Avatar Repertory Theater

Oedipus Rex returns!

2011-01-11T17:58:00.000-08:00

AVATAR REPERTORY THEATER presents OEDIPUS REX by Sophocles

A.R.T. brings their critically acclaimed production of Oedipus back for three performances in January 2011!

promo trailer - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jnW26MiYu3w

Second Live Enquirer/AP: "a very satisfying piece of theatre. The Avatar Repertory Theatre has once again challenged themselves to push the boundaries of Second Life to produce a transformative event"...Fassnacht carrying the burden of Oedipus’ arc from top-of-the-world to bottom-of-the-heap with strength and pathos.

New World Notes: "trailer, which interestingly, is not entirely safe for work viewing. Because you know what they say about Oedipus: Like Shaft, he's a bad motherfu-- SHUT YO' MOUTH"

Show times:

Saturday January 22, 2PM PST/SLT (10PM GMT)

Sunday January 23, 2PM PST/(SLT (10PM GMT)

Thursday January 27, noon PST/SLT (8PM GMT)

Tickets at http://slurl.com/secondlife/Sagittata/131/96/39, for L$500 (about US $2.50).

The ticket vendors provide a packet of information, including the performance location and gifts from the designers of the show. The tickets themselves are no-copy/yes-transfer, and scripted to allow access to the theater set only on the day and time listed on the ticket. More announcements will come from our audience group "Avatar Repertory Theater" and from Thinkerer Melville's Hippo group "Theater -- performances". Please contact Ada Radius or Kayden Oconnell to be added to either or both groups.

"Oedipus Rex" features Joff Fassnacht as King Oedipus and MadameThespian Underhill as Queen Jocasta. Rounding out the cast of family, friends and enemies are Kayden Oconnell, Thundergas Menges, Rowan Shamroy, Em Jannings, Darius Dubreyere (cover), Elegia Underwood (cover).

More information about the troupe at our website/wiki: http://www.avreptheater.com

Oedipus Rex Coming in October

2010-09-05T12:57:00.000-07:00

Was it fate, or the hubris of a man who would be king? Did the gods arrange his bloody fall, or did he ignore the intimations of lesser men? Were his eyes blinded by ambition or by a forbidden love?

The actors of the Avatar Repertory Theater explore the violent passions of Oedipus Rex in this new adaptation of Sophocles' classic Greek tragedy. Playwright Ada Radius has searched this old, but everlasting story, and given us fresh look at the powerful tale of King Oedipus and Queen Jocasta.

You are invited to join us in Thebes. Come walk the hills with us, and stand before the royal palace. Listen to the ancient music of the people, as they confront their King and demand hope. Experience the pain that Oedipus inflicts on himself and his family as the gods look on. Was he cursed? Or was his agony self-inflicted?

Struggle with us. “Oedipus Rex” will be presented for your consideration on October 2, 3, 9,10, 16 and 17 at the new home of the Avatar Repertory Theater in Second Life. The acting company includes Joff Fassnacht, MadameThespian Underhill, Thundergas Menges, Em Jannings, Rowan Shamroy and Kayden Oconnell.

A striking new immersive set has been designed and built for Oedipus Rex by JadaBright Pond and Elegia Underwood. Rowan Shamroy and Ada Radius have designed new avatars and costumes for this extraordinary production.

About "Oedipus Rex" director Ada Radius says, "Oedipus is about sex, death and religion. I hope we disturb everyone." Come be disturbed with us.

Mickie's Adventures in Boston-land (Chapter Two)

2010-08-19T20:17:00.001-07:00

Mickie and Sodo awoke the next morning. They opened the door and found that it led into a passage, toward the elevators (which they took to the lobby without delay). How they longed to get to the restaurant, and munch a great breakfast. They met up with Joff in a room filled with beds of bright flowers and cool fountains, but they could not even get their heads to comprehend the extravagent price Joff had paid for his breakfast (for it was quite a lot for a breakfast).

