Join us for a monologue party to raise money for Theater in Asylum's upcoming production of Hephaestus at LPAC's Rough Draft Festival. Hear playwrights and musicians perform short pieces adapting ancient greek myths at one of Brooklyn's most beloved gems: Pete's Candy Store.

Friday, January 31, 2020
6:30-8:30pm
@ Pete's Candy Store

 709 Lorimer St, Brooklyn, NY 11211
No cover, but we will humbly ask for donations!

 FEATURING WORK BY
​Andy Boyd
Gethsemane Herron-Coward
Jacob Marx Rice
Alice Pencavel
Ellie Swartz
Anna Wingham
Ran Xia
and Hephaestus playwright Willie Johnson

Hosted by Rachel Casparian

Theater in Asylum is seeking a stage manager for an upcoming workshop production of Willie Johnson's Hephaestus, which we be presented in the La Guardia Performing Arts Center's 2020 Rough Draft Festival. Seeking a kind and curious collaborator who is comfortable with new (and evolving) work, as well as working in a festival setting.

About Hephaestus
God of fire, god of the forge, the worker god: Hephaestus. At once a meditation on labor, dis/ability, and beauty, Hephaestus interrogates our relationships to our bodies, and our ideas of beauty and divinity. Drawing on texts ancient and new, Hephaestus explores the limitations of the body and the self, and our desire to transcend them.

Written by Willie Johnson, directed by Paul Bedard, choreographed by Katie Palmer.

Logistics:

• ​Rehearsal dates: 2/9/2020-3/10/2020
• Rehearsal location: Most often at The Artist Co-op in Hell's Kitchen
• Tech & Performance Location: LPAC in Long Island City
• Opening date: 3/11/2020
• Closing date: 3/13/2020
• Everyone on production paid the same, a $200 stipend.

Theater in Asylum (TIA) is a New York-based theater company founded in 2010 to provide asylum to highly charged subjects and characters. With an ensemble-driven process and performance, we investigate to inspire curiosity, empathy, and action. We seek a freer world and believe theater is both the means and the ends. http://www.theaterinasylum.com/

The LaGuardia Performing Arts Center (LPAC), the largest theatre complex in Western Queen, has played a key role as a cultural bridge between artists and audiences for nearly 40 years. Dedicated to amplifying the voices of emerging storytellers from all over the world, LPAC produces vital, high-quality and culturally relevant theatre, dance and educational programing for New York City audiences and beyond. https://lpac.nyc/

To apply:
Please email a resume and cover letter to info@theaterinasylum.com

Happy new year! We've hit the ground running and we're pretty much non-stop until the New York primary on April 28. Thank you so much to everyone who is helping us make this amazing avalanche of events happen!

We're turning the Democratic Primary debates into a play that will tour the five boroughs in April. To prepare, we have a ton of upcoming events. At Watch Parties, we gather simple to watch the debates on TV, live as they happen. At Political Analysis Meetings, we go through the transcript and try to sift for material that should go in our eventual play. In early February, our Electability Cabaret will showcase some of our original material, as well as the work of guest artists. Join us!

Upcoming:

• Watch Party - Tuesday, January 14 (RSVP)
• Political Analysis - Wednesday, January 15 (RSVP)
• Watch Party - Friday, February 7 (RSVP)
• Electability Cabaret - Saturday, February 8 (Learn more)
• Watch Party - Wednesday, February 19 (RSVP)
• Watch Party - Tuesday, February 25 (RSVP)

Our Cold Reading series is back! Each month, we'll gather for an informal and totally unrehearsed reading of a great play with wonderful conversation and delicious wine. We start with a reading facilitated by our beloved Kara Hankard. Kara's been to many, many readings and this is her first time facilitating.

We're developing Willie Johnson's new play Hephaestus for a workshop production in the LaGuardia Performing Arts Center's Rough Draft Festival! We are thrilled at this opportunity and cannot wait to share the work with you. We're holding auditions for our ensemble cast on Thursday, January 16 and we'll be hosting a fundraiser monologue party on Friday, January 31. You can also learn more about Hephaestus here.

