Rude News from Rude Mechs

Stop Hitting Yourself Austin American-Statesman Review - 2 weeks left!

2013-04-10T23:37:00.000-05:00

a work-in-progress showing created by Rude Mechs and part of Fusebox Festival's Machine Shop series

The Austin American-Statesman Review is in!

"But what makes this show exceptional is the way it brings together a medley of styles, ideas, and theater magic to both delight and deliberately unsettle its audiences." - Cate Blouke
read the full review here

Now thru April 21st - only 8 performances left and tix are moving fast!

WHEN:
Now - April 21, 2012
Thursday Sunday at 8:00 pm.

WHERE:

The Off Center

2211 A Hidalgo, Austin, TX 78702

TICKETS:

All tickets are Pay-What-You-Can on a sliding scale

Thursdays & Sundays are $5 to $25

Fridays & Saturdays are $12 - $25.

Tickets for the final weekend (4/18 - 4/21) will also be available via Fusebox Festival.

Passholders must make their reservations through Fusebox Festival.

There's still time to sign up for the Grrl Action Summer Workshop!

Grrl Action Summer 2013 Info and Application

When: July 1 - July 21, 2013
Where: The Off Shoot (2211-A Hidalgo St., Austin, TX 78702)
Grrl Action is a three-week intensive workshop for teenaged girls, run by Rude Mechs, in which girls envision, create, publish, and perform original works for the stage based on their own life experiences. The three-week intensive culminates in two performances that are free to the public. Don't miss them!
The day-camp runs July 1st through July 21st, 9 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on weekday mornings (except for July 4th). Public performance of the participant work will be on July 20th and 21st.
Apply to Grrl Action: If you know a girl between the ages of 13 and 16 with a desire to express herself through autobiographical writing and performance, send her to the online information packet and application, or email grrlaction@rudemechs.com.

Support Grrl Action: Grrl Action is reliant on donations from the community and local foundation grants. We hope you will contribute to sustain this invaluable program. We are thrilled to announce Friends of Grrl, a group dedicated to supporting the activities of this very special program. If you would like to know more about this group, or to attend their first annual fundraiser, please contact our Development Director, Erin Harrell at harrell@rudemechs.com.

Stop Hitting Yourself Opens Next Week and Grrl Action Now Accepting Applications

2013-03-26T10:21:00.001-06:00

OPENING NEXT WEEK

April 4th thru 21st - only 12 showings!

a work-in-progress showing created by Rude Mechs and part of Fusebox Festival's Machine Shop series

WHEN:
April 4 - April 21, 2012
Thursday Sunday at 8:00 pm.

WHERE:
The Off Center
2211 A Hidalgo, Austin, TX 78702

TICKETS:
All tickets are Pay-What-You-Can on a sliding scale
Thursdays & Sundays are $5 to $25
Fridays & Saturdays are $12 - $25.
Tickets for the final weekend (4/18 - 4/21) will also be available via Fusebox Festival. Passholders must make their reservations through Fusebox Festival.

ABOUT THE SHOW
Once a year at the Charity Ball a single worthy cause is selected to benefit from the Queen's annual good deed. Families of note compete to find the citizens most deserving of assistance. This year, a socialite has discovered a wildman in the forest and brings him home to improve him. The wildman's desire to save the natural world and to bring about an era of love and harmony is a sure-winner. Now she must teach him how to eat and dance, how to bow and flatter, how to behave in society so that his cause can be victorious.
Rude Mechs is currently embracing the fundamental beliefs underlying late-stage capitalism and indulging in some 1930's Hollywood glamour. Part Pygmalion, part Busby Berkley, part self-help lexicon -- all while tap-dancing around a queso fountain. STOP HITTING YOURSELF borrows from the plots of 1930's musicals to dig into the contemporary conservative dilemma: how to honor steely individualism without disavowing the virtue of charity. Tap dancing, fine dining, and the missionary position will all be employed in order to help all Americans stop hitting yourself.
"At tonight's party you were observed and those observations are currently being compiled into a list of the things you need to be taught. We have one month to perfect you. In one month, we're going to have another party. The difference is at this next party, the Queen will be in attendance." -- Socialite
"Improvement. Succor. Fate. Queso. Wardrobe. Charity. Belief." -- Wildman
Some of the Many People Involved: Sam Accettulli, Hope Bennett, Madge Darlington, Thomas Graves, Scott Guthrie, Heather Hanna, Danny Herman, Matt Hislope, Hannah Kenah, Isaac Klein, Lisa Laratta, Lana Lesley, Jason Liebrecht, Kirk Lynn, Graham Reynolds, Brian Scott, Shawn Sides, Paul Soileau, Dallas Tate, plus technicians, crew, and Rude Mechs company members keeping it awesome.

We are now accepting applications to the Grrl Action Summer Workshop!

Grrl Action Summer 2013 Info and Application

SIX GREAT WAYS TO KEEP UP WITH RUDE MECHS!
Visit our website
Join us on Facebook
Watch us on YouTube
See our photos on Flickr
Read all about us on blogspot
Or follow us on Twitter

A Yankee's Notebook

2013-03-11T15:34:00.000-06:00

Hi there, I'm Isaac Klein. I'm a writer and director of plays and musicals from New York City, and this winter I've headed west to escape the cold, explore Austin, and intern with the Rude Mechs, who I've been fascinated with ever since seeing The Method Gun at New York Live Arts. After the show, I kept thinking: "How the hell do you make something like that?" I'm currently discovering the answer, as I observe the creation of the Rudes' latest project: Stop Hitting Yourself. There are many valuable things to absorb and process from my time in the room, but here are a few of the big ones:

FULL COLLABORATION. I thought I knew what it meant to fully collaborate within a company, but I didn't; the Rudes take it to a whole other level. There is a pervasive energy of team equality. Everyone's impulse is nourished. Everyone's voice is heard. For instance, each performer was asked to think of something they've always wanted to do onstage, and those yearnings are being worked into the show. Before the roles were cast, the Rudes did multiple read-throughs, so that each respective performer read every single role, then gave feedback on which they'd be most excited to play. The performers have been asked to create their own dance moves, physicalities , and even full stagings of scenes, which are now being layered into the work. This remarkably democratic process results in a tapestry much richer in creativity and personal ownership than one director or one playwright could provide alone.

A DYNAMIC APPROACH. The Rudes dive in whole-hog, building movement and physical relationships that excite them, and get them closer to the essence of the world. They don't hinder themselves by worrying too much too soon about exactly how or where a piece will fit. They dig, leap, and play with a whole-hearted commitment to discovery. Such a spirit often merits exciting and totally unexpected results. Moving forward, the text of the play may be remolded or re-imagined to make room for a new physical or visual idea.

MINDS WIDE OPEN. It's probably clear from the above that the Rudes are an open-minded bunch. They don't hold their concepts too rigidly. They allow freedom and room for new inspiration to strike. Almost nothing is ruled out, and nothing is held too preciously. A choice made by a performer, designer, director or writer can be embraced, thrown away, and/or reinterpreted, all for the greater good of guiding the show toward its overarching essence. And what is that essence? Well, it's still revealing itself, but it's growing clearer every day.

