tHeater
RESUME
DOOMOCRACY
Directed by
Meghan Finn
A Creative Time Presentation
Ran in Brooklyn Army Terminal
(October - November, 2016)
Exchanging political fights for political frights, Creative Time and Pedro Reyes took over the Brooklyn Army Terminal this fall in an exciting collaboration. Doomocracy, a major new immersive installation by Reyes, marked the confluence of two events haunting the American cultural imagination: Halloween and the presidential election.
How much surveillance are we willing to accept? How much pollution? How much corporate malfeasance? Provoking what Reyes calls “political catharsis,” this immersive artwork distilled the horrors of our political landscape into the form of a haunted house, inviting us to navigate a maze of near apocalyptic torments, from climate change to pandemic gun violence to GMOs. Visitors to Doomocracy worked their way through a labyrinth of rooms, exploring the depth and breadth of American political anxieties.
Opening to the public Oct. 7, running through Halloween, and concluding just days before the 2016 presidential election, Doomocracy occupied a vital moment in US history, offering the perfect platform and location to create real dialogue around the contemporary state of global and US politics. Doomocracy was curated by Nato Thompson and directed by Meghan Finn, and was free and open to the public.
TRUMP SOCCER HEAD
DOOMOCRACY was seen by thousands and well received by the likes of Spike Jonze, David Schwimmer, and Alejandro González Iñárritu (Director of 'The Revenant'). It was featured on HBO's Vice News Tonight.
CONCRETE PART 1: THE SUMMER
Written & Directed by
Frank Sluszka
FRICTION PRODUCTIONS TM
Ran in Theater Row NYC (Decemeber, 2015)
Alex - lead
Concrete is an original two-act drama set in the streets of New York City. The story follows Alex (Dan Sheynin) and Chrissa (Hannah Driscoll) a young, couple living on the street trying to maintain a relationship, beat their addictions and get indoors before the harsh New York winter. The story takes a sudden twist with the arrival of Kelly (Ella West), a beautiful and intriguing girl that Alex is instantly and powerfully drawn to. Chrissa, sensing Alex’s attention straying and not knowing how to handle it, becomes colder and in turn drives a deeper wedge between them, and Alex closer to Kelly. As this new development begins to take shape, Alex's old and dangerous adversary Jay (Paul Maddaloni), comes back around and quickly takes violent, and viscous actions against Alex. Kelly also reveals her own earth shattering, secret. The combination of these events sends Alex reeling, threatening his sobriety, freedom, and his very life. Concrete is based on real events in the writers life, making the experience genuine, powerful and resonant, while giving the viewer a true glimpse of what its like to wake up on the cold and unforgiving Concrete.
REHAB
Written & Directed by
Frank Sluszka
FRICTION PRODUCTIONS TM
Ran in Theater Row NYC (January, 2015)
tim - lead
Rehab follows the stories of an ensemble cast as they try to figure out their lives and overcome their own personal demons while in in-patient rehab. Tim (Dan Sheynin), is a drug dealer that persuades the system to send him to rehab to avoid jail-time. The irony of Tim's situation however is that he isn't an addict at all. Inside he meets a medley of different characters including James (Jared Morrison), a hardcore "lifer" that has been in and out of jail from a young age. While listening and watching other's deal with their personal struggles, Tim realizes that he has a choice to make; does he continue the path he was currently set on, or does he takes everyone's life lessons and use it to turn his own life around. This is Dan Sheynin's second run with REHAB after originating the character of James in January of 2014. This story is based on the writer’s personal experience and brings to light many of the issues that are faced by people facing addiction. As we get to know the characters and their stories we realize that drugs often are only the tip of the iceberg. Rehab, sometimes funny sometimes heartbreaking, is a stark and honest portrayal of twelve step treatment and the hope and desperation that comes along with it.
James - Supporting
REHAB
Written & Directed by
Frank Sluszka
FRICTION PRODUCTIONS TM
Ran in Theater Row NYC (January, 2014)
Rehab follows the stories of an ensemble cast as they try to figure out their lives and overcome their own personal demons while in in-patient rehab. Tim (Mike Maglio), is a drug dealer that persuades the system to send him to rehab to avoid jail-time. The irony of Tim's situation however is that he isn't an addict at all. Inside he meets a medley of different characters including James (Dan Sheynin), a hardcore "lifer" that has been in and out of jail from a young age. While listening and watching other's deal with their personal struggles, Tim realizes that he has a choice to make; does he continue the path he was currently set on, or does he takes everyone's life lessons and use it to turn his own life around. This story is based on the writer’s personal experience and brings to light many of the issues that are faced by people facing addiction. As we get to know the characters and their stories we realize that drugs often are only the tip of the iceberg. Rehab, sometimes funny sometimes heartbreaking, is a stark and honest portrayal of twelve step treatment and the hope and desperation that comes along with it.
Dan was named as a stand out performer during REHAB's original run.
Click more for full review of the show.