20/20 Media Release

For immediate release:
Media Contact: Stardust Doherty
theatre-makers@ritualart.org
Fringe Festival contact: Nicole Gluckstern
publicist@sffringe.org

20/20: A Presidential Re-Election Play Where You Decide the Future
Coming to the 2019 San Francisco Fringe Festival on September 7, 8, 11, 14!

What happens if the President is re-elected? In 20/20, a new play by Theatre Makers, the answer is up to the audience. 20/20 will be presented as part of the 28th annual San Francisco Fringe Festival. Performances are on September 7 at 6:30pm, September 8 at 2:00pm, September 11 at 8:30pm, and September 14 at 5:00pm at the EXIT Theatre (mainstage), 156 Eddy St, in San Francisco.

Developed by grassroots company Theatre Makers, 20/20 combines speculative fiction and political satire in a new work from co-writers Stardust Doherty and Kari Barclay. What would happen if the President were impeached? If a corporation or the military staged a coup? If San Francisco became an independent country? A diverse cast of new talent performs roles ranging from dissident Muni drivers to frantic tech CEOs to new-age cult leaders to the President himself. With comedy and depth, the show asks how our current political situation will shake out.

“20/20 engages audience participation around the events of our day, highlighting social, political, economic, and environmental change (SPEEC) themes to fuel co­ creation of our collective future,” said co-writer Stardust Doherty.

“The world is full of possibility,” said co-writer Kari Barclay. “We’ve taken 20/20 to extremes of utopia and dystopia, and I’m excited to see which scenarios the audience chooses for the actors to perform.”

Actor Jess Thompson (Anna) commented, “Being on stage gives me a lot of energy, but I’m also excited to be merging that with social justice.”

Show Synopsis: The year is 2020. The President has been re-elected, the climate is heating up, the economy is in meltdown. In this satirical participatory performance, audience members choose the scenarios to stage: impeachment? a coup? a revolution? 20/20 asks what people power looks like in a time of vast uncertainty when even choosing to do nothing has consequences.

Theatre Makers provides a common ground for those interested in dramatic and musical theatre, professional and amateur theater, commercial and non-profit theatre, including non-traditional theatrical events (performance art, street theater, pop-up theatre, home theatre, puppet shows, etc.) with activities including, for example:

  • Discussions of all aspects of theatre creation and production
  • Exchanging information on opportunities available
  • Collaboration on incubating audience participatory plays and musicals based on social, political, economic, and environmental change (SPEEC) themes​
  • Workshops of plays and musicals under development
  • Readings and staged readings of plays and musicals for educational and motivational purposes

Theatre Makers particularly fosters events that are inclusive and affirming of people based on class, race/ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, (dis)ability, age, and other identities.

Theatre Makers is a project of the Ritual Art Troupe, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to fostering and developing multi-disciplinary arts, including conception, investigation, development, production, and sharing of musical, dance, visual, theatrical, cinematic, and literary works with special attention to conserving our cultural heritage, serving a wide range of audiences, and encouraging creators and creations from diverse communities.

Now celebrating its 28th season, the San Francisco Fringe Festival is produced by EXIT Theatre and is the oldest grassroots theatre festival in the Bay Area, and the second-oldest Fringe Festival in the US. The festival is part of a global Fringe community, and is run in accordance with CAFF (Canadian Association of Fringe Festivals) principles, including non-curated, unjuried show selection, and 100% of ticket sales going to the artists. In all, 21 unique productions will be performed in EXIT Theatre—at 156 Eddy Street—from September 5-14, 2019.

More Show Info and Graphics: http://ritualart.org/2020
Actor/Crew Bios & Headshots: http://ritualart.org/2020/bios/

Theatre Makers: http://ritualart.org/theatremakers/

Ritual Art Troupe: http://ritualart.org/mission/

This Release: http://ritualart.org/wordpress/?p=952
This Release (PDF): http://ritualart.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/2020.media-release.20190709.pdf

For interviews, inquiries, and more info, please contact:
Stardust Doherty at theatre-makers@ritualart.org or Nicole Gluckstern at publicist@sffringe.org

For Calendar Editors

What: 20/20: A Presidential Re-Election Play Where You Decide the Future

When: September 7 at 6:30pm, September 8 at 2:00pm, September 11 at 8:30pm, and September 14 at 5:00pm

Where: EXIT Theatre (mainstage), 156 Eddy St., SF, 94102; 415-673-3847; www.sffringe.org

Ticketing: $13 ($15.99 online). Tickets available at the door 30 minutes before curtain. Show starts on time with no late seating. Frequent Fringer passes are also available at the Fringe hospitality desk during the festival.