Tickets on Sale Now for STOP HITTING YOURSELF

2013-03-11T11:50:00.001-06:00

a work-in-progress showing created by Rude Mechs
part of Fusebox Festival's Machine Shop series

WHEN:
April 4 - April 21, 2012
Thursday – Sunday at 8:00 pm.

WHERE:
The Off Center
2211 A Hidalgo, Austin, TX 78702

TICKETS:
All tickets are Pay-What-You-Can on a sliding scale
Thursdays & Sundays are $5 to $25
Fridays & Saturdays are $12 - $25.
Tickets for the final weekend (4/18 - 4/21) will also be available via Fusebox Festival. Passholders must make their reservations through Fusebox Festival.

Rude Mechs is currently embracing the fundamental beliefs underlying late-stage capitalism and indulging in some 1930's Hollywood glamour. Part Pygmalion, part Busby Berkley, part self-help lexicon -- all while tap-dancing around a queso fountain. STOP HITTING YOURSELF borrows from the plots of 1930's musicals to dig into the contemporary conservative dilemma: how to honor steely individualism without disavowing the virtue of charity. Tap dancing, fine dining, and the missionary position will all be employed in order to help all Americans stop hitting yourself.

"At tonight's party you were observed and those observations are currently being compiled into a list of the things you need to be taught. We have one month to perfect you. In one month, we're going to have another party. The difference is at this next party, the Queen will be in attendance." -- Socialite

"Improvement. Succor. Fate. Queso. Wardrobe. Charity. Belief." -- Wildman

Some of the Many People Involved: Sam Accettulli, Hope Bennett, Madge Darlington, Thomas Graves, Scott Guthrie, Heather Hanna, Danny Herman, Matt Hislope, Hannah Kenah, Isaac Klein, Lisa Laratta, Lana Lesley, Jason Liebrecht, Kirk Lynn, Graham Reynolds, Brian Scott, Shawn Sides, Paul Soileau, Dallas Tate, plus technicians, crew, and Rude Mechs company members keeping it awesome.

Stop Hitting Yourself is a commission of LCT3/Lincoln Center Theater. LCT3 produces shows by new playwrights, directors and designers - new ideas in a new space. Creation support for this project also comes in part from from The MAP Fund, a program of Creative Capital supported by the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation and the Rockefeller Foundation, and The National Endowment for the Arts, because a great nation deserves great art. Click here for a full list of Rude Mechs sponsors and supporters.

Method Gun Winter 2013 - We did it right!

2013-02-11T14:27:00.000-06:00

So - as you probably know, The Method Gun hopped all over the map this last month.

Here's how it went:

Minneapolis - my snot froze.
Middlebury - really effin cold.
Nashville - freakishly cold.
Miami - a day at the beach.

We couldn't have been more humbled to kick off Walker Art Center's 25th Out There festival.

The new (to us) space is beautiful - look at it!

And it was absolutely perfect for the play.

Good shows. Good audience. Good food. Good times.

Thanks for inviting us Philip, and thanks for being just extra cool, Michelle.

We discovered the winter wonderland that is Middlebury VT.

We taught some classes, we ate an extraordinary amount of Thai food, and we had a great night out with very cool Middlebury faculty some students who drove in FROM MAINE to see the show! And then there was the shotski.

Thank you, Liza, for bringing us out. And Allison, for your lovely self and the maple syrup recipe book!

Next up was Nashville. It snowed. Dafuq. Billy Joel's security kicked us out of our load-in, but Lana got to play the same piano as him - she was sooooo much better. Stunning, really.

We taught classes, we saw the Nashville Parthenon, and had great times with Bridgette at the bar we discovered way too late just across from the hotel. Thank you Bridgette and Leah for bringing us out!

We were super surprised and happy to see our friend (and first board member) Raoul S. at the show. Plus, Peter S. / Tyler H. of Chablis fame were there and came out for drinks after.

And we wound it up with Miami.

No words. Just this awesome picture of the Rudes in South Beach.

Big thanks to Kathryn for bringing us and to Gary, Tiffany, and Adam for surpassing awesome.

And to Joann and Brad for your incredible front-row energy!

Method Gun tour and SHY coming your way

2013-01-02T09:10:00.000-06:00

IN BRIEF:

The Method Gun coming to a city sort of near you: Minneapolis, Middlebury, Nashville, Miami.
Make your first great philanthropic move of 2013, support Rude Mechs!
Keep an eye out for our new play Stop Hitting Yourself this April.

Out-of-Town Friends, Come Visit Us!

THE METHOD GUN ON TOUR

We are thrilled to return to the Walker Art Center and to kick off the 25th anniversary of Walker's Out There festival interrogating the form of theater itself, blurring lines between reality and theatrical fiction, exploring the creation and transformation of identity, and reimagining the mythic. And we couldn't be more excited to make new friends in Middlebury, Nashville and Miami.

We hope you or someone you know will join us!
Walker Art Center
January 10-12, 2013
Walker Ticket Information Here
Middlebury College
January 18-19, 2013
Middlebury Ticket Information Here
Vanderbilt University
February 1, 2013
Vanderbilt Ticket Information Here
Miami-Dade Community College, The Colony Theater
February 8-9, 2013
MDCC Ticket Information Here

Support Rude Mechs!

There's 129 days until April 15. It's never too early to think about deductions for charitable giving. Tax codes are changing and this might be the last year for such credit. And, of course, you'll ensure the Rude Mechs have the resources needed to produce our best work in 2013. Thank you!

Save the Date(s) - a new play is in the works

Because we enjoy having more than one project in development at a time, we are starting work on our next play, Stop Hitting Yourself. It's still truly in the earliest stages of development, but we can offer you this teaser for the upcoming workshop production:
Stop Hitting Yourself
a new play from Rude Mechs
April 4 - 21, 2013 (Thurs - Sun) at 8pm
The Off Center
Tickets will go on sale March 1st. We're happy to arrange group sales earlier.

"At tonight's party you were observed and those observations are currently being compiled into a list of the things you need to be taught. We have one month to perfect you. In one month, we're going to have another party. The difference is at this next party, the Queen will be in attendance. Improvement. Succor. Fate. Queso. Wardrobe. Charity. Belief."

Rude Mechs is currently embracing the fundamental beliefs underlying late-stage capitalism and indulging in some 1930's Hollywood glamor. Part Pygmalion, Busby Berkley, part self-help lexicon -- all while tap-dancing around a queso fountain.

RUDES HEART NYC

2012-11-19T14:57:00.002-06:00

Hannah and Thomas drove the set up from Austin through Ohio. They actually passed the Romney Motorcade outside of Colombus

They entered the city with convoys of Utility Trucks from all over the country

The power was back on at New York Live Arts. Things in Manhattan had mostly returned to normal. But there were still long lines at every gas station.

On our preview night Bill T. Jones was there. He has incredible presence even just as an audience member. He got down with us in the ecstasy dance. And even took his shirt off.

New York was a fun place to watch the Election results. We took to the streets with sparklers.

