Flux Theatre Ensemble

FluxBlog: Act II

2011-12-07T00:55:00.001-05:00

This blog has served us well. But with the new and gorgeous website up and running it was time to move on, and move in. The FluxBlog can now be found within the main Flux website at www.fluxtheatre.org/blog Fear not; all the old posts, comments, pictures, and even tags have been ported over. We'll keep this blog up for old links, but if you're interested to see what Flux is up to, the new blog

Flux Family Feud On The Move

2011-11-16T09:14:00.002-05:00

Breaking news: the Flux Family Feud has moved locations, from our previous home at the Cabanas to the sweetly swank (and swankly sweet) Fonata's, located at 105 Eldridge Street (between Grand and Broome).So see you at the new location - and don't forget to take the survey, buy some raffle tix and get your tix in advance for a discount!So close to Feud time...we can't wait to see you there!

Meet the Contestants of Flux Family Feud!

2011-11-10T11:32:00.023-05:00

We are happy to announce an incredible lineup of contestants for our second Family Feud Benefit on Nov 21! We hope you can join us. Buy your tickets in advance for only $15 online. Tickets are $20 at the door. If you can't join us on Nov 21, you can still support Flux by purchasing a raffle ticket. You don't need to be at the event to win. We have some amazing prizes this year including a PAID

Looking for MENDERS help

2011-11-01T13:12:00.002-04:00

We are on the hunt for a few more members of the Menders creative team. Please read the job descriptions below, and either forward this on to people who might be right, or apply yourself!Assistant Director/UnderstudyFlux Theatre Ensemble is seeking a young female Assistant Director/Understudy for the upcoming production of Erin Browne’s Menders, running from January 19 – February 11, 2012 at “The

2nd Annual Flux Family Feud

2011-11-01T12:36:00.008-04:00

The Flux Family feud is back! Monday, November 21 · 7:00pm - 11:00pmLOCATION CHANGE: Fontanas - 105 Eldridge Street (between Grand and Broome)Doors open at 7:00pm, Feud starts at 8:00pmJoin us on Monday, Nov. 21 for a benefit to support our upcoming production of Menders by Erin Browne and our (soon to be announced!) 5th Season. Your host Matt Archambault returns (pictured left, portrait by

Menders, by Erin Browne

2011-11-01T11:13:00.005-04:00

A new play by Erin BrowneDirected by Heather CohnJanuary 19 – February 11, 2012 At “The Gym at Judson” on Washington Square Park SouthCreative Team includes:Set Design by Cory Rodriguez; Costume Design by Will Lowry; Lighting Design by Kia Rogers; Sound Design by Asa Wember; Stage Management by Jodi WitherellSynopsis:Corey and Aimes are new recruits mending the wall that guards their city from an

2011 Flux Raffle!

2011-10-26T01:51:00.028-04:00

We hope that you are able to attend our second Flux Family Feud Benefit Party on Monday, November 21. If you can't make it, that will make us sad, but you can still support Flux by participating in our annual raffle! This year's raffle is better than ever. As usual, the money raised from the raffle will help finance future productions so that Flux can continue to produce compelling and

Cognitive Dissonance; or Art versus Entertainment

2011-10-10T15:33:00.004-04:00

by August SchulenburgOne of the moments I love in Dog Act is when Vera, pretending (or is she?) to be the deity Wendy, explains to her new Scavenger followers why the Vaudevillian has a protected status in the world of the play:"You are treading on the hem of a great mystery. I will say this, my children, listen thou well. The vaudevillian is the repository of all that was and all that may be.

I AM THEATRE: August Schulenburg

2011-10-10T12:32:00.004-04:00

By August SchulenburgWe're continuing our participation in the I AM THEATRE initiative launched by TCG with a story of my own. If you haven't already, be sure to also check out Isaiah Tanenbaum and Carissa Cordes' video.The particular story that I share is inspired by the work of Bill George, the theatre artist who founded the Little Pond Arts Retreat. Those who read this blog may recognize

Food:Soul #9: WET or, Isabella the Pirate Queen Enters the Horse Latitudes

2011-10-04T06:49:00.006-04:00

(Photo: Isaiah Tanenbaum. Pictured: Tiffany Clementi, August Schulenburg, Christina Shipp, Cotton Wright)Post by August SchulenburgFood:Soul is back this Wednesday, October 5th! And we are thrilled/ecstatic/super-psyched to be returning with Liz Duffy Adams' (of Dog Act glory) play Wet, or Isabella the Pirate Queen Enters the Horse Latitudes.Not only does this Food:Soul features the return of Liz

MENDERS Print Ad in Carrier Pigeon

2011-10-04T05:51:00.000-04:00

(Print advertisement for Menders by Kristy Caldwell)Post by August SchulenburgThere is nothing like returning from my (perfect, dazzling, exhausting) honeymoon to find this evocative image for our upcoming production of Menders in my inbox. Kristy Caldwell is the brilliant artist responsible for the Dog Act and Ajax in Iraq postcards, and she's working on an image for the the Menders postcard

The 2011 IT Awards

2011-09-20T13:58:00.004-04:00

By August SchulenburgThere is much to say about the 2011 IT Awards, and very little time for me to say it, leaving momentarily as I am (along with my beautiful new wife and Flux founder, Heather Cohn) on our honeymoon to Spain. However, I thought I would share the acceptance speech I gave, as much of it was directed to past Members and current Friends of Flux who may not haven been there (or

NYIT Awards tonight!

