Tag: Q Stage

Featured Q-STAGE Collaborator: Anthony Michael

admin Interviews , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Part of the mission of 20% Theatre Company is to provide opportunities to new and emerging artists. Q-STAGE is the perfect vehicle to create such opportunity. So, as we get closer and closer to our second installment of the Q-STAGE New Works Series, we’d like to introduce you to a few artists you may not have met. Anthony Michael is an actor in And She Would Stand Like This: A Play in Drag.

Actor: Anthony Michael
Actor: Anthony Michael

Who are you?

My name is Anthony Michael and I am a performance artist.

What do you do, and why do you do it?

I do this because I believe it to be necessary within all the tiers of my community (local, national, international) and because I feel incomplete and unstable without it. I grew up dancing, singing in choirs, and acting in plays and competitive speaking. After seeing the Broadway tour of Chicago for my 12th birthday I decided to dedicate my life fully to the arts. I performed, wrote, sang, danced, directed (pretty much anything I could do except go to class) in high school before eventually dropping out. I moved to St. Cloud and started working for a couple of local theatres, waiting tables on the side. After a couple of years I decided to move to the Twin Cities to pursue the arts full time. Since moving here my work and ideas have begun to refine themselves into something more focused and radical. I have immersed myself in the burlesque community, performing in, producing, and hosting striptease events. I am also currently working as a choreographer, actor, and director for several different companies here in the twin cities with projects ranging from Shakespeare to ballet to devised physical work.

What made you decide to get involved with Q-STAGE?

I became interested in working with Q-STAGE after reading the posting for new works and reading more about the program and the artists that had been involved in the past. The program seemed relevant to me and my interests (queer life, theatre, NEW work, “alternative” work, human sexuality, queer visibility) while providing me an opportunity and a challenge in organizing a submission.

What Q-STAGE project are you a part of?

I am acting in Harrison Rivers’ beautiful play And She Would Stand Like This: A Play in Drag. This poetic adaptation of Euripides’ Trojan Women uses 90’s ball culture and world health crises to examine questions about health and sexuality, motherhood, drag life, and the perseverance of community. I absolutely love the play; the cast and crew are swift, hard working artists with beautiful hearts, and the text is a dream.

What frustrates you about the current state of the arts?

I am currently displeased with the stagnation the mainstream theatre world has accepted. The trickle down effect Broadway has, the security of season tickets, the acceptance of irrelevant replays, lack of diversity, disproportionate funding of the arts. That’s all one thing, right? I could go on… Not to say that I don’t love what I do, and the idyllic theatre, because I do.

What is your dream project?

My dream project is any project created by a collective of artists that is a multi-medium mix of performance that addresses issues relevant to the community, nation, or world. It is confrontational, entertaining, honest, and offers transportation but commands presence. It offers me constant fear and constant inspiration, and I am better because of it.

What is the role of the performance artist in today’s world?

I believe that a performance artist must constantly be seeking truth, and in turn offer some attempt at engaging in a dialogue with their community about their questions and findings. I believe it is our job to keep the world on their toes, keep fascism at bay, encourage humanism, represent our fellow, and provide entertainment. If politics is the head on the coin of society, the performance artist is the tail.

Featured Q-STAGE Collaborator: Emily Weiss

admin Interviews , , , , , , , , , ,

Part of the mission of 20% Theatre Company is to provide opportunities to new and emerging artists. Q-STAGE is the perfect vehicle to create such opportunity. So, as we get closer and closer to our second installment of the Q-STAGE New Works Series, we’d like to introduce you to a few artists you may not have met. Emily Weiss is a Production Assistant for The Escape Machines.

Production Assistant: Emily Weiss
Production Asst: Emily Weiss

Who are you and what do you do (in life? in the world? in the arts?)?

I am Emily Weiss. I work for the MN National Guard as an outreach coordinator by day, and by night I work as a (starving) artist. I teach yoga and meditation classes, paint, write poetry, sing and every once in a while, act.

Why do you do what you do?

I have always been attracted to art. It makes sense to me, a way for me to express all of the emotion and feelings I have about the world around me.

Tell us about your artistic background?

I started off on stage – singing and acting, and quickly realized my artistic tastes went much further than just performances. I started writing poetry shortly after my sweet 16th, and preformed it on stage for the first time around 17. I was continually searching for my next project, and it wasn’t long until I turned to the paintbrush. Art has always been what I turn to for comfort, and I continue to discover my authentic self in my search for my next project.

What themes do you pursue in your work?

I tend to follow themes about invisibility in my work. My experiences in life have often made me feel invisible for one reason or another, and as such, I turned to art to help create an area where I felt that I was seen. My paintings are all abstract arts, dedicated to making something out of chaos and there is always an underlying theme of love in my works, regardless of what they might be.

What memorable responses have you had to your work?

My grandmother is the one who first inspired me to pick up a brush and she is an incredible painter. I remember her telling me that anyone could paint, but not everyone does. I am continually showing her my work and her approval is my greatest award.

