Project #2: Experimental Theatre
The Garage
The Garage." (L-R): Vedran Zivolic,
Goran Bogdan, Nina Violic, Frano Maskovic.
Photo by Mara Bratos.
La Mama Experimental Theatre Club
January 28 - February 7, 2010
Thursday - Saturday at 7:30pm
Sunday at 2:30pm
Based on "The Garage" by Zdenko Mesaric
Directed by Ivica Buljan
Performed by Zagreb Youth Theatre of Croatia
Throw in an audience, a couple of wrestlers, and a ring, and the first thing that comes to mind is a wrestling match...or so you would think. The La Mama Experimental Theatre Club's performance of The Garage, performed by the Zagreb Youth Theatre of Croatia is the definition of experimental theatre. The set consists of a boxing ring in which the actors perform and Croatia's leading hip-hop group will be taking care of the plays music. This play conbines several genre's from martial arts film along with the excitement of a wrestling match. The use of a wrestling wring as the actual stage makes this play unlike anything you will probably ever see.
The TempestANIMATE: Actors using dolls takes
manipulation, a key theme in
The Tempest,' a step further
Sonoma County Repertory Theatre
Directed by Conrad Bishop
Based on the Tempest by William Shakespeare
Premiered September 18, 2009 with 18 total performances
( specific days not specified)
This production combines the use of actors being portrayed thru puppets. The world puppet is an understatement because the actors are dressed in all black and operate lifesize puppets with ornate costumes and exquisite detail. What makes this production so unique is the actors are visible to the audience giving a sense that it is not real but also requiring the actors to give even more life to the puppets and characters they are embodying.
Continuous City
Hotel Pro Forma
Directed by Marianne Weems
Written by Harry Sinclair
September 19, 2008 - August 13, 2009
“Continuous City surprises, questions, puzzles and fascinates with its mastery of the very technologies it speaks about. Visually superb, the show directed by Marianne Weems, evokes a multitude of small matters that will keep you thinking long after the last haunting scene”
Le Soir, Belgium, January 26, 2009
Le Soir, Belgium, January 26, 2009
This production is unique because it takes the city that it is being staged in and ties it specifically to that particular city. The show combines a traditional set with a projection screen on which shots from that particular city are shown on the screen. One particular thing that sets this production apart is the fact that you are being narrated thru the city that is being higlighted and actually seeing footage from that city as if you are walking through it yourself. This aspect of the production has been planned ahead of time and fits perfectly into the plot as oppossed to feeling like an afterthought.
Roller Skating with My Cousin
The LIDA Project Experimental Theatre Company
An original play writtten by The LIDA Project
January 15 – February 20, 2010
"Part science lab, part disco, Roller Skating With My Cousin combines the mythology and archetypes of the Biblical story of the Tower of Babel with the sexual revolutionary act of roller skating, whilesimultaneously asking whether we can all create a custom-designed universe in our kitchen sink and, furthermore, why did Ronald Reagan fail as the anti-Christ?
This mash-up of themes results in a lively, dark romp in which a synchronized chorus of roller skaters builds a tower under a star-flecked mirror ball sky".
This mash-up of themes results in a lively, dark romp in which a synchronized chorus of roller skaters builds a tower under a star-flecked mirror ball sky".
Bindery/space
The use of scenery and props in this play is what makes it unconventional. The set uses cardboard for objects such as a tower that are suppossed to be sturdy. Not only is the scenery unconventional but the props are also with the use of gas masks and other objects that really do not link themselves together in any obvious way. The final icing on the cake is the use of professional skater derby girls and why the title of the play may not match what happens on stage...it is nevertheless unique in every sense of the word.
The Making of Americans
The Gertrude Stein Repertory Theatre
The Gertrude Stein Repertory Theatre
Directed by Cheryl Faver and John Reaves
Performing December 2008 and January 2009
"Designed to be performed in the style of Japanese Bunraku in front of live audiences by a process that we call "digital puppetry," GSRT's adaptation will give unique expression to the literary device Stein employs as she isolates, dissects and grafts psychological traits onto imaginary characters. By overlaying images to create "new" characters, we too will be "making Americans."
The Gertrude Stein Repertory Theatre
The Making of America by Gertrude Stein shows life in a family spanning multiple generations. This particular production is unique in the sense that there are cameras placed within the set, which consists of a house, and actions taken place in the house are seen on the screens by the audience. As the audience watches the peformer in front of them, they are also viewing what is happening inside the house thus keeping the action in constant movement.