2011-09-19T14:09:00.002-04:00

A super-fast reminder that amidst the flurry of new membership, weddings, and the preparation for a fall chock-full of exciting projects (stay tuned!), Flux is attending tonight's New York Innovative Theatre Award ceremonies. We'll be performing a short play and expressing our very humble thanks as we accept the Caffe Cino Fellowship Award, crossing our fingers for Becky Byers and Jason Paradine

Introducing Flux's Newest Member, Will Lowry

2011-09-15T20:36:00.002-04:00

Perhaps you remember this set from Ajax in Iraq: there was a lot of sand, too. and a giant map. Or this set, from The Lesser Seductions of History: circles! Or this set and costumes from A Midsummer Night's Dream: how young we all were! What do all these things have in common? Their designer, Will Lowry, who despite his modest protestations to the contrary is also an excellent

I AM THEATRE: Isaiah Tanenbaum

2011-09-12T19:40:00.003-04:00

We're continuing our participation in the I AM THEATRE initiative launched by TCG with Member Isaiah Tanenbaum. If you haven't already, be sure to also check out Carissa Cordes' video.Isaiah auspiciously began his time with Flux by playing Gutty, the obese, single-minded deposed despot of an imaginary country in Rue. How to top that? He's gone on to play roles like Clarin (Life is a Dream), Flute

Flux Sunday, September 4th

2011-09-11T11:11:00.002-04:00

(What is Flux Sunday?)If the previous Sunday was the Flux of the actors, this Sunday was the Flux of the playwrights - as many strong pages as we've seen in a long time, and despite my best attempts, we simply could not stage them all.Playwrights: Johnna Adams (The Anguisher), Fengar Gael (The Cat Vandal), Larry Kunofsky (So Retarded), Kitty Lindsay (Life is a Dream House), Kristen Palmer (

Flux Sunday, August 21st

2011-09-11T10:59:00.003-04:00

(What is Flux Sunday?)We had one of the biggest actor turn-outs ever for this Flux Sunday, and it was exciting!Playwrights: Larry Kunofsky (So Retarded), EM Lewis (If I Did This), Kari Swenson Riely (The Bicycle), August Schulenburg (Jane the Plain)Directors: Heather Cohn, Leigh Hile, Brian Pracht, Alisha SpielmannActors: Lynn Kenny, Jason Richards, Kitty Lindsay, Maiken Wise, David Crommett,

I AM THEATRE: Carissa Cordes

2011-09-08T10:10:00.003-04:00

Flux is thrilled to be participating in the I AM THEATRE initiative launched by Theatre Communications Group (the place where Tiffany and I spend our days). This is an amazing project that I'm thrilled to be working on, and so was eager to get Flux involved.Kelly O'Donnell shot some videos after a recent Flux Sunday, and has been editing them over the past several weeks. I'm especially excited

Theatricality

2011-08-26T21:44:00.007-04:00

Isaiah here with yet another overly-long, thoughtful-to-the-point-of-pedantry post. So, over at HowIRound there's a very interesting piece by Lydia Stryk about this "theatricality" thing. You should definitely read the whole thing (and the comments, and the response at Parabasis, and the comments there), but here's the money quote if you're pressed for time: Theatricality in America today, I

Flux Sunday, August 14th

2011-08-21T10:18:00.003-04:00

(What is Flux Sunday?) Our first Flux Sunday back from the retreat had a smaller turn out, but that allowed us to do an exciting thing. We staged and shared four plays: two in the first hour and a half, and two in the second. This led to a bunch of rushed choices, but all together the experience was, well, a rush. It's not everyday, after all, that one is able to play a rolling Oedipus, a cop

Have Another #7 Pictures

2011-08-17T18:04:00.008-04:00

(Don't you want to Have Another with these peeps? Photo: Alisha Spielmann) Our seventh Have Another was a particularly joyous affair, feeling as it did like an echo of the happiness of the Retreat. With our usual photographer Isaiah Tanenbaum unfortunately absent, we turned to the mighty lens of Alisha Spielmann, who also somehow found time to turn in a moving performance as Telly in Erin

Have Another #7, the Retreat Harvest

2011-08-10T14:32:00.009-04:00

(Photo: Isaiah Tanenbaum. Pictured: Becky Byers, Candice Holdorf) On Monday, August 15th, Have Another returns, and this time, we're bringing some of our favorites scenes from the Retreat! Come and find out what was going down at the Little Pond Arts Retreat, and share a drink or three with us. We'll be returning to the friendly confines of Jimmy's #43, located downstairs at 43 East 7th Street

Back From The Retreat

2011-08-09T10:01:00.005-04:00

(All photos from August Schulenburg's iPhone) We're back from our 6th Annual Retreat at the Little Pond Arts Retreat in Nazareth, PA. The Retreat is always an exhausting and exhilarating week, where we fit more theatre into a single day than seems possible and then party late into the night. This retreat was no exception in that regard, but it also had a melancholy, introspective air, full of

