Porterspace Announces Sean Pollock and Drew Weinstein as Artists in Residence

Porterspace, founded and curated by theatre artist Lawrence Schober, is "an initiative to provide emerging performance artists with a space to develop their work". Porterspace is proud to announce Sean Pollock and Drew Weinstein as their newest Artists-In-Residence for Spring 2017. Developmental readings, workshops, and other events are held throughout Porterspace throughout the year and can be accessed at www.porterspace.nyc. Their project is announced as followed:

American Juggalo

Adapted from the 2011 cult documentary by Sean Dunne by Sean Pollock

Directed by Drew Weinstein

A look at the often mocked and misunderstood subculture of Juggalos, hardcore Insane Clown Posse fans meet once a year for four days at The Gathering of the Juggalos. On the last night of the gathering, six juggalos from completely different walks of life come together and examine what it means to be a family, and if the shared love of one band is strong enough for them to create a lasting bond. American Juggalo is a docu-theatre inspired piece based on real people, testimony and events at the 2011 Gathering of the Juggalos, interviews conducted by the playwright and other found sources.

"This piece is exceptionally topical right now, as the Juggalos are set to protest Trump administration in September because of their gang status with the FBI," Pollock says. "It's a subculture that fascinates me--just when I think I have them figured out, I have to go back to the drawing board. It's time to see a different group of Americans that aren't represented on stage. The Juggalos are truly their own band of punk, with piercings, tattoos, clown makeup and different body types. They all come together because they love their music, and are often scorned by others. At its core, the piece is about outsiders creating a family, and there's something very human in that I think people will relate to."

Final announcements for a further development of the piece will be announced at a later date.

Sean Pollock (Writer) is a multi disciplinary writer, director, designer, teacher, and artist from Brooklyn. He currently serves as the Literary Manager of Playlight Theatre Company. Recent credits include: Silent Night Bloody Night with One and Done Productions/Blood Brothers present (Deviser/Designer/Writer), Hazelwood Jr. High with Cupcake Lady Productions (Director) and Jellybean Junkyard with Playlight Theatre Company (Writer). He is thrilled to be developing American Juggalo with Porterspace, after previously adapting yet another Sean Dunne documentary, Trump Rally, for the Dirty Blondes Theatre Company as part of the Resister Project at the Kraine Theatre. Thanks to friends, family, Drew, and Shelley Duvall. Training: Ithaca College/NTI. www.seanpollock.net Instagram: @seanzyart.

Drew Weinstein (Director) is a New York-based director, composer, and Sound Designer. As a director, Drew has created and devised original work in and around New York City including HEDDA (HERE), Witness the Beginning (Redwood Studios), and Origins (Jersey City Theatre Center). He has also directed projects at The Wild Project, The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey, Dixon Place, the Sheen Center, and the Bridge at Shetler Studios. Drew's sound design credits include Oye! For My Dear Brooklyn (The Performing Garage), The Iceman Lab, Act IV with Target Margin Theater (HERE), Assembled Identity (HERE), Baskerville (Cider Mill Playhouse), Jellybean Junkyard (Playlight Theatre Company), Each Brought Some Silences (NYC Fringe), American Dreamers (Jersey City Theatre Center), Shutters (a radio play), and Chatroom (The Hive). Drew works as the festival associate for the PROTOTYPE Festival. He graduated from Ithaca College and is an alumnus of the National Theatre Institute and the Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey's training program. www.drewrweinstein.com