Darren Aronofsky’s Protozoa Pictures & Los Angeles Media Fund Launch Live Theater Joint Venture, Announce First Three Commissions
25.10.2023 - 15:43
/ deadline.com
Darren Aronofsky‘s Protozoa Pictures and Los Angeles Media Fund are launching a joint venture focused on commissioning and producing new live theater projects as well as co-producing and supporting larger productions.
The LAMF/Protozoa Theater Fund venture solidifies and extends a partnership that has already landed on Broadway as a co-producer of last season’s Tony-nominated revival of Lorraine Hansberry’s The Sign in Sidney Brustein’s Window, starring Oscar Isaac, Rachel Brosnahan, and Tony-winner Miriam Silverman.
The Fund today announced the recipients of its first three commissions: James Ijames, Pulitzer Prize winner and Tony nominee for Fat Ham; Sylvia Khoury, Pulitzer Prize finalist for Selling Kabul; and Sarah Einspanier, author of the critically lauded Off Broadway hit Lunch Bunch.
Protozoa’s Brendan Naylor and LAMF’s Luke Rodgers will oversee the Fund’s day-to-day operations.
“I have been thrilled, surprised and inspired countless times by New York’s stages,” said Aronofsky in a statement. “Many of my favorite screenwriters honed their craft in the theater, so it’s very exciting to be partnering with some of today’s most daring playwrights.”
Jeffrey Soros, CEO of Los Angeles Media Fund, said, “At this moment, as theater surges back, I am truly inspired by the ambition and excellence of the current generation of voices working in theater as exemplified by James, Sylvia, and Sarah. Based on our fruitful experiences with Protozoa in other media, I can’t think of a better partner in this endeavor.”
Aronofsky’s Protozoa Pictures has a history of collaborations with theatrical talent, most recently with its 2022 film production of Samuel D. Hunter’s play The Whale, which the playwright adapted for Aronofsky to