Dog Act Review: Jen Gunnels, The New York Review of Science Fiction

2011-07-30T15:51:00.005-04:00

(Photo: Isaiah Tanenbaum. Pictured: Becky Byers, Squish, Liz Douglas) In this case, very much better later than never. Jen Gunnels for the New York Review of Science Fiction is only available in hard copy; perhaps apt for a play about what happens when the digital world disappears, and takes almost every piece of cultural memory along with it.And this is the review you would want to survive the

Flux Sunday, July 24th

2011-07-28T18:27:00.004-04:00

(What is Flux Sunday?)Our last Flux Sunday before we leave on our 6th annual retreat was our biggest yet, and it's a shame to end that the momentum just as it was getting going (and yet, we're glad to go). We also finished Perse and Viva Fidel, two plays developed entirely at Flux Sundays.Playwrights: Johnna Adams (Hued Moll), Havilah Brewster (Gary Indiana), Larry Kunofsky (Thanks for Having Me

Letter to Bushra al- Maqtari

2011-07-27T14:53:00.004-04:00

(Photo by Ali Seed. Pictured: Bushra al-Maqtari)By August SchulenburgAs I write this blog post over my lunch break in the comfort of my office, Fatima Sale tweets from Yemen:@tota770: #Breaking #Taiz: sound of heavy firing in the vicinity freedom square, close to Jamal St. #Yemen #YFFor those who haven't read the Times magazine on what's happening in Yemen, it is a must read. The article

The New Play Brain

2011-07-25T08:24:00.004-04:00

By August SchulenburgAfter h/ting through Isaac to David Dower's heartfelt post on the New Play Blog (I'll wait for you to read them), I finally got around to writing a post I've been meaning to put together since the New Play Convening.For those too busy to link-jump, the gist of both posts is the impossibility of the open play submission. Those at an institution who have time to read plays

Indie Theatre Week

2011-07-22T13:29:00.005-04:00

By August SchulenburgIt's Indie Theatre Week, the undisputable hinge upon which the whole year swings. The goals? To promote the Indie Theatre community and celebrate the work being done. So let's get promoting and celebrating, shall we?Events (this list courtesy of Tim Errickson):July 23rd at 1pm- 3rd Annual Indie Theatre Midsummer Classic softball game, sponsored by The Community Dish, The New

Flux Sunday, July 17th

2011-07-20T08:05:00.004-04:00

By August Schulenburg(What is Flux Sunday?)Our second Flux after the end of Ajax in Iraq was a roll-up-your-sleeves kind of day. We took on a ton of pages from Perse, reaching the climax of the play; we neared the end of Viva Fidel, and we moved towards the middle of Now Comes The Night. Beginnings are exciting, and endings feel good, but this was a day of working the middles.We also filmed some

The Money Horizons

2011-07-19T09:33:00.006-04:00

By August SchulenburgIn my interesting comment dialogue with Randy yesterday, I touched on a feeling that I've been wanting to blog about for awhile. There are two fantasies regarding theatre and money: 1.) That money can buy you quality, and 2.) that money has no impact on quality.For the first, we have recent evidence that not even sixty-five million dollars can buy you excellence. For the

The Shakespeare Royalties

2011-07-18T09:46:00.003-04:00

From time to time, some degree of a moratorium on the plays of Shakespeare is considered. After seeing Much Ado About Nothing at Boomerang (a solid production that reminded me of what a profound accomplishment the character of Beatrice is) and Measure for Measure in the Park (an inconsistent production with a fantastic Lucio and a great concept for the Duke as a bumbling improviser enthralled by

Twitter as Conscience

2011-07-15T07:33:00.004-04:00

By August SchulenburgAn odd thing occurred to me several days ago. I had my Tweetdeck open, and was following a number of hashtags, including #MarriageEquality, #Iraq, #Afghanistan and #Women2Drive.For those not Twitter-inclined, this means two things: streams of 140 character messages relating to those hashtags are updated in real time on my Tweetdeck platform, and some of those messages pop up

You Must Enter The Theatre Through The World

2011-07-13T15:43:00.003-04:00

By August Schulenburg"You must enter the theatre through the world."-Joe PappThis quote, shared by Todd London at the 2011 TCG Conference (and tweeted by me), has continued to stick with me, touching on a feeling I tried to put into words nearly a year ago in The Wider Frame. As I wrote then: "Increasingly, I am seeing the problems that face the theatre as woven into a larger context; and I am

Flux Sunday, July 10th

2011-07-11T19:52:00.005-04:00

By August Schulenburg(What is Flux Sunday?)We're back! After an Ajax in Iraq sized hiatus, we returned to the friendly confines of Judson Memorial Church for some Flux Sunday action. It was a full day - we went over our 7PM limit - and everyone was really bringing it.Playwrights: Fengar Gael (The Cat Vandal), EM Lewis (Now Comes the Night), August Schulenburg (Perse, The App of Paradise), Isaiah

New World Iliads, Part Two and Three

2011-07-05T18:46:00.010-04:00

(Photo: Anna Lamadrid. Pictured: Jelena Stupljanin, Jason Howard)New World Iliads was an interesting ForePlay series for Flux. On the one hand, our benefit that kicked off the series was well-attended, and represented a high water mark for quality in the series.The two that followed were both strong artistically, but due to the overwhelming pressures of producing Ajax in Iraq, we weren't able to

