Tragedy!

(note this post is outdated)

Okay, so, a change of plans. Our first event will now by an evening of three short plays entitled "Tragedy...! An Evening of Short Comedies." We tentatively have two plays already (Artemis the King by Spencer Soloway and Crossroads of Fate by Nathaniel Root) and are looking for a third. Consider this a call for submissions for short plays that make fun of the greek tragic tradition.

All the Best,
Spencer Soloway
Artistic Director
Feed the Bird

still kicking

just moving a bit slowly, updates to come

Money!

Request for fund raising ideas.

What do you think would be fun? What would you pay for? Comment or e-mail us!

"Generally speaking, everyone is more interesting doing nothing than doing anything. " - Gertrude Stein

Your Friend,
Spencer Soloway
Artistic Director
Feed the Bird

Or, Alternatively

dook dook dook.

If You Wanna' Be A Bird...

Let us know!

I Read a Book about John Dos Passos

So, just to clear something up.

Because people have asked:

We are not a street/guerrilla theater group. There's a purpose and proper time for that (mostly in protest situations) but our mission here is not to force theatrical events onto an unwilling audience. There are enough other groups that do that. Take what implications you might from that...

Well then, now that we sound like total jerks, moving right along...

So we're planning a fundraiser and the initial thought is an open bar, I wonder what people would think is a fair price? It looks like it might end up being $30-32 for 2 hours ($20 to the bar, $10-12 to the theater) or $12 donation to get in for a cash bar, but no promises.

Also, the more I think about it the more I am considering removing the bit about "gritty realism" and "absurdism" from our purpose. I think we're better off simplifying it to minimalism in terms of production and not trying to force ourselves into other boxes. Thoughts? Anybody? (note, 1/11/09: well, too late, it's done)

I love you and everything is beautiful*,

Spencer Soloway
Artistic Director
Feed the Bird

*The Spurt of Blood by Antonin Artaud

Merde!

With respects to King Ubu...

So, everyone else has a blog and, in the words of the fans of countless sports teams, why not us?

Feed the Bird is a new theater for a changed landscape. We believe that theater as currently constructed in New York City (with a few exceptions) is dull, over excessive, and inaccessible to large swabs of the population. Perhaps if you're 80 years old with blue hair, a lot of disposable income, and a love of musical comedy you disagree. Well, that's kind of the point. Same goes for teenage girls who love High School Musical and that horribly bastardized version of Spring Awakening. This is starting to sound negative so...

Oh, fuck it. Let's just get this clear, if you like saccharine sweet musicals, think Shakespeare is the be all end all, believe that large Broadway theaters with enormously expensive sets and wooden acting are the bee's knees, wear a monocle, or count Scary Movie among your favorite films, we are not for you. Well, I'll make an exception on the monocle part, those are pretty cool. But beyond that, forget it!

Okay, so who are we for then? First and foremost we're for anybody who has struggled in theater, been told they can't do this or that because of a lack of budget, a lack of connection, a lack of experience, or even a lack of skill. The dirty little myth in the industry is that only certain people with certain training can do certain things. At some point in the 1970s this barrier was broken down in the music world with the rise of Punk, but for whatever reason it never quite panned out that way in our art besides street theater which, let's face it, is pretty obnoxious.

But I'm rambling so without further adieu:

The Purpose of Feed the Bird is to present theater that adheres to the following guidelines:

• The productions of Feed the Bird must be easily recreated by anyone, regardless of their experience, skill level, budget or connections in the theater world.

• The productions of Feed the Bird must be, above all else, simple to stage. Minimal lighting, props, sets, and cost are paramount to the mission of the Company.

• Feed the Bird will strive to present minimalist theater.
  

• Feed the Bird will support collaboration by artists as well as the general public. Active audience engagement and interaction is highly encouraged.

• The Company is dedicated to performing in a variety of spaces both non-traditional and traditional including, but not limited to, black boxes, public squares, bars, parks, apartments, and rooftops.

Well, that's that to start. Stay tuned to this space for more as we begin the process of incorporating the company in the next few days, announce our first fundraiser, and offer more information on upcoming productions.

"The ice is broken, said our fathers to our mothers, in the first springtime of their life which was both honorable and gra-cious." - Tristan Tzara (The Gas Heart)

Mahalo,

Spencer Soloway
Artistic Director
Feed the Bird