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copyright 2002
the dirigo group

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Mission statement

The dirigo group is a team of artists who are dedicated to the creative process and presentation of original works as well as production of contemporary works, and also “reconsiderations” of classical material. Through theatrical performance, film/video arts, music, dance, and the visual arts, the group strives for truth and honesty in exploring the human spirit. The dirigo group intends to involve the community by collaborating with its cultural and economic resources, as well as dedicating each project to a charity, and providing special performances for local schools and youth organizations.

"We're going to make plays. We're going to make movies. We're going to make music. We're going to paint pictures. We're going to make new art and dare you to look at old art in a new way. We're going to touch you where it feels good and sting you where it hurts. The dirigo group is going to move you by any means."

About the dirigo group:

Three years ago, a group of artists from all over the United States found themselves in Austin, Texas searching for a project. So with a lot of “desire,” a handful of clip lights and a barn, they decided to stage desire: a reconsideration of Desire Under the Elms. After an overwhelming response and four B. Iden Payne awards (Outstanding Drama, Outstanding Director of a Drama, Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama, and Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama) the group of six decided to make it permanent and gave it a name; the dirigo group was born. Over the next three years, the dirigo group would tackle such projects as Sam Shepard’s Fool for Love and Cowboy Mouth, Lanford Wilson’s Home Free!, the original New York production of Year of the Voice and the original epic musical The Gypsy Chain. The company would also receive critics’ acclaim, being cited in critics’ Top Ten lists two years in a row along with being listed as one of the Top Ten Most Underrated Artists (the dirigo group) in Austin.

Our mission is still the same—simply put, to create new art and dare others to look at old art in new ways. We are committed to providing an environment where Austin artists can work and thrive, to producing engaging and provocative work, and to challenging our audiences as we challenge ourselves.

Who we are

Corey
Gagne

Corey Gagne grew up in Fort Kent, Maine. He attended the University of Maine at Fort Kent where he graduated with a minor in theater. While in Fort Kent, he appeared in numerous plays and musicals and co-founded the Fort Kent Potato Players, a theater troupe dedicated to performing original work which dealt with political, social, and economic issues that faced the residents of his hometown. He continued his studies at London's Mountview Theater Conservatory, where he graduated from the One Year Acting and Musical Theater program. He then traveled to New York City, where he appeared in several world premier productions, including Gull, an adaptation of Chekhov's The Seagull, directed by dirigo grouper Laura Somers. Since relocating to Austin, Corey has had the privilege of working with Subterranean Theater Company, Salvage Vanguard Theater (Critic's Table Nomination for Fugitive Pieces), The State Theater Company, and Austin Playhouse as well as continuing to work with Ms.Somers. Corey made his Austin directorial debut in dirigo's production of Cowboy Mouth. The dirigo group represents the culmination of one of Corey's lifelong goals.

Christa
Kimlicko Jones

Christa Kimlicko Jones has been in Austin since 1998, and is currently working on her MFA in Acting at the University of Texas at Austin. Since moving to Austin, she has been seen in over 15 productions and worked with Public Domain, Subterranean Theatre Company (Hyde Park Theatre Company), Mermaid Theatre Company, Austin Scriptworks, State Theatre Company, and Austin Playhouse. Christa received a B. Iden Payne award for "Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama" for her performance as Abbie in the dirigo group's desire, a reconsideration of Desire Under the Elms. Some other favorite roles include Nina in The Seagull first with Mermaid Theatre Company and then with Austin Playhouse (Critic's Table Nomination), Joanna in dirigo group's Home Free!, May in dirigo's Fool for Love, LeeAnn in A Piece of My Heart, and Juliet in Romeo and Juliet. Christa was also listed in the Austin Chronicle's 2001 "Most Valuable Performers." Christa enjoys teaching as well, and has either led or assisted in numerous theatre workshops for children at the State Theatre School of Acting and elsewhere, worked with Troupe d'Jour (educational Shakespeare touring troupe), and also taught elementary drama at St. Mary's Cathedral School in Austin.

Judson L.
Jones

Judson L. Jones is a member of Subterranean Theatre Company, Hyde Park Theatre, and the dirigo group and has appeared in over fourteen productions since moving to Austin in 1998. His most recent productions include Fugitive Pieces as Troubled John (Critic's Table Nomination) with Salvage Vanguard Theatre; Art Stripped Naked as Art with Hyde Park Theatre; The Gypsy Chain as Big "A" with the dirigo group and in A Macbeth as Macduff with the State Theatre for which he was nominated for a Critics Table Award and a B. Iden Payne Award for "Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama." His other credits include the dirigo group's productions of Fool for Love as Eddie and desire as Simeon, which garnered him a B. Iden Payne Award for "Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama," Subterranean Theatre Company's productions of Bleacher Bums as Greg,for which he was honored with a Critics Table Award for "Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy," and in The Soldier Dreams as The German Student, for which he received a Critics Table Award for "Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama."

Laura S.
Somers

Laura Somers is a six-time award winning director, writer, performer and co-producing artistic director of the dirigo group in Austin. She has created several original productions including, The Gypsy Chain, desire: a reconsideration of Desire Under the Elms, I Am What I Am I Am Not What I Think Am I? and The Year of the Voice. In 1998, she was commissioned by Simple Minded Productions of Philadelphia to create Space: Gravity is With Me. Other productions by Ms. Somers include: Gull, at the Angel Orensanz Foundation for the Arts, NY; The Evolution of Man, for The Big Box Festival of New Directors, HERE Theater, NY; and Cultural Bondage, Musical Theater Works, NY. She is pleased to have worked with Infernal Bridegroom Productions, Via Theater, and LAByrinth Theater Company. Laura is a graduate of NYU's TISCH School of the Arts and currently lives in New York City.