Ajax in Iraq Review Round-Up

2011-06-30T16:58:00.006-04:00

(Photo: Isaiah Tanenbaum. Pictured: Tiffany Clementi, Lori E. Parquet)Yikes! The show's been closed for half a week and I still haven't posted responses to most of the reviews. Rather than getting stuck in yesterday, I'm going to round up all those I missed here and now. It doesn't quite do justice to the thoughtful and often moving reviews we received, but time is moving faster than ever.What

Ajax in Iraq Review: Haytham Elhawary, Theatre Is Easy

2011-06-21T14:34:00.003-04:00

(Photo: Isaiah Tanenbaum. Pictured: Joshua Koopman)Starting to catch up! Our next review is by Haytham Elhawary from Theatre is Easy, and it's lovely. He begins with a quote from Plato I was unfamiliar with that fits the play painfully well: "Only the dead have seen the end of war." I also appreciate that he notices how much of the play is concerned with the fine line between heroism and

Ajax in Iraq Review: Patricia Contino, Flavorpill

2011-06-20T14:47:00.002-04:00

(Photo: Isaiah Tanenbaum. Pictured: Sol Crespo, Chinaza Uche, Anna Rahn)This is, I think, Flavorpill's 4th review with us, and looking them over, I notice that I've made the same "short but sweet" comment every time. I'm so original! They do, however, manage to pack a punch in a few words, as in:How sad that politicians never bother studying the lessons theatre teaches. They would learn much from

Ajax in Iraq Review: Aaron Riccio, That Sounds Cool

2011-06-19T13:29:00.004-04:00

(Photo: Isaiah Tanenbaum. Pictured: Mike Mihm, Raushanah Simmons)Argh, I am so far behind in my responses to reviews! There is now Flavorpill, Theatre is Easy, Time Out New York, the New York Times and BroadwayWorld.com to respond to (am I missing any of them?) Excuse: I have been in L.A. for the TCG National Conference, and it has been a whirlwind. I am going to try to catch up this week, and

Ajax in Iraq Review: Michael Bettencourt, OffOffOnline

2011-06-14T18:58:00.003-04:00

(Photo: Isaiah Tanenbaum. Pictured: Stephen Conrad Moore)I'm falling a wee bit behind on these! For those who don't want to wait, go on and read That Sounds Cool, Flavorpill, and Theatre is Easy. I hope to respond to all three before the end of the week.Michael Bettencourt from OffOffOnline is our fifth review, and our third mixed review in a row (never fear, Flux lovers, we have two raves to

Ajax in Iraq Review: Clifford Lee Johnson III, Backstage

2011-06-11T12:06:00.009-04:00

(Photo: Isaiah Tanenbaum. Pictured: Mike Mihm)Back in the day, Backstage was our first major reviewer, positively reviewing both Life is a Dream and A Midsummer Night's Dream when not many other critics were coming our way. Then, there was a long, dry, spell after the Angel Eaters Trilogy, and though they interviewed us for Jacob's House, we haven't been reviewed by them since 2008.Happily, that

Ajax in Iraq Review: Jon Sobel, Blogcritics

2011-06-10T07:56:00.006-04:00

(Photo: Isaiah Tanenbaum. Pictured:Stephen Conrad Moore, Christina Shipp)Jon Sobel of Blogcritics has reviewed everything since Pretty Theft (except for Jacob's House, I believe), and so it was great to have him return for his mixed but fair-minded review of Ajax in Iraq. His review touches on some of the exciting challenges of the play, including the fact that there are four prologues to the

Ajax in Iraq Photos

2011-06-09T13:34:00.014-04:00

(Photo: Isaiah Tanenbaum. Pictured: Anna Rahn, Tiffany Clementi, Christina Shipp, Lori E Parquet, Sol Crespo)It was a great to take a moment and look through these photos from the keen-eyed Isaiah Tanenbaum; thanks to the work of our designers, actors and tech help, this really turned out a visually beautiful production (saying so myself, of course). If you haven't seen the show yet, hopefully

Ajax in Iraq Review: Will Kenton, Cultural Capitol

2011-06-08T09:03:00.003-04:00

(Photo: Isaiah Tanenbaum. Pictured: Sol Crespo, Lori E Parquet, Chinaza Uche, Tiffany Clementi, Mike Mihm, Chudney Sykes)Review #2 is out, and we're thrilled that Will Kenton from Cultural Capitol returned. You may want to reread his reviews of Jacob's House and Dog Act to gain a deeper appreciation for the wide frame he brings to his reviews. This latest is no exception, and I was particularly

Audience Response to AJAX IN IRAQ

2011-06-07T11:14:00.002-04:00

This is an open thread for our community of artists and audience to respond to Ajax in Iraq. We have tried this for Dog Act, The Lesser Seductions of History and Jacob's House, and the comments were very insightful. When you see the show, please take a moment to share your thoughts with us in the comments field below.A few rules of the game: this is a safe space, so while respectful criticism is

Ajax in Iraq Review: Danny Bowes, nytheatre.com

2011-06-07T11:03:00.003-04:00

(Photo: Isaiah Tanenbaum. Pictured: Raushanah Simmons)Review #1 is out, and it certainly is a great way to start. Danny Bowes at nytheatre.com has some truly lovely things to say about Ajax in Iraq, speaking positively of many of the most challenging aspects of the play's reach and complexity. After the long grind of tech and opening, this was a heartening first review to read, and I'm truly