The run of D69 couldn't have gone better. We got a great review in Time Out New York

The audiences were lots of fun. We had something happen that had never happened before in the original or when we did it in 2009. After the ecstasy dance the audience didnt return to their seats. Instead they all sat "onstage" with the cast and sang Pentheus' name and received his castigation. It was beautiful.

Schechner was there almost every night. Disorienting the audience as they arrived.

The highlight was perhaps getting to see a bunch of our New York City Theatre buddies Mark Jaynes from RadioHole, Sybil Kempson, Libby King and Rachael Chavkin from the TEAM, Geoff and Trey from Rainpan 43, Dan, James, Alex, and Dito from Pig Iron were there from Philly, Maria Goyanes from the Public, Frank Henshker from Prelude Festival, Melanie Joseph from the Foundry, April Matthis from ERS among may other fine fine folks with whom it's always great to visit. Nice to see you guys.

HowlRound Call for Student Submissions

2012-11-14T13:47:00.001-06:00

HowlRound Call for Submissions

HowlRound is seeking submissions from students from across the U.S. to be part of the School Days series—an online series featuring work from undergraduate theater students, artists, and leaders reflecting their perspective on theater as an industry in the present and their visions for the future.
Possible questions these posts could touch on:

When you lead the theater field, what will you change?
Describe the pulse of our generation of theater-makers. How is it similar to what we see now, and how is it different?
Give voice to something that you think the theater field needs to know or pay attention to from the undergraduate sphere.

The series will feature two student pieces a month, published on the HowlRound blog.
Interested parties should submit the following to sarah@howlround.com:

An outlined proposal in one paragraph, or completed piece for consideration. Completed pieces should be between 750 and 1250 words.
100 word bio and headshot.
A few sentences detailing why you are interested in writing about your experience as a theater student, artist or intern and why HowlRound readers would benefit hearing from you.

Submissions are due November 30, December 30, and January 30. At least two submissions will be accepted for publication each month December through February.

Accepting Internship Applications for Spring 2013

2012-11-14T11:20:00.004-06:00

By offering internships to interested students, Rude Mechs offers a new generation of undergraduate and graduate students a unique perspective on collectively devising new plays and managing a mid-size theatre company. We are interested in creating opportunities to interact with our company and receive training in the areas of creation, production, and administration, with a focus on devised ensemble creation.

If you are interested in working with Rude Mechs, please fill out an application at http://rudemechs.com/programs/Internships.htm.

If you aren't familiar with our company, please take a few minutes to browse our website - look at our mission, our past productions, our programming... rudemechs.com

BOMB Feature on Rude Mechs by Eric Dyer

2012-11-07T17:30:00.002-06:00

BOMBLOG

Issue 122 Preview: Rude Mechanicals

by Eric Dyer Nov 07, 2012

Thank you, Eric and BOMB!

We wish that we had had the time and wherewithal to raise the money to get you all down here for face-to-face time.

Here's to RudeHole / RadioMechs shows in the future.

Calling All Artists - Artspace Market Survey Launch

2012-10-26T18:20:00.001-05:00

Rude Mechs is happy to provide The Off Center for the launch of the Artspace Market Survey of Artists, Arts Organizations, and Creative Sector Businesses.

On Tuesday October 30th at 6:30pm, The City of Austin, in partnership with Austin Playhouse, and Artspace, will launch the survey with a public presentation.

While the survey can be taken online, we encourage you to come to the presentation, learn about their plans, and meet everyone - be a part of the conversation. The Off Center is located at 2211-A Hidalgo St., Austin TX 78702.

The online survey will be available from October 30 through December 31, 2012. Artists, arts organizations, and for-profit creative sector businesses are all encouraged to complete the survey.

For more information, please contact Janet Seibert at 512-974-7860, or janet.seibert@austintexas.gov.

"The purpose of the market survey will be two-fold. The City envisions that the survey data will
provide valuable information for the planning of corridors, creative hubs, arts districts, and incubators. Such cultural spaces are essential to support Austin’s growing creative sector which, according to recent economic impact studies, accounts for $4.35 billion in economic activity, over $71 million in City tax revenues, and nearly 49,000 jobs. The results of the survey will also identify Austin’s specific creative sector space needs and requirements, which will be made available to local developers, building owners, and foundations interested in developing such creative spaces." - Janet Seibert, City of Austin Cultural Arts Division

Rude News: UT Residency, D69 in NYC, E.A.S.T. and more!

2012-10-19T13:12:00.001-05:00

IN BRIEF:

Rude Mechs is named Resident Theatre Company by the University of Texas Dept. of Theater and Dance.
Board Member Michael Yates offers great way to support Rude Mechs and the visual arts scene at E.A.S.T.!
Dionysus in 69 tours to New York Live Arts, November 6 - 10th.
Rude Mechs adds Scenic Shop to Austin's Scenic Coop, supporting Austin's arts scene.

Rude Mechs Selected as Resident Theatre Company

Rude Mechs is thrilled to begin a three-year residency at The University of Texas at Austin Department of Theatre and Dance as their Resident Theatre Company. We look forward, through this partnership, to enhancing educational resources for Theatre and Dance students by providing opportunities for both graduate and undergraduate students to interact with a professional theatre company and receive training in the areas of creation, production, and administration, with a focus on devised ensemble creation.

Rude Mechs has a long and strong history of engaging with students throughout the City of Austin, and around the country, and are eager to further strengthen our ties with the University and its talented student body.

Support Rude Mechs and the Visual Arts - go E.A.S.T.

We know you've already got the Eastside Artist Studio Tour (EAST) on your calendar for November 10,11, 17 & 18. As you gallery hop on Tillery St, be sure to stop at Michael Yates Design (Stop #134 at 618 Tillery St). Once you've fallen in love with his refined tables, chairs, and cabinets, ask him to design your perfect new bedroom set or living room chair. Michael joined the Board of Directors this year and when you mention Rude Mechs as you commission a new piece, he'll generously donate a portion of that commission in support of the current season.

"EAST is the only opportunity that most people have to see the working studios of artists. Of course it's a great time to see fresh work too, but there's something more interesting and quite personal about seeing the process and space where the artist works on a day to day (and night to night) basis. And every year I find something right around the corner from my spot that I was totally unaware of before, it's so dense over here with artists that you can literally cruise around the East Side and just accidentally bump into something exceptional." – Michael Yates

New York Friends - Come Visit Us!

Dionysus in 69 tours to New York Live Arts

Please join us at our re-creation of Richard Schechner and The Performance Group's Dionysus in 69 presented by New York Live Arts as part of their Replay Series.

Nov 6 at 7:30PM Preview
Nov 7 - 10 at 7:30PM, Nov 9 at 10:30PM
Nov 8 at 6:30 Come Early Conversation: The (Re)performance of Discussing “Dionysus in 69”. Moderated by original conceiver /director Richard Schechner and production directors Shawn Sides and Madge Darlington.
Nov 9 Stay Late Discussion*

Directed by Richard Schechner and created collectively by The Performance Group (TPG), Dionysus in 69 is widely regarded as one of the germinal works of American experimental performance. Influenced by the work of Jerzy Grotowski, Happenings, the Freedom Movement, and a "birth ritual" from West Irian (part of the island of New Guinea), Schechner and TPG radically interpreted The Bacchae as both a celebration of ecstasy and a critique of false prophets.

