ignition arts is a non-profit arts organization that has served communities in Boston, NYC, Philadelphia, Guatemala, and Oklahoma City. Founded at Emerson College in 2001, this is the company's 20th year. We INCUBATE new works in the form of plays and musicals, we INVESTIGATE the world through podcasting and we IGNITE personal and ensemble growth through our methodology Brennan Check-In. We actively engage with our communities, cultivate necessary new work and foster collaboration across all genres of art and change-making. Whether it’s a play-reading, a podcast or personal transformation, Ignition Arts is the place to stART something. Ignition Arts has generated 50 productions across five cities. Our podcasts include Thank You 10, The Brennan Book Blog, Fair Play and The Spin. From Tony Kushner's gay fantasia Angels in America to Jeff Goode's sardonically irreverent The Eight: Reindeer Monologues or our original docudrama on the military Silhouettes of Service to the development of a new YA Infinity Trilogy, we pilot relevant work that promotes conversation, community and change. Ignition Arts is helmed by Artistic Director Kate Brennan and Executive Director Gregory DeCandia.
our mission:
To entertain, educate, and enlighten audiences with exciting world premieres and innovative explorations of classic works.
THE COMPANY
(Artistic Director) is a Designated Linklater Teacher, Certified Yoga Instructor, Certified Thai Bodyworker and Melt Hand & Foot Instructor. Her methodology, Brennan Check-In, has been developed with HBMG’s National Winter Playwrights Retreat, The 4 Seasons Residency, Oklahoma City University, McCarter Theatre Center, Statera Arts and Ignition Arts. She has been on faculty with OCU, McCarter Theatre Center, Walnut Street Theatre, St. Joseph’s U., Rosemont College, and Temple U., among others.
(Founder/Executive Director) is a multimedia artist, director, and educator who has worked professionally in the arts and culture sector for 20 years. While attending Emerson College (BFA), DeCandia founded Ignition Arts in 2001 and served as its Producing Artistic Director until his 2012 transition to Executive Director. Gregory has been involved in over 100 new works and is a proud member of AEA and the National Alliance of Acting Teachers. He also hold and MFA from UNC Chapel Hill.
(Founding Member/ Artistic Associate)
(Artistic Associate) is a NJ based playwright, performer and educator. His work runs the gamut from crowd-pleasing comedy, political satire, verbatim theatre, educational theatre and mental health advocacy. David created three musicals with Kate Brennan – AliEN8, Clean Slate and Illuminate. He is a 2020 MAP Fund recipient. David was commissioned by the NJPAC to create the play Fixed, which premiered at Passage Theatre (2017.) Learn more @ https://davidleewhite.net/
(Artistic Affiliate) is a graduate of the Boston Conservatory & proud AEA member. Off-Bway:Click Clack Moo (Duck), Walmarutopia (Darin,Alan,etc.), Cabin in the Sky. Tour: Cinderella (Lionel), Junie B Jones (Sheldon Pots). Regional: JCS (Judas), The Wiz ( Lion), Titanic (Fredrick Fleet), Fame (Mable). Flim: Julie Taymor's Across the Universe.
(Artistic Affiliate) is a recent graduate of Oklahoma City University. Recent performances have been with OCU Theatre, OCU Film, and Ignition Arts. She has worked on several art projects with Ignition Arts, done freelance art and design, and run several fandom art events and accounts.
(Artistic Fellow) is a graduate candidate in the M.F.A. Theatre for Young Audiences program at the University of Central Florida. She’s from Abilene, Kansas and got her B.F.A. from Oklahoma City University before touring the country with Missoula Children’s Theatre. Outside of her work with Ignition Arts, Sage works as a teaching artist at the Orlando Repertory Theatre and conductor of Playback UCF.
(Artistic Affiliate)
INTERNS PAST & PRESENT
CONTACT US
717-430-0572
RESIDENCIES
ignition arts has had the privilege to obtain residencies with arts organizations across the continent to foster meaningful collaborations on stage and in the community. LEARN MORE BY CLICKING HERE