QUALITIES OF STARLIGHT by Gabriel Jason Dean, Vortex Repertory, May 25 - June 15, 2013

 
 (Vortex Repertory Company, 2307 Manor Rd.) 
 presents

A twisted comedy by Gabriel Jason Dean | Directed by Rudy Ramirez
May.25-Jun.15, 2013; Thursdays-Sundays 8 pm

Qualities of Starlight is an award-winning twisted comedy about the expansion of the universe and the contraction of a troubled family. Previously produced in workshop productions in Atlanta and Washington D.C, Qualities of Starlight now debuts at The VORTEX in its definitive version.

Theo Turner is a young cosmologist on the verge. But Theo’s “big bang” isn’t theoretical. His universe explodes when he and his wife travel to the Appalachian South to visit his parents about an impending adoption only to discover that Theo's aging parents are meth addicts. Science crashes violently into nature, identities shift, memories speak, and the future can only be won by renegotiating the past. The cosmos is no more wondrous than a troubled human family improvising its path into the future.

Staring Jennifer Underwood, Dennis Bailey, Toby Minor, and Andréa Suzanne Rebecca Smith. Directed by Rudy Ramirez. Scenic Design by Ann Marie Gordon. Lighting Design by Patrick Anthony. Costume Design by Michelle Symons. Sound Design by David DeMaris. Prop Design by Helen Parish. Dramaturgy by Carrie Kaplan and Natashia Lindsey.

Tickets: $30-$10
$30-$25 Priority Seating, $15-$20 General Admission, $10 Starving Artists
2-for-1 admission on Thursdays and Sundays with donation of 2 canned goods for SafePlace.
Limited seating. Advance Purchase Recommended.

“…a well-crafted…engaging drama…
Qualities of Starlight registers as a welcome find.” ~ Washington Post

“…a thoughtful and entertaining new play…Qualities of Starlight shows people determined to recover from the bruises of the past and move towards a brighter, more hopeful future.”~ DC Theatre Scene

"So dang funny!" ~ VSA Arts of Georgia

Qualities of Starlight is presented with the assistance of SCRIPTWORKS through their FINERPOINT FUND FOR NEW PLAY PRODUCTION and funded and supported in part by VORTEX Repertory Company, a grant from the Texas Commission on the Arts, and by the City of Austin through the Economic Growth and Redevelopment Services Office/Cultural Arts Division, believing an investment in the Arts is an investment in Austin's future. 

(Click to go to the AustinLiveTheatre front page)

Upcoming: Bacha Bazi (Boy Play) by Gabriel Jason Dean, University of Texas, February

Found on-line:

presents

Bacha Bazi (Boy Play)

by Gabriel Jason Dean

Oscar Brockett Theatre, Winship Drama Building (WIN), University of Texas, near 23rd and San Jacinto (click for map)
February 16, 22, 24, 25 at 8 p.m.; February 19 at 2 p.m.

Tickets: $10, available 90 minutes prior to curtain at the Winship Box Office. Only Cash or checks will be accepted.

Parking is available in the San Jacinto Garage on San Jacinto near Dean Keeton.

The eve of Obama's election finds Aaron, a documentary filmmaker from Texas, in Northern Afghanistan. He's there to shoot a film about the poppy trade, but changes his mind when he encounters bacha bazi (boy play), an ancient Afghan tradition where young boys dance in women's clothing and are sold for sex to the highest bidder. Both fascinated and offended by the practice, Aaron meets Hafiz, a young dancer, and his investigative journalism turns personal.

Alternating between Dari and English, dance and language, fear and desire, Bacha Bazi (Boy Play) written and directed by Gabriel Jason Dean brings a critical lens to American altruism and explores the often fatal consequences of intercultural misunderstanding. At its core, it asks, "What are the consequences of good intentions?"

