Flux Theatre Ensemble

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 bring in large audiences, and that was a shame.

On the plus side, this marked our first ForePlay that featured a cross-discipline collaboration. Our partnership with Carrier Pigeon was really fruitful, and I hope we can build on that for future ForePlays and beyond.

It was also a wonderful opportunity to work with Flux vets we'd been itching to reunite with, like Lynn Kenny and Carissa Cordes; and a chance to develop new relationships with artists we admire, like J. Holtham and Jelena Stupljanin.

Still, how to manage this series at the same level of attention now that our Membership is the smallest it has ever been is a serious challenge, and I expect we'll be relying more on our excellent Friends of Flux moving forward.

CSV, Flamboyan Theater - 107 Suffolk St
The Plays:
The Labyrinth of Enduring Freedom by Aja Houston
The War Museum by EM Lewis
By the Victors by Isaiah Tanenbaum
NEO by Mac Rogers

Featuring: Carissa Cordes, Ken Glickfeld, Lynn Kenny, Rob Maitner, and Kathleen Wise
Directed by Jordana Williams
(Art by Bruce Waldman)

CSV, Flamboyan Theater - 107 Suffolk St

The Plays:

Slobodan Život Šimpanza (The Wild Chimpanzees) by Will Ditterline
All Apologies (or Ana in the White City) by J. Holtham
A Footnote by Brian Pracht
Book of Memory by David Ian Lee

Featuring: Kira Blaskovich, Jason Howard, Joshua Koopman, Anna Lamadrid, Godfrey L. Simmons, Jr., and Jelena Stupljanin
Directed by Heather Cohn

By August Schulenburg, photos by Isaiah Tanenbaum

What 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 playful direction; in part because of the beauty of the space and the spirit of the crowd; with all of the parts cohering into a really enjoyable whole.

It was also our first time partnering with Carrier Pigeon, the amazing fine arts and illustrated fiction magazine. Artist Frances Jeter shared a work to help inspire the playwrights, and she spoke with us a little about her process. If you have not yet become a subscriber to this gorgeous publication, we highly recommend it (and my play The Midas Touch will be featured in issue 4!)

Here are some pictures from Isaiah that hopefully recall the spirit of the night for those who were there, and shares a little of it for those who were not. Thanks to Jake and La Botega for the space, the actors, playwrights and director for their work, and everyone who attended and made it such a fun night!
The dread dog terror tortures The Bush in my play, Let Slip.
Rachael as Renna tries to persuade Kari as Riely that everything they know about history is wrong...and they may no longer celebrate Rumsfeldia.
Aja as Alcy in Johnna Adams Alecetis in Baghdad talk about her relationship with Apollo under an appropriately Apollo-esque light.
Alcy faces down her husband Mike and his Sergeant, who may also be Apollo.
Rachael as Fatima may not be as helpless as she seems.
(Photo: Isaiah Tanenbaum. Pictured: Brian Pracht, Kari Swenson Riely, Rachael Hip-Flores)
In Erin Browne's Good Dog, war dogs come home to a support group.
In the war dog support group, Bounder gives a little extra help to the new dog, Skippy.
In Liz Duffy Adams' Bama-Sama, Kari turned in a bit of tour de force performance as a passionate lecturer of history.
Will Shrub find Sama? Not if she keeps moving that fast...or if he's trying NOT to find her.
The cast sings Amazing Race, the song that ends Sama-Bama (and our night of theatre).
The artists Frances Jeter talks about her haunting work that served as inspiration for the night.
The good folks at Carrier Pigeon, sharing their (beautiful) wares.

the Cabana rooftop of The Maritime Hotel (88 9th Avenue @17th street)

doors open at 7:00pm, performance starts at 7:30

Purchase tickets to New World Iliads HERE for $10

(tickets are $15 at the door)

Includes free food and drink specials!

This ForePlay will support our upcoming production of Ajax in Iraq.