Obsidian Theater to Premiere THINGS MISSING/MISSED, 5/12-28

We begin with a question. What are we missing? The invisible things, the things we have forgotten about, the things that have slipped by, the invisible, the ellipsis.

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Obsidian Theater will present the world premiere of things missing/missed, an original devised work from theatre artists Philip Hays, Melissa Flower and Justin Locklear. Performances will run May 12-28 at Obsidian Theater, 3522 White Oak, Houston, TX 77007; all shows begin at 8 p.m.

As a devised piece, these three intrepid collaborators will enter the rehearsal process with little more than an idea. A wholly original physical performance will be constructed from the fruits of their discussions, improvisations and explorations. A show without a script, grown by the performers from nothing but a seed.

We launch from the story of a hermit, a real one who renounced all interaction with other people and hid out in North Pond, Maine for 30 years, engendering myths of forest monsters stealing from pantries and sock drawers. Then we play his story against the beloved poem of T.S. Eliot, The Love Song of J Alfred Prufrock. From two disparate elements comes the framework in which we will explore the sensations of missing, being missed, being erased. Says collaborator Melissa Flower, "The unique challenge here is uncovering where the themes and raw materials fit together, growing into something new."

Artists Philip Hays (Classical Theatre Company, Horse Head Theatre Company, Prague Shakespeare Company) and Melissa Flower (Luciole International Theatre, SITI Conservatory, SCOT Company Summer Training) are not known to back down from a challenge, and their work reflects their passion. Last year, Philip conceived, co-wrote and performed The Whale; or, Moby-Dick, a magical, innovative production for which producer Horse Head Theatre Company was granted the Houston Press Mastermind Award. Meanwhile, Melissa Flower created her sarcastic and visceral devised show Hypocrite at Obsidian Theatre. For this new collaboration, Melissa and Philip are teaming up with Dallas artist Justin Locklear (COMPANY CREDITS/TRAINING).

The unique process of devised theatre will allow them to pool their imaginations and courage to imagine entirely new mechanisms. "I have training incommedia dell'arte, a style of physical theatre that is markedly different than that practiced by Melissa," says Philip Hays. "The process of creating THINGS MISSING/MISSED is going to be an exciting challenge, where my roots in narrative and telling linear stories will clash and complement her expertise in postmodern, deconstructed improvisation. The result should be something very special, unlike anything either of us have produced before."

A hermit that lives in silence for 30 years. Lovers whose stories disappear as soon as they are told and the space inside Prufrock's unknowing. Want to know what's missing? Come see what we found.

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