Advance Ticket link: https://20-20.brownpapertickets.com

Facebook event page link: https://www.facebook.com/events/450405595516289/

True of Voice

True of Voice is a musical, dance, theater production in development. The story takes place in ancient Egypt and modern times.

For the ancient Egyptian scenes in the production, we plan to use musical instruments and costumes based on those of the period. We plan to recreate music and dance of the period to the best of our ability based on the historical evidence. We plan to create sets that evoke ancient Egyptian architecture, furnishings, and decor.

As the show develops, we will continue to publish updates here and on this site’s blog, as well as at the trueofvoice.com website.

True of Voice is a project of the Ritual Art Troupe, a 501c3 tax-exempt organization.

Please Donate (click here) (please specify “True of Voice” if you want your donation allocated to this project).

20/20 Crew & Admin Recruitment

Positions: Techs (Painters, Builders, Makers, Driver, Stage Hands), Prop Master, Costumer/Dresser, Marketer/Social Media Maven, Fundraiser, Sign Language Interpreters (ASL), Videographer, Artists/Graphic Designers

Play: “20/20” by Kari Barclay and Stardust Doherty

Synopsis: It’s 2020. The President has been re-elected, the climate is heating up, the economy in meltdown. In this satirical participatory performance, audience members choose the scenarios to stage: impeachment? a coup? a revolution? “20/20” asks what people power looks like in a time of vast uncertainty when even choosing to do nothing has consequences.

Artistic Director: Stardust Doherty
Stage Manager: Bert van Aalsburg*

Union: No – Compensation: Possibly a share of ticket sales and funraiser funds.  (We would love to pay artists living wages, but we are an entirely unpaid company, unless we receive grants or other contributions… we are all working for social justice!)

Performances: at least four, as part of the San Francisco Fringe Festival at the EXIT Theatre, 156 Eddy St, San Francisco: 5:30pm-8:30pm on September 7, 1:00pm-4:00pm on September 8, 7:30pm-10:30pm on September 11, 4:00pm-7:00pm on September 14, and an additional performance probably on September 15, 2019 (time TBA)

Commitment: 8 weeks and depending on role, twice weekly from July 30 to September 6, 2019, in San Francisco: 7pm-11pm Tuesdays, and 9am-7pm Saturdays (including set, props, and costume construction), plus performances dates above

Apply: Contact theatre-makers@ritualart.org with name, experience, and availability for performance and rehearsal dates/times. Appointments Available: flexible starting immediately

Show Website: http://ritualart.org/2020/

Tickets: $13 cash in person ($15.99 online tickets at https://20-20.brownpapertickets.com). Advanced purchase recommended due to limited seating.

Box Office: 415-673-3847 (for show information)

Company: Theatre Makers provides a common ground for those interested in dramatic and musical theatre, professional and amateur theater, commercial and non-profit theatre, including non-traditional theatrical events (performance art, pop-up theater, home theater, street theater, puppet shows, etc.) with activities including, for example:

  • Discussions of all aspects of theatre creation and production
  • Exchanging information on opportunities available
  • Collaboration on incubating audience participatory plays and musicals based on social, political, economic, and environmental change (SPEEC) themes​
  • Workshops of plays and musicals under development
  • Readings and staged readings of plays and musicals for educational and motivational purposes

This group particularly fosters events that are inclusive and affirming of people based on class, race/ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, (dis)ability, age, and other identities.

Company Website: http://ritualart.org/theatremakers/

Posting Updates: http://ritualart.org/wordpress/?p=1019

Please share this notice with anyone who might be interested.

* These Actors and Stage Managers appear with the special permission of Actors’ Equity Association.

20/20 Wardrobe Master

Update: Position filled by Tyler Mann

Position: Wardrobe Master, supervising the creation and acquisition of all Costumes for the “20/20” play production, including the following:

  • Construction/purchasing and finding of all costumes within the limitations of schedule and budgets
  • Generating pre-production costume lists
  • Responsibility for the strike and return of all costumes, whether rented or built
  • Responsibility for the maintenance and inventory of costumes in our storage space

The Wardrobe Master works in close consultation with the Director, Tech, Set Designer, Prop Master, and other cast and crew.

