The Philadelphia Inquirer from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania • C01

CITY SUBURBS THEATER BEAT You are invited, Part 1 The Barrymore Awards bash is right around the corner. Why not go? Called "the Tonys of Philadelphia," the Barrymores recognize excellence on our local stages. The awards ceremony kicks off at 7 p.m. Oct. 30 at the Merriam Theater.

Flash: It's open to Me Jlnquircr 2017 iiH iHMHHHBE' rI Hv'f RKJP "ll VffwPiaH JOHN TIMPANE jtimpane theatergoers not just theater industry insiders. After an opening number, probably hilarious, by Martha Graham Cracker (a.k.a. Dito van Reigersberg), emcee duties will pass among a diverse group "from all facets of the theater world," says Leigh Goldenberg, executive director of Theatre Philadelphia, which administers the Barrymores. Temple University student Kyshon Johnson, 22, launched the 100 Other Halves Project in August with an Instagram video, saying this was a "journey of sisterhood towards realization, understanding, and healing." bob williams For the inquirer Fathers daughters A Temple student's project explores the bonds, good, bad, and nonexistent. By Sofiya Ballin STAFF WRITER yshon Johnson isn't good at small talk.

The 22-year-old Temple University senior acknowledges that as she opens a black-bound journal full of handwritten notes. She's majoring in international business but speaks as though she is headed toward a career in psychology. "I always start conversations off with heavy, deep stuff," she said. "It may make you feel uncomfortable, but growth is uncomfortable." This is what pushed the West See HALVES PROJECT on C2 Kerrivah Heard, 21, was Johnson's 50th interviewee, getting her halfway to her goal. Johnson shares some results of these talks on her website, "The Butterfly Collection." Love and courtship on the spectrum By Drew Lazor FOR THE INQUIRER ot everyone in Dina Buno's world understood why she agreed to let cameras fol low her around Philadelphia for more than a year.

But they'll get it after watching the documentary that shares her name, a jarring but exult-MOVIES ant reminder Bi Jean Ngo receives the F. Otto Haas Award at last year's Barrymores as Peter Haas and Akeem Davis look on. MARK GARVIN A $75 ticket includes the raucous after-party (with open bar) at Dorrance Hamilton Hall at the University of the Arts. Tickets: 215-893-1999 or theatrephiladelphia.org. Media matters Goldenberg also gets a lot of credit for this next item.

A lot of venues take part in the Barrymores, with a few notable holdouts the Media Theatre having been one. But this year, after a visit from Goldenberg, Terrence J. Nolen of the Arden Theatre Company, and others, the Media decided after an absence of eight years to submit its production of Carousel for a Barrymore go. "We looked at all the changes they are making to the process," says Media Theatre artistic director Jesse Cline, "and Leigh's presentation especially was impressive. She's vibrant and smart, and I was very touched by her dedication to Philly theater." Eat, drink, play This summer, Kathryn MacMillan became artistic director of the doughty Tiny Dynamite company.

It does that series "A Play, a Pie, and a Pint," now in a new home upstairs at Headhouse Cafe, 122 Lombard St. Yep: You get a beer, a slice of 'za, and a play, just as it says. The season kicks off with the U.S. premiere of The Art of Swimming (Dec. 6-17) by Irish playwright Lynda Radley.

honors the Hiberno-British tradition of traveling pub theater.) MacMillan calls Swimming "both comic and a little magical." It (partly) concerns Mercedes Gleitze, the first British woman to swim the English Channel. Local actor Lee Minora, fresh from Edinburgh Fringe, is in the lead role. "We value that convivial element," MacMillan says, "seeing friends, drinking beer, having a chat." She promises "plays you'd like to have a beer with." You are invited, Part 2 A yearlong theatrical project is about to kick off, and you can participate. The organization Theatrical Trainer is "devoted to bridging the gap between exercise science, wellness, and the performing arts," says founder Peter Andrew Danzig. They've started a project called Body Aesthetic, and they need people to come be a part.

This Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Plays Players Theatre, 1714 Delancey Place, visitors can stop in and have a photo taken holding a sign about their relationship with their bodies. "It can be whatever statement you want," Danzig says. "It could be I LOVE THIS or THE MAGAZINES MADE ME FEEL THIS.

It depends on the person." After a year collecting the ideas and feelings of Philadelphians, it'll all result, Danzig says, in a production at Philadelphia Fringe 2018, "examining body dysmorphia and body image through a theatrical lens. It's a topic that really does affect everyone." For more information: petertheatricaltrainer.com. E3 jtimpanephillynews.com 215-854-4406 (ffijtimpane that life is what you make it. "A lot of people were skeptical of me why are you putting yourself out Dina Opens Friday at Ritz at the Bourse, Ambler Theater and AMC Voorhees. there?" says the 50-year-old Glenside resident.

"But I go with my gut. I knew it would be positive. I'm a strong woman and I believe in doing what you love." That confidence is the unflappable engine that powers Dina, the second feature from directors Dan Sickles and Antonio Santini. Billed as a "a real-life See DINA on C2 Dina Buno and Scott Levin in a scene from "Dina," a documentary by Dan Sickles and Antonio Santini that won the grand jury prize for a U.S. documentary at the 2017 Sundance Film Festival.

Sundance Institute TV I C6 See flamenco royalty in action at Drexel By Nancy G. Heller FOR THE INQUIRER elen Maya is flamenco royalty. Her parents Spaniards Mario Maya DANCE Belen Maya's Romnia Performances 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday at Drexel's URBN Black Box Theater, 3401 Filbert St. $25 ($15 for students).

215-895-2528 or drexel.eduwestphal news-events. Maya will also present a free public lecture and demonstration 7 p.m. Thursday at Drexel's Mandell Theater, 3220 Chestnut St. On "This Is Us," which Pearson is your favorite? and Carmen Mora were celebrated dancers, and Maya herself is renowned for her traditional and experimental choreography. Born in New York City, where her father's troupe was on tour, Maya was raised in Spain.

Now in her late 40s, she has lived in Seville for many years. This weekend at Drexel, she will make her Philadel-See MAYA on C3 THEATER I C6 A spirited evening with a Noel Coward classic. Flamenco star Belen Maya leads a class at Drexel. She will dance her "Romnia" this weekend, jessica griffin staff photographer.