For further information contact Theatre and Dance Info Line at inquiry@uts.cc.utexas.edu or telephone 512-471-5793

Upcoming: The Transition of Doodle Pequeño, University of Texas, November 30 - December 3

Found on-line:

presents

The Transition of Doodle Pequeño

by Gabriel Jason Dean
directed by Steven Wilson

Wed Nov 30 7 PM
Thurs Dec 1 7 PM
Fri Dec 2 7 PM

Sat Dec 3 2PM

Oscar Brockett auditorium. Winship Drama Bldg, near 23rd and San Jacinto (click for map)

$10 for first ticket, $5 for additional tickets -- available on-line via UT Performing Arts

It’s Halloween and Doodle is the new kid in the neighborhood. Accompanied by his imaginary goat, Doodle befriends Reno, a boy who is unpopular with the neighborhood kids. A blend of English, Spanish and “Goat”, this award-winning comic play takes a heartwarming look at the consequences of misused language and interrogates the issue of gender-bullying.

A play for all ages, The Transition of Doodle Pequeño relates the universal themes of identity, friendship and acceptance.

Campus & Community Engagement Event: Family Day: Masks, Movement and Mayhem!

Families are invited to attend a Family Day event on December 3rd, 12:00 – 1:30 p.m. Family Day includes admission to The Transition of Doodle Pequeño and a pre–performance workshop exploring creative activities and theatre games designed to reveal that things are not always what they seem. The intergenerational workshop is appropriate for ages 8 and older.

Family Day tickets are $5 per participant. Email theatreanddancefamilyday@gmail.com for reservations and additional information. RSVP by Wednesday, November 23 at 5:00 p.m. Space is limited.

UT Playwright's Transition of Doodle Pequeño (upcoming 11/30) Selected for Kennedy Center 2012

Announced by College of Fine Arts, University of Texas, October 18:

The Transition of Doodle Pequeño selected for Kennedy Center's 2012 “New Visions/New Voices”

Play by M.F.A. candidate Gabriel Jason Dean

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts announced its 12th New Visions/New Voices showcase to be held May 18 - 20, 2012 at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. A biennial workshop dedicated to developing new plays and musicals written for young people and their families, New Visions/New Voices will present works from theater companies from New York, NY; Chicago, IL; Malvern, PA; La Jolla, CA; Glen Echo, MD; London, England; Toronto, Canada; and Melbourne, Australia.

The Transition of Doodle Pequeño, written by Michener Center for Writers candidate Gabriel Jason Dean, has been selected as one of eight plays for the Kennedy Center's prestigious showcase. Directed by department alumna and current People's Light & Theatre Producer Wendy Bable (M.F.A. 2009), Dean's story provides an inventive look at gender identity, difference, and discovering how things aren't always what they seem. It's Halloween with all the trimmings—oranges the size of pumpkins…vampires…tutus…an imaginary talking goat—and Doodle is the new kid in the quadruplex. When he and his new friend wear skirts, neighborhood bullies take notice.

Since its inception in 1991, New Visions/New Voices has assisted in the development of 80 new plays, musicals, and operas from 72 playwrights and 32 composers working with 51 American and seven international theater companies.

The Transition of Doodle Pequeño will be produced by the Department of Theatre and Dance November 30 - December 3, 2011 at the Oscar G. Brockett Theatre located in the F. Loren Winship Drama Building on The University of Texas at Austin campus.

Click to read interview of Gabriel Jason Dean by Adam Szymkowicz at www.http://aszym.blogspot.com

Upcoming: Br'er Wood By David Justin and Gabriel Jason Dean, University of Texas, November 19

Found on-line:

Presented by UT at Austin - Department of Theatre and Dance at Oscar G. Brockett Theatre

Theatre and Dance on Tour in Schools:

Br'er Wood

Conceived, Directed & Choreographed by David Justin
Book and Story by Gabriel Jason Dean and David Justin

November 19 at 7:00 & 9:00 PM
B. Iden Payne Theatre
Free. General Seating, first-come, first served.


Br'er Wood is a fantasy story, theatre, puppetry, dance and music that employs the characters from the “Uncle Remus” takes by Joel Chandler Harris. Threaded together with surrealism and metaphor, this comedy takes the shape of a child's imagination, playground rules, and the forces of good and evil. Set in and about the Br'er Wood, Br'er Rabbit, Br'er Fox, Miss Meadows, Sister Duck and all their friends come to life through the imagination of a young boy.

Read more at AustinLiveTheatre.com . . . .