Skills: Effective oral and written communication skills. Negotiating skills. Knowledge of theatrical building practices in soft goods, paper, wood, metal and of traditional and new materials. Mechanical skills in the use of hand and sewing machine. The ability to read and understand sewing patterns, design sketches, and the ability to produce working drawings. A problem solver, creative thinker, ability to work in a team environment. 

Physical Demands: Lift and carry materials weighing between 50 – 100 pounds. Physical activities such as, but not limited to, lifting, bending, standing, climbing, and/or walking. Ability to drive (with valid driver’s license). Involves getting dirty or dusty and being around paint fumes.

Inclusivity: sensitivity to and an understanding of the diverse socioeconomic, cultural, disability, and ethnic backgrounds of actors and crew, and to accommodating actors and crew with disabilities.

Play: “20/20” by Kari Barclay and Stardust Doherty

Synopsis: It’s 2020. The President has been re-elected, the climate is heating up, the economy in meltdown. In this satirical participatory performance, audience members choose the scenarios to stage: impeachment? a coup? a revolution? “20/20” asks what people power looks like in a time of vast uncertainty when even choosing to do nothing has consequences.

Artistic Director: Stardust Doherty

Crew:

  • Stage Manager, Techs (Painters, Builders, Makers, Driver, Stage Hands), Set Designer, Prop Master, Wardrobe Master, Marketer/Social Media Maven, Fundraiser, Sign Language Interpreters (ASL), Videographer, Artists/Graphic Designers

Union: No

Compensation: Probably not (We would love to pay artists living wages, but we are an entirely unpaid company, unless we receive grants or other contributions… we are all working for social justice!)

Performances: at least four, as part of the San Francisco Fringe Festival at the EXIT Theatre, 156 Eddy St, San Francisco

  • 6pm-8pm on Saturday, September 7, 2019
  • 1:30pm-3:30pm on Sunday, September 8, 2019
  • 8pm-10pm on Thursday, September 11, 2019
  • 4:30pm-6:30pm on Saturday, September 14, 2019
  • Additional performances possible at other venues, depending on audience demand

Commitment: 2 months, twice weekly through September 6, 2019, in San Francisco: 7pm-11pm Tuesdays, and 9am-7pm Saturdays (inc. set, props, and costume construction), plus load-in and striking performances listed above in San Francisco

Apply:

  • Contact theatre-makers@ritualart.org with name, costume design experience, and availability for performance and build dates/times.
  • Appointments Available: flexible starting immediately

Show Website: http://ritualart.org/2020/

Tickets: $13 cash in person ($15.99 online tickets at https://20-20.brownpapertickets.com). Advanced purchase recommended due to limited seating.

Box Office: 415-673-3847 (for show information)

Company: Theatre Makers provides a common ground for those interested in dramatic and musical theatre, professional and amateur theater, commercial and non-profit theatre, including non-traditional theatrical events (performance art, pop-up theater, home theater, street theater, puppet shows, etc.) with activities including, for example:

  • Discussions of all aspects of theatre creation and production
  • Exchanging information on opportunities available
  • Collaboration on incubating audience participatory plays and musicals based on social, political, economic, and environmental change (SPEEC) themes​
  • Workshops of plays and musicals under development
  • Readings and staged readings of plays and musicals for educational and motivational purposes

This group particularly fosters events that are inclusive and affirming of people based on class, race/ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, (dis)ability, age, and other identities.

Company Website: http://ritualart.org/theatremakers/

Posting Updates: http://ritualart.org/wordpress/?p=922

Please share this notice with anyone who might be interested.

Just Writing Isn’t Enough…

I learned that just writing isn’t enough. If you want to write the plays you want and have them produced and performed how you want, you also have to learn how to direct, how to raise money, deal with the Arts Council, talk people into putting your plays on in their theatre, talk to the press, talk to the actors, talk to the audience afterwards and talk talk talk talk talk talk talk.

Bryony Levery, British playwright, on starting her own women’s theatre company

It’s Difficult to See the Light…

We knew how to protest, to “fuck the system,” but not what to do! In the earlier issue plays, it was easy. It always is when you’re just reacting or protesting; especially for the children of a declining empire where images and analyses of decadence, fear, and horror are easy to come by. But when you have to be constructive, build, be positive, have a vision, an answer — that’s hard. From where we sit, stuck in our times, it’s difficult to see the light — of how we might live, of joy, of the possibilities within us.

Michael Brown of The Pageant Players, Summer 1971