RUBICON INTERNATIONAL THEATRE FESTIVAL

Mission
To produce an annual festival in Ventura, California which offers a fusion of distinguished international theatre productions and new works created for the festival.

Vision
The festival is a forum where citizens of the world can come together, immerse themselves in multiple productions over a concentrated period of time, and viscerally experience "the road not taken." They savor new adventures, discover new vistas, and examine their perceptions of the human condition. The personal experience of theatre illuminates universal themes and stimulates social dialogue, deepening human connections and fostering greater understanding between individuals and cultures.

Objectives
To create bridges for the advancement of cross-cultural understanding, an imperative in an increasingly fragmented world.

To bring a diverse public into the ambiance and the beautiful setting of Ventura, California, on the edge of the Pacific Ocean, where they will experience the many attractions of the area and the multiple productions of the festival.

To cultivate future generations of engaged and informed citizens through performance, education and outreach programs.

FACILITIES AND VENUES

The Festival will be using numerous sites all within close proximity to Ventura's downtown cultural district. Among them are Ventura's expansive State owned and operated Fairgrounds situated on the water's edge.

Existing Fairground venues
- Pacific Arena, an outdoor rodeo arena with a capacity of 1800.
- Morgan Arena, an outdoor arena with a capacity of 300.
- Fairgrounds Anacapa Hall and San Miguel Hall, two 20,000 square foot buildings ideal for alternative spaces each with a capacity for 400- 500.

In addition there is room for two tents. Full infrastructure is already in place with easy marked access from the 101 freeway. The Amtrak train station is also at the Fairgrounds. We intend to secure the use of the Fairgrounds as an in kind donation from the State.

Within 10-15 minutes walk of the Fairgrounds
- Rubicon Theatre, a 200 seat proscenium theatre and home of the Rubicon Theatre Company
- Majestic Theatre, 900 seat proscenium with cabaret style seating in place

Within ten minutes drive of downtown
- Adobe Olivas, a county run turn of the century Spanish adobe with out door gardens abutting its expansive façade. Capacity 200.
- RITF's ability to present international theatre troops in a setting that takes full advantage of the natural wonders of the farthest West will make our festival distinctive, our identity unique and be a crucial element in our success.

EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY OUTREACH DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY

Education and outreach is a cornerstone of the Festival mission. As such we are strongly committed to providing unique training opportunities for students of all ages through the festival. Our components to achieve this are:

Apprentice Program
This program is comprised of 20 students age I8 and up, who want to expand their theatre education and experience. Lectures are given by visiting Artists and classes taught by Festival Faculty. Apprentices will learn about the different aspects of running a professional theatre company by training in each of the various departments under Festival Staff (props, costumes, box office, scene shop, stage management, etc.) on a rotating basis. As such they will be closely involved in the day-to-day operations.

International Theatre Panel Discussion
Visiting theatre professionals will gather to discuss the place, purpose and responsibility of theatre in our world in two panel discussions. These lively debates will be open to the public.

Theatre Talks
A seminar series open to the public, given by visiting theatre professionals on a variety of topics relating to all aspects of the theatre.

The Celebration Parade
Banners, masks, musical ensembles, giant puppets and floats reflecting the theme of each year's Festival will be created in a workshop under the tutelage of local and international artists. This parade workshop, known as Celebration Headquarters, will host ongoing sessions open to the public in the months leading up to the Parade and Festival. During the spring semester, artists will also be available to mentor the building of parade entries at local schools. These unique entries will be constructed from both found and donated materials and shall exclude the use of motorized vehicles, live animals, words and placards. The Parade will travel Ventura city streets and journey to the Fairgrounds where it will merge with street performers, musicians and Festival booths. Held on the Saturday of opening weekend to the Rubicon International Theatre Festival, it will serve to kick off the season's events.

World class international theatre presentations coupled with the expansive spirit and restorative beauty of the West, Los Angeles adjacent RITF will provide a unique experience and powerful purpose for audience and artist alike. We look forward to seeing you in 2008.

"No impersonal representation of a culture can fully communicate its reality to others who have never known its substance. Through personal relations - our curiosity can be fulfilled by a sense of knowledge, cynicism can give way to trust, and the warmth of human friendship be kindled."
         -- President John F. Kennedy

Founders: Karyl Lynn Burns, James O'Neil, Linda Purl

Festival Director: Linda Purl

Executive Director: M. Edgar Rosenblum

Artistic Advisory Board
Arvin Brown (Former Artistic Director Long Wharf) Kate Burton Martha Coigney (Honorary President ITI) Peter Goldfarb (Vice President ITI International) Julie Harris Peter Hunt Donald Margulies Jerry Patch (Co-Artistic Director Old Globe Theatre/Former Director Sundance Theatre Festival) Roger Rees (Artistic Director Williamstown Theatre Festival) Michael Ritchie(Artistic Director CTG) Craig Slaight (Young Conservatory Director/Associate Artist A.C.T.) Tony Taccone (Artistic Director Berkeley Rep) Richard Thomas George White (Founder Eugene O'Neil Theatre)

We look forward to your joining us in the summer of 2008!

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