Behold the Evacuations

Here are some snapshots from our recent workshop of Daily Evacuations by Dan Basila. Dan flew in from NY, and we all had quite a time taking over the immoderately decorated "club room" of a local apartment complex turned senior center. Pictured: Anne Putnam, Travis Dean, Lana Dieterich. Not pictured: a full-scale nativity scene, a Christmas tree, and an animatronic Claus family.

It Looks Like Detroit is Coming Back.

I went through a period when I was obsessed with certain types of SPAM email. The type that I actually looked forward to seeing in my inbox were those that combined words and sentences from a countless number of newspaper articles or literary works to form dada new creations. Their existence was often entirely incomprehensible... no links, no ads, nothing but oddball composition.

SO...

JUST IMAGINE my delight in discovering one of these very missives in which Rubber Repertory is mentioned. Forget awards and grants... I feel like this is the recognition we've been waiting for our whole lives. Enjoy.

His friends will be there and will have already been told. Have been feeling extremely lonely and sad. Some women seem to spray their ejaculate. You empty your bladder so that you don. There are not many people to discuss with. Remember that I was becoming a young adult around the ages of thirteen and fourteen or so.

The skin is in desperate need of more intensive care. Grind them and mix with wheat flour and milk. Said public awareness on cancers in Ghana was low and urged the public to be more conscious about their health. The Phase III trials using Clonicel for ADHD are expected to. Sciele Pharma will host a conference call on Wednesday. We may not attain expected revenues and earnings. To gather opposition to the idea that sexuality can be enhanced through medicine and drugs. Have to choose between hot sex and commitment. How do I go about spreading a new sex position. News college ranking puts Carleton near top.

And the State Fair is where you go to try to get over that. Immune system to target and kill cancerous prostate cells. Jon Stewart ought to be good tonight. The drug started life as a therapy for panic disorders. More likely to happen after the menopause. Artistic director Josh Meyer of the Rubber Repertory in Austin. Before rehearsals began for a revival of James Edwin Parker. All the actors were clothed and the action was blocked as if it were pantomime. Find out all you need to know about cash and equity Isas. Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh were the first states to turn down the idea to impart sex education in schools as part of anti. Habitual nuisance earns first ever expulsion from Tokyo public housing.

One can only guess at how many times he will thus express himself throughout the minutes of The Simpsons Movie. And that this is more than just a possibility. The Bitter Pill Award could to go to CNN for granting the most airtime to industry. Treatment analyzed studies that had been sponsored by drug companies on Prozac. Anderson Cooper talked to Jay Leno about the YouTube debates. She suddenly screams and lets out a gush of fluid. Many doctors said that this must be urine. Opening the fridge and sitting with the knees just in front of it for around minutes to get the legs real cool.

My advice to you is to try and lose about pounds before you try to conceive. Which is in fact the safest form of sex. Retains herbal ingredients including ginseng and nano. Keep in mind that you should make a small amount as natural ingredient packs should not be used more than once. The base or root chakra is related to instinct. With a bittersweet timbre in his voice that I interpret as simple awe. Researched particulars about Chinese scrolls and the history of celluloid peep shows. Miss rodeo america.

Artistic director Josh Meyer of the Rubber Repertory in Austin. It takes a certain kind of actor to want to do that. And if parents get hit with a question they find really hard to give a good answer to. Thailand travel? Do you play sexual games with your partner. The extras leave a little to be desired. It seems to promise lots of fun with. That nobody seems concerned enough to raise serious issues about it. The story is a Faustian one concerning a man who sells. And he made their parents sign a permission slip first. This function loads the more stories page via AJAX if SSI fails. It Looks Like Detroit Is Coming Back. Acres of reclaimed coal fields in southeast Ohio. Hard lives for wives of men wrongly imprisoned.

DAILY EVACUATIONS

We're seeking performers over the age of 55 for a workshop of a new play by Dan Basila. If you're not familiar with the great Basila, this review will give you a pretty good idea of the strange world that his writing inhabits. As an added bonus, anyone chosen to participate will probably get to say (or sing?) a few of the following words: anodyne. hermitage. disacquaint. guttural. stench. buckets. drain. jowls. No prior performance experience is necessary, but participants must be available December 2nd through 8th and comfortable speaking crude language. Email us if you'd like to learn more.

Guerillas in the City

What's this? The NY Times reports on a project very similar to the guerilla musical theatre project undertaken by Rubber Rep in 2001. We're not suggesting foul play here, but it's nice to be ahead of the curve.