In December 2009, Rude Mechs remounted this legendary work, offering Austin theatre-goers an extraordinary opportunity to relive history. Rude Mechs faithfully recreated the original Performance Group production, using Brian de Palma's filmed version of the play as well as the 1970 book, Dionysus in 69, as source materials.

Dionysus in 69 was the first production in Rude Mechs' Contemporary Classics series, focused on producing exact re-enactments of significant, experimental performances from the 60's, 70's, and 80's that radically influenced the work of contemporary performance artists, dancers, and theatre makers. Because all performances are ephemeral, and avant-garde performances even more so, most people never experience these germinal works. Rude Mechs remounts these productions as closely as possible to the originals to share these works with our Austin audience, to educate ourselves, and to celebrate 40 years of experimental (and "environmental") theatre, by experiencing and learning about Dionysus in 69 in the deepest way - through its performance.

"'Dionysus in 69' is strong stuff, but anyone who wants to know where the modern theatre is going will have to see it." ---The New York Times, June 7, 1968

"Cunning. Joyful. Transcendent. Theatre at its absolute best." Austin Chronicle, 2009

Rude Mechs adds Scene Shop to our Scenic Coop

As you may already know, Rude Mechs has been managing a Scenic Coop at The Off Center since 2008, a sort of lending library furnishing the entire performance community access to free materials for their scenic needs. It was the brainchild / Master's Thesis of Co-Artistic Director, Thomas Graves. A few years ago, Salvage Vanguard got a TCG grant to support the Coop, which is also being managed at their venue.

And now, we are thrilled to announce the addition of a fully operational Scenic Shop to the Coop, run by the fabulous Scott Guthrie. This Scene Shop will be available for low rent to the Austin theater community, whom we love.

HOW TO REHEARSE.

2012-10-08T08:30:00.001-05:00

First, you have to hearse. That's obvious. Of course, no one teaches hearsing anymore. It's fallen out of fashion. So you'll have to teach yourself to hearse, which is how you get ready for a rehearsal, and you'll never have any idea if you are doing it right.

Second, begin apologizing to everyone who will not be in the rehearsal room, (hereinafter simply called "the room"). Those not in the room will never understand. The mania is particular each time. No one outside the room will understand the importance of the stories you tell about the room. No one outside the room will understand the vocabulary of the room. No one outside the room will understand why you want to get back into that particular room.

Third, your baby and your boyfriend and your favorite TV show are probably all outside the room. You'll miss them and two out of three of them will miss you. Pray for the right two.

Fourth, beware of connections. While the boyfriend and the baby and the TV show might not be able to get into the room, the room can leave itself and follow you around. It'll make you start to believe that everything in your life is connected to what's happening in the room. The lyrics to your boyfriend's punk albums will start to guide your text. The yogurt your baby eats will announce itself as the color your character's costume should be. The TV will explain how your show should end. Almost all of these seeming connections are dead ends. The room is just jealous of your life. But you never know. One out of a thousand weird connections is perfect and useful, that's what makes chasing them all down worthwhile.

Fifth, begin apologizing to everyone who's in the rehearsal room. You're cranky. You smell like energy drink and cigarettes. You didn't hearse right, so you're not as ready as they are—at least you're not as ready as they think they are. You're having trouble compromising. You're having trouble collaborating. You're having trouble remembering the difference between compromise and collaboration. You're checking your phone under the table to see if your boyfriend sent you a picture of your baby dressed up like a character from your TV show.

Sixth, it's already over. It happens so fast. And it's only as magical and as deep as you're able to make it by really being there, being prepared, focusing, loving with passion, arguing with love, collaborating without compromise, compromising on all the little things, recognizing the big ones, staying balanced in your personal life so you don't crash the room, engaging with the process and not giving a fuck about the product. The product lives only in the heart of the audience and they're only in the room for one glorious hour and fifteen minutes if you do your work right. Two hours if you're pretentious. Three hours if you're a fucking asshole who can't edit. And even then—it's already over. And it's time to start hearsing again.

Special Thanks to Pearl Dive Supporters!

2012-09-29T16:18:00.000-05:00

We are thrilled to report that Pearl Dive at The Plant was a major success and we reached our fundraising and fun goals! The Board and Company extends our collective love and thanks to everyone that showed up and to everyone that donated hard-earned cash to make that happen!

We want to take a moment and express how deeply grateful we are to all of the amazing people that took personal time out of their lives to make this event a success and to support Rude Mechs.

We hope you will be sure to patronize their businesses and help us support the businesses and people that support the arts.

The Setting: The Plant at Kyle

Starring:

Roberto San Miguel of San Miguel Seafood

The Main Course Ensemble:
Paul Hargrove and Alex Jackson of East Side Showroom
Jason Dodge of Péché
Patrick Hieger of Gastrogiant
Jason Stude of 2nd Bar + Kitchen
Travis Mills, expert shucker

The Dessert Ensemble:
Sugar Circus
Texas French Bread
Leilah Stewart

As Perfect Pairings:
Abita Brewing
Tipsy Texan
Paula’s Texas Spirits,
Casa Brasil

As Deejay:
Graham Reynolds

Behind the Scenes:
Ben Huselton of Paggi House
Sonya Cote, Hillside Farmacy

Counter Culture

Lonny Stern

And a special love thank you to the volunteers:

Bill Anderson, Eva Claycomb, Emily Conyngham, Scott Guthrie, Matt Hislope, Jessica Hughes, Hannah Kenah, Ellie McBride, Amy Miley, Robert Pierson, Patrick Rech, Aron Taylor, Tammy Whitehead, Steve Wilson

Event Sponsors

Rude Retreat and Pearl Dive at the Plant!

2012-09-25T15:16:00.002-05:00

Boy Howdy did we ever retreat and get down. Starting Saturday morning the Rude Copads and Board spent 2 days hunkered down in the wilderness of outer Kyle at the fabulous Plant! It is rentable for your retreats and weddings and what have yous! (http://www.theplantatkyle.com/)

We finalized a new five year Rude plan! Look out Austin! Look out America! Look out planet Earth! We ate cake. We laughed. We cried. We listened to John Denver! As we refine our play NOW NOW OH NOW and dive into a new untitled devised work we celebrate one another, our board and the whole network of lovers who support us. Thank you...

THEN we immediately put on our fancy clothes to celebrate the Rudes with a benefit called the Pearl Dive. I won't show you too many pictures because I don't want to start an epidemic of depression for those who missed it. But we had the best oysters in the land, followed by snapper and grouper, followed by a 40 pound tuna, followed by a 70 pound swordfish! All put together by the best chefs in Austin. If you really wanna be sad, look at our website where all the fabulous chefs and drink-makers are listed... but you will notice a certain shine on the patrons of ours who were there. Fish makes you pretty. Here's a picture to prove it!

Don't Miss Rude Mechs' Pearl Dive at The Plant!

2012-09-17T20:59:00.000-05:00

It's this Sunday!

There is still plenty of time to get your tickets to the Pearl Dive at the Plant to support Rude Mechs and everything that goes on at The Off Center.

