Applied Mechanics, as always, is busy making and seeing art. The fall is full of wonders, and here are some of our projects, thoughts, and picks.
What’s the last show you worked on?
Maria: I just opened Cabaret at the Arden. Its one of the larger designs I’ve done in my career, and I’m pretty proud of it! I also just opened Buyer & Cellar with 1812 Theater Company. Its a one-man show starring the lovely Dito, directed by the lovely Dan O’Neil. Costumed by the lovely Jill Keys.
Thomas: Symmetry Studies– a visual art exhibition at Metropolitan Bakery. The paintings were research from my solo A User’s Manual I completed earlier this year.
Sam: I directed and produced an original work, Strange Tenants, in the Fringe Festival with my artistic platform, Sam Tower + Ensemble. I had been workshopping this project in various forms for almost two years. It shape shifted many times, and it taught me more than I could have ever imagined.
Mary: I just worked on Alchemist with Chris Davis in the Fringe Festival
Becky: I directed Michael Kiley’s Close Music for Bodies in the Fringe. It was an hour-long immersive song with all original music and lyrics that came from the ensemble’s personal stories. A beautiful experience.
What are you working on right now?
Maria: I’m wrapping up a three year show development process called War of the Worlds: Philly. It’s a hybrid theater/game experience based on the original radio play by Orson Wells. It’s a collaboration between Drexel Entrepreneurial Game Studio and Swim Pony Performing Arts.
Thomas: My current studio practice is staring at public walls right now. My next project How to Read the Wall is a new, conceptual step forward from my improvisational movement score I created.
Sam: I am coordinating Showcase 2018, presented by International Performing Arts for Youth. This annual conference/festival for excellence in performance for young audiences will now officially take place in Philly every January.
Mary: I am about to open Destiny Estimate by MJ Kaufman! Very excited about that show.
Becky: I’m in rehearsal for The Gap by Emma Goidel at Azuka. It’s fun to work on a show about a complex sister relationship, and with such a crackerjack team of Philly artists.
What’s your favorite thing you saw in the Fringe Festival or generally in the past couple of months?
Maria: I have been in traveling and in tech for all of Fringe, so all I’ve got is a tv show: Call The Midwife. I’m OBSESSED. I love it.
Thomas: STAGE by a canary torsi. An awesome conceptual show that was at Abrons in NYC. Alexandra Tatarsky’s Americana Psychobabble was a brilliant and risky clown show in the Fringe. And Speech/Acts, the current show at the ICA. It wonderful showcases how visual artists use poetry as inspiration.
Sam: I really enjoyed the experience of seeing A Love Supreme in the Fringe Festival. The dance is an intricate improv score to the full Coltrane album. I can see why it has been touring for 10 years.
Mary: I was just in Edinburgh where I got to see Philadelphia’s own Lee Minora perform her amazing solo show, Cheeks! Feminist provocateur performance to the max!
Becky: I loved Alex Tatarsky’s American Psychobabble so much.
What’s one of the things you’re most excited about seeing in the coming couple of months?
Maria: I’m looking forward to seeing Destiny Estimate by MJ Kaufman! Woot! I’m also planning a trip to Diggerland, a construction vehicle themed park in NJ. Also I’m excited to see my sister get married this weekend! And Im excited for the Barrymore’s cause so many of my friends are nominated.
Thomas: The New Museum’s Trigger: Gender as a Tool.
Sam: Destiny Estimate (MJ Kaufman) and Hold Still While I Figure This Out (Subcircle)
Mary: Excited to see Blood Wedding at the Wilma; I think it will be amazing
Becky: The thing I’m most excited to see this season is Plant Me Here’s I’m Not Myself Today, an adaptation of Three Sisters. But that’s not until the spring. Meanwhile, I’m looking forward to all the shows listed above me on the survey!
Coming Up:
