post

Bingo Boyz: Columbine

Bingo Boyz: Columbine (2004)

Mike Holzer & Brian E. Lewis in Bingo Boyz: Columbine (2004). Photo by Eric Webber.

Bingo Boyz: Columbine
a devised work of The LIDA Project*

The trust among the ensemble is evident in the cohesive performances and their telling choices, providing a context for Harris and Klebold’s actions that de-sensationalize the event and re-sensitize us to the common, everyday toxic ingredients that created this explosive recipe.
– Bob Bows, Variety

Production History
March 12 – May 1, 2004: BINDERY | space :: Denver, CO

Awards
Best New Work – Denver Post Ovation Award
Best Younger Actor (Max Posner) – Denver Post Ovation Award
Best New Work of 2004 – Out Front

Company
Direction: Robin Davies
Dramaturgy: Tami Canaday
Scenic Design: Robin Davies
Costume Design: Ensemble
Lighting Design: Wolf Butler
Sound Design: Tyler Potts
Sound Composition: Paul Cure
Properties Design: Steve Gibson
Projection Design: Brian Freeland
Research: Jen French

Ensemble
Jackie Billotte, Heather Day, Hart DeRose, Mike Holzer, Mike Jones, Kate Lauer, Brian E. Lewis, Amelia Mauro, Phil Newsom, Jessica Posner, Max Posner, Sue Rock, Matthew Schultz, Ashley Scott, & Ken Witt

Images

* Development collaborators: Jackie Billotte, Tami Canaday, Robin Davies, Heather Day, Hart DeRose, Brian Freeland, Jen French, Mike Holzer, Mike Jones, Kate Lauer, Brian E. Lewis, Amelia Mauro, Phil Newsom, Jessica Posner, Max Posner, Sue Rock, Matthew Schultz, Ashley Scott, Jadelynn Stahl, & Ken Witt

 

post

Fucking A

Fucking A (2004)

Fucking A (2004)

Fucking A
by Suzan-Lori Parks

A darkly comic Brechtian riff on The Scarlet Letter in a modern world where Hester is an abortionist and freedom is for sale, Fucking A is equal parts social commentary, vulgarity and honesty. This modern fairy tale explores the nature of love and the depths of revenge

“Ms. Parks’ vision and voice is one of the most powerful and progressively active in the American theatre today.”
– Brian Freeland

Production History
January 16 – February 21, 2004 : BINDERY | space :: Denver, CO

Awards
Best Productions of 2004 –  The Rocky Mountain News
Best Introduction of a Major Contemporary Playwright – Westword

The Company
Direction: Brian Freeland
Technical Director: Wolf Butler
Scenic Design: Brian Freeland
Lighting Design: Jacob M. Welch
Musical Director: Anne Angyal
Costume Design: Brian Freeland
Video Design: Brian Freeland

Ensemble
Lisa Mumpton: Hester Smith
GerRee Hinshaw: Canary Mary
Mathew Korda: The Mayor
Petra Ulrych: The First Lady / Hester Smith Understudy
Robin Freeman: Freedom Fund / Waiting Woman 1
Josh Robinson: Monster
Dane Torbenson: Butcher
Anne Angyal: Scribe
Daniel Langhoff: First Hunter / Jailbait
Tom Salyers: Second Hunter / Guard
Brian E. Lewis: Third Hunter
Susan Perry: Waiting Woman 2
Irish Augustine: Understudy (The First Lady)
Jacob T. Morehead: Understudy (The Mayor)

post

The Balcony

The Balcony (2003)

The Balcony (2003)

The Balcony
by Jean Genet, adaptation by Jean-Claude van Itallie

The LIDA Project presented Jean Genet’s The Balcony as translated by Jean-Claude van Itallie as evening of prepared theatrix rooted in fetish, orgy, illusionist magic and circus. LIDA’s production placed spectators in the center of an interactive 360- degree house of illusion.

“It’s a true image, born of a false spectacle.”
― Jean Genet,
The Balcony

Production History
September 5 – October 31, 2003: BINDERY | space :: Denver, CO

Awards
Best Experimental Theatre Production (2003) – Out Front

The Company
Direction: Brian Freeland
Assistant Direction: Jeannene Bragg
Dramaturgy: Jennifer French
Stage Management: Hart DeRose
Lighting Design: James McElwee
Scenic Design: Brian Freeland
Costume Design: Gina Penka
Sound Design: Brian Freeland

Ensemble
Kay Casperson: Irma
Robin Davies: Police Chief
Brian E. Lewis: The Bishop
Dane Torbenson: The General
Joseph A. Norton: The Judge
Jacob T. Morehead: Claude / Riger
Camilla Susser: The Thief / Slave / Georgette
Todd Simmonds: Executioner / Arthur
Irish Jones: The Filly / Slave
Bartlett Meeks: Old Man / The Beggar
Jadelynn Stahl: Follies Girl / Carmen
Kelley Wade /Amelia Mauro: Chantel
Todd Black: Andrew / Envoy / First Photographer
Matthew Korda: Luke / Envoy / Second Photographer
Susan Perry: Ensemble
Hart DeRose: Ensemble
Brian Freeland: Ensemble

Images

post

Our Town

Our Town (2001). Photo: Eric Weber

Sara Casperson & Brian E. Lewis in Our Town (2001). Photo: Eric Weber

Our Town
by Thornton Wilder

Production History
September 14 – October 20, 2001: BINDERY | space :: Denver, CO

