BLESSED THIEVES at Rec Room Gives Houstonians A Chance To Remove Their Masks

BLESSED THIEVES, an interactive installation created by local actor Candice D'Meza marks the final weekend of Rec Room Arts' 2018 Residency Festival. The exhibit invites participants to explore how they craft their public persona, the ways they handle shame and vulnerability, and how society supports or discourages authentic self-expression, whether in the public sphere or on social media.

This is an artistic departure for D'Meza, who is a popular mainstay of the Houston theater scene. In 2017, she was highlighted as one of "The Best Houston Theater Actors of 2017" in the Houston Chronicle and "Seven Talented Young Houston Actors To Watch" by the Houston Press. However, this time, D'Meza will be behind the scenes. Instead, it is the attendees who will find themselves part of the art by participating in a variety of interactive components created by D'Meza.

Brené Brown, a notable Houstonian, is the inspiration behind the project. Brown, a University of Houston professor and New York Times best-selling author whose viral TED Talk and numerous guest spots on Oprah's Super Soul Sunday have launched her into global recognition, speaks often about how vulnerability and shame resilience are inseparable from innovation and creation. D'Meza explains: "It is my own quest for vulnerability-this deep human desire to be fully seen-that informs my work as an actor and artist and my process as a person."

Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased at the door or online at https://www.artful.ly/store/events/14331

General admission tickets are $15. Discounted tickets are available for students with valid ID for $10.

From established artists to emerging, fringe and up-and-coming artists, Rec Room Arts is interested in supporting individuals who work to bend and break the rules of conventional performance. We support the development of new work by inviting artists to propose, create, and present works of theatre, dance, music, opera, performance art, film and more.

How? Artists are encouraged to apply to the Artist Residency program, open to individuals or groups of artists who are not part of an established company or professional organization. This year's RESIDENCY FESTIVAL runs through March 25 and is funded in part by the Houston Arts Alliance and the City of Houston.

Rec Room Arts also produces a season of multi-disciplinary live performance. The current season included productions of RITE OF SPRING, DEAD ROCKSTAR SING-A-LONG CLUB, SENDER, HANSEL & GRETEL.

The Board of Directors includes Abby Koenig (President), Ryan Leach (VP) and Chelsea Viles Cutler. Stephanie Wittels Wachs serves as Executive Director and Matt Hune serves as Artistic Director. Tasha Gorel is House Manager, Gregory Starbid is Technical Director and Angela Eleuterius is Director of Operations.

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