New World Iliads, #1

2011-05-18T11:54:00.015-04:00

What is New World Iliads?How can I learn more about Ajax in Iraq?(Photo: Isaiah Tanenbaum. Pictured: Brian Pracht, Rachael Hip-Flores, Matthew Murumba, Kari Swenson Riely)By August Schulenburg, photos by Isaiah TanenbaumWhat an amazing night! I think this was one of our best ForePlays ever, in part because of the quality of scripts; in part because of the pairing of actors with roles and Kelly's

Rehearsal Report, Days 5-8

2011-05-13T16:42:00.002-04:00

(Learn more about Ajax in Iraq)By August Schulenburg(Photo by Tiffany Clementi)The Sunday stumble-through, as might be expected, was both invigorating and exasporating. Invigorating, because the actors did a remarkable job of making it through this complex staging while still staying engaged with each other and present in the scenes. This is not only testament to their work ethics individually,

On Theater and Cosmology

2011-05-10T18:39:00.003-04:00

Hey all, Isaiah here.You may know the Innovative Theater people for their annual IT Awards, which recognize excellence in the Off-Off-Broadway world (Flux productions have been nominated eight times; Asa Wember won Best Sound Design in '08 for his work on Angel Eaters), but they also host a superb blog fittingly called "Full of IT." Our own August Schulenburg is this week's guest blogger there,

Patrick Lee Theater Blogger Awards

2011-05-09T15:39:00.004-04:00

We just found out that Dog Act was nominated as Outstanding Off-Off Broadway Show for a Patrick Lee Theater Blogger Award by the Independent Theater Bloggers Association! Readers of this blog know my high esteem of Patrick's work as a reviewer, and my sadness over his untimely death, so this is especially exciting for us.This is our second nod from the ITBA, (you may remember the unusual video we

Rehearsal Report, Days 2-4

2011-05-06T15:02:00.001-04:00

(Learn more about Ajax in Iraq )by August SchulenburgThe first days of a rehearsal are like the first years of life: a great deal is learned incredibly quickly, but you spend a lot of time bumping into things and falling down. Well, that was my fate these last three rehearsals - plenty of learning, plenty of stubbed toes. However, I’m feeling much closer to having a fundamental grasp of the play’

New World Iliads

2011-05-04T14:28:00.004-04:00

Our exploratory play reading series ForePlay, where playwrights riff on the themes of our mainstage production, is back! New World Iliads will take place on three nights with each night treating a contemporary war from a mythic perspective. In the same way that Ajax in Iraq re-imagines a war from thousands of years ago, New World Iliads will imagine what our contemporary wars may look like

Rehearsal Report #1

2011-05-03T16:51:00.002-04:00

(Learn more about Ajax in Iraq)By August SchulenburgYesterday, I was in the throws of a nasty cold, and miserable at work. I couldn't believe rehearsals for Ajax in Iraq were beginning and I was feeling so much like a wet dog.Then rehearsals started, and can you guess how often I noticed feeling sick? Exactly once less than once. Sometimes, the only reminder needed of why we do this thing is

AJAX IN IRAQ Press Photos

2011-04-26T12:31:00.011-04:00

(Photo: Isaiah Tanenbaum. Pictured: Raushanah Simmons, Stephen Conrad Moore, Christina Shipp)Over the weekend, we rose early and shot our press photos for Ajax in Iraq in the suitably collumned confines of Astoria park. My favorite, the one above, is cut in such a way that the blog upload gets a wee but blurry, but we're sharing a few others and some candid shots, as well. Which do you like best?

AJAX IN IRAQ Cast, Creative Team, and Tickets

2011-04-21T10:25:00.008-04:00

(Illustration by Kristy Caldwell- click here to read about her creative process.)$12 tickets to Opening Weekend - use code "WARDANCE" (discount available June 3, 4, 5 & 7) - only 50 tickets available (previous code TROJANHORSE has sold out!)Purchase Tickets Preview - Friday, June 3Opening - Saturday, June 4Runs June 4-25 Thur-Sat at 8pm, Sun at 3pmAdditional performances: Tue 6/7 @7pm, Wed 6/22

Get Your Advocacy On

2011-04-20T11:05:00.002-04:00

By August SchulenburgFor many reasons, I have been a little derelict with the Flux blog lately. Part of this is due to my blogging elsewhere, part is trying to keep up with my own writing, and a big year in my life, and greater responsibilities at work, and preparing to direct Ajax in Iraq, and so on to the forth.Part of it, however, is the feeling that blogging (for me) was in part a communal

Flux Sunday, April 10th

2011-04-12T08:37:00.005-04:00

(What is Flux Sunday?)Playwrights: David Ian Lee (The Curing Room)Actors: Ken Glickfeld, Jane Taylor, Matthew Archambault, Isaiah Tanenbaum, Kari Riely, Brian Pracht.This was a very different Flux Sunday. One playwright, one play, no directors, two laptops, and an iPad 2 (no trees were harmed in the making of this Flux Sunday). This intimate group had the pleasure of reading David's The Curing

