NYC and Austin Theatre Companies Join Forces to Present BUTCHER HOLLER HERE WE COME

AZTEC ECONOMY in association with THEATRE SYNESTHESIA is pleased to announce the Austin premiere of BUTCHER HOLLER HERE WE COME by Casey Wimpee, directed by Leah Bonvissuto.

After premiering four years ago in the Cincinnati Fringe and performing in New York City, Baltimore, New Orleans, Dallas, Houston, Albuquerque, Tampa, West Palm Beach, BUTCHER HOLLER HERE WE COME will play a limited engagement at First Street Studio (2400 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78702), with a repertory cast that includes the original NYC production as well as ensemble from Austin-based Theatre Synesthesia. Performances begin Thursday, May 18 and continue through Saturday, June 10, 2017.

1973, West Virginia. Following a cave collapse, 5 coal miners struggle to survive the dwindling supply of oxygen, the lack of food and water, the unravelling sense of passing time, and, even more threatening, their own competing natures. Brutally weaving through family histories, complicated friendships, crooked politics, childhood visions, audacious hopes, eerie dreams, criminal addictions, and fervent spirituality in this run-of-the-mill Appalachian community, Butcher Holler Here We Come is a descent into the male psyche-in-crisis where secret desires, carnal urges, and hidden memories come boiling to the surface in a primitive territory of Earth that mirrors the subliminal mind.

Featuring Adam Belvo (Best Lead Actor nominee, NY Innovative Theatre Awards), Isaac Byrne (2 Time NY Innovative Theatre Award Winning Director, Artistic Director 4the People, former Artistic Director Working Man's Clothes), Judd Farris (B. Iden Payne Best Supporting Actor), Devin Finn (Austin Shakespeare, Co-Founder of Theatre Synesthesia), Colt W. Keeney (New Orleans Fringe, Lead singer - THE BAD INVADERS), Nicholas Kier (Zach Theatre, Co-Founder of Theatre Synesthesia), Michael Mason (U - The Klingon Opera Berlin, Outstanding Innovator in the Arts, SE TX Arts Council), Adam Laten Wilson (Aztec Economy), and Cole Wimpee (Austin Critic's Table Best Supporting Actor; Kennedy Center Irene Ryan Acting Finalist). Butcher Holler Here We Come is immersively staged with the audience surrounding the actors and the performance is lit entirely by the headlamps on the performers heads.

BUTCHER HOLLER HERE WE COME plays the following performances through Sat, June 10:

Thursday, May 18 at 8pm

Friday, May 19 at 8pm

Saturday, May 20 at 8pm

Thursday, May 25 at 8pm

Friday, May 26 at 8pm

Saturday, May 27 at 8pm

Thursday, June 1 at 8pm

Friday, June 2 at 8pm

Saturday, June 3 at 8pm

Thursday, June 8 at 8pm

Friday, June 9 at 8pm

Saturday, June 10 at 8pm

Tickets range from $15.00 (Advance Sales) to $20.00 (At the Door), and are now available online at

http://butcherholler.brownpapertickets.com OR http://butcherholler.bpt.me or by calling 1-800-838-3006. Tickets may also be purchased in-person at the theater 1⁄2 hour prior to performance.

Running Time: 75 minutes (NO INTERMISSION)

Website: www.aztececonomy.com

Watch the trailer: https://youtu.be/c7EScYzGCgg

FIRST STREET STUDIO is located at 2400 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78702

BIOGRAPHIES:

Casey Wimpee (Playwright) NYC Credits: LAVAMAN (The Ohio Theater), NATIONAL DIET OF JAPAN (PS122, NYC), PONTIAC FIREBIRD VARIATIONS (3LD, Ice Factory), BATTLEPLAYS (Brick Theatre and Brooklyn Fireproof). Regional: KILL DEVILL HILLS (Collaboraction, Chicago), BLOODY ELEPHANTS (New Orleans Fringe). Austin credits: AMPHIBIANS (The Search Party @ The Blue Theatre); KILL DEVIL HILLS, PONTIAC FIREBIRD VARIATIONS and MARFA LIGHTS, with Theatre Synesthesia at The Museum of Human Achievement. Also, a two-time Samuel French OOB Finalist (for THE QUEEN IS DEAD and AMPHIBIANS), and a twice-selected playwright for the Obie Award-winning Ice Factory (for LAVAMAN and PONTIAC FIREBIRD VARIATIONS).

