No. 004 | June 2023

ISSUE 04

JUNE 2023

DRAX DIGEST A MONTHLY NEWSLETTER FOR THE DRAX COMMUNITY

Horror movies, Broadway plays, cooking shows, and opera projects oh my! There is no limit to the projects DRAX Productions produced and is actively accomplishing. Read more here:

Michael Ennis | Publisher

DRAX PUBLISHING

Eleonora Fogg | Editor

DRAX

Intro

Table of Contents Don't hesitate to get in touch with us with ideas for future issues!

Eleonora Fogg | eleonora@svvl.net

Monthly Business Profile:

02

DRAX Productions Interview with Daniel Biaggi DRAX Productions Projects

02 03

Profile: Meet Denyce Graves DRAX News Wellness+ Studio BreadStory

04 05

Burr Hall Farm William J. von Liebig Foundation Team Profile BreadStory's Ice Cream Truck!

06

Recipe of the Month

07

DRAX

Monthly Business Highlight

DRAX Productions Drax Productions has been involved in creating various projects, from cinematic adaptations of classical music song cycles and dramatic readings of a new theater play to pilots for TV cooking shows and TV documentary series and investing in a slate of horror films.

We are now finding co-producers, distributors, networks, etc., to help us produce the full-scale versions.

Some horror movies will likely be filmed in collaboration with a production studio in Atlanta and may start filming in the first quarter of 2024. At the same time, we are working with social media-savvy interns to generate more awareness of the various projects.

Interview with DRAX Productions'

Daniel Biaggi

Q: What initially drew you to the entertainment industry, and what motivated you to pursue a career in production management?

My initial interest in life in entertainment and the performing arts came from wanting to be an actor/singer and work with fellow performers. I've always enjoyed highly talented artists' high energy, passion, charisma, and wildly dedicated personalities.

More and more, I realized how much an excellent performance (live or on-screen) can impact the well-being of audiences. Whether it's a comedy that brings you immediate joy or a dramatic piece allowing you to live through some deep and, at times, difficult emotions, a well-produced show can make you leave a different person than when you came in. So after my start as a performer, I soon realized that what I enjoyed most was creating environments in which artists and audiences could come together for a shared experience, be that at a live performance or, increasingly during the pandemic, at a shared digital experience.

Q: DRAX Productions is producing several high-quality productions. In your opinion, what are the key elements that contribute to creating a successful and memorable piece?

Key elements to a memorable production are having a compelling story to tell that moves audiences and having the right teams on stage/camera and behind the scenes that enable that story to be told as impactful as possible. Since we are in the business of 'people and their stories,' and since highly skilled people carry out most individual tasks that lead to a successful production with little automation, it's imperative to assemble good teams in which each team member understands their functions, is passionate about the mission, and works with the others in a supportive way toward a shared high-quality goal.

DRAX Productions' Projects Our TV cooking show, with the working title 'Diary of a Lousy Cook,' follows Karla Cavalli on a journey to learn how to make better food choices and cook healthy meals. We are slightly reshaping the series to possibly include editing a new sizzle reel and recording a new voiceover. In the first episode, Karla learns how to make a skirt steak with chimichurri sauce, rice pilaf, and Swiss chard, guided by chef Cari Golden.

OPERATIC - an unscripted behind-the-scenes docuseries of the daily lives of opera stars. Think Netflix's "Chef's Table" for the opera world, following one singer's life per episode and introducing other key players (conductors, directors, designers, stagehands, etc.) along the way. Episode 1 features Denyce Graves, known for her unforgettable role as Carmen in Bizet's opera of the same name, and focuses on her life as a world-famous Carmen, her debut as a director, and the creation of her foundation, all while overcoming continuous adversity as a Black opera singer and juggling family life.

DRAX Productions produced two staged readings of a new play, CONTROL, by New York playwright Michael Raver, which took place last summer at the Frank Shiner Theater in New York. We are currently on a second round of script submissions to producers and artistic directors of U.S. theater companies.

DRAX also funded a cinematic adaptation of a song cycle called 'Dichterliebe' (A Poet's Love) into a short film, After Glow, starring counter-tenor and NBC's The Voice Finalist John Holiday. We are working with social media-savvy interns to create reels for TikTok and Instagram to create buzz around this project before possibly starting a YouTube Channel to release it in segments for viewing.