What are three things you can’t live without?

I can’t live without love, my dog and my brushes. Paint can be made from anything…I’ve been known to crush berries, and use makeup as paint or ink, but good brushes can’t be replaced.

Featured Q-STAGE Collaborator: Sarah Wolf

admin Uncategorized , , , ,

Part of the mission of 20% Theatre Company is to provide opportunities to new and emerging artists. Q-STAGE is the perfect vehicle to create such opportunity. So, as we get closer and closer to our second installment of the Q-STAGE New Works Series, we’d like to introduce you to a few artists you may not have met. me 1

Sarah Wolf is a Production Assistant for “And She Would Stand Like This” by Q-STAGE Artist Harrison David Rivers.

Who are you and what do you do (in life? in the world? in the arts?)?

I’m a recent college graduate and have lived most of my life in Wisconsin. I moved to Minneapolis a few months ago for a wider variety in theater. I currently work at a nursing home planning and leading activities for the residents. I also babysit for a few families. I like to keep my days filled with games, fun, and creativity. This helps to keep me thinking as I start my theater career.

Why do you do what you do?

Theater is a way to learn and teach people about lives that are different from their own. The performances that have stuck with me are the ones that make me think. I want to work on shows that challenge other people to think.

Why did you want to become involved in Q-STAGE?

The first time I heard of Q-STAGE I instantly fell in love with it. It’s a wonderful opportunity for queer artists to share their voices. I wanted to be a part of it to support those artists in making their shows come to life. I love shows that challenge the audience and have queer themes.

Tell us a little bit about the Q-STAGE piece or pieces you are working on?

The piece I’m working on is “And She Would Stand Like This” by Harrison David Rivers (the chosen Q-STAGE Artist in this case), an adaptation of “The Trojan Woman”. It’s a powerful piece that takes a look at the relationships between mothers and children. It’s been great working with Harrison, and exploring all the different levels and layers to this piece with our wonderfully talented cast.

What is your dream project?

My dream since I was about 5 has been to one day publish a book. I’ve since expanded that to also publishing and producing and directing a play. Novel writing is easier to me than playwriting, so perhaps I will adapt my book to a play. Either way, I would love to have my work produced and known throughout the world.

Theater is a universal language. I was able to travel and spend some time in Germany and Turkey. While there, I attended a few theater productions that were in Turkish and German. I understand a basic level of German, but not any Turkish. However, I was able to understand the shows without many problems. The actors conveyed the feelings and emotions and I could follow them onstage to see what was happening. I would love for my work to be seen and understood around the world and have people connect with it.

I also want my work to have all queer characters. I want this to be the norm and have no questions asked. Since I’m still dreaming, I would also love to cast and direct my show with diversity of age, size, race, and ability. I want to change the norm in everything so that everyone can have a fair shot at being in theater. There’s a long way to go for this dream and one day I think I’ll see it.

Get to Know: Nathan Gebhard and Kris Gebhard

tctwentypercent Uncategorized , , , , , , ,

20% Theatre Company is thrilled to announce Q-STAGE – a new, experimental series showcasing the work of local queer artists/performing groups. As a company we recognize that “queer” can mean vastly different things to different people. To us, “queer” is a term of radical self-definition – and can relate to personal gender or sexual identity, history, presentation, artistic approach and/or content, and so much more.

Six shows were chosen out of 14 applications, and you are about to read about one of them! We reached out to Nathan Gebhard and Kris Gebhard, creators of Trust in Chaos. Here’s what they had to say.

 

What attracted you to the Q-Stage opportunity?

We’ve always come together over music, but we’ve never combined our respective talents in poetry and dance to see how they compliment, provoke and dare each other. Inspired by what Kris’s recovery has brought to each of us, we knew we had something to share.

 

What was the most surprising or exciting discovery you made during the rehearsal process?

There’s a lot of honesty in just letting yourself be.

 

If your play/performance piece had a theme song, what artist would sing/play it?

The Bad Plus

 

Describe your show in 5 words or less:

We dare you to dream.

To purchase tickets to this show or any other Q Stage production, visit http://www.brownpapertickets.com/producer/73249.

Get to Know: Anna Sutheim

tctwentypercent Uncategorized , , , , ,

20% Theatre Company is thrilled to announce Q-STAGE – a new, experimental series showcasing the work of local queer artists/performing groups. As a company we recognize that “queer” can mean vastly different things to different people. To us, “queer” is a term of radical self-definition – and can relate to personal gender or sexual identity, history, presentation, artistic approach and/or content, and so much more.

Six shows were chosen out of 14 applications, and you are about to read about one of them! We reached out to Anna Sutheim to learn about her Q Stage production of Singing Out.

What attracted you to this Q-Stage opportunity?

What artist doesn’t want to be told “hey, here’s a budget, talented production staff, a venue and 30-60 minutes of stage time- whaddaya wanna do with it”? Also, the idea of applying scared the crap out of me, so I knew I had to try.