Have Another #6 Pictures

2011-04-07T19:15:00.020-04:00

(Photo: Isaiah Tanenbaum. Pictured: Jessica Angleskhan, Matthew Archambault, David Crommett, Paco Tolson)Our sixth Have Another was a lot of fun, with new artists and old favorites joining a warm house to share recent scenes from Flux Sunday. To learn more about the artists involved, click here. if you were there, please leave your thoughts on the night in the comments below!(Photo: Isaiah

Have Another #6

2011-04-03T11:24:00.004-04:00

Our next installment of Have Another is Wednesday the 6th from 7PM-10PM. We'll be returning to the friendly confines of Jimmy's #43, located downstairs at 43 East 7th Street between 2nd and 3rd Ave. There is no cover, just some of our favorite scenes from Flux Sunday shared over drinks with friends.I'm especially excited that we've been able to make this Have Another happen. Our partnership

On Tulpa, or Anne & Me

2011-03-24T15:54:00.002-04:00

“be careful. this might bring out things you might not be ready for.” Playwright Shawn C. Harris (aka RVCBard) asked me to write a response to her play Tulpa, or Anne & Me. Having seen the staged reading directed by Flux’s Heather Cohn and featuring Flux collaborators Raushanah Simmons, Lori Parquet, Antoinette Broderick and Katie Hartke; I was pleased to add my thoughts to the fascinating

Spectacular Browne

2011-03-22T10:02:00.014-04:00

(Photo: Tiffany Clementi. Pictured: Travis York, Raushanah Simmons, Corey Allen, Antoinette Broderick, Brian Pracht, Elise Link, Isaiah Tanenbaum, Mychael Chinn, Matthew Archambault, Mike Mihm)Sparkle, sparkle! A huge thank you to Judson, Brian, Antoinette, our actors and the amazing packed house who made our 8th Food:Soul of Spectacular Browne so moving. If you were there, please leave your

Food:Soul #8 - Spectacular Browne

2011-03-09T12:45:00.004-05:00

Food:Soul features good food, good company, and a fully staged reading of a play Flux is passionate about developing and sharing with you - all for free! SPECTACULAR BROWNE is also presented as part of Judson Memorial Church's Bailout Theater series.SPECTACULAR BROWNEby Brian Prachtdirected by Antoinette Broderickfeaturing: Corey Allen, Matthew Archambault, Mychael Chinn, David Crommett, Elise

Dog Act Review: NeoAdamite, All That Chat

2011-02-21T13:25:00.004-05:00

(Photo: Isaiah Tanenbaum. Pictured: The cart, moments before it leaves the stage for China)What a closing weekend! Two out of the three final shows sold out; two out of three with standing ovations; all three shows among our best. I think it was the strongest we've ever closed a show (though to quote Szymborska, "My apologies to past loves for thinking that the latest is the first".)It seems

Dog Act Review: Helen Shaw, Time Out New York

2011-02-20T11:10:00.011-05:00

(Photo: Isaiah Tanenbaum. Pictured: Liz Douglas, Chris Wight, Becky Byers)Helen Shaw's review for Time Out New York is out! We'd been hoping to lure one of the 3 regular TONY reviewers to our shows for some time now, as they have a great track record of championing artists off the beaten path (Cote for Young Jean Lee, Feldman for The Amoralists, and Shaw herself most recently for Tina Satter). We

Dog Act Response: Shawn Harris, RVC Bard

2011-02-16T20:52:00.006-05:00

(Photo: Isaiah Tanenbaum. Pictured: Lori E. Parquet, Chris Wight)Shawn C. Harris, the playwright of Tulpa, or Anne & Me, uses Dog Act as a springboard to consider the power of naming, particularly as it concerns the ongoing development of her queer Black womanist liberation poiesis. It's a great read, with this whole irreducible paragraph at the heart of it:The most potent use of voice is the

Dog Act Review: Mateo Moreno; Big Vision, Empty Wallet

2011-02-16T20:34:00.003-05:00

(Photo: Isaiah Tanenbaum. Pictured: Liz Douglas, Becky Byers)I hadn't heard of Big Vision, Empty Wallet (though I connect a wee bit with the concept) and so was psyched that Mateo Moreno's review was not only good, but introduced me to a new website! It's a combo review with Beirut, another play that imagines the future, and though there are many quotes I like, I was particularly struck by this:

Dog Act Review: John Peacock, Flavorpill

2011-02-16T20:15:00.004-05:00

(Photo: Isaiah Tanenbum. Pictured: Zack Robidas, Julian Stetkevych)John Peacock has made Flavorpill an Editor Pick! Though short, it certainly is sweet, and I'm happy to choose this as my favorite quote:A brilliant blend of savagery and poignancy, the play succeeds in being humorous and thoughtful in equal measures, an elegy for humanity and a rollicking road story.Now that is a nice pill to

#NEA365 and Flux

2011-02-16T10:30:00.004-05:00

At TCG (my goodly employer) yesterday, we posted this call to action on the proposed cuts/zeroing of the NEA in the FY11 budget. The post inspired the goodly David J. Loehr to propose #NEA365, an online compendium of at least 365 projects that would not have been possible without support from the NEA. Flux receives support from NYSCA, which has received support from the NEA, so indirectly, we've