There seemed to be no use in ordering there, so they went to a lounge, half hoping they might find a more affordable breakfast, or at any rate a book of rules for growing money on trees. At this lounge, Mickie found a little bottle of orange juice and a muffin, (which certainly was not there the night before) and round the base of the bottle was a paper label, with the words `SHAKE WELL' beautifully printed on it in small letters.

It was all very well to say `Shake well,' but the wise little Mickie was not going to do that in a hurry. `No, I'll look first,' she said, `and see whether it's marked "poison" or not'; for she remembered a line she had memorized in the past: that if you drink much from a bottle marked `poison,' it is almost certain to disagree with you, sooner or later.

However, this bottle was NOT marked `poison,' so Mickie shook it and ventured to taste it, and finding it very nice, (it had, in fact, a sort of orange flavor) she very soon finished it off. But she found that the juice had not filled her up quite enough. So she set to work, and very soon finished off the muffin.

After a short time, Sodo, Joff and Mickie decided it was time to go off in search of a magical land called "Lowe's" to find bamboo and other supplies to make a frame. Piling into Sodo's car, they began their adventure, soon finding themselves lost yet again. 'Oh dear, how puzzling it all is!' they cried, trying to figure out the roads.

And all the while Boston drivers caused Mickie and Joff to cringe in their passenger's seats. From time to time Sodo would have to slam on his breaks or accelerate suddenly. `That WAS a narrow escape!' said Mickie after a particularly close call, a good deal frightened at the sudden change in speed, but very glad to find herself still in existence; `and now for Lowes!' and she smartly downloaded a GPS application for her phone, finally allowing them to reach their destination.

After gathering supplies and stopping for coffee and soda, it was high time to go, for the restaurant was getting quite crowded with the locals that had come into it for lunch. They were indeed a queer-looking party that clambered out of the car once they had arrived back at the hotel--each of them lugging long and somewhat pointy sticks to the elevator. They stopped on their way up to look at the ballroom. The first question of course was, how to set up the frame: they had a consultation about this, and after a few minutes, they had a plan set forth.

After such an adventure, the trio needed a rest, and so they made their way to their rooms with plans to meet later at registration.

Mickie's Adventures in Boston-land (Chapter One)

2010-08-16T21:32:00.000-07:00

**This is Mickie here. I'm hijacking the Avatar Repertory Theater blog to post a report about SLCC to the masses. Keep in mind that this writing is creative and while it does reflect the actual events, some things have been changed or omitted to allow the story to work a bit better. There will be multiple chapters posted throughout the next several days... so be sure to check back.**

Mickie was beginning to get very tired of sitting by a stranger on the plane, and of having nothing to do. Once or twice she had peeped out the window of the plane, but the wing of the plane blocked most of her view. 'And what is the use of a window', thought Mickie, 'without scenery to view?'

So she was considering in her own mind (as well as she could, for the long flight made her feel very sleepy and stupid), whether the pleasure of doing a puzzle would be worth the trouble of crouching down and fishing out her puzzle book, when suddenly the pilot announced they would be going into a holding pattern due to bad weather, delaying the flight.

There was nothing so very remarkable in that; nor did Mickie think it so very much out of the way to hear her neighbor say to herself, `Oh dear! Oh dear! I shall be late!' When the plane landed, Mickie took a watch out of her pocket, and looked at it, and then hurried on (for she had to hurry to another terminal to make it to Boston on time). Mickie stood on her feet for the TSA scan, but it seemed the DC agents were burning with curiosity as to what she held in her bag. They searched it thoroughly, and fortunately finished just in time to allow Mickie to board her flight to Boston.

In another moment up went the plane to Boston, never once slowing on its way.

After the plane landed, Mickie followed the terminal exit sign, which went straight on like a tunnel for some way, and then turned suddenly right, so suddenly that Mickie had not a moment to notice a man named Sodo watching her until he called out, afterwards taking her to his car.