The Company
Direction: Brian Freeland
Assistant Direction: kryssi wyckoff martin
Stage Management: Brandy Qualls
Movement / Choreography: Robin Davies
Scenic Design: Brian Freeland
Lighting Design: Brian Billings
Sound Design: Jeremiah Lyman Moore
Costume Design: Carrie Wyatt
Publicity: Melanie Mayner

Ensemble
David C. Riley: Stage Manager
Dane Torbenson: Dr. Gibbs
Nancy Flanagan: Mrs. Gibbs
Brian E. Lewis: George Gibbs
Alexandra Trow: Rebecca Gibbs
Brian Thompson: Mr. Webb
Karen Kargel: Mrs. Webb
Chandler Gibbons: Wally Webb
Sara Casperson: Emily Webb
Dan Mundell:Professor Willard
Kelley Wade: Mrs. Soames
Robin Davies: Constable Warren
Chris Hampton: Si Crowell/Joe Crowell, Jr.
James Christian Villarreal: Howie Newsome
Dell Domnik: Simon Stimson
Thomas O’Connor: Joe Stoddard
Cristofer Lix: Sam Craig
Josh Hicks: Baseball Player
Tamara Bradley: Chorus
Tami Canaday: Chorus
Haley Gibbons: Chorus
Carrie Wyatt: Chorus

Images

Dress Her Like a Cowboy

Dress Her Like A Cowboy (1998).

Dress Her Like A Cowboy (1998)

Dress Her Like a Cowboy
a devised work of Tara M.E. Thompson & The LIDA Project *

Production History
February 6 – 28, 1998 : The LIDA Project Theatre :: Denver, CO

The Company
Direction: Tara M.E. Thompson
Sound Design: Jeremiah Lyman Moore
Scenic Design: Brian Freeland
Lighting Design: Tara M.E. Thompson
Costume Design: Catherine E. Worster
Properties Design: Catherine E. Worster & Brian E. Lewis
Video Design: Jeremiah Lyman Moore
Graphic Design: Rick Griffith

Ensemble
Marta Barnard: Savannah Raddison
Nils Ivan Swanson: Alexis Raddison
Donna Hickey Jackson: Katie Lee
Robert Miiller: Ricardo Swanson
Monica Schuster: Randi Candace
Kristi Meek: Jane Doe
Tamara Bradley: Ashley Burke

* Development collaborators:  Marta Barnard, Tamara Bradley, Brian Freeland, Donna Hickey Jackson, Kristi Meek, Robert Miiller, Jeremiah Lyman Moore, Monica Schuster, Nils Ivan Swanson, & Tara M.E. Thompson.

Eighty-Four

Eighty-Four (1997).

Eighty-Four (1997).

Eighty-Four

This tale of the ultimate “Negative Utopia” paints a grim future filled with Double-speak, Telescreens, Thought Police, and the ever watchful eyes of Big Brother. Written in 1948 this adaptation connects Orwell’s warning of the future to the ever changing face of modern technology and current society.

Production History
October 24 – November 29, 1997 : The LIDA Project Theatre :: Denver, CO
January 9 – 31, 1998 : Studio 44 :: Denver, CO

Awards
Best Experimental Theatre Production (1997) – Westword
Top 10 productions of 1997 – The Rocky Mountain News
Best New Play (Brian Freeland) – Denver Drama Critics Circle Award Nomination
Best Direction of a Play (Brian Freeland) – Denver Drama Critics Circle Award Nomination

The Company
Direction: Brian Freeland
Assistant Direction: Nils Ivan Swanson
Stage Management: Tara M.E. Thompson
Lighting / Projection Design: Brian Freeland
Scenic Design: Brian Freeland
Sound Design / Original Music: Jeremiah Lyman Moore
Properties: Brian Houtz

Ensemble
Winston: Guy Williams
Mother / Prostitute: Debra Shirley
Young Winston: Colin Smith
O’Brien: Gregory Ward
Julia: Catherine E. Worster
Syme: Brian E. Lewis
Charrington: John Shupp
Thought Police / Party Worker: Sean C. Vernon
Thought Police / Bartender: Nils Ivan Swanson
Telescreen Voice: Tara M.E. Thompson
Big Brother: Dan Hiester
Activities Director: Kathryn Gray
Emanuel Goldstein: Terry Burnsed

Hamletmachine

Hamletmachine (1997)

Catherine E. Worster and Nils Ivan Swanson in Hamletmachine (1997). Photo by Eric Weber.

Hamletmachine
by Heiner Müller

From the mind of the late Heiner Müller comes this elegantly deconstructed treatment of the Hamlet myth, placed at the fall of Communism and the dawn of the new Millennium.

Production History
April 18 – May 11, 1997 : The LIDA Project Theatre :: Denver, CO

Awards
Best Experimental Theatre Production, Best of Westword 1997

The Company
Direction: Brian Freeland
Lighting Design: Brian Freeland
Sound Design: Brian Freeland
Scenic Design: Brian Freeland
Costume Design: Katharine Guthrie

Ensemble
Paul Cure: Father / Polonius / Hamlet 3
Katharine Guthrie: Horatio
Brian E. Lewis: Laertes / Hamlet 2
Nils Ivan Swanson: Hamlet 1
Tara M.E. Thompson: Gertrude / Lenin
Catherine E. Worster: Ophelia / Marx