In the audition room

Bob and Marjorie at the director's table, anxiously awaiting our next actor

Here's a new opening for "Discomfort," aka "Truant One."

We've been working on this play for months now, and based on the feedback everyone gave us during the workshop performances, I've been wrestling with set-up for the two unlovers. Here's the latest attempt, unless it really sucks. In that case, forget I mentioned it.

TIME

Now. Early Morning

(The lights come up on a nicely furnished two-bedroom apartment. It is night. There is just enough light so anyone entering would not enter a dark house. No one is seen. Then, on the stairs...)

EARL: If I die, promise me you'll tell the media I was found in a compromising position. 

JANICE: It's only five flights.

EARL: The penthouse?

JANICE: We do have roof access.

EARL: Promise me.

JANICE: Well, Penelope and Katharine in 5C have a stuffed parrot.

EARL: That's a start.

JANICE: And an alternative lifestyle. 

EARL: Better.

JANICE: And great-grandchildren.

EARL: Sold.

JANICE: I'll see what I can do. But it won't be necessary. Here we are. Home sweet--  (Realizes she doesn't have her keys.) Shit!

EARL: What?

JANICE: Shit, shit, shit ...

EARL: What?

JANICE: Hi.

EARL: Hi ...

JANICE: Could you? ... (Hands some of the contents of her purse to EARL.)

EARL: Sure.

JANICE: Thanks. ... And ... (Hands more to EARL.) Damn it.

EARL: Let me guess. You don't have your--

JANICE: Ummm. ... I haven't exhausted all the possibilities yet.

EARL: OK.

JANICE: But it doesn't look good. This is embarrassing.

EARL: It's fine.

JANICE: I'm such an idiot.

EARL: It's fine. You have a lovely hallway.

JANICE: Thanks.

EARL: I'm getting a chance to catch my breath. And, chagrin looks good on you.

JANICE: Thanks. ... I think.

EARL: It does. You wear it well.

(To be continued)

seeking male actor, mid-late 20s

Truant Arts is replacing one actor in a new play (working title Discomfort) that has already been workshopped and vetted.  We will be rehearsing every Saturday in Newark, NJ, with a week long run in early May in New York City. Rehearsals slated to start on March 3rd.

Travel stipend. Performance stipend. Non-equity.


CHARACTER DESCRIPTION:
Earl is a charming asshole.  He is sexy, masculine, highly intelligent, and a bit of a tease.  He loves word play and is a sort of big city vagabond.  He fancies himself a philosopher, a guru, and one who imparts wisdom regarding the human condition.  He likes to manipulate people and situations for his own entertainment and personal gain.  Other people can't help but like him, despite their better judgment.


Auditions by appointment only: Saturday, February 25th from 10am to noon.  Prepare a two minute monologue.

To submit, send a headshot, resume, and brief introduction to TruantArts@gmail.com

The application is in the email

We have officially applied for a number in the Chicago Fringe Festival -- two hours before the deadline. (Gotta love a deadline.) Now, it is a matter of wait-and-see.

Project Question: When two or more are gathered together, what have we got?

Jamie and I headed back to Newark on Saturday to begin work on a project Truant would love to take to the Chicago Fringe Festival in August and September. We dragged Leo Mendoza and Sara Ruth Blake, two improvisation artists from the big city, with us to see what we could see.

The plan? Build a completely collaborative piece of theater from the ground up, starting with a simple question.

The question? "What have you been thinking a lot about lately?"

Four hours -- and a lot of intense follow-up questions later -- and the game is afoot. 

Stay tuned for details and updates.

workshop performance, 1/19/12

foreground: Gabi Van Horn (Kerry) & Ryan P.A. Walsh (Michael). background: Bobby Brower (Earl)

All photos by Coe Will, FXFowle Gallery, NYC (Thanks, Coe!)

Ms. Houston, and today in the laboratory...

I want to dance with somebody
I want to feel the heat with somebody
With somebody who loves me

Affordable optimism on the streets of new york...?