Leah Bonvissuto (Director) NYC credits: BUTCHER HOLLER HERE WE COME (Aztec Economy in various cities), 1 NIGHT ONLY: A HANUKKAH JAMBOREE (54 Below), SABRINA LA CAPRICHOSA (Dixon Place) AS YOU LIKE IT (McGoldrick Park, Greenpoint) and MASS (The Brick Theater). Leah is a Communication Coach + Co-Founder of Bespoken (www.bespokenpartners.com) where she helps leaders and teams communicate consciously and be powerfully present when speaking. BFA graduate from NYU Tisch School of the Arts in Drama.

Adam Belvo (K-Bus, *Week 1). NYC Credits: John in MARY's LITTLE MONSTER (spit&vigor), Azra Todd in THE EXECUTION OF MRS. COTTON (spit&vigor, IRT Theater), Danny in DANNY AND THE DEEP BLUE SEA (spit&vigor), Father Nathan Shourd in IN VESTMENTS (Theatre 4 the People), K.Bus & Muskie in BUTCHER HOLLER HERE WE COME (Aztec Economy, The Tank/WestPark Center), Jack in OVER (NY Fringe 2015), Georges in HAZARD A LITTLE DEATH (Planet Connections Festival 2014), El Spectro in COLOR TVs IN TIJUANA (Aztec Economy), Vanya in UNCLE VANYA (Columbia Univ.) Regional: K.Bus in BUTCHER HOLLER HERE WE COME (Cincinnati Fringe Festival 2013, New Orleans Fringe Festival 2013, Out-of-the-Loop Festival 2014-Dallas, Revolutions 2016-Albuquerque, NM), Alfred in HELPLESS DOORKNOBS (New Orleans Fringe 2012,) the Stranger in MY AIM IS TRUE (New Orleans Fringe 2011), the Auctioneer in OK SKIN TRADE (Aztec Economy, Washington DC). Awards: Winner, Best Actor (Planet Connections Festivity 2014), Nominated for Best Lead Actor in a Play (NY IT Awards 2016) Adam is the executive producer of the Brooklyn based theater company spit&vigor (www.spitnvigor.com). He was a collaborating member of Working Man's Clothes Productions and is a company member of Aztec Economy. His work has been showcased at The Tank, 3LD, The Ohio Theater, The Davenport Theater, WestPark Presbyterian Church, The Abingdon Theater (Dorothy Strelsin and the June Havoc,) American Place Theater, Under St. Marks, and IRT Theater.

Isaac Byrne (Hiccup) Regional / NYC credits: BUTCHER HOLLER HERE WE COME (Aztec Economy), KILL DEVIL HILLS (Aztec Economy), PONTIAC FIREBIRD VARIATIONS (Aztec Economy) THE NEW CAR PLAY (The Ohio Theater) Austin credits: Bill and Eddie in LION IN THE STREETS (Blue Theater). Director of two New York Innovative Theatre Award winning productions: TO NINEVEH and IN VESTMENTS. Also directed the award winning solo show about Mozart's sister THE OTHER MOZART which is currently touring the U.S. Founder of NYC theatre company, Theatre 4the People. wwwtheatre4thepeople.com

