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Mad Cow Theatre was a not-for-profit regional theatre based in Orlando, Florida.[1] Founded in 1997,[2] the theatre was located in Downtown Orlando within the central business district.

History

Mad Cow Theater began in late 1997,[2] founded by Rus Blackwell, Trudy Bruner, Alan Bruun, and Dennis Neal, as a simple two-show project in a former blueprint studio in Maitland, Florida.[citation needed] Shortly after, the venue moved numerous times in a four-year period. Renting space from Central Florida organizations such as Rollins College, Orlando-UCF Shakespeare Festival,[3] Civic Theatre of Central Florida, and the Orlando International Fringe Theater Festival.

Supported in part with public funds from United Arts of Central Florida, the State of Florida Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs, and Orange County through the Arts & Cultural Affairs program, as well as local theatre community members, the Mad Cow Theatre has received a 2013 Golden Brick Award for contributions to increasing the quality of life downtown,[4] and was named "Best Theatre" by Orlando Magazine in 2011,[5] 2012,[6] and 2013.[7]

Adult and teen acting classes are directed and taught by local talent and professors from Rollins and UCF.[citation needed]

Facilities

In October 2012, Mad Cow moved to the location at 54 W. Church St.[8][9] The venue houses two theaters, which share a common lobby, box office, and coffee and wine bar. The facility has a combined capacity of 227.[10] The theaters are used for regular season productions, the Orlando Cabaret Festival,[11] as well as business meetings and community and social events.

The theater relocated from the Church St. address in May 2022 as a result of a forbearance agreement with the City of Orlando.[13]

Recent Production History

The Harriett Theatre

2017-2018 Season

The Zehngebot-Stonerock Theatre

2017-2018 Season

Special Events

Collaborations

The Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra

Mad Cow Theatre has collaborated with the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra for several concerts, presented at Bob Carr Theater. Those productions have included The Music Man, Sweeney Todd, My Fair Lady,[14] and Guys and Dolls, and have attracted star talent, including Davis Gaines and Faith Prince.[15] They have also collaborated on a series of concert opera productions, including Carmen[16] and Porgy and Bess to fill the void left by the now-defunct Orlando Opera.[17]

References

  1. ^ Suozzo, Andrea; Schwencke, Ken; Tigas, Mike; Wei, Sisi; Glassford, Alec; Roberts, Brandon (May 9, 2013). "Mad Cow Theatre Inc". Nonprofit Explorer. ProPublica. Archived from the original on July 15, 2022. Retrieved July 15, 2022.
  2. ^ a b "Mad Cow Theatre". Florida Smart. Archived from the original on July 6, 2022. Retrieved July 15, 2022.
  3. ^ Schneider, Steve (October 3, 2000). "The lessons of history". Orlando Weekly. Archived from the original on March 6, 2012. Retrieved May 7, 2012.
  4. ^ "Mad Cow Theatre Honored with 2013 Golden Brick Award of Excellence". Broadway World Orlando. Wisdom Digital Media. April 19, 2013. Archived from the original on July 15, 2022. Retrieved July 15, 2022.
  5. ^ "Best of Orlando 2011". Orlando Magazine. July 7, 2011. Archived from the original on May 24, 2022. Retrieved July 15, 2022.
  6. ^ "Best of Orlando 2012". Orlando Magazine. July 31, 2012. Archived from the original on May 17, 2022. Retrieved July 15, 2022.
  7. ^ "Best of Orlando 2013". Orlando Magazine. July 25, 2013. Archived from the original on July 15, 2022. Retrieved July 15, 2022.
  8. ^ Palm, Matthew J. (October 6, 2012). "Mad Cow Theatre finds home on Church Street". Orlando Sentinel. Archived from the original on February 4, 2023. Retrieved July 15, 2022.
  9. ^ Sierra, Gabrielle (December 12, 2011). "Mad Cow Theatre Announces Move to 54 West Church Street". Broadway World Miami. Wisdom Digital Media. Archived from the original on July 15, 2022. Retrieved July 15, 2022.
  10. ^ a b c "Mad Cow Theatre". BizBash. April 11, 2006. Archived from the original on February 4, 2023. Retrieved July 15, 2022.
  11. ^ McLeod, Michael (April 13, 2016). "Transported By Cab". Orlando Magazine. Archived from the original on July 15, 2022. Retrieved July 15, 2022.
  12. ^ "Orlando philanthropist and arts patron Harriett Lake dies at age 96". Orlando Business Journal. American City Business Journals. July 10, 2018. Archived from the original on February 4, 2023. Retrieved July 15, 2022.
  13. ^ Samantha, Dunne; Cardona, Carolina (February 16, 2022). "Orlando's Mad Cow Theatre to take final bow as city finalizes loan forgiveness agreement". WKMG-TV. Orlando: Graham Media Group. Archived from the original on July 6, 2022. Retrieved July 15, 2022.
  14. ^ Warfield, Scott (May 9, 2010). "Classical Music Review: Orlando Philharmonic delivers perfectly pitched 'My Fair Lady'". Orlando Sentinel. ISSN 0744-6055. Archived from the original on November 30, 2016. Retrieved May 7, 2012.
  15. ^ Gans, Andrew (July 12, 2010). "Faith Prince Will Develop a Cold for Guys and Dolls Concerts; Gaines Is Sky". Playbill. Archived from the original on October 21, 2012. Retrieved October 21, 2012.
  16. ^ Warfield, Scott (February 28, 2010). "Concert review: 'Carmen' with the Orlando Philharmonic". Orlando Sentinel. Archived from the original on October 24, 2012. Retrieved May 7, 2012.
  17. ^ Maupin, Elizabeth (February 18, 2010). "For concert stagings, the music takes center stage". Orlando Sentinel. ISSN 0744-6055. Archived from the original on February 4, 2023. Retrieved May 7, 2012.
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