fellow ERS company members Dee Beasnael and April Matthis, Christina Rouner, and original music by Billy Martin. Listen for free at category-other.com

Pete Simpson wraps his 28-year, over 5,000 performance run with Blue Man Group as it shuts its doors after a historic 33-year run.

Kelsey Vivian will tour with Geoff Sobelle’s FOOD, scheduled for Stanford, CA, Krannert Center, IL, Macao, China, and Singapore. Info at geoffsobelle.com/food-show

Mo Lioce, Pete Simpson, and Becky Hermenze will travel with Half Straddle’s Is This A Room to the Perth Festival in Australia. Info and tickets at perthfestival.com.au

Hanna Novak is directing a reading of her new play Protection at Coffey Street Studio in Red Hook, Brooklyn on February 8 at 5:00 pm. The reading is being produced by the multidisciplinary arts organization Amanda + James. Seating is limited and tickets are available by donation.

Borne Back Ceaselessly Into the Past

January 2025 marks the 20th anniversary of the first performance of Gatz at the Performing Garage in 2005! Around 35,000 people across the globe have witnessed this marathon event, including audiences in New York City, London, Abu Dhabi, and Brisbane.

Many thanks to the many members of the Gatz team who have helped to bring this show to life over the last 20 years. And thank you to each and every person who has committed to the 8-hour literary venture that is Gatz over the past 2 decades!

Didn’t have a chance to make a year-end donation to ERS? It’s never too late! Help us start 2025 strong by making a fully tax-deductible gift now. 

Ulysses photo by Maria Baranova

First Gatz photo by Joan Marcus

Second Gatz photo by Paula Court

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