When: Sunday, September 23rd from 4:00pm to 7:30pm
Tickets: $100
Where: The Plant at Kyle *

If you can't make the party, you can still go to the ticket site to enter the raffle (only $50!), and/or contribute a donation of any size. And of course, snail mail is our friend. We hope you will consider doing what you can to help us keep the Austin arts scene on its toes.

* The Plant at Kyle is located 30 minutes south of Austin - directions provided with ticket order confirmation)

About The Event

This decadent, early fall afternoon at the architectural treasure known as The Plant at Kyle will feature an unforgettable feast from the Gulf procured by San Miguel Seafood, and prepared by some of Austin’s favorite chefs Paul Hargrove of East Side Showroom, Sonya Cote of Hillside Farmacy, Jason Dodge of Péché, Jason Hieger of Gastrogiant and Jason Stude of 2nd Bar and Kitchen. The menu will feature grilled oysters on the half shell, oysters Rockefeller, oysters Bienville, and a raw bar; grilled and boiled shrimp; the freshest fish available; farmers market inspired side salads, and delectable seasonal desserts by Sugar Circus and Bluenote Bakery.
Cold beer from Abita Brewing company, cocktails by Tipsy Texan and Paula’s Texas Spirits, and icy coffee by Casa Brasil are perfect pairings for every delicious bite. Composer Graham Reynolds will DJ while you relax in the hill country shade and enjoy the company of Austin’s finest food, drink and arts lovers. Help us usher in our most exciting year yet of radical playmaking right here in Austin, TX!

Event Sponsors

Join Us at the Pearl Dive at The Plant!

2012-08-28T13:07:00.000-05:00

About The Event
This decadent, early fall afternoon will feature an unforgettable feast from the Gulf procured by San Miguel Seafood, and prepared by some of Austin’s favorite chefsShane Stark of Kenichi, Paul Hargrove of East Side Showroom, Sonya Cote of Hillside Farmacy, Jason Dodge of Péché, and Jason Stude of 2nd Bar and Kitchen. The menu will feature grilled oysters on the half shell, oysters Rockefeller, oysters Bienville, and a raw bar; grilled and boiled shrimp; the freshest fish available; and farmers market inspired side salads and delectable seasonal desserts curated by Edible Austin.
Cold beer from Abita Brewing company, cocktails by Tipsy Texan and Paula’s Texas Spirits, and icy coffee by Casa Brasil are perfect pairings for every delicious bite. Composer Graham Reynolds will DJ while you relax in the hill country shade and enjoy the company of Austin’s finest food, drink and arts lovers. Help us usher in our most exciting year yet of radical playmaking right here in Austin, TX!

Enter raffle for 2 Nights at The Plant at Kyle!

Entry in the raffle* is your chance to win a two-night stay at The Plant - an AIA award-winning architectural landmark incorporating parts of the former Alamo Cement Plant. Designed by Lake|Flato, this unique structure is nestled in a hill-country setting ~40 minutes drive from downtown Austin.

Gather with family, friends or colleagues at this limestone and steel architectural landmark on 17 hill country acres just 30 miles from downtown Austin. With dramatic and varied spaces perfect for entertaining, this is a truly unique setting for an event large or small. The newly-furnished, 3-BR home sleeps up to ten in king or queen-sized beds and two bunk beds, but the focus here is on year-round indoor/outdoor living perfected in classic Texas ranch houses. An award-winning architectural landmark, the building was designed by Lake|Flato Architects as a private residence for Francine and Henry Carraro from steel recycled from the Alamo Cement Plant, and was completed in 1989. Property managed by Green Mango Real Estate, season sponsors of Rude Mechs.

*Only residents of Texas may participate in this raffle. Winner will be drawn at random on September 23rd. You do not need to be present to win. Major holidays and other blackout dates apply. Retail value of prize is over $1,200.

Event Sponsors

New video from I've Never Been So Happy in LA

2012-08-10T12:31:00.000-05:00

We know - almost a year later... and not even the whole show, but it's something!

Click on the link below to see 7 short clips (2 to 3 minutes each).

We think they are beautiful and sound great. We hope those of you that didn't get to see the show in LA will enjoy them, and those who did will share our very fond memories.

We've never been so nostalgic.

click here to see them in vimeo at their truly luscious size.

or don't move a muscle and watch them below.

So, We Hung Out with Some Pigs

2012-07-18T23:05:00.001-05:00

We can't thank Ari and Dean and all the amazing artists in residence at The Orchard Project for hosting us yet a third time.

The first time we were there, we left with The Method Gun in our pockets, which is how we ended up with those wigs. Our second trip out, we walked away with a full third of I've Never Been So Happy drafted.

And this last time, we spent our week in heaven sharing best practices, training/working methods, and creating tiny pieces with Pig Iron Theatre Company. And had the unbelievable pleasure of getting to play several rounds of bananagrams and celebrity with the unbelievably cool Lisa Peterson (she killz at charades, yo), and all the co-co's, but especially our assigned co-co's Yichao and Abby - so game, and hometown girls Alexis and Katie.

We are looking forward to much more hanging out with the lovely pigs of Pig Iron.

Get it. Some Pigs...

Dan and Jeff are missing from these photos. That is wrong.

Here's are pictures I found of them.

Grrl Action, A Party, and The Next Two Plays!

2012-07-02T19:50:00.001-05:00

IN BRIEF:

Grrl Action Summer Performances are on July 14 & 15th at 2pm - and they are FREE! Come support these brave grrls! More below.
Farewell To The Oyster Club. We are unveiling a new annual fundraiser, save the date: 09/23/12
What's coming up for the Rudes this year? More below.
We are now accepting 2012/2013 Season Sponsors! Email Development Director Erin Harrell at harrell@rudemechs.com if you would like to join us! We support local businesses that support the arts!

Come see the Grrl Action Summer Performances!

When: July 14 & 15, 2012 at 2pm
Where: The Off Center (2211-A Hidalgo St., Austin, TX 78702
Tickets: Tickets are free and given out first-come, first-served

Parking: Street parking is available.

Please don't park at Joe's Bakery, your car will be towed.

The Grrl Action Summer Workshop is a three-week intensive workshop for teenaged girls, run by Rude Mechs, in which girls envision, create, publish, and perform original works for the stage based on their own life experiences. Every single year both performances are packed to the gills with audience members that laugh, cry, and root for these brave young womyn as they give voice to their own stories.
Support Grrl Action: Grrl Action is reliant on donations from the community and local foundation grants.
We hope you will contribute to sustain this invaluable program.

A Very Fond Farewell to The Oyster Club

We started The Oyster Club back in September 2008, and after four full seasons of actively exloring Austin's bountiful food and arts scenes, it's time to fish in other waters. We are grateful to all of the members who partied with us, and supported Rude Mechs and everything that goes on at The Off Center. We couldn't have done one bit of it without Marla Camp / Edible Austin, and the many many chefs, restaurants, mixologists, beverage makers, venues, and artists that contributed their time, experience, talent and goods to every event, especially Abita Brewing Company - they sponsored every single event in the 11/12 Oyster Club season!
So we are saying goodbye to The Oyster Club, but we are keeping one of the very best parts - the annual launch party - The Party at The Plant. This year, our annual fundraiser will be held at The Plant at Kyle, and will feature all of the sweet charm and salty Gulf seafood Oyster Members enjoyed every year. Save the date: Sunday September 23rd. Tickets will go on sale September 3rd (look for early bird special).

