Co-director Ann-Marie Pereth gives instruction to actors during rehearsal for “W;t” at the Public Fit Theatre, 100 South Maryland Parkway, Wednesday Oct. 11, 2017.
Sunday, Oct. 15, 2017 | 2 a.m.
Joseph Kucan, from A Public Fit Theatre Co.
• Title: Producing Director
• Agency address: 100 S. Maryland Parkway
• Agency phone number: 702-735-2115
• Agency website: apublicfit.org
• To volunteer: APF is always on the lookout for volunteers to work backstage or in the front of house. Go online for a full schedule of events and show times.
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Good Works, a twice monthly series in The Sunday, spotlights the good works of nonprofit groups that are making a difference in our community. You can also check out the good work of more organizations by visiting facebook.com/FindlayAutoGroup.
Public Fit Theatre Company founders Joseph Kucan and Ann-Marie Pereth pose during a rehearsal for "W;t" at the Public Fit Theatre, 100 South Maryland Parkway, Wednesday Oct. 11, 2017.
Entering its fourth season, nonprofit theater company A Public Fit Theatre Co. remains dedicated to education through entertainment, whether partnering with public libraries to provide free readings or jumping into in-depth discussion with audiences after performances.
The creative team during the 2016-17 season featured seven directors, 28 performers and a company staff of 18 joined by 32 essential volunteers. APF will open the new season Oct. 27 with Margaret Edson’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play “W;t,” produced in collaboration with the Women’s Cancer Center.
What does your organization do?
A Public Fit offers a seven-show season of theatrical productions (four staged readings and three full-scale productions) from September through June, using professional talent to present overlooked plays.
When and why was it established?
Having grown tired of watching their theatrical peers relocate to more artist-friendly climes, Ann Marie Pereth and Joseph Kucan founded A Public Fit in 2013 to establish a professional company of artists who would be fairly compensated for their work.
Who are its clients?
Audiences from all over the valley attend APF’s productions and free staged readings.
What are APF’s current initiatives or goals?
We strongly believe in the communal power of great stories, dramatic ideas and the sincere engagement that audiences find in challenging theatrical events. A Public Fit works to unite artists and audiences, treating each production as the beginning of an unending conversation.
What services does the community likely know about?
APF has partnered with the Clark County Library District to present a staged reading series free to the public. Although produced with minimal props, costumes and settings, these readings are carefully rehearsed and presented in the spirit of discovering the heart of the playwright’s intent.
What services might the community not know about?
A Public Fit follows each performance with the Buzzz, an interactive audience discussion featuring the cast and production crew. The Buzzz is an opportunity for audiences to share their perceptions of the play, its themes, style and discoveries.
What sparked your interest in the nonprofit sector?
The reality of the theatrical genre requires APF to work from a nonprofit model. That said, A Public Fit’s goals of presenting an outlet for theatrical discussion and hand-in-hand audience analysis is best served through educational nonprofit status.
What is the greatest success you’ve been a part of?
In 2016, A Public Fit partnered with a local Title 1 school, Del Sol Academy, to create and present an original work based on the culture folktales of the participating students. The result of this collaboration, “Stories My Father Told Me,” featured 25 performers in a six-month rehearsal/creation process. These young performers were treated to the same exacting standards APF expects from its professional actors. For some of them, it was the first time they had ever stepped upon a stage.
What can Southern Nevadans do to improve our community?
The idea of “neighborhood” is changing. We’re seeing online apps and posts to Facebook replace the backyard BBQ gathering and the front-yard chat. Conversation and story-telling are key to reinvigorating the tangible community.
Whom do you admire?
APF looks to dynamic, fearless storytellers like Steppenwolf Theatre Co. in Chicago and Bedlam in New York City. We have a fondness for playwrights Amy Herzog, Gina Gionfriddo, Suzan Lori-Parks and Dawn King.
Where do you see your organization in five years?
A Public Fit is striving to become Nevada’s lone LORT (League of Resident Theatres)-affiliated theater company. It is our fervent goal to staff a company of actors, designers and technicians to create, educate and entertain. The culture in Las Vegas is growing up — it deserves a legitimate theater company of the highest possible caliber.
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