Judd Farris (Leander, *Week 4) Austin Credits: TREVOR (Cap T Theatre), DENIM DOVES (Salvage Vanguard Theatre), HAMLET (Present Company Theatre), NAHUM TATE'S KING LEAR (The Hidden Room Theatre), SPELUNKING (ARCOS Dance and StudioLab), VASILISA/GRETEL (Theatre Heroes), MUTE POINT (The Search Party), and DOWN THE DRAIN (Imagine That Productions). Film Credits: TEJANO (Director: David Garcia Blue), NECRONOMICA (Directors: The Brothers Bogart), YEAR OF THE FROG (Directors: The Brothers Bogart), Lord, Hear Our Voices In Silence (Director: Chuck Ney). 2016 B. Iden Payne Winner for Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy (TREVOR; Cap T Theatre), 2016 B. Iden Payne Finalist for Best Supporting Actor in a Drama (NAHUM TATE'S KING LEAR; The Hidden Room Theatre) 2016 B. Iden Payne Award Nominee for Best Ensemble with Reagan Tankersley (HAMLET; Present Company Theatre). 2013-14 Austin Critic's Table Best Actor in a Leading Role Nominee (DER BERSTRAFTE BRUDERMORD; The Hidden Room)

Devin Finn (Muskie, *Weeks 3 &4) HAMLET, TWELFTH NIGHT, AS YOU LIKE IT, PRIDE AND PREJUDICE, WINTERS TALE (Austin Shakespeare) OTHELLO, TAMING OF THE SHREW (Houston Shakespeare Festival) THE GREAT GOD PAN, BULL (Street Corner Arts) MARFA LIGHTS, KILL DEVIL HILLS, PONTIAC FIREBIRD VARIATIONS, THE QUEEN IS DEAD (Theatre Synesthesia). Co-Founder and Executive Director of Theatre Synesthesia.

Colt. W Keeney (Muskie, *Week 2) NYC credits: BUTCHER HOLLER HERE WE COME (The Tank, Times Square), KANSAS CITY BOOK OF THE DEAD (Bird River). Regional: MY HORSE'S NAME IS LONELINESS (Purification Plant, New Orleans Fringe). Austin credits: PONTIAC FIREBIRD VARIATIONS, KILL DEVIL HILLS (Museum of Human Achievement, Theatre Synesthesia). Colt is a lead vocalist and songwriter for the local Austin band, THE BAD INVADERS.

Nicholas Kier (K-Bus, *Week 3) Austin credits: in MARY POPPINS, ALICE IN WONDERLAND and A YEAR WITH FROG AND TOAD (Zach Theatre ), AS YOU LIKE IT, OTHELLO, THE WINTER'S TALE and PRIDE AND PREJUDICE (Austin Shakespeare ). Nicholas holds a B.F.A. from Texas State University and studied abroad with the Royal Shakespeare Company and Jane Lapotaire. More information and links to his photography portfolio are available at www.maccaluminc.com

Michael Mason (Muskie, *Week 1 / K-Bus, *Week 2 & 4) Regional / NYC credits: WAITING FOR GODOT (Ad Hoc Beaumont / FCI Beaumont Correction Institution) THE KLINGON OPERA 'U' (Zeebelt / Haus Der Kulture der Welt Berlin), LAVAMAN (Aztec Economy / Ohio Theatre NYC), Austin credits: VALPARAISO (The Search Party / The Hide Out), PENETRATOR (Search Party / The Hide Out), TRACERS (Cliff Diver Productions / The Off Center). Founding Member of NYC theatre companies, Aztec Economy and Working Man's Clothes. Artistic Director of Ad Hoc Beaumont, a Southeast TX based theatre group. Recently Awarded "Outstanding Innovator in the Arts and Humanities" by the Southeast Texas Art Council.

Adam Laten Willson (Leander, *Week 1-3): NYC credits: SHIP OF FOOLS (2009, U.S.S. Lilac), NATIONAL DIET OF JAPAN (2010, P.S.122), PONTIAC FIREBIRD VARIATIONS (2011, Ice Factory Festival, Ohio Interrupted), and COLOR TVs EN TIJUANA (2012, Brooklyn Fireproof). Other regional credits include ADVENTURES IN THE OK SKIN TRADE (2011, The Fridge, Washington D.C.), KILL DEVIL HILLS (2012, Collaboration, Chicago), and BUTCHER HOLLER HERE WE COME (2013 - current, multiple cities). Presently, Adam is working on an original libretto called "The Prince von Pappenschmear," in collaboration with New Camerata Opera (NYC), which is being filmed in serial installments for Youtube.

