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¡el Simio! or a contemporary retelling of Eugene O’Neill’s ‘The Hairy Ape’

Lorenzo Sariñana in The Hairy Ape (2013). Photo: Kenrick Fischer

Lorenzo Sariñana in The Hairy Ape (2013). Photo: Kenrick Fischer

¡el Simio! (or a contemporary retelling of Eugene O’Neill’s The Hairy Ape)
by Eugene O’Neill with translations by Lorenzo Sariñana

A story of a simple laborer trapped in a world controlled by the rich. This classic expressionist work is re-imagined as a one-man / hyper-media performance. This new bi-lingual translation and interpretation brings to the front the issues of immigration, class structure, and industrialism. First produced in 1922, the LIDA Project modernizes O’Neill’s text to address the modern themes of alienation in a stratified world.

Production History
May 1-3, 2015: HERE Arts Center :: New York City, NY
May 10 – June 7, 2013: work | space :: Denver, CO

Awards
Best Actor in a Drama (Lorenzo Sariñana), True West Award Nomination
Best Multimedia Integration (Brian Freeland), True West Award Nomination

Media Coverage
The LIDA Project takes on barriers of class and language in O’Neill’s The Hairy Ape – Westword
My night at The Hairy Ape – Culture West

The Company (2015 Production)
Direction: Brian Freeland
Producers: Steven J. Deidel & Annette Westerby
Stage Manager / Show Control: G. Austin Allen
Scenic Design: Sky Burks
Lighting Design: 
Anshuman Bhatia & Steven J. Deidel
Sound Design: 
Alex Hawthorn & Drew Levy
Projection Design: Steven J. Deidel & Brian Freeland
Costume Design: Annette Westerby

Ensemble (2015 Production)
Yank: Lorenzo Sariñana
O’Neill: Sonia Justl

The Company (2013 Production)
Direction: Brian Freeland
Assistant Direction: Laura Lounge
Scenic Design: David Lafont
Lighting Design: Kenrick Fischer
Sound Design: Dustin Lacy
Projection Design: Brian Freeland
Property & Costume Design: Laura Lounge

Ensemble (2013 Production)
Yank: Lorenzo Sariñana
O’Neill: Hart DeRose

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Watershed (Part I): The Sea Is Not Full

Watershed (Part I: The Sea Is Not Full) (2013).

Watershed (Part I: The Sea Is Not Full) (2013).

Watershed (Part I: The Sea Is Not Full)
a devised work of The LIDA Project*

The first part of a modern performance fantasy that looks at the character of water in a world of radically changing politics and climate. This meta-media work combines elemental water, high tech projection, and human performance that pushes the boundaries of performance presentation and political theatre.

“The nature of the performing arts tends to shy away from topics of environmental concern and a political nature. Artists have the opportunity to make a point and spark important conversations.”
– Brian Freeland

Production History
July 10 – 13, 2013 : The King Center :: Denver, CO

Media Coverage
Watershed, an artistic look at global warming – Westword
My night at LIDA Project’s Watershed – CultureWest

The Company
Direction: Brian Freeland
Text Design: Jeannene Bragg
Stage Manager: Kristen Littlepage
Costume Design: Jeannene Bragg
Lighting Design: Jacob M. Welch
Master Electrician: Kenrick Fischer
Projection Design: Brian Freeland / Tammy Williams
Scenic Design: David Lafont w/ Alex Polzin
Sound Design: Brian Freeland / Anson Nicholson

Ensemble
Rhea Amos, Terry Burnsed, Alexander Tate Freeland, Michelle Hurtubise, Jaime Lujan, Matthew Schultz, Miriam BC Tobin, Clio Torbenson, Dane Torbenson, Tian Torbenson, Allyxandra Townend & Ryan Wuestewald

Video

Images

This production was created with the support and collaboration of Metropolitan State University.

* Development collaborators:  Rhea Amos, Jeannene Bragg, Terry Burnsed, Brian Freeland, Michelle Hurtubise, Kristen Littlepage, Laura Lounge, Jaime Lujan, Matthew Schultz, Miriam BC Tobin, Allyxandra Townend, & Ryan Wuestewald.

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Prison / Street / Prison

Prison / Street / Prison (2013)

Prison / Street / Prison (2013)

Prison / Street / Prison
an original collaboration between RedLine, The LIDA Project, & The SOURCE Theatre Co.*

As part of Redline Denver’s exhibit, Not Exactly: Between home and where I find myself, The LIDA Project & SOURCE Theatre artistic directors Brian Freeland & Hugo Sayles created a first hand testimonial work giving voice to the connection between homelessness and incarceration.

Production History
June 13 – 29, 2013 : RedLine :: Denver, CO

Media Coverage
Cycles of Street to Prison address the line between homelessness and incarceration – Westword
The Art of Homelessness – Westword

The Company
Direction: Brian Freeland / Hugo Jon Sayles
Lighting Design: Kenrick Fischer
Scenic Design: David Lafont
Projection Design: Brian Freeland
Sound Design: William Burns / Max Peterson
Not Exactly Curators: Chad Kautzer / Robin Gallite

Ensemble
Jeff Campbell
Corin Chavez
Tim Johnson
Parnell McGee
Lorenzo Sariñana
Kenny Storms

Images

* Development collaborators:  Jeff Campbell, Corin Chavez, Brian Freeland, Tim Johnson, Parnell McGee, Lorenzo Sariñana, Hugo Jon Sayles, & Kenny Storms

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R.U.R. / lol

R.U.R. / lol (2013)

R.U.R. / lol (2013)

R.U.R. / lol
a devised work of The LIDA Project*

Part text. Part noise. Part sound. Part image. All Robot.

