LAB Test

LAB Test is one of life’s win-wins. You’re given the exciting and rare opportunity to play a role in finalizing an artist’s work, while the artists receive a bounty of support that pilots their work-in-progress to a full-scale Live Arts production.

Sprung from a new Production Residency program, the LAB Test series features selected showings of the artists’ new works, (unique on each date), followed by a moderated discussion where you can give it to them straight or just ask all the questions you don’t normally get to have answered. After all that, it’s free beer and snacks for all.

QUESTIONS: Email craig@livearts-fringe.org

LAB Test: Bang by Charlotte Ford (A 2012 Philadelphia Live Arts Festival Premiere)

Friday, March 9 — Sunday, March 11, at 7pm

Please note: show contains nudity and may not be appropriate for all ages

Jump into Production Resident Charlotte Ford's latest work, BANG (formerly known as Animal). This all-female clowning piece will be sure to make you laugh while simultaneously hitting on some major themes including female identity, sexual freedom, and desire. The theatrical clown has a vulnerable and innocent spirit; they invite us into their silly world, asking us to play, even for just a short while. Ford uses this creative lens in order to begin answering some powerful questions: How does culture influence desire? What does sexual freedom look like? What do we desire outside of being found desirable? Can one be both funny and sexy? Ford will be joined by Sarah Sanford (Pig Iron Theatre Company) and Lee Etzold (Brat Productions) in performing the work, and Emmanuelle Delpech-Ramey (Philadelphia Artist and Director) has served as an outside eye during the rehearsal process.

THIS PIECE NEEDS YOUR LAUGHTER. Since the piece is comedic, it's imperative that it is tested in front of the audience to gauge your reaction, to learn what jokes work and what don't. Just by being there, you will play a huge role in shaping the final piece, which will premiere in September at the 2012 Philadelphia Live Arts Festival.

On March 9th, 10th, and 11th at 7pm there will be an informal showing of the work-in-progress, and a discussion afterwards with the performers. Be a part of the coming together of these three immensely talented and accomplished Philadelphia artists and watch them shake the stage with their folly and honest deconstruction of the female identity.

Or call 215-413-9006
Admission is free, but advance reservations are encouraged.

LAB Test: The Flight Attendants Project by idiosynCrazy productions

Sunday, July 31, at 7pm

Come take a first-class seat in idiosynCrazy productions' latest performance exploration: The Flight Attendants Project. Inspired from a duet performed by Jumatatu Poe and Michele Tantoco, this new project's seven performers begin to explore service and the servant through an ever-changing set construction, vocal play, punctuated rhythm, and exhaustingly athletic movement. This summer, the performers have been developing material with input from Donte Beacham, a JSette artist from Jackson, MS, and Jasmin Vardimon, a dance-theater artist from London. Donte and Jasmin will join the performers and collaborators post-showing for a discussion about the process and the eventual product. YOUR INPUT IS HIGHLY VALUED as the project explores interactivity with an audience on various scales. We would love to hear about your experience. So, join us on Sunday, July 31st, at 7pm for an informal showing of the work-in-early-process, and a discussion afterwards with the artists. Now boarding . . .

LAB Test: WHaLE OPTICS by Lucidity Suitcase Intercontinental

WHaLE OPTICS is a new scientific/theatrical epic that explores worldwide communication systems, sub-oceanic fiber optics and humpback whale songs. Stage magician Thaddeus Phillips conjures up a three-part large-scale work that calls into question our perception of human/animal communication and our relationship with the biggest part of planet Earth - the ocean. WHaLE OPTICS will follow the quest of one Japanese/American composer from Los Angeles to the wilds of the Colombian Pacific coast to the white frozen landscapes of Antarctica via a modern Moby Dick adventure in which the search begins at a Venice beach record shop. Along for the journey are: Roger (technical watchman at the Avalon, New Jersey Fiber Optic Trans-Atlantic arrival station), Lynn Cox (famed long distance swimmer), the ideas of Carl Sagan, a cinematic score, 1970’s action theater techniques, live-action dive sequences, a dinner at Applebee’s and a dash of the psychotic adventures of Jacques Cousteau.

Directed and designed by Thaddeus Phillips (previous Live Arts shows: ¡EL CONQUISTADOR!, Flamingo/Winnebago), created by Brian Osborne, Makoto Hirano, Lee Ann Etzold, James Ijames, Emily Letts & Spencer Sheridan. Dramaturgy by Tatiana Mallarino & Pamela Riley. Original score by Juan Gabriel Turbay.

http://whaleoptics.tumblr.com/

WHaLE OPTICS has been supported by The Pew Center for Arts & Heritage through the Philadelphia Theatre Initiative.

LAB Test: Elephant Room by Steve Cuiffo, Trey Lyford, and Geoff Sobelle

Saturday, March 5 at 7:30pm:       Chapter 1
Saturday, March 12 at 7:30pm:     Chapter 2
Saturday, March 19 at 7:30pm:     Chapters 1, 2, and 3

Hello. Room service. Was someone looking for a minor miracle?
It’s on its way… c/o Elephant Room

You're invited to a most secret society. A realm where mind and sense part ways.
A trio of illusionists will entertain, distract, confuse, confound, amaze and mystify.
This is Elephant Room.

Directed by Paul Lazar. Written by Steve Cuiffo, Trey Lyford, and Geoff Sobelle
(previous Live Arts shows: all wear bowlers, Amnesia Curiosa).
Starring Dennis Diamond, Louie Magic and Darryl Hannah.

Commissioned by center theatre group in LA.