Coming up for Rude Mechs

July: It's Grrl Action all month with Jodi Jinks, Madge Darlington and a roomful of talented teens.

August/September: We begin work on our next two new plays, Decameron Day 3: Revolution! and Field Guide.

September: We will host brand new fabulous annual fundraiser on September 23. Save the date!

October: We performed a full-length version of Now Now Oh Now in Austin in May, and will go back to work on it in October. Send us your notes!

November: We will take our re-creation of Richard Schechner and The Performance Group's Dionysus in 69 to New York Live Arts for their Replay Series.

December: More work on DD3:Revolution! Plus - a dirty rude party at the side bar on December 1st.

January: A five-city tour of The Method Gun. All of the cities begin with either M, N or P.

February - April: Still touring and then rushing home to work on DD3 until we are ready for you to see it in April.

April/May: We will mount DD3: Revolution at The Off Center. Also, the "Pig Pile" (a consortium of Austin artists) will unveil a new play created collaboratively with Sybil Kempson as part of New Dramatists/Full Stage USA commission.

SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESSES THAT SUPPORT THE ARTS!

Rude Mechs 2011/12 Corporate Sponsors

Our thanks to the amazing businesses that continue to support Rude Mechs year in and year out. We hope you will join us for 2012/2013, and we'd love to see new faces. Contact Erin Harrell at harrell@rudemechs.com to be a part of the 2012/2013 season of Rude goodness.

Great Review and Discount for NOW NOW OH NOW

2012-05-24T15:40:00.003-05:00

IN BRIEF:

Austin Chronicle review praises NOW NOW OH NOW
$15 discount tix this weekend ONLY for Rude News subscribers!
GRRL ACTION is accepting applications for Summer 2012
Austin Critics Table nominates Robert Pierson for B. Beaver Animation

NOW NOW OH NOW

"A mind-blowing roll of the die...
The Rude Mechanicals have set a high bar in Austin for work that is original and unconventional"
- The Austin Chronicle
Read the full review here.
Want to know more? Read the Austin Ammerican-Statesman feature article too!

$15 tickets this Friday and Saturday ONLY
for Rude News subscribers!

BUY TICKETS NOW! Use code "Rude" to get the Rude News discount.

Rude Mechs is proud to present the first fully mounted production of NOW NOW OH NOW, previously presented in various workshop versions under the working title “CL1000P.” Inspired by evolutionary biology, the Brontës, and LARP communities, NOW NOW OH NOW invites you to enter into an interactive puzzle for the stage about the importance and impermanence of selecting for pleasure over survival. A triptych tribute to everyone’s inner geek, NOW NOW OH NOW embodies Rude Mechs’ desire to create a more tangible, social, active, and personal experience for the audience. The performance marries serious scientific content with the nerdy pleasure of puzzles and gaming and the undeniable satisfaction of Murder Mystery Theatre. This intimate consideration of how our individual choices lead us through life and impact the world takes a locked room puzzle, a lecture on sexual selection in evolutionary biology, and the world's weirdest night of Dungeons and Dragons and weaves them all together to paint a picture of why the things you find beautiful are important to the world.

WHEN:

May 17 - June 9 | Thursday to Sunday | 7 PM and 9 PM

TICKETS:
Thursay and Sunday - Pay-What-You-Can
Friday and Saturday - $25
For Thursday and Sunday, reserve online, pay with cash or check only at the door.
For Friday and Saturday, purchase tickets online.

ABOUT THE ARTISTS:
NOW NOW OH NOW is created by Rude Mechs
Concept, Structure, and Content development by
Madge Darlington, Thomas Graves, Hannah Kenah, and Shawn Sides
with Lowell Bartholomee, Robert S. Fisher and Lana Lesley
Staging by Shawn Sides
Writing by Hannah Kenah
Performers: Robert S. Fisher, Thomas Graves, Hannah Kenah, Lana Lesley, E. Jason Liebrecht, and Shawn Sides

This production is supported by the New England Foundation for the Arts' National Theatre Pilot and The MAP Fund, a program of Creative Capital supported by the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation and the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. Rude Mechs is funded and supported in part by a grant from the Texas Commission on the Arts and the City of Austin through the Cultural Arts Division believing an investment in the Arts is an investment in Austin's future. Visit Austin at NowPlayingAustin.com.

NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR SUMMER 2012

Rude Mechs believes that every girl has a story to tell that is worthy of its own work of art. We are currently accepting applications for our summer GRRL ACTION program, now in its thirteenth year. GRRL ACTION is a three-week day camp for any girl between the ages of 13-16 who is interested in expressing herself. Girls attend morning sessions (9 am-noon) with inspiring women artists who mentor them in autobiographical writing and performance. The program culminates in two performances that are free to the public. For more information or an application, please visit http://www.grrlaction.org/workshop.php.

Summer 2012 dates: June 25 - July 15
Have questions? Contact Madge Darlington at madge@rudemechs.com

ROBERT PIERSON NOMINATED FOR B. BEAVER ANIMATION

We're beaming with pride to announce that company member Robert Pierson has been nominated by the Austin Critics Table in the "Acting in Leading Role" category for his work last fall in B. Beaver Animation. B. Beaver was presented as part of our Contemporary Classic Series which presents re-enactments of landmark experimental performances. Hats off to Robert and all of our friends and colleagues in the Austin community that received nominations!

Tickets On Sale for Now Now Oh Now!

2012-05-03T17:06:00.000-05:00

BUY TICKETS NOW!

Rude Mechs is proud to present the first fully mounted production of NOW NOW OH NOW, previously presented in various workshop versions under the working title “CL1000P.” Inspired by evolutionary biology, the Brontës, and LARP communities, NOW NOW OH NOW invites you to enter into an interactive puzzle for the stage about the importance and impermanence of selecting for pleasure over survival. A triptych tribute to everyone’s inner geek, NOW NOW OH NOW embodies Rude Mechs’ desire to create a more tangible, social, active, and personal experience for the audience. The performance marries serious scientific content with the nerdy pleasure of puzzles and gaming and the undeniable satisfaction of Murder Mystery Theatre. This intimate consideration of how our individual choices lead us through life and impact the world takes a locked room puzzle, a lecture on sexual selection in evolutionary biology, and the world's weirdest night of Dungeons and Dragons and weaves them all together to paint a picture of why the things you find beautiful are important to the world.

NOW NOW OH NOW is performed for an intimate audience of only 30 people, so there will be several showings of the performance each night. The audience experience is roaming so we recommend that you wear comfortable shoes and consider leaving big purses and bags at home.

WHEN
May 17 - June 9 | Thursday to Sunday
showtimes vary, visit our website for more information

TICKETS
Thursday and Sunday - Pay Way You Can
Friday and Saturday - $25
For Friday and Saturday, purchase tickets online.
For Thursday and Sunday, reserve online, pay with cash or check only at the door.

