Feature: Bringing a New Play to Life in Pro Wrestling Themed CONQUER

Orlando is a breeding ground for new and creative pieces. We're surrounded by some of the world's greatest entertainment venues and entertainers. Orlando is also home to some well-known professional wrestling entertainment like TNA Impact and the WWE Performance Center. While most people don't consider wrestling a performance art, a new play blends the two. Coming to life this June is CONQUER written by Orlando native, Matthew Carter.

As if writing a play and actually getting off the ground isn't difficult enough, Carter is a first time playwright. The world of wrestling is not an unfamiliar concept to Carter. Though he doesn't elaborate, it appears that Carter wrestled professionally, including in the big leagues. He promises that CONQUER will be "extremely authentic." During auditions, Carter and team were looking for actors who may have some wrestling background, but he was not opposed to professional wrestlers who may want to dabble in stage acting.

There are very few plays about wrestling and the business of professional wrestling, which is surely wracked with larger than life personalities. Before you start thinking this may be another ROCKY, the Broadway flop of 2014, CONQUER is not a musical and it isn't about boxing. At its heart, CONQUER is the a show about opportunity and the pursuit of passion. The wrestling portion is a facet of the business that is filled with huge egos and high drama. It sets the ring for a play that is probably rooted in reality.

As with all shows one of the greatest challenges is getting the right group of people together to make the show a success. CONQUER is being directed by Jason Skinner who is no stranger to the Orlando theater scene. Also consulting is Jason Static, who is a professional stunt performer including some professional wrestling experience. As someone with little theater experience, Carter explains that the J and J combo "help put the pieces of this puzzle together."

So who should go see this show? Carter says that it is not just for wrestling fans. CONQUER "[has] never been done before." The crossover of arts and wrestling is rarely united. There will be acting and there will be wrestling. So fans of both genres may be interested in this show. As most professional wrestling arenas are square, the Margeson Theater's three quarter thrust style lends itself well to this show.

CONQUER will play at the Margeson Theater located at Orlando Shakespeare Theatre on June 4th at 7pm. For more information click here or purchase tickets directly here.

Photo credit: Matthew Carter

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