FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE               CONTACT: Barbara Walthall firebelly_press@yahoo.com January 30, 2010 Firebelly Productions Ceases Performances After 8 years of operation in Arlington County, Firebelly Productions has ceased operations and performances. Producer and Managing Director, Barbara Walthall, and Pictured is Phillip James Brannon as Vladimir, Firebelly's 2004 production of Waiting for Godot that performed in Arlington, Virginia and Prague, Czech Republic. Phillip is one of the original Firebelly company members, also seen as Lenny in Of Mice and Men, who is now a successful repertory theater actor. Phillip performs regularly at The Goodman Theater and Chicago Shakespeare Theater. This season he is performing in Tarell Alvin McCraney's The Brother/Sister Plays at Steppenwolf. Photo by Ray Gniewek.  Artistic Director Kathi Gollwitzer have resigned from the company they co-founded in 2002, due to a shift in personal priorities, difficult economic times, and personal commitments. The company has decided to close its doors. On a production hiatus since their production of Hamlet closed in August 2009 with record attendance, with intent of renewing productions in July 2010 after a ground-up reorganization, the founding members have decided to close down operations and focus on other areas of artistic enterprise and outreach to the community.  “We have reached many new audiences in the past years, especially young audience members who will remember their first theatrical performance and the life-changing surrounding events, whether that be from a front row seat in a production of To Kill a Mockingbird or a backstage tour prior to Hamlet, where we explained special effects and how we ‘create’ blood on stage,” says Barbara Walthall, Producer and Managing Director of Firebelly’s 16 productions. “In addition, we provided older patrons with accessible, affordable theatre at our Sunday matinees by offering $5.00 tickets.  We built a strong, appreciative audience of elder patrons who looked forward to our specially discounted tickets for Sunday matinees.” “I am satisfied with many fine accomplishments--our tour to Prague, Hong Kong, awards, strong reviews, growth in our audience, and professional growth of the actor and technicians -- that has proved that our instincts and motivations were correct.  I don’t regret one moment of our work as Firebelly,” says  Kathi Gollwitzer. Firebelly Productions received many supportive reviews from a variety of sources and recognitions, beginning with the “Bright New Star” award in 2003 from Arlington County.  They later received recognition from the American Association of University Women, Arlington Branch, for Advancement of the Arts. Many positive reviews were posted/ published and are posted on  Firebelly’s website at www.firebellyproductions.net. “We are privileged to have helped many young artists gain professional experience with our company that has helped them move ahead in their professional careers. We truly gave everything we could to help them realize their goals, and hope they, in turn, give back to others in their professional lives,” said Gollwitzer. “I often tell my children that, as an adult, you must recognize when your priorities change, and then change your life to meet those new priorities.  Now I must show them that I do what I say, with grace, I hope,” says Walthall. ### Firebelly Productions is supported by Arlington County through the Arlington Commission for the Arts and Cultural Affairs Division of the Department of Parks, Recreation, and Cultural.