ABOUT THE ARTISTS
NOW NOW OH NOW is created by Rude Mechs
Concept, Structure, and Content Development by Madge Darlington, Thomas Graves, Hannah Kenah, and Shawn Sides*
Staging by Shawn Sides
Writing by Hannah Kenah
Performers: Robert S. Fisher, Thomas Graves, Hannah Kenah, Lana Lesley, E. Jason Liebrecht, and Shawn Sides

*Rude Mechs creates new works collaboratively, and we believe it is important to acknowledge the work that is done prior to getting the show ready for production. This work begins often with the Co-Producing Artistic Directors finding consensus around a project's concept. That done, a collaborative team refines the concept, develops content, structure and style, and gets the piece on its feet. This collaborative team eventually expands to envelop to the entire production team as the work is created.

What the Hell Are We Going to Call It?

2012-04-05T10:40:00.003-05:00

NOW NOW OH NOW

is the title of the next new work by the Rudes (which you may have seen workshopped as "CL1000P"). NOW NOW OH NOW with no punctuation.

But we thought it might be amusing to some to share the full list of titles we auditioned. But before I do, I want to tell you about a rule we have in Rudelandia that roughly goes, "if you notice a typo in a postcard after it has been printed, keep it to yourself because nothing can be done about it." And there is a lot to be learned from this rule and its application to areas beyond postcardary. In this instance the rule seems to suggest that while you may prefer other titles to NOW NOW OH NOW, you should do so privately because we ain't going back.

LOVE

RUDES

Cagney and Lacey in A Thousand Plateaus

CL1000P

A Thousand Plateau

Thousand Plateaus

1000 Plateaus

A Grand Plateau

The Grand Plateau

Ten Thousand Plateaus

1001 Plateuas

A Thousand Tableaus

The Tour

The Grand Tour

Soft Treaty

"...which to me is not unlike..."

A Cordial Engorgement (!)

Plus Ca Change

The Geek Triptych

The Nerd Triptych

The Dork Triptych

Permanent Death

Journey to the End of Taste

Quack Quack Quack

Quail Quake Quiver

Where the Stallion Meets the Sun

Now and Hold on Fast

And We’re Walking

Fin de Siecle

The Affirmation of Difference over Transcendental Hierarchy

Nobody Leaves This Room

Superbig Thinky Haunted Mystery Piece

Faciality

One or Several Wolves

When the Peacock Spreads its Tail it is Beautiful, but Obvious

Beautiful, Obvious

Pressure to Make a Good Mate Decision

Anything Can Kill You

Sexual Selection and the Tertiary Markets of Melsinnvorn

The Already Defeated

Rate of Change in Hen Taste

Exponential Grown in Female Preference

Apparatus of Capture

Who Does the Earth Think It is

Halcyon Quest

Halcyon: The Reckoning

Halcyon Pursuit

Halcyon Trails

Anomaly

Ensing is Burning

The Extraordinary Adventures of Birds

Melsinnvorn: The Second Age

Beyond Melsinnvorn

The Fall of Melsinnvorn

Year Zero

Beautiful Fertile Valley

As Different As A Moonbeam from Lightning

Unquiet Slumbers

Firm As Weeds Among Stones

A Pang of Exquisite Suffering

Songs of the Grand Plateau

Life in the Grand Plateau

Still-Life of the Grand Plateau

Still Life

Bird Aesthetes

Aesthetes

One Thousand Plats

A Thousand Plats

Candles and Birds

Candles and Birds in a Locked Room

1000 Candles and Birds in a Locked Room

Candles and Birds: A Still Life in Three Parts

Candles & Feathers

Feathers & Flames

The Still Life Variations

Still Life Triptych

Still Life in Triplicate

Singing Still Life

Living Still Life

Still Life with Songs

The Melsinvorn Triptych

The Melsinnvorn Trio

The Melsinnvorn Triad

The Melsinnvorn Trisul

The Melsinnvorn Miniatures

Fine Fettle

I’ll Be Coming Around

How You Get There

Play for the Already Defeated

Termagant

Viragogogo

A Kiss is a Lovely Trick

We’re so Bored

Rude News - A Few Things to do This Spring, Starting Tonight!

2012-03-13T21:39:00.001-06:00

IN BRIEF:
This issue is dedicated to telling you we are in rehearsal until May. In the meantime, here are just a few events to keep you busy - our friends are making great art that we hope you will get out and support!

WEDNESDAY MARCH 14TH!!! Kirk Lynn to moderate the post-film Q&A at Austin Film Festival's screening of Trip to Bountiful - more below
Rubber Repertory presents JUBILEE, their last show in Austin for a while, Jubilee, at The Off Center. You cannot miss this.
Rude Mechs is super proud to host Gloria's Cause, by Dayna Hanson (choreographer, I've Never Been So Happy), and presented by Dance Umbrella as part of Fusebox Festival. Go see it!
Grrl Action Summer Workshop Summer Workshop dates are June 25 - July 15. Contact madge@rudemechs.com to get an application.
A wee Rude update.

Austin Film Festival presents

A TRIP TO BOUNTIFUL
part of their Made in Texas: Adaptations Series

When: Wednesday, March 14th at 7:30pm
Where: Texas Spirit Theater at the Bob Bullock Museum
Tickets: $5 (print this newsletter and get $1 off the ticket price when you show it at the door!)
Parking: Free parking in the museum parking lot after 6pm

Our own Kirk Lynn will moderate the post-screening Q&A, with Producer Dennis Bishop (THE FAST AND THE FURIOUS, HBO Pictures, “Dexter”) in attendance!

Don’t miss this rare opportunity to see one of the finest stage-to-screen adaptations of all time, THE TRIP TO BOUNTIFUL, written by legendary playwright, Horton Foote (inaugural recipient of Austin Film Festival’s Distinguished Screenwriter award). This moving, magnificent film won the hearts of moviegoers and theatergoers everywhere in the 1980s, as well as a Best Actress Academy Award for star Geraldine Page.
Page won the Oscar® for her portrayal of Carrie Watts, a sixty year old woman living with her son and daughter-in-law in 1940's Houston, Texas. Carrie wants nothing more than to return to her hometown one more time before she dies, but her son and his wife don't think it's a good idea. Picking the right time, Carrie escapes and begins her trip.

Rubber Repertory presents

JUBILEE

When: April 5 - April 21, 2012
Where: The Off Center
Tickets: $15 (Thursdays are PWYW)
Get Tix Here

What's wonderful about Rubber Repertory is that they take the concepts, the tenets, the expectations of theatre, and blow them out of the water." -Avimaan Syam, Austin Chronicle

This will be Rubber Repertory's last show before an indeterminate hiatus, and they're looking for more than just a good idea; they're looking for atonement. They want to find the very proper time to sound the trumpet. They want to put on the clothes that will make them disappear. They want to arrange their bodies in a way that gives real comfort. Part dance and all devotion, JUBILEE is a nonstop, non-narrative, and non-denominational leap of faith. [NOTE: To carnal minds they may appear to act absurdly, but the path of duty is rarely the path of safety.]

