Stream “20/20” Online: A Presidential Re-Election Play Where You Decide the Future

Audience Testimonial: “Thanks to you and the troupe for presenting your thought-provoking 20/20. I continue with afternoon reveries, mostly of ways that decentralized revolution can happen. There’s rich fodder for me in several other scenarios. Blessing and thanks, Watersnake”

Media Coverage: Associated Press / Mercury News listed the 20/20 video as one of their Streaming Picks on May 14, 2020: 
https://www.pressreader.com/usa/the-mercury-news/20200514/283991834467994

For immediate release:

Media Contact: Stardust Doherty, theatre-makers@ritualart.org

Released on May 6, 2020

20/20: A Presidential Re-Election Play Where You Decide the Future
Now Available for Streaming Online!

What happens if the President is re-elected? In 20/20, a play by Theatre Makers, the answer is up to the audience. 20/20 is now available as a series of ten videos you can stream online from the comfort of your home at http://ritualart.org/2020/video

Developed by grassroots company Theatre Makers20/20 combines speculative fiction and political satire in a work from co-writers Stardust Doherty and Kari Barclay. What would happen if the President were impeached? (that scenario came true!) 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.”

The “20/20 Video” is a series of videos documenting the play’s award-winning original presentation at the 2019 San Francisco Fringe Festival.

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 common ground for diverse communities to collaborate on, incubate, and stage both newly created and historically relevant audience-participatory plays based on social, political, economic, and environmental change (SPEEC) themes. The project welcomes 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.

20/20 Video: http://ritualart.org/2020/video

20/20 Fringe Show Info and Graphics: http://ritualart.org/wordpress/2019/09/16/20-20-at-the-fringe/

Review of Original Production: https://theatrius.com/2019/09/14/20-20-envisions-post-trump-future-at-s-f-fringe-festival/

20/20 SF Free Library Tour: http://ritualart.org/2020

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

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

Donate: http://ritualart.org/donate 

This Release: http://ritualart.org/wordpress/?p=2398

For interviews, inquiries, and more info, please contact:
Stardust Doherty at theatre makers@ritualart.org

For Calendar Editors

What20/20: A Presidential Re-Election Play Where You Decide the Future

When/Where: Anytime from the comfort of your home at http://ritualart.org/2020/video

Ticketing: All performances free of charge and open to the public

20/20 Video

Theatre Makers is pleased to present a video collection of the 20/20 play as performed at the 2019 San Francisco Fringe Festival. The collection starts with the Prologue / Act I / Decision Point video. At the Decision Point, viewers may choose to view one of the eight scenario videos or the Coda / End Credits video. See the Assassination Disclaimer below.

You can choose the 20/20 Video playlist:

20/20 Video Playlist

Or you can choose the videos of the eight scenarios and Coda / End Credits one by one below:

Prologue / Act I / Decision Point
Decentralized Revolution Scenario
Assassination Scenario
General Strike Scenario
Impeachment Scenario
Military Coup Scenario
Corporate Coup Scenario
Electoral Progress Scenario
Do Nothing Scenario
Coda / End Credits

.

Assassination Disclaimer:

The writers expressly denounce the assassination of political figures and intend the fictional Assassination scenario in the “20/20” play to discourage any such actions. During these politically polarized times, we have noticed a trend on left and right to direct animus toward individual figures and to imagine that violence against individuals would solve shared political woes, when the truth is that such strategies or tactics would only cause a strong reaction of repressive laws and human rights abuses, rather than constructive political change. Out of concern for human life and for our collective power, we oppose true-life assassinations and present them here merely in the context of fiction to channel those impulses harmlessly in a sort of catharsis for those daydreaming about such possibilities.

20/20: A Presidential Re-Election Play Where You Decide the Future Coming to San Francisco Public Libraries on February 29 & March 1!

What happens if the President is re-elected? In 20/20, a play by Theatre Makers, the answer is up to the audience. 20/20 will be presented as part of the San Francisco Public Library’s “SF by the Bay” science fiction and fantasy celebration. Performances are free of charge on February 29 at 10:30am at the Bernal Branch Library (500 Cortland Avenue), February 29 at 3:00pm at the Richmond Branch Library (351 9th Avenue), and March 1 at 2:00pm at the Main Public Library (400 Larkin Street, Latino/Hispanic Community Room), in San Francisco.