 

What was the most surprising or exciting discovery you made during the rehearsal process?

That I can write and perform a one-woman autobiographical show and not have a heart attack or flee the country (yet, anyway).

 

If your play/performance piece had a theme song, what artist would sing/play it?

Well, the songs I’ve been listening to on repeat to encourage myself when I get terrified during this process have been Macklemore’s “Can’t Hold Us”, Janelle Monae’s “Electric Lady” and the first movement of J.S. Bach’s Cantata 82 “Ich habe genug” sung by Lorraine Hunt Lieberson. So I think those artists (including the dead ones) should all collaborate on something about pushing through fear and being yourself. That would be awesome.

 

Describe your show in five words or less:

Nervous girl loves opera, ladies.

Or, perhaps:

Singing lesbian finally chills out.

To purchase tickets to this show or any other Q Stage production, visit http://www.brownpapertickets.com/producer/73249.

Get to Know: Donn Saylor

tctwentypercent Uncategorized , , ,

20% Theatre Company is thrilled to announce Q-STAGE – a new, experimental series showcasing the work of local queer artists/performing groups. As a company we recognize that “queer” can mean vastly different things to different people. To us, “queer” is a term of radical self-definition – and can relate to personal gender or sexual identity, history, presentation, artistic approach and/or content, and so much more.

Six shows were chosen out of 14 applications, and you are about to read about one of them! We reached out to Donn Saylor, the writer, director and performer of Pilgrim Soul: The Life of William Haines, a Q Stage production going on now at Nimbus Theatre.

 

What attracted you to the Q-Stage opportunity?

I was attracted to Q-Stage because the wonderful folks at 20% were offering something truly unique: the room–both literally and figuratively–to develop, brainstorm, experiment, and create in a wholly supportive, nurturing environment. That is something quite rare, and I’ve treasured the experience. Also, something like Q-Stage would never have existed in Billy Haines’s time, and I think it’s something he would get quite a kick out of and find really cool.

 

What was the most surprising or exciting discovery you made during the rehearsal process?

Oh…too many to mention! Primarily this…. I don’t think it’s terribly unique for someone who has been given the opportunity to create and perform an intensely intimate piece like this to feel an allegiance with the character they are portraying. But I had no idea of just how deeply that allegiance would run. I had been researching this show for a year and a half before sitting down to actually write the thing, and I thought I knew all I could possibly know about Billy Haines. But once I started physically working on the piece–from the simple act of typing it out to the more challenging aspects of inhabiting it onstage–I was surprised at how many points in communion he and I have. Our lives couldn’t be more different on an external level, but, emotionally-speaking, a lot of his experience resonated with me. Even in instances where I really didn’t know if I could–in real life–do what he did, it emotionally rang true as something to which I wanted to aspire. I kinda want to be Billy Haines when I grow up. 🙂

 

If your play/performance piece had a theme song, what artist would sing/play it?

I like to think that it DOES have a sort-of unofficial theme song, which is played at the end of the piece: “Non, je ne regrette rien” by Edith Piaf. “No, I regret nothing.” That says it pretty beautifully, I think.

 

Describe your show in 5 words or less:

“Silence is not always golden.”

To purchase tickets to this show or any other Q Stage production, visit http://www.brownpapertickets.com/producer/73249.

Get to Know: Homo Hotdish

admin Uncategorized , , , ,

20% Theatre Company is thrilled to announce Q-STAGE – a new, experimental series showcasing the work of local queer artists/performing groups. As a company we recognize that “queer” can mean vastly different things to different people. To us, “queer” is a term of radical self-definition – and can relate to personal gender or sexual identity, history, presentation, artistic approach and/or content, and so much more.

Six shows were chosen out of 14 applications, and you are about to read about one of them! We reached out to Chase Burns, Ryan Patrick, Jessie Scarborough-Ghen, and Jared Zeigler of HOMO HOTDISH. Check out what they have to say about their current Q Stage production, I DO! I DO!

What attracted you to the Q-Stage opportunity?

The four of us (“HOMO HOTDISH”) worked together this summer on a separate project, and were having a terribly difficult time finding a reliable performance space. We had the energy to create new work, but didn’t have the right foundation for our projects to grow and be seen. That’s where Q-Stage entered!

Jared saw the call for artists on Facebook, and we immediately recognized that the festival was the opportunity we’d been looking for. Not only do we get the chance to produce our own work, but we’re also given the ability to collaborate and network with other fabulously queer-minded artists.

We’re happy to say that the process has been eye-opening and enriching from the very beginning.

 

What was the most surprising or exciting discovery you made during the rehearsal process?

Rolling Chairs.

 

If your play/performance piece had a theme song, what artist would sing/play it?

Has R.T. Rybak ever released an EP? Because he’d be a pretty good candidate.

 

Describe your show in 5 words or less:

Campy-Brechtian-Realism.

 

To purchase tickets to this show or any other Q Stage production, visit http://www.brownpapertickets.com/producer/73249.