Two thoughts:

• Based on the video of the NY project, I think we did it better. A single person singing on the streets of Manhattan seems pretty everyday. My first response is to assume they're either a panhandler, a little crazy, or on their way to rehearsal. While our performances started small--usually with two or three people humming or tapping a computer keyboard or shuffling their feet--by the end they would always evolve into large scale extravaganzas: choreographed car horns, kick lines, and fists pumping in the air. We took great care to integrate the performers into the environments and to give the illusion that everything was occurring spontaneously. It didn't always work, but when it did...


• Of course, the quality of the prose in the New York Times article makes the newer project sound infinitely more sophisticated. We tried to pitch it to the Times, but could only summon a few less-than-illuminating stories in the Lawrence Journal-World and the University Daily Kansan. It didn't help that we encouraged our cast to uphold the illusion even after the performances were over. Reporters (and police officers) don't enjoy hearing things like: "Why, I've never experienced anything like that before... I just suddenly felt the need to sing and dance."

The Recognitions

We were lucky enough to get 9 B. Iden Payne Award nominations this year. The Austin Circle of Theaters-sponsored ceremony will be held on October 21st at St. Edward's University.

Here's a list:

• Outstanding Production of a Comedy: A Thought in Three Parts
• Outstanding Director of a Comedy: Carlos Treviño, Matt Hislope & Josh Meyer (A Thought in Three Parts)
• Outstanding Featured Actress in a Comedy: Adriene Mishler (Sarah, A Thought in Three Parts)
• Outstanding Ensemble Performance: Kelli Bland, Rosaruby Glaberman, Matt Hislope & Josh Meyer (the hostelers, A Thought in Three Parts)
• Outstanding Production of Music Theatre: At Home With Dick 2: A Progressive Degenerative Cabaret
• Outstanding Director of Music Theatre: Matt Hislope and Josh Meyer (At Home With Dick 2)
• Outstanding Lead Actor in Music Theatre: Dick Price (everyone, At Home With Dick 2)
• Outstanding Original Script: Dick Price (At Home With Dick 2)
• Outstanding Original Score: Dick Price (At Home With Dick 2)
  

In the Parlour. . .

Partially as research for our next project (but mostly for fun), we hosted a parlour game party in a dimly-lit club room not far from the county jail. About twenty games were played over the course of Saturday evening--archaic games of Victorian origin that in all likelihood haven't been played in a very long time... games like "The Stool of Repentance," "Poor Pussy," and "Knight of the Whistle." Punch was quaffed, forfeits were paid, piggies squeaked loudly, and raisins were set ablaze.

Fun Fun Funded.

Much to our shock, we've received a $15,000 MAP Fund grant from the Rockefeller Foundation to develop a new show with writer/genius Rebecca Beegle. Since this was the first grant we've ever applied for AND since it's often awarded to groups we read about in college, our chances seemed slim. Wooster Group, Bread and Puppet, Richard Foreman, Mabou Mines... talk about some elite company.

We've been calling our project THE FILTER, but this will probably change.

The production is slated for Fall/Winter 2008, contingent upon us finding the perfect dilapidated mansion or crackhouse to use as a theatre. [Wait! Never mind the crackhouse; we've had a better idea...]

Here's a taste of what we're planning. Normally, we'd be hesitant to give away any secrets, but if you promise not to read too closely, we'll try our best to change everything by the time we open...

THE FILTER will be sung and danced by two performers in elaborate period dress. This duo barters desirable experiences to those willing to forfeit their right to watch the rest of the show. As the performance progresses, the duo's ulterior motive slowly comes into focus: to filter out morally objectionable audience members by their acceptance of certain offers. Throughout, THE FILTER will not lose the feel of a parlour game, with a different outcome each night depending on the actions of that evening's participants. Disappointment, titillation, excitement, regret: some will win, and some will lose, but few will last to see the THE FILTER carried out to its raw but necessary conclusion.

Big thanks go to Kirk Lynn and the Rude Mechs for encouraging us to apply for this grant and giving us some priceless application pointers. (FYI: They received a grant of their very own. Like we said: elite company.)

5 Days in Marfa.

SOME RARE FACTS AND VIVID MEMORIES FROM OUR 5 DAYS IN MARFA

2 performances, 240 audience members...

at the Goode Crowley Theater. We'd forgotten how exciting it is to work in a space that gets really, really DARK. Why isn't this ever possible in Austin? Fire codes? I love it when the lights go down during a show, and you have no idea what you'll see when they come back up.

A sampling of friends and notables in attendance: Wallace Shawn, Deborah Eisenberg, Robert Irwin, Dinaw Mengestu, Kathy Sova, Larry Randolph, Lyova Rosanoff, Rebecca Beegle, Brian Poyser, Kyle Henry, Spenser Parsons, and Margaret Halpin.

