'Taming' a Tough Role

This is Constellation's second production; the company debuted last season with "A Dream Play" at Source and will be among the arts groups offered a full-time residency at Source next spring, after the space is renovated. She has big ideas for Constellation, reflected in her choice of "The Arabian Nights."

"Part of me is attracted to this because of the part of the world it is about," says the one-time comparative religion major fascinated by "the nature of the sacred" and the links between religious ritual and theater. "The idea of storytelling and art being transformative and redeeming a man who is horrifically violent is terribly appealing," she says of the tale of Scheherazade, who spins her yarns for 1,001 nights to stay the sword of the murderous king.

The play also celebrates "the nature of ensemble, which is at the root of Constellation's mission," Stockman adds. "When you see an actor playing multiple parts, it reinforces the idea that we are responsible for our own actions and that we are free to choose the kind of person we want to be."

Stockman says her cast and crew are working for "not quite pennies, but nickels." Teasley, who was an artist in residence at the Kennedy Center and collaborated on a project with the National Symphony Orchestra, took a pay cut to work with her. "I bought into her vision," he says.

Follow Spots

¿ The League of Washington Theatres has announced that Oct. 18 will be a Free Night of Theater, when more than 16 area venues will offer blocks of free tickets to encourage new theatergoers. To fit their schedules, some theaters will have "free nights" on other dates between Oct. 9 and Nov. 4. Visit the League Web site at http://lowt.org.

¿ Citing family reasons, Matthew Arkin (son of Alan) has bowed out of Theater J's production of David Mamet's "Speed-the-Plow," opening Oct. 18. Danton Stone will take on the role of Hollywood mogul Bobby Gould.