Either the roads were very confusing, or she couldn't read a map, for they had plenty of time as they drove to look about her and to wonder what was going to happen next (because she had caused them to become lost). First, she tried to look down at the map and make out what they were coming to, but it was too disorienting; then they stopped for directions, finally allowing for them to make their way safely to the hotel.

`Well!' thought Mickie to herself, `after such a trip as this, I shall think nothing of checking in! This part should be easy!'

Stress, stress, stress, would the bad luck never stop? 'Your card is not working' the hotel clerk said aloud. `That must be a mistake' (for, you see, Mickie had saved her money for a trip of this sort). A stressful phone call later, the money troubles were sorted and Mickie and Sodo took their bags to their room.

Joined by Joff, Lauren Weyland, and Explorer Dastardly, they set off to dinner at P.F. Chang's. Along their walk, they came upon a street that had to be crossed, but cross walks were too far off. Mickie followed Lauren's example and crossed the street illegally.

Mickie was not a bit hurt, and she jumped up on to the curb in a moment. Before them was a table and some menus, and they ordered their food happily. There was not a moment to be lost: away they chattered, catching up and learning new things about one another. Eventually Lauren claimed, `Oh my ears and whiskers, how late it's getting!' The ever gracious Lauren picked up the tab ((thank you Lauren! You rock!!!)) and the group made their way back to the hotel.

Mickie, Sodo, and Joff talked together and made plans for the morning, afterwards retiring to bed.

Avatar Repertory Theater to present Alice in WonderSLand

2010-04-27T00:41:00.000-07:00

Second Life is a land full of wonders that you'd be hard pressed to find anywhere else, that is without spending a lot of money on travel. From traveling to France to visiting Ancient Rome, and even going where no man has gone before, Second Life presents an inexpensive way to visit worlds that exist, and plenty that don't. It's within a world such as this, that possibilities expand toward the infinite.

The Avatar Repertory Theater has been taking advantage of Second Life's unique qualities since 2008, in plays from Shakespeare's "The Tempest" to Howard Barker's "13 Objects." In the tradition of creating outstanding experiences, A.R.T. now announces its production of "Alice in WonderSLand" based off of Lewis Carroll's amazing tale.

Sitting down at the set, you'll be stunned by the visual precision of the world before you. The sets, designed by JubJub Forder, are created to immerse you within a magical world. This world within a world is sure to keep you spell bound as the theater's talented actors bring you closer to Alice's amazing adventures than you've ever been before!

So join us in our wondrous journey down the rabbit hole for an experience you'll never forget.

Alice in WonderSLand Performances---------

Sunday May 2, 3PM PST

Saturday May 8, 4PM PST

Sunday May 9, 2PM PST

Friday May 14, 11PM PST

Saturday May 15, 10AM PST

Sunday May 16, 4PM PST(Subtitled performance for hearing impaired)

Tickets are L$500. Purchase them here: https://www.xstreetsl.com/modules.php?name=Marketplace&file=item&ItemID=2271244 (Be sure to purchase tickets for the date you wish to attend)

Alice In WonderSLand!

2010-04-18T09:57:00.000-07:00

Avatar Repertory Theater to present "Alice in WonderSLand"
Once the line between genius and madness has been crossed, you can never go back, and for one little girl, that line keeps moving. Please join Alice’s trip down the rabbit hole as the Avatar Repertory Theater proudly presents "Alice in WonderSLand", in an all-original production with our madly talented international cast and team. Lead designer JubJub Forder says "this is not the cutesy Alice you usually find in movies. This is a little girl's dark fears of growing up."

Performances are:
Sunday May 2, 3PM PST
Saturday May 8, 4PM PST
Sunday May 9, 2PM PST
Friday May 14, 11PM PST
Saturday May 15, 10AM PST
Sunday May 16, 4PM PST

Tickets are L$500 (about US$2), available for purchase on XStreet April 18. After receiving your ticket, you will be given a landmark to transport you to the performance venue.