Served at the opening night party: spicy grilled shrimp, steak, quail, salads with beets and sweet potatoes, and deceptively subtle mixed drinks.

At some point during the party, Wally described Matt and myself as "the two wildest men" of our generation. We weren't sure how to respond, so we left the party and went straight to bed...

...at Robert Bellamy's House on the Hill.

Animals we saw while we walked the town: jackrabbits, roadrunners, wild horses, antelope, goats, and Marfa's most submissive dog. The dog is pictured below. We've never encountered anything quite like this poor creature. As it approached us, it folded its front legs in two and lowered its head towards the ground, sniffing and careening about with a drunken step. Utterly freaky and unsettling.

Three sources of inspiration during the trip:

1. Dirty Danny, the World's Filthiest Homosexual. We read about Dirty D in Carlos's favorite magazine. Dirty D hasn't washed himself since 1977. He has seldom met an equal in filth. He hates cleanies. Even though we continued to shower on a daily basis, D's commitment to his extreme life practice gave us the motivation to put on the best show possible.

2. YELLOW BURRITOS from the Town & Country convenience stores. A better 4th meal than Taco Bell could ever hope to provide, these deep-fried beauties put us to bed each night dreaming of elementary school cafeterias.

3. The amazing hospitality of our Marfa hosts. Let it be known that the Rubber Repertory has never been treated so well in our five+ years of existence. We were provided with fruit from local orchards, muffins every morning, local craftsmen to help build our set, and a steady stream of good advice. It's no wonder that Carlos seemed a bit choked-up when he declared: "This must be how artists are treated in Europe!" Oui, en effet. Oui, en effet.

Shots from Marfa

We had a fantastic time 400+ miles west of Austin. Thanks to Steve, Mark, and Michelle for some of these pictures. More details and anecdotes coming soon.

Our Deep and Delicate Craft

The Backstage column on the craft of playing sex scenes is online now. Did I mention we're also available for workshops on the subject? (Ahem!)

You're Invited...

The Mister Z Dancers are Alive.

Many months later, footage from Rubber Rep's passage on the Xingolati Groove Cruise has surfaced on YouTube. Here's you'll see Mr. Z and Co. outside the windows of the ship's restaurant dancing with their favorite rubber props. Thanks to California for providing the scenic backdrop.

Four Small News

1. We're finally allowed to spill the news: A THOUGHT IN THREE PARTS is being revived in beautiful Marfa, TX on July 27 and 28. Several hundred invitations have been sent out to interesting people all over the country. Friends of RR are invited, so let us know if you're up for taking a road trip to the land of mutant rabbits and mystery lights.

2. Josh was interviewed for the July 26th edition of Backstage magazine. Look for his contribution in the CRAFT column titled, "Acting in Sex Scenes." The columnist seemed a bit surprised by his answers, so it'll be interesting to see what makes the cut.

3. Here's a thoughtful response to T3P, courtesy of Heather Barfield and vividstage.com.

4. We have something new that we're not allowed to mention. Your only clue is that it involves this guy.

"So what are you guys working on now?"

This is the question we've been hearing a lot of in the last few weeks, but I don't feel like I've had a good answer for anyone. Summer's kind of our incubation period. We hit the free public swimming pools and see what floats to the surface. There are a few possibilities: We're waiting to hear on a grant proposal and a festival submission. Dan Basila has promised us a new play any day now. I'm toying with the idea of starting a choir. Oh, and this is confirmed: We're reviving A THOUGHT IN THREE PARTS for two secret performances in late July. They're not really open to the public, but if you're willing to drive seven hours outside of Austin, let us know, and we'll try to get you an invitation.

A Thought in 3 Parts: READ ALL ABOUT IT.

The U.S. Premiere of A THOUGHT IN 3 PARTS ran May 4-26, 2007 at the Vortex theatre in Austin, TX. We're told that it was the best attended production in the theatre's HISTORY. Here are the collected articles, interviews, reviews, and other assorted media about the show.

----------------------------------------------

NEW! Vivid Stage review

Austin Chronicle story on Wallace Shawn's visit

Austinist review

Loaded Gun Theory blog review

Austin Chronicle review

Rick Harmon blog review

Austin Chick blog review

Austin Chronicle cover

Austin Chronicle interview with Wallace Shawn

Austin Chronicle feature about the show

Austin American Statesman review

KUT Arts Eclectic segment

Austin American Statesman's interview with Wallace Shawn

That Other Paper's interview with Carlos Treviño

The BIG Climax.