Cole Wimpee (Jet) NYC acting credits: THE INTRUDER (Brooklyn Arts Exchange), PENETRATOR (American Place Theatre), EXIT PURSUED BY BEARS (The Brick), OBLIVIA (Connelly), 1.1-1.7 (Galapagos Art Space) for which TimeOUT NY reviewed him as, "a heroic performer", LAVAMAN (Obie-Award Winning Ice Factory, Ohio), PONTIAC FIREBIRD VARIATIONS (3 Legged Dog), and directing/producing credits at Silent Barn, P.S.122, The Player's Theatre (Jessica Hedrick's SODOMY & PEDICURES at the NY Fringe Festival), Brooklyn Fireproof, Big Sky Works, The Tank, Dixon Place, Monkey Town, The 1st-2nd-and 3rd Annual NYC Binge Festivals, Bushwick Starr, and New Ohio. Regional: THE MOVEMENT IN THE BED (DiverseWorks, Houston), SHEETFORT (Mid-American Arts Alliance), HELPLESS DOORKNOBS (New Orleans Fringe), and work with ArkansasStaged. Austin credits: ORANGE (Refraction Arts/Blue), HOLES BEFORE BEDTIME (Rubber Rep, Austin Critic's Table Award winner for Best Supporting Actor), ESTHER'S FOLLIES (ensemble cast), PLAYBOY OF THE WESTERN WORLD (Different Stages), and internship with Physical Plant (NOT CLOWN). A Kennedy Center Irene Ryan Acting finalist, Cole has assisted Mei Ann Teo (Kennedy Center, ISSA HE SAY) and Aimee Hayes (DETROIT, Southern Rep). A 2012 member of Lincoln Center's Directing Lab, Cole is currently an MFA Candidate in Directing at the University of Arkansas.

AZTEC ECONOMY is a Brooklyn-based non-profit arts collective initiated in Spring 2008 to present new live performances for the public. Our work seeks to provide a fresh perspective on American culture and its relationship to ritual, mythology, madness, dreams, and deliverance.

AE's projects have been featured in NYC at the Obie Award Winning Ice Factory, the Ohio Theater in Soho, The New Ohio in the West Village, IRT, 3 Legged Dog in Lower Manhattan, I.R.T., The Tank in Tribeca & Times Square, Dixon Place in the Lower East Side, P.S.122 in the East Village, Monkey Town & The Brick Theater & Big Sky Works & House of Yes & Silent Barn & Bird River Studios, Brooklyn Fireproof, Bushwick Open Studios, Bushwick Starr, Greenpoint's Lutheran Church of the Messiah, West Park Presbyterian Church; at the New Orleans Fringe Festival: Mudlark Puppet Theatre & The Purification Plant, the Fridge in D.C., Collaboraction in Chicago, on board the Historic Steamship Lilac off the Hudson River, The Gladys City Spindletop Boomtown Grounds & BCP in Beaumont-Texas, EMP Collective in Baltimore, Columbia Festival of the Arts in Maryland, WaterTower Theatre in Dallas, Silver Meteor & HCC College in Tampa, West Palm Organics in Florida, Know Theatre / The Cincinnati Fringe Festival, Tricklock Revolutions & University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, and bars, rooftops, churches, and backyards all over Brooklyn. Our non-profit sponsor organization is Fractured Atlas. www.aztececonomy.com

THEATRE SYNESTHESIA was born in 2012 and seeks to engage its community with provocative performance, inspire its audience with bold, new and contemporary stories, and foster the growth and development of young theatre artists in central Texas. Objectives are to a. create and develop exciting and lasting relationships with our community and audience, b. provide high quality, thought provoking productions, c. seek and promote new, exciting voices in American theatre, and d. create and sustain an inclusive and enjoyable presence in central Texas. Previous productions have included works at The Museum of Human Achievement and in site-specific locations in / around Austin.

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