Other Side Productions Presents THE ARTIFACTS, 4/18-29

In THE ARTIFACTS, two great divas of modern drama, Ibsen's Hedda Gabler and Strindberg's Miss Julie, form an uneasy relationship in search of sisterly companionship. Their target is a dedicated young graduate student of theatre in a modern American liberal arts college. Steven Fechter has said that the idea of the play initially came out of the tension he felt between the mystery and purity of Art and the analytical thesis-driven force of Academia. THE ARTIFACTS is a celebration of the enduring power, beauty, tragedy, and danger of great dramatic art, which Hedda and Julie represent. It is also a darkly comic satire of foolish academic mentors who prey upon vulnerable young students. The three powerful female roles in THE ARTIFACTS showcase Fechter's fascination with strong women in the theatre that he shares with director Thom Fogarty.

   

Choreographer and Director Thom Fogarty brings his particular sensibility to this enchanting piece. His work, based in movement and told in an inherently theatrical style, has always dealt with the vastness of human conditions as told through the observance of small everyday gestures and their meanings. This shorthand movement vocabulary (consisting of traditional miming and gestures that are easily identifiable) allows the actors to be both profane and profound at the same time, constantly creating a duality acknowledging the Yin and Yang in daily life. His aim is to simultaneously make one laugh while another is moved to tears.

 

Steven Fechter is a playwright and screenwriter. His theatrical works have been produced throughout North America and Europe. Productions includeTHE LAST CIGARETTE (Lounge Theatre, Critic's Choice by LA Weekly and Backstage-West) THE COMMISSION (NYC Fringe Festival; Theater Bielefeld, Bielefeld, Germany), THE GOLDEN AURORA (NYC Fringe Festival), and THE WOODSMAN (Old Red Lion Theatre, London; Theater Bielefeld, Germany). Most recently, in spring 2011, Resonance Ensemble Theatre produced his commissioned play SHAKESPEARE'S SLAVE at the Clurman Theatre in New York. As a screenwriter he co-wrote the script for THE WOODSMAN, based on his play, starring Kevin Bacon. For that work he was a Humanitas Prize finalist in screenwriting. Steven also writes for ScriptShark.com's ScriptWriting Blog, commenting on screenwriting and film. He is a proud member of Resonance Ensemble, EST Playwrights Unit, New River Dramatists, and The Dramatists Guild.

 

Thom Fogarty has been active in NYC's downtown theater since 1977, appearing in dance and theatre productions, and creating works with Joseph Chaikin (The Open Theater), Paul Zimet (The Talking Band), Judson Poets Theater, DV8 Physical Theatre (London), and H.M. Koutoukas ("Dead at Sea," based on Mr. Koutoukas' journal entries). He has taught movement and performance throughout the U.S. and Europe.  Since changing his focus to directing in 2011 he has directed: EURYDICE by Sarah Ruhl (The Bridge NYC); BAD CONNECTIONS?  by Michael Levesque (Edmonton, Hollywood, Orlando and Toronto Fringe Festivals) ;  CROSS HATCH (Judson Memorial Church) by Peter Mercurio; HELL IS WHERE THE HEART IS (Gene Frankel Theater), a new play by Melissa Skirboll for the Planet Connections Festival (which received 3 nominations for acting, as well as his win for Outstanding Lighting Design); IN THE NAME OF GOD by Peter Cohen (Judson Church, NYC); DESDEMONA by Paula Vogel (The Bridge, NYC); BEING HEARD by Lulu Fogarty (Dixon Place, United Solo Festival, Theater Row NYC and Syracuse University); and 10 TALL TALES ABOUT THE MEN I LOVE  (which he adapted from a short story by Ronn Smith),  in "walkabout" performances at Judson Memorial Church as a fundraiser for The Ali Forney Center. He is an Associate Member of Stage Directors and Choreographers Society.

 

"Blue" Gene Tyranny was born in San Antonio, Texas, in 1945,  and has lived in each of the four corners of mainland USA.  During the late 50's he studied with pianists Meta Herwig and Rodney Hoare, composers Otto Wich and Frank Hughes, and organized new music events in Texas with composer Philip Krumm, including several festivals at the McNay Art Institute, premiering works by Cage, Corner, Maxfield, Ono and others.  His theater and dance collaboratins include works with the Talking Banc, Pat Oleszko, dancers Timothy Buckley (Proximology, Breakneck Hotel, the PBS shortENDANCE, etc), Rocky Bornstein, the Bill T. Jones/Artie Zane Dance Company, the Creach/Koester Company's, live electronic music for Stefa Zawerucha and many of the Otrabanda Company's plays including BRAIN CAFÉ, RE ROOMand SIMPATICO.  He has received a Bessie Award for Composition, a NYFA Composer Fellowship, a NYSCA grant, and an Obie for musical production.  This is his third collaboration with Thom Fogarty.

 

*Indicates member of Actor's Equity Association (AEA).