ABOUT RUBBER REPERTORY: Since 2002, Co-Directors Josh Meyer and Matt Hislope have created some of the most unique theatre in Texas. With shows such as Biography of Physical Sensation, The Casket of Passing Fancy (2007 Rockefeller MAP Fund grant), Surprise Annie, RED CANS, At Home With Dick, and the American premiere of Wallace Shawn's notoriously "unstageable" A Thought in Three Parts, Rubber Rep pushes boundaries and creates work that's high on invention and surprise. Their productions have garnered B. Iden Payne and Austin Critics Table Awards for "Outstanding Theatrical Innovation," "Outstanding Direction," "Unique Theatrical Experience," and "Outstanding Late-Night Adventure." For more information, visit www.rubberrep.org.

Dance Umbrella and Fusebox Festival present

GLORIA'S CAUSE

When: April 26-27, 2012 7:00 pm, and April 28, 2012 9:00pm
Bonus: Dayna Hanson's band, Today!, plays Friday, April 27, 2012 at Fusebox's late night venue.
Where: The Off Center
Show Info: Fusebox Festival website
Tickets: Get your Fusebox Festival Pass while there's still a discount available!

Inspired by the complex ironies of the American Revolution, Gloria’s Cause is a full-length dance theater work by 33 Fainting Spells’ co-founder Dayna Hanson (the amazing woman who choreographed the dances in I've Never Been So Happy). Co-commissioned by On the Boards and Under The Radar Festival, this rock-driven piece exhumes the colonies’ forgotten players and offers a layered, colorful and gritty look at the roots of America’s inequities.

ABOUT DAYNA HANSON: A 2006 Guggenheim Fellow in Choreography and 2010 United States Artists Oliver Fellow in Dance, Hanson is joined by longtime collaborators Dave Proscia and Peggy Piacenza. Seattle-based performers Wade Madsen, Maggie Brown, Paul Moore, Jim Kent, Pol Rosenthal and Jessie Smith join the cast, together creating a kinetic, darkly funny world where incongruous sources clash and morph. After multiple presentations of 33 Fainting Spells' work by Dance Umbrella in the past, Dayna returns to Austin in this co-presentation between Fusebox and Dance Umbrella, hosted by Rude Mechs.

Tell the nearest Grrl to apply to Grrl Action Summer Workshop!

When: June 25 - July 15, 2012

Where: The Off Shoot (2211-A Hidalgo St., Austin, TX 78702)

The Grrl Action Summer Workshop is a three-week intensive workshop for teenaged girls, run by Rude Mechs, in which girls envision, create, publish, and perform original works for the stage based on their own life experiences. The three-week intensive culminates in two performances that are free to the public. Don't miss them!
Support Grrl Action: Grrl Action is reliant on donations from the community and local foundation grants.

We hope you will contribute to sustain this invaluable program.

A Rude update seems in order

We premiered I've Never Been So Happy in Los Angeles at Center Theatre Group's Kirk Douglas Theater in October, and while we were having a blast, building good houses, and getting mixed reviews, we happily accepted a few awards for INBSH from the B. Iden Payne Awards.
At the same time, we produced a beautiful re-creation Mabou Mines' amazing play, The B. Beaver Animation, to somewhat confused houses. We promise to offer a little more background and support for the next installment in our Contemporary Classics series.
The Method Gun, a project of Creative Capital, was filmed by OntheBoards TV and is available at ontheboards.tv - we get 50% of all the income, so download away! Just remember that video of live performance is, well, video of live performance...
We mounted a wee work-in-progress showing of CL1000P (working title, still, yes), which we are rehearsing right now for a full production in May. Stay tuned!
Then we toured The Method Gun to Brisbane Powerhouse's World Theatre Festival in Brisbane Australia - could not have had more fun. If you were ever curious about what the City of Austin could have done with the Seaholm, check out Brisbane Powerhouse.

An Intern's Perspective #5

2012-02-16T22:48:00.002-06:00

The workshop production of 'CL1000P' has closed. The artistic team will review all of the awesome notes they received from audience members and begin rehearsals in March for their bigger and better 'CL1000P' (the title, however, might not make it). Until then they will be in Australia performing their hit show, 'The Method Gun' at the Powerhouse Festival in Brisbane.

I had a wonderful time stage-managing and already miss it. It was exciting to be in the middle of all the bustling artists, all providing their expertise on something specific. I've learned a lot! One thing I learned was that Shawn Sides, one of the actresses in the show, is usually the director of the shows at Rude Mechs. I embarrassingly said to a crowd of UT MFA candidates, at their colloquium, that there really isn't a director. Ha!

While they're away I'll be looking after the Off Center as renters use the space, so there will definitely be more adventures to gossip about!

Rude News from Rude Mechs

Stop Hitting Yourself Austin American-Statesman Review - 2 weeks left!

There's still time to sign up for the Grrl Action Summer Workshop!

Stop Hitting Yourself Opens Next Week and Grrl Action Now Accepting Applications

We are now accepting applications to the Grrl Action Summer Workshop!

A Yankee's Notebook

Tickets on Sale Now for STOP HITTING YOURSELF

Method Gun Winter 2013 - We did it right!

Method Gun tour and SHY coming your way

Out-of-Town Friends, Come Visit Us!

THE METHOD GUN ON TOUR

Support Rude Mechs!

Save the Date(s) - a new play is in the works

RUDES HEART NYC

HowlRound Call for Student Submissions

Accepting Internship Applications for Spring 2013

BOMB Feature on Rude Mechs by Eric Dyer

Issue 122 Preview: Rude Mechanicals

by Eric Dyer Nov 07, 2012

Calling All Artists - Artspace Market Survey Launch

Rude News: UT Residency, D69 in NYC, E.A.S.T. and more!

Rude Mechs Selected as Resident Theatre Company

Support Rude Mechs and the Visual Arts - go E.A.S.T.

New York Friends - Come Visit Us!

Dionysus in 69 tours to New York Live Arts

Rude Mechs adds Scene Shop to our Scenic Coop

HOW TO REHEARSE.

Special Thanks to Pearl Dive Supporters!

Rude Retreat and Pearl Dive at the Plant!

Don't Miss Rude Mechs' Pearl Dive at The Plant!

Join Us at the Pearl Dive at The Plant!

New video from I've Never Been So Happy in LA

So, We Hung Out with Some Pigs

Grrl Action, A Party, and The Next Two Plays!

Come see the Grrl Action Summer Performances!

A Very Fond Farewell to The Oyster Club

Coming up for Rude Mechs

Rude Mechs 2011/12 Corporate Sponsors

Great Review and Discount for NOW NOW OH NOW

Tickets On Sale for Now Now Oh Now!

What the Hell Are We Going to Call It?

Rude News - A Few Things to do This Spring, Starting Tonight!

Austin Film Festival presents

A TRIP TO BOUNTIFUL part of their Made in Texas: Adaptations Series

Rubber Repertory presents

JUBILEE

Dance Umbrella and Fusebox Festival present

GLORIA'S CAUSE

Tell the nearest Grrl to apply to Grrl Action Summer Workshop!

A Rude update seems in order

An Intern's Perspective #5

A TRIP TO BOUNTIFUL
part of their Made in Texas: Adaptations Series