If you've seen A THOUGHT IN THREE PARTS, you probably remember the moment when the Bob character sprays a terrible amount of semen (a sticky concoction of pineapple-coconut-soy juice) all over the actors AND one or two lucky souls in the front row. During a particularly memorable performance last weekend, the man who got sprayed leapt from his seat in horror and ran almost all the way up the aisle of the theatre, grabbing a newspaper somewhere along the way to use as a shield. It seemed like something off of Candid Camera or TV's Bloopers and Practical Jokes. In the lobby after the show, the man was overheard saying, "I'm never gonna do that to a woman again!"

Yet another fine public service brought to you by Rubber Repertory.

Our Dinner With Wally.

The great playwright came to the show twice this weekend, hung out with everyone quite a bit, and even treated the cast and crew to dinner after the Sunday show. We feel a little overwhelmed here at RR headquarters, but be sure to ask us for a story or two the next time we see you.

Ladies and Gentlemen, Mr. Frivolous.

"I'm awakened by a late night telephone call..."

Lights Up on May 4th.

Bob Loves Judy.

"It's not enough, Judy. I expected more."

Wallace Shawn's A THOUGHT IN 3 PARTS opens May 4 at the Vortex.

Helen Loves Dick.

"You really make me sick, Helen. You really do. I really hate you."

Wallace Shawn's A THOUGHT IN 3 PARTS opens May 4 at the Vortex.

Dispatch from Apartment#111

Here are a few photos from the somewhat secret show in our apartment last night. Thanks to Jonathan Ames, Little Stolen Moments, and Wayne Alan Brenner for entertaining so throroughly. Although Mr. Ames landed in Austin a bit sleep-deprived (after spending the previous 48 hrs. hanging out with Marilyn Manson), he was every bit as funny and engaging as we've come to expect. He mourned the decline of pubic hair on women and told stories about wearing a corset as a child, attending New Jersey's worst rehab facility, almost making love to a vagrant dwarf, and receiving psychic messages from Joyce Carol Oates. There was a lot more, of course, but that should give you a pretty good idea of the evening's scope.

those dirty, dirty, alumni...

YESTERDAY, we sent in an alumni update to our alma mater. TODAY, they posted it on the website. Something about the combination of the headline they chose and the portrait of children sledding makes us smile until our lips crack at the seams. We love sweet Kansas.

CAST.

The U.S. premiere of Wallace Shawn's A Thought in Three Parts is CAST. Thanks to everyone who turned out this weekend. We had headaches both days from trying to decide between so many bold and graceful performers. We won't name names just yet, but this should give you a hint of who'll be taking it to the stage in May.

Casting Call: A Thought in Three Parts

Brace yourselves. We’re having open auditions for Wallace Shawn’s A Thought in Three Parts on February 10th, with callbacks to follow on February 11th.

While this is the most traditional play we’ve ever done (characters, dialogue, a SET, etc.), it’s also the most outrageous play you’ll ever read. How outrageous? So much so that it’s never been produced in the United States. The New York Shakespeare Festival had a workshop in 1976, but since then nothing, nada, zilch. “The play has not been revived and stands as a permanent challenge to anyone who has the attitude that anything can be revived... the play can now almost not be read." says W.D. King.

As this is probably our one and only chance to premiere a play by this playwright we love so deeply, we’re pulling out all the stops. The Vortex (always a champion of controversial work) is co-producing. The amazing Carlos Treviño is co-directing. Matt and I are even stepping into two of the naughtier roles that we weren’t sure we’d be able to cast.

We’re looking for 2 male and 2 female actors, aged 18-35. Roles available: David, Sarah, Helen , Tom. Please note: The role of “Helen” involves nudity and a ridiculous amount of sexual content. Rehearsals begin April 1, with performances in May. Auditions will consist of readings from the script and will be held at the Vortex, 2307 Manor. To schedule an appointment, call (512) 825-3071 or email rubberrep@gmail.com.

The Austin Chronicle LISTS Red Cans:

#3 on Robert Faires' Top 10 Theatrical Treasures and Pleasures of 2006

#8 on Patti Hadad's Top 10 Stage Excitements of 2006

and even Ramona the dog gets a shout-out...

#4 on Elizabeth Cobbe's Top 10 Pratfalls of 2006, Plus Some Shining Examples of Physical Comedy

First Night...

was fun, but things got a little out of hand. By the time it was over, I was worried that the sidewalk might be littered with the hair and teeth of children.

Later in the day, two women in their sixties were overheard saying:

I saw some people dressed up as candy.

What kind of candy?

Red candy.