We are so excited (and gloriously exhausted) by all that's to come. Thank you for all your help and support and we'll see you sooon!

Cheers to 2020!

With love and gratitude,
Paul, Katie, Kathryn, Samantha
​
Ps. Did you hear Katie and Paul interviewed by Adam Mace on The Talkback?

"In his thirty-seventh episode, Adam is joined by the Co-Artistic Directors of Theatre in Asylum, Paul Bedard & Katie Palmer. The two are chatting about how they started their company, why is exists and what they are doing in the world of political theatre. They are also going into detail on their exciting series, "The Debates." Theatre in Asylum is also heading into their tenth year! So they are letting us know how we can support them and even join them in their work!"

Overview:

• Venue: Laguardia Performing Arts Center (part of the Rough Draft Festival)
• Union Status: NON-UNION
• Producer: Theater in Asylum & LPAC
• Writer: Willie Johnson
• Director: Paul Bedard
• Choreographer: Katie Palmer
• Auditions by appointment on Thursday 1/16/2020 from 6-10pm
• Callbacks on Saturday 1/18/2020 from 10am-12pm
• Rehearsal dates: 2/10/2020-3/10/2020
• Opening date: 3/11/2020
• Closing date: 3/13/2020
• Rate of pay: $200 stipend
• Location: NYC

Casting for a workshop presentation of Willie Johnson’s Hephaestus. Seeking an ensemble that will play multiple roles, are comfortable with abstract movement and manipulating the set throughout the show. The piece features modern language and frequent direct address to the audience. All ages, races, and people with dis/abilities are encouraged to submit.

To submit, please email a headshot and resume to info@theaterinasylum.com and specify your availability for both the audition day (Thursday, January 16, 2020 from 6-10pm) and the callback day (Saturday, January 18, 2020 from 10am-12pm). Each audition slot will be 10-20 minutes. Audition is not confirmed until you receive a confirmation from us.

For the audition, please prepare a 1-2 minute monologue that employs direct address to the audience. 

Description of Hephaestus
God of fire, god of the forge, the worker god: Hephaestus. At once a meditation on labor, dis/ability, and beauty, Hephaestus interrogates our relationships to our bodies, and our ideas of beauty and divinity. Drawing on texts ancient and new, Hephaestus explores the limitations of the body and the self, and our desire to transcend them. Learn more here.

Casting Breakdown (please note there will be extensive double-casting)

• HEPHAESTUS: The god of fire, metalwork, and craftsmen. His legs are disabled and he walks with crutches.
• AUTOMATA: Three golden women who serve as Hephaestus’s assistants in his workshop.
• HERA: The queen of the gods, Hephaestus's mother. 
• DIONYSUS: The god of wine and theater. 
• APHRODITE: The goddess of love and beauty. 
• PROMETHEUS: A titan.
• ARES: The god of war.
• IO: A wandering maiden who has been turned into a cow.
• ATHENA: The goddess of wisdom and Hephaestus's sister.
• KRATOS: A servant of Zeus.
• BIA: Another servant of Zeus.
• THETIS: Goddess of the sea, Hephaestus’s caretaker, mother of Achilles.

Theater in Asylum (TIA) is a New York-based theater company founded in 2010 to provide asylum to highly charged subjects and characters. With an ensemble-driven process and performance, we investigate to inspire curiosity, empathy, and action. We seek a freer world and believe theater is both the means and the ends. http://www.theaterinasylum.com/

The LaGuardia Performing Arts Center (LPAC), the largest theatre complex in Western Queen, has played a key role as a cultural bridge between artists and audiences for nearly 40 years. Dedicated to amplifying the voices of emerging storytellers from all over the world, LPAC produces vital, high-quality and culturally relevant theatre, dance and educational programing for New York City audiences and beyond. https://lpac.nyc/