Dog Act Review: Will Kenton, Cultural Capitol

2011-02-15T14:13:00.003-05:00

(Photo: Isaiah Tanenbaum. Pictured: Lori E. Parquet, Chris Wight)Will Kenton's review is up at Cultural Capitol! As you may recall, I appreciated the wider angle he brought to his Jacob's House review, and he brings the same insights to the this review, perhaps best exemplified by this great quote:The play is a riff on two genres: the futuristic dystopia and the Restoration comedy of manners,

Dog Act Review: Karen Tortora-Lee, The Happiest Medium

2011-02-15T10:33:00.003-05:00

(Photo: Isaiah Tanenbaum. Pictured: Liz Douglas, Becky Byers)Karen Tortora-Lee's review is out at The Happiest Medium! Karen is another one of our long time reviewers, so we always look forward to her take on our work. I lover her comparison of Zetta to Quixote (and the stories within stories structure of both make the comparison apt), and her Zetta-like phrasing on "singing upbeat songs of

Dog Act Review: Aaron Grunfeld, Metromix

2011-02-14T19:42:00.003-05:00

(Photo: Isaiah Tanenbaum. Pictured: Chris Wight, Lori E. Parquet)Aaron Grunfeld returns to Flux for his Metromix review: the last (and only) time he reviewed us was for Pretty Theft, and I was especially interested his structural questions regarding the middle of the play (after many months, I think the decisive factor was our inability to pull of the wrenches moment. Not wanting to spoil a key

Dog Act Review: Will Fulton, nytheatre.com

2011-02-14T13:04:00.003-05:00

(Photo: Isaiah Tanenbaum. Pictured: Lori E. Parquet, Becky Byers, Liz Douglas)Will Fulton's review for nytheatre.com is out. As a reviewer who is new to me, I checked out his bio and discovered he has both worked with 500 Clown and has a B.A. in Comparative Literature, which may be an ideal combination for a Dog Act reviewer. And it's a great review! There are a lot of great quotes here - be sure

Dog Act Review: Aaron Riccio, That Sounds Cool

2011-02-13T11:48:00.003-05:00

(Photo: Isaiah Tanenbaum. Pictured: Lori E. Parquet, Chris Wight)Aaron Riccio's review over at That Sounds Cool is out! Aaron's review are always helpfully specific - he's willing to take the time to lift the hood and prowl around in the engine of the play. He has some interesting thoughts about the structure of the second act - I myself find the song around the fire the final bonding experience

Dog Act Review: Claudia La Rocco, New York Times

2011-02-12T10:38:00.006-05:00

(Photo: Isaiah Tanenbaum. Pictured:Zack Robidas, Becky Byers, Julian Stetkevych)In a way, I completely understand where Claudia La Rocco is coming from (oh, her review in The New York Times is out). The first time I encountered the play, way back at the 2002 Bay Area Playwrights Festival, I loved it, but harbored reservations about some of its comic extremities; and thought the play might work

Dog Act Review: Wendy Caster, Show Showdown

2011-02-11T19:00:00.003-05:00

(Photo: Isaiah Tanenbaum. Pictured: Lori E. Parquet, Becky Byers)Wendy Caster's review is up at Show Showdown, and it is a moving one, especially as I read it next to the image of Patrick Lee. Choosing my favorite quote is hard - I'm particularly touched by the last paragraph - but her description of the play's themes is really special:Dog Act is a meditation on religion, civilization,

Dog Act Review: Scott Brown, New York Magazine

2011-02-11T12:27:00.003-05:00

(Photo: Isaiah Tanenbaum. Pictured: Julian Stetkevych, Zack Robidas)Our third review is out, as part of an anti-Spiderman round up from New York Magazine's Scott Brown. My favorite quote this time is easy to pull:"playwright Liz Duffy Adams has a few tricks that put her a notch above your average Brechtswept wasteland: A genuinely crystalline ear for rough, poetic dialogue; a handful of simple,

Dog Act Review: Jon Sobel, Blogcritics

2011-02-09T14:35:00.003-05:00

(Photo: Isaiah Tanenbaum. Pictured: Liz Douglas, Lori E. Parquet, Becky Byers, Chris Wight)Review #2 is out! Job Sobel from Blogcritics has a lot of good things to say, and choosing my favorite quote here is tricky, but this shout-out to our amazing design team seems worth singling out:Baleful lighting (by Kia Rogers) and season-shifting crashes of unearthly thunder (sound design by Elizabeth

Dog Act Review: Joshua Bambino, Theatre Is Easy

2011-02-09T12:18:00.004-05:00

(Photo: Isaiah Tanenabum. Pictured: Liz Douglas, Becky Byers)Our first review is out! Not a moment too soon, as our all-too-short run is nearing its midway point at frightening speed. Joshua Bambino's positive review on Theatre Is Easy is a great read, and he asks some interesting questions about the balance of naturalism and heightened language that are well worth pondering. My favorite quote:

Audience Response to DOG ACT

2011-02-07T08:39:00.005-05:00

(Photo: Isaiah Tanenbaum. Pictured: Lori E. Parquet, Chris Wight)This is an open thread for our community of artists and audience to respond to Dog Act. We have tried this for both The Lesser Seductions of History and Jacob's House, and the comments were very insightful. When you see the show, please take a moment to share your thoughts with us in the comments field below.A few rules of the

Sonnet For A Short Run, DOG ACT Edition

2011-02-06T14:37:00.004-05:00

(Photo: Isaiah Tanenbaum. Pictured: Chris Wight. Liz Douglas)Thanks to everyone who came out and made opening weekend so lovely! As we have done for past shows, we share with you our Sonnet For A Short Run. If it inspires you to not wait and buy tix now, there are $14 tix available with the code "FUGHAT" through Thursday, 2/10.So you say you're going to see our show- Thanks! We know the demands

Dog Act Photos And Opening Night!

