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| photo by Ben Arons |
Hometown: Brooklyn, New York
Education: We all attended undergrad and most of us graduated, but self-producing in NYC since 2007 is the best education we’ve had.
Favorite Credits: The Internet during the very first Incubator Arts Project residency series (2010) , Dead People at the Ice Factory Ice Cube Series (2011) and A Pale Horse, Death and Hell Followed With (A Lifetime Original Series) when we were 2008-2009 short form artists at the Ontological Hysteric Theater.
Why theater?: We believe theater, when good, is like anything we’ve ever experienced, especially in our technology obsessed society. Also, we as a collective don’t have anything to lose, so it’s great to have an outlet where we can do and say what we really believe in, and hopefully touch others who share our need to create an art form that is innovative and accessible, powerful and unique.
Tell us about Flying Snakes in 3-D: Flying Snakes in 3-D is an ridiculously fun Sci-Fi parody about flying mutant cobras that go on a killing rampage, but at its heart its a very honest examination of the harsh realities that go along with self producing your own work, and the emotional repercussions of having grown up under circumstances like poverty and abuse and how we took solace in the theater. Against the backdrop of the Sci-Fi narrative, it calls out very important issues for us, ones of nepotism, racism, and class. As artists and a company, we are dedicated to creating theatre that gives voice to people who are struggling, and in this case, we decided to begin with ourselves.
What inspired you to create Flying Snakes in 3-D?: The relationship between movies and theater. We’re interested in our own willingness to watch a movie on our computers over paying $18 to see a show, and wanted to examine why this is happening, what film does that theater can’t in this day and age, and the horror that happens when theater (badly) tries to mimic film. We also think that the dream of young theater artists is changing (not excluding ourselves) into using theater as a stepping stone for television and film, because theater has no money in it and it’s almost impossible to survive, unless of course, you are an independently wealthy artist who can afford the luxury making theater via self-funding, support from parents, not having to pay for an apartment or work full-time to survive in the most expensive city in the world, etc. We think this is the reason the theater we see doesn’t necessarily reflect the diversity of our world, and we just wanted an avenue to tell our perspective of kids who sort of grew up doing theater for solace who were crazy enough to try for a career that is generally catered toward rich white people. You know, it’s kind of a harrowing realization when there are so many odds against you, and as a theater company, we wanted to explore this unfairness in a funny, touching, cynical yet hopeful way. Also, we love horrible/amazing Sci-Fi original movies.
What kind of theater speaks to you? What or who inspires you as an artist?: Generally, very epic, intense, bold and brutal theatre that says something courageous and truthful. Emotionally honest theatre.
If you could work with anyone you’ve yet to work with, who would it be?: Haley Joel Osment, Mara Wilson, Dakota Fanning, Amanda Bynes, and Alison Porter. We as a company are obsessed with the idea of child stars.
What shows have you recommended to your friends?: Even though its not playing in NYC anymore, Young Jean Lee’s Untitled Feminist Play. Go see it in Calgary! Banana Bag & Bodice’s Space/Space at The Collapsible Hole, and NTUSA’s The Golden Veil at The Kitchen.
Who would play you in a movie about yourself and what would it be called?: We would use the money we got from selling whatever movie this was, and hire all of the actors who have lent their talent to us in the past and make them huge stars. Special shout-out to the Ice Factory cast of Flying Snakes in 3-D!!! T. Ramon Campbell, T.J. Collins, Tricia Cramer, Kim Gainer, Molly Gray, EevinHartsough, Jen Kwok, Lindsay Mack, Sean Patrick McGowan, Jen Taher, Peter Mills Weiss and Chris Tyler!
What’s your biggest guilty pleasure?: Taking cabs home on late nights out even if it means you can’t afford to pay rent. You can also replace “taking cabs” with doing anything social and/or buying groceries.
If you weren’t working in theater, you would be _____?: Much more financially comfortable, probably. Or dead.
What’s up next?: Come see Flying Snakes in 3-D!!! Running July 4-7 at the New Ohio Theater’s 2012 Ice Factory! Get your tickets HERE!
For more on Everywhere Theatre Group, visit everywheretheatre.org