WHO & WHAT IS GRIT?

GRIT PRODUCTIONS is a new risk-taking non-profit Theatre Company committed to developing artists and new work in both the UK and international forums. We’re interested in uncovering ground-breaking theatre ideas of all kinds, and we are committed to presenting and supporting distinct voices from wherever we can find them.

We believe that much of the work being presented today has a void at its core and is predominantly concerned with financial gain rather than artistic merit. GRIT PRODUCTIONS' remit is to seek out emerging talent, whether it be writers, designers, directors, musicians, artists or actors and offer a new avenue for them to reach a public forum without being tied to profit margins and commercial return.

GRIT is determined to make quality, original and memorable theatre accessible to all audiences, both in cost terms and with regards to its choice of performance spaces.

The Grit Founders:

Jon Bonfiglio is a writer, director and independent producer.

This summer he is directing Nick Awde's Blood Confession in Edinburgh and his new play - Human Remains - will be running at the Canal Cafe Theatre throughout August. In the autumn he will be promoting various music nights around the country, as well as producing the inaugural CASA Theatre Festival in London and running visual arts projects in Vietnam and Cambodia. He also continues to produce the Dos Equis Series of emerging Mexican art.

Last year, amongst other projects, Territory (devised in conjunction with grass roots artists in Zimbabwe) premiered at the Harare International Festival of the Arts in 2006 before touring to London and Edinburgh, and Nocturn played at the Church of the Most Holy Redeemer in Clerkenwell, London in November 2006.

Jonathan has just completed his first novel - Acapulco Falls - and is currently working on his fifth play, based on the recent reclassification of the planets, to be directed in London by Joe Fredericks in January 2008.

www.jonbonfiglio.com

Joe Fredericks is an actor, director, producer and composer.

Joe found his route back to the Arts after a spell in the world of criminal law as a trainee solicitor, having studied law and politics at the University of Nottingham. A postgraduate degree in Acting restored him back into the theatrical world, where he had originally grown up.

Most recently he directed the Steam Industry's Christmas show at The Scoop in the Southbank. He will also be the overall Director for Pages, the NWC launch event at the old Southwark Playhouse. Last year he directed the premier of the short play Nocturn and later this year will be directing and composing for the premier of Pluto. Joe has also been an Associate Director, Project Manager and Assistant Director for the multi award winning Steam Industry's open air summer seasons at The Scoop Theatre, on the Southbank in London since 2002. He has also been Musical Director & Resident Composer for all nine productions there, including Helen of Troy, The Caucasion Chalk Circle, Agamemnon, Treasure Island, Oedipus and The Jungle Book.

Acting credits include Eddie Lyons in Blood Brothers (Phoenix Theatre & National Tour) Nigel in Blowing Whistles (The Sound Theatre & originally at the Croydon Warehouse) and Jerry Allison in Buddy (The Strand) Around The World in 80 Days (Liverpool Playhouse, Guilford, Richmond); Ben in The Dumb Waiter (Allplay); Creeping Wally in Sleeping Beauty (Salisbury Playhouse); Simon in The Caucasion Chalk Cirlce, Captain Smollett in Treasure Island, Demophon in Children of Hercules, The Watchman in Agamemnon, (all at The Scoop Theatre, The Southbank) The National Tour of Inner City Jam; Noel Coward at the Cafe de Paris for The Wallnut Street Theatre in Philadelphia. TV acting credits include Rhys in Eastenders and Liam Roberts in Wire in the Blood, for the BBC and Coastal Productions respectively.

In an attempt to mix his corporate and theatrical backgrounds Joe has a huge amount of experience as a training facilitator and roleplayer for over 40 blue chip companies and government agencies. These include The BBC, BAA, JP Morgan, Royal Bank of Scotland, The Home Office, The Department of Constitutional Affairs, Abbey National, BAE Systems, The General Medical Council, Nationwide, American Express and Vauxhall.