The audience will be immersed into WonderSLand, where they will see magical places bloom around them, with a panoramic view of the scenes built by JubJub Forder and his talented crew. Visit the White Rabbit's house, enjoy a Tea Party with the Mad Hatter, Dormouse and March Hare, attend a Croquet game hosted by the Queen of Hearts, and witness the trial of the Knave of Hearts in a courtroom where rules are meant to be broken.

Theater presented in a virtual world such as this gives the designers, costumers, builders and actors the opportunity to present entertainment that would be impossible in real life. Our imagination drives those dreams, and we invite you to come play with us in WonderSLand. Avatar designer Ada Radius promises your experience to be "surreal comedy on the edge of a nightmare", and costume designer Rowan Shamroy is creating a dark look to echo the original Tenniel illustrations, based on the clothing of late Victorian England.

The production, directed by MadameThespian Underhill, features Mickie Nikolaidis and Elegia Underwood alternating the role of Alice, with (in order of appearance) Persephone Phoenix, Sodovan Torok, Joff Fassnacht, Em Jannings, AvaJean Westland, Rowan Shamroy, Kayden Oconnell, Thundergas Menges, Dolgoruky Umarov, Ada Radius, Lailu Loon, Corwyn Allen and JudyArx Scribe. The production team, led by AvaJean Westland, includes JubJub Forder, Ada Radius, Rowan Shamroy, Thundergas Menges, Sodovan Torok, Prospero Frobozz, Elegia Underhill, CodeWarrior Carling, Amon Dragonash, Kayden Oconnell, and Mickie Nikolaidis.

For more information on the production, visit our INFOHUB for the latest updates at http://slurl.com/secondlife/Cookie/195/195/21, or contact AvaJean Westland. To be added to our mailing list, please contact Kayden Oconnell or Ada Radius. You can also learn more about Avatar Repertory Theater by visiting our website at www.avreptheater.com, or our blog at avatarrepertorytheater.blogspot.com.

The Real Christmas Story

2009-12-07T09:38:00.001-08:00

So guess what? There won't be an A.R.T. Plays Around this Friday. Gasp! Oh no! But trust me, there's a good reason... A.R.T. Presents: "The Real Christmas Story" starring Y.A.D.F (Your Average Dysfunctional Family). You don't want to miss this production of three hilarious plays written by A.R.T.'s very own: Rowan Shamroy, Kayden Oconnell and Sodovan Torok!

First, get drawn back into the 50's and meet your average family. Pete and Ian get to wait up for Santa for the very first time! But when something goes terribly wrong, will the children get presents or will Santa pass them by? Next, join Older the Elder as he tells you about his time spent with Santa, before Santa was cool. And then finally, sit down for a nice Christmas meal with one of the craziest families you'll ever meet!

You'll find A.R.T. at Rockliffe University's Dove Theater (http://slurl.com/secondlife/Rockcliffe%20I/232/88/30) on Dec 11th at 5pm SLT, Dec 12th at 3pm SLT and Dec 13th at 2pm SLT. Join us in our holiday celebration!

ART Plays Around

2009-11-20T10:47:00.001-08:00

Christmas ghosts, Thanksgiving pies, cursing mommies, and Australian culture! Join the Avatar Repertory Theater as they explore all of these, perform some fun improv, and force their janitor to do more than sweep the floors. It's all today, Friday the 20th at 5pm SLT.

Be there... or miss out on pie.

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Cookie/45/32/26

This is Your Final Reminder!