R.U.R./lol, an original work loosely based on the 1920 Czech science-fiction play Rossum’s Universal Robots. At the end of humanity four robots remain. Through their controllers they work to protect what remains of the planet from a catastrophic event. The process leads them to question how we came to this end.

Production History
February 15 – March 2, 2013: work | space :: Denver, CO

Awards
Best Lighting Design (Steven J. Deidel), True West Award
Best Multimedia Integration (Steven J. Deidel, Kenrick Fischer, Kevin Zegan, Max Peterson and Brian Freeland), True West Award
Best New Play, True West Awards Nomination
Best Scenic Design (Steven J. Deidel / David Lafont), True West Awards Nomination
Best Sound Design (Dustin Lacy), True West Awards Nomination

Media Coverage
LIDA Project’s R.U.R./lol uses robots to examine what it means to be human – Westword
Photo Essay: My Night at LIDA Project’s ‘R.U.R./lol’ – CultureWest

The Company
Direction: Lorenzo Sariñana
Production Design: Steven J. Deidel
Lighting Design: Steven J. Deidel / Kenrick Fischer
Scenic Design: Steven J. Deidel / David Lafont
Sound Design: Dustin Lacy / Lorenzo Sariñana
Costume Design: Lorenzo Sariñana
Projection Design: Steven J. Deidel /Brian Freeland / David Lafont / Max Peterson

Ensemble
Robots: Rhea Amos / Hart DeRose / Laura Lounge / Heidi Pachner
Controllers: Kenrick Fisher / Brian Freeland / Dustin Lacy / David Lafont / Tommy Sheridan / Lorenzo Sariñana

Video

Images

 

 

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Red Hot Patriot

Red Hot Patriot (2012)

Red Hot Patriot (2012)

Red Hot Patriot
by Margaret and Allison Engel

Satire is traditionally the weapon of the powerless against the powerful. I only aim at the powerful. When satire is aimed at the powerless, it is not only cruel – it’s vulgar.”
– Molly Ivins

Production History
October 25 – 28, 2012 : work | space :: Denver, CO
November 2 – 10, 2012 : The Aurora Fox :: Aurora, CO
November 15 – 30, 2013 : The Dairy Center :: Boulder, CO

Awards
Best Drama, True West Award Nomination
Best Actress in a Drama (Rhonda Brown), True West Award Nomination
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Play (Rhonda Brown), Henry Award Nomination
Best Political Theatre, Best of Westword 2013

The Company
Producers: A. Zeik Saidman & Brian Freeland
Associate Producer: Alana Smart
Direction: Brian Freeland
Stage Management: Tommy Sheridan
Lighting Design: Jacob M. Welch
Scenic Design: David Lafont
Sound Design: Max Peterson
Costume Design: Sharon McClaury
Publicity: Gloria Shanstrom

Ensemble
Rhonda Brown: Molly Ivins
Rhea Amos: The Helper

A very special thank you to our original production sponsors:
Presenting Sponsor: C. Richard and Marianne Reinisch Foundation | Sponsors: ACLU of Colorado, Brett Family Foundation, In memory of Joel Ehrlich, Caroline Lapp and Phil Barber, & John P. Oppenheim, PC, Attorney at Law | Beloveds: Bob Drake, Bruce & Jaren Ducker, Dr. Bob & Marilyn Fried, Paul & Jean Kottke, Elaine Selberg & Dan Recht, Jane & Stan Thalman, & Jan Temple

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Auto da Fé

Trina Magness and Dan O'Neill in Auto da Fé  (2012)

Trina Magness and Dan O’Neill in Auto da Fé (2012)

Auto da Fé
An original adaptation of the book by Elias Canetti by Rebecca Gorman O’Neill.

A twisted creation developed by The LIDA Project ensemble, playwright Rebecca Gorman, and director Brian Freeland. Manipulations of darkness and light and juxtapositions of ghastly imagery help to re-imagine Canetti’s breakthrough 1935 work about a lone recluse and his infinite library of books.

Production History
May 11 – June 2, 2012: work | space :: Denver, CO

Awards
Best New Work (Rebecca Gorman O’Neill), True West Awards Nomination
Best Actor in a Drama (Dan O’Neill), True West Awards Nomination

Media Coverage
LIDA Project’s surreal Auto da Fé – The Denver Post
The Sound and The Fury – Westword

The Company
Producers: Brian Freeland, Steven J. Deidel & The LIDA Project
Direction: Brian Freeland
Words / Dramaturgy: Rebecca Gorman O’Neill
Production Stage Manager: G. Austin Allen
Lighting Design: Steven J. Deidel / Anna R. Kaltenbach
Scenic Design: David Lafont
Projection Design: Steven J. Deidel / Ryan Gaddis
Costume Design: Hart DeRose
Sound Design: Brian Freeland
Associate Sound Design / Operator: Anson Nicholson
Associate Lighting Design: Tommy Sheridan

Ensemble
Dan O’Neill: Kien
Trina Magness: Therese
Robin Davies: Doorman / Fischerle
Lorenzo Sariñana: George / Brute / Beggar / Others

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