Profile

Meet Denyce Graves Opera's Greatest Carmen

Denyce Graves embodies authenticity and inspires us to live without judgment. Her big, colorful voice fills concert halls of over 4,000 people without microphones, employing precise techniques and utilizing her body as a resonant megaphone. But it's not just the sound that moves her—it's the transformative power of singing.

Denyce becomes the best version of herself when she performs, as she feels closest to divinity.

"I feel like it [singing] cleans my heart and makes me a better human being."

Denyce exemplifies embracing one's true self. Her uninhibited approach and captivating performances make her a magnetic force in opera, reminding us to live authentically and passionately.

Something she learned from one of her most well-known character roles: Carmen.

Denyce sees Carmen as someone who's completely natural. She doesn't censor or judge herself. "She is who we all want to be. … I think someone who is authentically who they are without any façade, any pretense, is interesting and exciting."

BreadStory BreadStory and the 969 household have started composting to lessen our negative environmental impact!

Composting greatly reduces greenhouse gas emissions created by trapped and rotting food. It also helps create a more sustainable future for future generations, so let's do our part and compost whenever possible.

Join us and start composting to help our planet and your community today!

Burr Hall Farm The compost from BreadStory and 969 makes its way with our team to Burr Hall Farm, where our farmers utilize it to give back to the earth and nourish the soil giving it back life and vitality to later grow our very own fruits, veggies, and lavender!

William J. von Liebig Foundation Stay tuned for more from the William J. von Liebig Foundation! In the meantime, follow us on Instagram and become one of the 4,500+ who already do!

Wellness+ Studio Follow Wellness+ on Instagram as we share behind the scenes and tips!

DRAX News

Employee Profile Meet our wonderful and unstoppable C.F.O., Lynn Coleman!

Responsible for managing the inner workings of over fourteen businesses and working with us for over twenty-five years, Lynn brings brilliance, expertise, humor, and compassion to our family here at DRAX. We are all jealous of those living in Florida who get to experience more of her in person than we do.

The Best for This Summer

BreadStory's Ice Cream Truck!

It's that time of year when everyone starts to scream for ice cream. Stop by Peter Coop's Scoops for a nice, cold, sweet treat!

BreadStory is running the Stuytown community's beloved retro ice cream truck this summer - serving scrumptious cookies and heavenly, nut-free and eggfree A La Mode ice cream.

The adorable, Instagram-worthy food truck will also provide special treats and sandwiches for the Stuytown community movie nights, starting for the summer in June, so make sure not to miss all the excitement at BreadStory and Peter Coop's Scoops!

Ingredients: 1 28-oz can whole peeled tomatoes ⅓ cup (plus 2 TB) extra-virgin olive oil 1lb. eggplant, cut into ½" pieces 2½ tsp. salt, divided, plus more 3 garlic cloves, thinly sliced ½ tsp. crushed red pepper flakes 3 TB double-concentrated tomato paste 2 TB coarsely chopped oregano 1 lb. tubular pasta (like calamarata or rigatoni) 4 oz. ricotta salata, shaved Torn basil leaves (for serving) Freshly ground black pepper

Directions: 1. In a medium bowl, crush tomatoes; set aside.

2. Heat ⅓ cup olive oil in a large, heavy pot over medium-high heat. Add eggplant and 1 tsp. salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and golden brown, 6–8 minutes. Transfer to a bowl.

3. Heat remaining olive oil in same pot over medium-high. Cook garlic and red pepper flakes, stirring constantly, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add tomato paste and cook, stirring, until color darkens, about 2 minutes. Add oregano, 1½ tsp. salt, and tomatoes. Bring to a

June's Recipe

boil and cook, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened, about 5 minutes. Return eggplant to pot and cook, stirring occasionally, until eggplant is completely tender and flavors

Pasta alla Norma Makes 4 Servings

have melded, about 2 minutes.

4. Meanwhile, cook pasta in large pot of boiling salted water, stirring occasionally, until al dente. Drain, reserving 1 cup pasta liquid.

5. Add pasta and ½ cup pasta liquid to sauce.

Cook, stirring often and adding more pasta

This dish is inspired by Bellini's NORMA - one of the most famous operas and characters.

Recently performed at the Metropolitan Opera with bass-baritone Christian Van Horn, profiled in our last issue, as Oroveso.

liquid if needed, until sauce is thick and coats pasta, about 2 minutes.

6. Divide pasta among shallow bowls. Top with ricotta salata and torn basil leaves. Season with freshly ground black pepper.