2011-02-05T13:25:00.008-05:00

Dog Act opens tonight to a sold our house! After a great rehearsal period and (ongoing) intense tech week, we're thrilled to share this play with you.First things first: if you haven't already purchased your tickets, you can do so here, and use the code "FUGHAT" for $14 tickets for shows on the 6th, 8th, 9th and 10th.Now on the pictures! All are courtesy of the ever amazing Isaiah Tanenbaum, and

The Facebook Yes

2011-01-19T09:11:00.003-05:00

How much is a Facebook Event Attending worth in real butts-in-seats terms? With advance ticket sales rarer than ever, perhaps you find yourself (as I often do) refreshing your Event, hoping to see those precious number rise. But is a Yes on Facebook equal to a Yes in life?Though not big/wide enough for a real representative sample, Jacob's House and The Lesser Seductions of History make for an

Two More Interviews

2011-01-19T01:00:00.004-05:00

Due to the nigh-on wild acclaim for the ground-breaking post, Two Interviews, I link now to two more interviews, because, well, there are two new Flux-related interviews in the world.First up, Dog Act actress Becky Byers, she of People of the Year and Exploding Moments fame, continues to soar like a veritable air minion in this interview with Zack Calhoon at Visible Soul in his People You Should

Have Another #5 Pictures

2011-01-18T23:37:00.003-05:00

(Photo by Isaiah Tanenbaum. Pictured: Mike Mihm and surprise cameo artist Jane Lincoln Taylor)It was good to have another Have Another! In spite of the holiday and cold weather, we had a big warm house to share scenes from Ever Ever, Sacrifice, and Denny and Lila. To learn more about the artists and scenes involved, go here, here, and here.(Photo by Isaiah Tanenbaum. Pictured: Ken Glickfeld,

Letter from Birmingham Jail, and Theater

2011-01-17T14:06:00.003-05:00

Isaiah here.As I try to do on this day every year, I read through what I (along with Isaac Butler) think may be the greatest American argumentative essay, MLK's Letter from Birmingham Jail, written to white, moderate clergymen reluctant to support his work protesting segregation.The wonderful thing about returning to a familiar text on a regular basis -- something Jewish readers may be familiar

We're Going To Make The New Stories

2011-01-17T12:05:00.004-05:00

"We can try, we can try to re-write some of the moments, make the history different - the story different. Change the story. That’s the only hope cause it’s all rooted in there. All the hate and the power and the lack of care and the blindness – it’s all in the stories that we’re born with and we’re going to make the new stories and that is going to change everything."-Emmie, Kristen Palmer's

Have Another and America's Adolescence

2011-01-16T19:05:00.005-05:00

When we choose seasons, we pay special attention to the ways the plays speak to each other. But when choosing scenes for Have Another, we focus more on who the playwrights are, and which Flux Sunday scenes struck the strongest chords.But while hosting the rehearsals for Have Another #5 this weekend, I noticed an interesting shared theme about adolescence and consequences. Growing up is above all

Making Espresso, Or Diamonds

2011-01-16T12:05:00.004-05:00

"All biological science works by collecting complexity and recognizing it is part of a limited repertoire of events. What's exciting about the genome is it's gotten us the big picture and allowed us to see the simplicity."-Jon Cohen, "The Human Genome, A Decade Later", Technology ReviewThis rather lovely quote about the narrative of the genome's expression, resonating with how the narrative of

Two Interviews About Collaboration

2011-01-13T13:24:00.003-05:00

Check out this great interview at Works by Women of our own Heather Cohn! Heather has some great thoughts about Flux's programming, gender equity, and our upcoming production of Erin Browne's Menders.While you're at it, our amazing Dog Act postcard illustrator Kristy Caldwell has a fascinating post about her process (and ours) here.I post these links thinking also about the extraordinary legacy

Have Another #5

2011-01-13T08:17:00.006-05:00

It's back! Our next installment of Have Another is this Monday the 17th from 7PM-9PM. We'll be returning to the friendly confines of Jimmy's #43, located downstairs at 43 East 7th Street between 2nd and 3rd Ave. There is no cover, just some of our favorite scenes from Flux Sunday shared over drinks with friends.2011 comes in with a roar - check out this must-see Monday line-up:Ever EverWritten

SpeakEasy, December 19th

2011-01-13T07:40:00.002-05:00

What is a SpeakEasy?A SpeakEasy is the regular gathering of Friends of Flux over drinks and food to brainstorm ideas, give feedback, and share updates about our mutual work. SpeakEasy is somewhere between a Town Hall, a party, and a gathering of the knights of the round table.Our first SpeakEasy on December 19th, 2010 followed our Flux Sunday, which we hope to make the normal pattern. We had 20

Arizona, Imaginative Empathy, and the Never Ending Story

2011-01-10T07:56:00.006-05:00