AFTER THE WHALES SPOKE, A NEW PLAY
Street medics have found a solution to the problem of anti-abortion, anti-trans legislators in a post-plague world where some people received instructions from whales.
A work in progress.
Would you like to work on it with me?
CONTACT:
newclownplay@gmail.com
- Raw and Refined
- Chaotic and Ordered
- Magnified and Specified
ARTISTIC STATEMENT
I am a Clown, even as a Playwright.
I make structures for myself and other artists to play in. My scripts are “action series”: a list of items to be carried out by actors in front of an audience. These actions can include: tricks, turns, stage directions, dialogue, emotion, feats, dances. There are central themes and can be full on developed narrative, although the design is to evoke immediate visceral response. Direct action theater.
Radical inclusion is the unyielding central tenet of my work. What does access look like for all: performers, directors, designers, and audience? A keen awareness of who is and is not present, and a constant practice of welcoming and celebrating every partner as their full selves is the goal. How do we all be together?
My years in circus revealed balance is the most active state. My work wobbles in these contrasting ideas:
Actors are asked to tell the story with an acute awareness of the environment and immediate access to impulses and responses. The way the story is told is the story. The finished script is only the start. Failure is the only option.
CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS
Equitable casting model required to engage with this work. Director & other project leadership employs strong race/gender/disability justice lens in casting and in the work room. The actors’ identities should accurately reflect the population of the community in which this work is produced.
Cassie
Surly, earthy, focused, loyal, dark-humored, reliable, observant, cynical, action over words, bodily fearless, emotionally guarded, dangerous. She is an atheist, but received the Whale Message, and resists the religion that has been built around that moment.
_
Del
An acoustic guitarist performing under the name “Marv’s Muffler Shop”. They are energetic, enthusiastic, chatty, romantic, angry, fiery, deeply depressed and endlessly optimistic. Their heart breaks over and over again and they carry their sadness along with a hopeful belief that the Whales will speak again and maybe things will be okay. Loves to sing and loves to fight.
_
Rem
A trained anaesthesiologist and self-taught biochemist, abortionist, and hrt synthesizer. Rem is quiet, methodical, observant, a woman of few words and effective action. She embodies “measure twice, cut once” and “still waters run deep.” An actor who brings a secondary precision-based practice would be beneficial: plays cello, violin, etc, is a painter or pastry chef.
_
Winnie
The TNR Coordinator. Organized, strategic, focused, effective, charismatic, a great public speaker. A Leader. She has access to resources, and an ability to move undetected in mainstream society. She has a lot of followers. If she wasn’t heading a DIY legislator sterilization movement, she might hold a position in government. There’s still time.
_
Mittens
An American politician and retired attorney. Before the Whales Spoke, was serving an 8th term as senior United States senator.. He was the Senate leader of the Republican Party, having served as minority leader since 2007. Currently serves on the Reconstruction Committee.
_
DUDE
Lloyd, the lead singer of The Castrators. A cisgender man.