Adaptation of Ayn Rand Novella [ai] to Play the Brick, 8/6-21

The Brick Theater, Inc. and Ran Xia present [ai] as part of THE BRICK RESIDENT ARTIST PROGRAM.

[ai] is a new adaptation of Ayn Rand's novella, Anthem, in which one man goes on a journey in pursuit of individuality in a totalitarian dystopia, where the word "I" is considered unspeakable and the root of all evil. The protagonist of the story, EQUALITY 7-2521, discovers a tunnel, which holds the secret knowledge of the past, and through trials and error, discovers electricity. However, instead of being accepted as an innovator, he becomes condemned by the society and ends up an outcast.

The production incorporates physical movement and is partially devised, with a goal to open up a forum of discussion on controversial issues, such as the tyranny of the majority, the concept of freedom, individuals' need for a community, and within the concept of a community, the differences between sameness and equality. Ayn Rand's objectivism is developed as a result of her experience in the Soviet Union. Her philosophy was formed from one extreme to another. With this production, we do not wish to take sides on whether one point of view is superior to another, but to show all aspects in a system.

Ran Xia is an interdisciplinary theatre artist and storyteller, permanent and willing captive of the realm of imagination. She uses whatever material at hand to tell stories that matter, and is drawn to the romantics of both arts and science. Visual: Art Takes Times Square, Stories of the Creative (SEE.ME), Dacia Gallery (Times Square Arts Centre), Spiegel Me (Installation at Fountains Foundation, Columbia College, Chicago). Theatre | Dixon Place: North (Playwright), They Lived in the Attic (Playwright, Dir.), [ai] (Script/Director), Tabula Rasa (Playwright/Director/Sound Designer) NYC: Animals Out of Papers (by Rajiv Joseph, set designer); July House (set designer - Fringe 2015); The Last Dance (P.A., York Theatre Company).

[ai] is scripted and directed by Ran Xia, with fight director Mary St. Angelo, stage manager Ryan Treviranus, & costume concept developed by Brenna McShane, with a stellar cast including Adrian Burke as Equality 7-2521, Daniela Rivera as Liberty 5-3000, Jordan Zauha as International 4-8818, and in the ensemble, Jakob Carter, Madeleine Emerick, Benjamin Knight, Kate McMorran, Douglas Robinson, Alexander Taylor, Kristen Vaphides, Kayla Weinerman,

[ai] will play at The Brick (579 Metropolitan Ave at Lorimer Street, Williamsburg, Brooklyn). Performance dates are: Aug 6th, Aug 7th, Aug 8th, Aug 10th, Aug 11th (opening night), Aug 13th, Aug 14th, Aug 15th, Aug 17th, Aug 18th, Aug 20th, Aug 21st, and Aug 22nd. Tickets ($15 - $35) may be purchased online at www.bricktheater.com or by calling 866-811-4111.

The Brick is located at 579 Metropolitan Avenue (between Union Avenue and Lorimer Street) in Williamsburg, Brooklyn on the L & G subway lines (L: Lorimer stop; G: Metropolitan stop). For more detailed directions & further information, visit http://www.bricktheater.com. The Brick and its non-profit company, The Brick Theater, Inc. were founded in September of 2002 by Robert Honeywell and Michael Gardner. Formerly an auto-body shop, a storage space and a yoga center, this brick- walled garage was completely refurbished into a state-of-the-art theater complex, with a large sprung floor and professional lighting and sound package.

Winner of THE 2009 CAFFE CINO FELLOWSHIP AWARD, The Brick is Williamsburg, Brooklyn's destination for subversive theatrical experiences. Home to the critically acclaimed premieres of Bouffon Glass Menajoree (NY IT Award Winner - Outstanding Play), Samuel & Alasdair: A Personal History of the Robot War (NY IT Award Winner - Outstanding Play), Greed: A Musical Love $tory (NY IT Award Nominee - Outstanding Musical), Red Cloud Rising, Theatre of the Arcade and Suspicious Package (NY IT Award Nominee - Outstanding Play), The Brick has hosted some of downtown theater's most innovative artists, including Jason Grote, Annie Baker, Young Jean Lee, The Debate Society, Banana Bag & Bodice and Thomas Bradshaw.

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