2009-10-20T06:14:00.000-07:00

Coventry University presents Avatar Repertory Theater's staging of 13 Objects: Studies in Servitude by Howard Barker as part of an international festival celebrating the work of this prestigious playwright. Performances will be on Oct 20, 4pm SLT and October 21, 2pm SLT. Admission is free!

http://www.slurl.com/secondlife/Coventry+University/32/182/751

Or watch us live online thanks to CodeWarrior Carling!

http://www.livestream.com/avatarrepertorytheater

13 Objects by Howard Barker

2009-10-19T17:27:00.000-07:00

If you still haven't heard about the Avatar Repertory Theater's production of "13 Object's: Studies in Servitude," then I'm glad to have your attention now. If you have heard of the production, then this is your reminder. With the support of Coventry University, A.R.T. will be performing this exciting work on Oct 20th at 4pm SLT and on Oct 21st at 2pm SLT, and trust me, this is a performance you will not want to miss.

Barker suggests that his plays are more than theater, but rather fall into the category of the art of theater. He explains, "I do not know the theatre, and the theatre does not know me. There is the theatre and there is the art of theatre... some have had to do with the art of theatre, but finding it too arduous, chose to join the theatre. These are legion. A few remained faithful. Very few, because it is a painful path. The theatre purpots to give pleasure to the many. The art of theatre lends anxiety to the few. Which is the greater gift?"

Sitting down with the production manager, Ada Radius, and director, Joff Fassnacht, we talked about Barker's work. Joff reiterated the artistic quality of Barker's work saying it's "incredibly rich with a lot for audiences to discover." Ada added that Barker's play had "tons of layers and subtext with huge amount of space to come up with interpretations." For an audience member the experience can be quite profound filled with many ideas to digest.

So, why go to a play that could affront your senses? Joff says, "A lot of his stuff is dark, but done with a sense of catharsis; you get some sense of a release doing this. His theme's could affect anybody and everybody. They're universal themes. It's quite raw and refreshing, bold and in your face. In a world where we think we have to be natural... Barker isn't."

So what exactly is this play "13 Objects" that you've been hearing about? As A.R.T. actor Kayden Oconnell put it, "13 Objects shows the secret lives of everyday objects, such as a cup and saucer, or a camera, to make intimate connections and inspire powerful feelings, with poetic language, provocative ideas and dark humor." More than that, "13 Objects" challenges you to look at life from a different perspective. Truly this is one of those works where you learn much about yourself through its carefully constructed words.

But there is always the question of whether the theater will work within the virtual reality world of Second Life. Ada did point out one disadvantage as she speaks of her own acting experience with this play, "In South of that Place Near there are times that in a real life performance I could have gotten away with facial expressions and body expressions making up for the lack in voice. Here we have to work on the voice more in order to have a deeper understanding of the words. We can't take any short cuts in Second Life." However, she also pointed out that "we can explore the surrealism in SL more. For example we can turn an officer into a loudspeaker." That is truly the case in Second Life. Sets can be larger and more fantastic than a regular production would be able to pull off.

For this production of "13 Objects," Ada chose to put together the works of Arcadia Asylum for the set. Ada explained, "She always insisted that everything she made should be free; full perm. Everyone has some of her things in our inventory. Almost every single thing we needed for the play happened to be in Arcadia's builds. We have a cafe, a cemetery, a park, even a dirty subway. It's as though Arcadia had been reading Barker two years ago."

But not only are Arcadia's builds appearing in the actual performances of "13 Objects", ART has also set up an installation of Arcadia's works to be explored. In this installation you will find all 13 objects scattered throughout. From there you will be able to click on the objects and hear recordings of "13 Objects." Joff explained, "I think if people get a chance to walk around to get a feel for the environment, it will lend to the real feel. There's something slightly different or wrong about it. I would see it as a really good way of adding an extra layer of understanding."

At the end of the interview Ada wanted to add, "We're an extremely diverse group of actors. We come from a diversity of acting backgrounds from amateurs to 4 professors. We have great teamwork and work well with each other." It's this teamwork that makes it possible for A.R.T. to put together a show of such high caliber. These performances will not only be an experience of a lifetime, but will also be a huge stepping stone for acting within Second Life.

