Come out to hear the Noise! The Empire Builders by Boris Vian. Opens tonight at MadLab.

Visit www.madlab.net and make your reservations before it sells out!

Help Us Kickstart Empire Builders

Chased by a persistent, unidentifiable noise, the Dupont family are rushed up a flight of stairs only to find their family diminishing.

After two seasons of outstanding success, Shepherd Productions teams with MadLab to present a lost work of theatrical history - THE EMPIRE BUILDERS by Boris Vian.

Featuring the talents of Jim Azelvandre, Mary Beth Griffith, Mary-Aileen St. Cyr, Audrey Rush, Travis Horseman, and Stefan Langer. Directed by Andy Batt.

Never before seen in Columbus, and rarely across the world, The Empire Builders is an absurdist work that follows the Dupont family through a tale of fear and paranoia as they question their place in the world.

We are raising funds for this project to help pay for the production costs of the show - set, lighting, costumes, publicity, etc. After paying for the use of the venue, nearly 100% of the remaining ticket sales are being distributed to the cast and crew of this production. Given that ticket sales are the only source of revenue for this production, we are attempting to offset the production costs through this fundraising campaign and can use your help!

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/244760654/the-empire-builders-by-boris-vian

 

The Empire Builders Official Trailor

Boris Vian on Trumpet

This is some great footage of French playwright, Boris Vian playing the trumpet. Boris' The Empire Builders will be coming to you on June 13 at MadLab Theatre.

The Empire Builders by Boris Vian

I have the honor of being dramaturge for an upcoming production of Boris Vian's absurdist play, The Empire Builders, to open at MadLab Theatre on June 13th. From now until then, I will try to post something interesting on the man behind this exceptional play.

 

The Empire Builders is to be performed at the MadLab Theatre in Columbus, Ohio June 13 through June 22, 2013 with the following cast:

 

Father     Jim Azelvandre

Mother     Molly St. Cyr

Zenobia    Mary Beth Griffith

Mug        Audrey Rush

Neighbor   Travis Horseman

Schmurz    Stefan Langer

Executive Producer: Michelle Batt
Director: Andy Batt
Stage Manager: Angela Cutrell
Dramaturge: Kevin Lōttes
Set/Costumes: Deb Dyer

 

***

The first production of The Empire Builders in English was by the Royal Shakespeare Company, under the direction of David Jones, at the New Arts Theatre Club on July 31, 1962. Settings by Sally Jacobs assisted by Daphne Meade, schmürz's costume by Ann Jaye, sound effects by Harvey Wing, and with the following cast:

FATHER    Hugh Burden
MOTHER    Lally Bowers
ZENOBIA   Katy Wild
MUG       Freda Dowie
NEIGHBOR  Edward Palmer
SCHMURZ   John Preston

Where I Write





INTERIOR - The Line Shack
Kevin's pint-size writing studio.



 



I just got back some photos (yes, I still use developed 35mm film; are you surprised?) that I took of my pint-size writing nook for those interested in seeing it.

 

This was an old shed in my backyard where I had stored my lawn mower, tools, and who knows what else. I needed a place to work away from the house, a place I could go to bright and early in the morning, before the rest of the house woke up, and pound some keys. 

 

 

 

 

I  insulated the hollow walls, put up some drywall, installed some old cedar fencing boards (from Craigslist) on each side to give it a cabin feel, and I also added the small window because I've always wanted a desk near a window. Did it all by hand.

 

 

 

 

I even ran electricity to it so I could plug in my record player and add a space heater during the winter months. One side is where I can write and look at the window at my garden, and when I turn my chair around, I can reach my records or books; it's a very tight space but works for me. I found it hard to take good pictures of a such a small space. I think I will name the space after my first produced play: The Line Shack.



The Passing Lane (for Cruz)