To attend a performance, come to Coventry University sim on Oct 20th at 4pm SLT or Oct 21st at 3pm SLT, take a seat on a bench and be ready to not only watch, but experience.

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Coventry +University/30/182/751/

If you find the sim is full or have any technical difficulties then don't fret. Simply visit the link below.

http://www.avreptheater.com/site/index.php?title=Live_Performance_Broadcast

ART Plays Around

2009-10-09T16:20:00.000-07:00

A.R.T. Plays Around Tonight, 5 pm! --- Please join the actors of the Avatar Repertory Theater as they rehearse for their upcoming presentation of Howard Barker's "13 Objects: Studies in Servitude". The A.R.T. will be participating in a world-wide celebration of Barker's work on October 20 and 21 called "21For21", to honor the 21st anniversary of the founding of The Wrestling Company, a theater company that "wrestles" with this astounding and disturbing work. http://slurl.com/secondlife/Cookie/45/32/26

Art Plays Around Oct. 2, 5 pm California time

2009-10-02T06:45:00.000-07:00

A.R.T. Plays Around Tonight, 5 pm! - -- Join the actors of the Avatar Repertory Theater as they rehearse, read and enjoy the best of comedy and drama. Tonight we continue to prepare for our participation in the Howard Barker 21FOR21 world wide celebration, to be held on October 21.

Art plays around, 5 pm slt. 9/25/09

2009-09-25T16:42:00.000-07:00

A.R.T. Plays Around Tonight, 5 pm! - -- Join the actors of the Avatar Repertory Theater as they rehearse, read and enjoy the best of comedy and drama. Tonight we prepare for our participation in the Howard Barker 21FOR21 world wide celebration, to be held on October 21. We're also looking at Albee, some Monty Python and some other surprises. See you there! It all starts at 5 pm

Avatar Repertory Plays Around Sept.25, 09

2009-09-25T13:46:00.000-07:00

Avatar Repertory Plays Around - Greek Theater on Cookie 5PM Pacific Coast time.

Experimental Theater. Barker, Virginia Woolf, Improv

TALES FROM THE METAVERSE

2008-10-27T10:44:00.000-07:00

TALES FROM THE METAVERSE
Three One-Act Plays (Home-grown -- written, directed, performed in Second Life)

Avatar Repertory Theater

Jim Comes to Tea by Sodovan Torok" a dimension where there are no rules and no limits...a dark yet whimsical reality known as... The Metaverse."

Under the Skin by Jack Lefebvre"You're normal. I'm normal....If I didn't love you, I'd be appalled by you..."

Masquerade by Lorelei Larsson"the masks we wear...do we even know, ourselves, what it is those masks are hiding?"

Voice Direction: Thundergas Menges
Stage Direction: Sodovan Torok, Ada Radius, Rowan Shamroy
Starring(in order of appearance; varies from performance to performance):Sodovan Torok
Rowan Shamroy
Thundergas Menges
Dolgoruky Umarov
Mickie Nikolaidis
Kayden Oconnell
Suzy Yue
Em Jannings
Ada Radius

Performances:
Thu Oct 30, 6PM SLT Go to Topaz Plaza
Fri Oct 31, 6PM SLT Go to Forum Nightclub Stage
Sat Nov 1, noon SLTGo to Forum Nightclub Stage
Sun Nov 2, 2PM SLTGo to Forum Nightclub Stage

Avatar Repertory Theater

Tales of the Metaverse

2008-10-02T04:08:00.000-07:00

Tales of the Metaverse

From another dimension. A dimension of sight and sound. A dimension of imagination. A dimension of virtual reality. Second LIfe. The Metaverse

Here the Avitar Repertory Theater opens its first season with the three one-act plays. The scripts produced by a group of writers in Second Life. The plays produced by a group of actors, in Second Life. The plays to be produced as videos by by videographers in Second Life.

The age of the metaverse is upon us.