Developed by grassroots company Theatre Makers, 20/20 combines speculative fiction and political satire in a work from co-writers Stardust Doherty and Kari Barclay. What would happen if the President were impeached? (that scenario came true!) 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.”

The “20/20 Free Library Tour” is a revival of the play’s award-winning original presentation at the 2019 San Francisco Fringe Festival.

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 common ground for diverse communities to collaborate on, incubate, and stage both newly created and historically relevant audience-participatory plays based on social, political, economic, and environmental change (SPEEC) themes. The project welcomes 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.

More Show Info and Graphics: http://ritualart.org/2020
Preview Video of Original Production: http://ritualart.org/2020/preview
Review of Original Production: https://theatrius.com/2019/09/14/20-20-envisions-post-trump-future-at-s-f-fringe-festival/
Theatre Makers: http://ritualart.org/theatremakers/
Ritual Art Troupe: http://ritualart.org/mission/
This Release: http://ritualart.org/wordpress/?p=2153 (PDF available)

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

For Calendar Editors

What20/20: A Presidential Re-Election Play Where You Decide the Future

When/Where: February 29 at 10:30am at the Bernal Branch Library (500 Cortland Avenue), February 29 at 3:00pm at the Richmond Branch Library (351 9th Avenue), and March 1 at 2:00pm at the Main Public Library (400 Larkin Street, Latino/Hispanic Community Room), in San Francisco

Ticketing: All performances free of charge and open to the public

Co-Writer Kari Barclay on 20/20 Play from Theatre Makers

Co-Writer Kari Barclay shares thoughts and feelings in this video about the 20/20 play from the Theatre Makers project of the Ritual Art Troupe.

It’s the year 2020. The President has been re-elected, the climate is heating up, and the economy is in meltdown. Now, it’s up to all of us to figure out what happens next. In this 60-minute satirical participatory performance, audience members choose from a list of possible scenarios they want staged: 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 at all has its consequences.

“20/20” had four performances at the San Francisco Fringe Festival, September 7-14, plus a bonus performance on September 15, 2019.

Show info and tickets: http://www.ritualart.org/2020

20/20 at the Fringe

Video: Check out our 20/20 video at http://ritualart.org/2020/video and also our preview video.
20/20: Winner of Fringe Sold Out Award (San Francisco Fringe Festival 2019
Audience Testimonial: “Thanks to you and the troupe for presenting your thought-provoking 20/20. I continue with afternoon reveries, mostly of ways that decentralized revolution can happen. There’s rich fodder for me in several other scenarios. Blessing and thanks, Watersnake”
Review: Excellent review from Theatrius.
Media Coverage: Associated Press / Mercury News listed the 20/20 video as one of their Streaming Picks on May 14, 2020: 
https://www.pressreader.com/usa/the-mercury-news/20200514/283991834467994
Opening Night: a big success with the audience choosing the Assassination and Decentralized Revolution scenarios!
Second Show: smaller crowd choosing the Impeachment, Assassination, and General Strike scenarios.
Third Show: a rowdy crowd choosing the Assassination and Decentralized Revolution scenarios.
Fourth Show: a great crowd choosing the Decentralized Revolution and General Strike scenarios.
Info: Media Release

Actors/Crew: please go here.

It’s the year 2020. The President has been re-elected, the climate is heating up, and the economy is in meltdown. Now, it’s up to all of us to figure out what happens next. In this 60-minute satirical participatory performance, audience members choose from a list of possible scenarios they want staged: 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 at all has its consequences.

“20/20”, co-written by Kari Barclay and Stardust Doherty, is scheduled for four performances only during the San Francisco Fringe Festival.

Showtimes:
SAT SEPT 7 6:30 PM (SOLD OUT advance tickets)
SUN SEPT 8 2:00 PM
WED SEPT 11 8:30 PM
SAT SEPT 14 5:00 PM
BONUS SHOW & PARTY: SUN SEPT 15 2:00PM
Chart of Tickets Sold to 20/20 Play by Show Date
201 total tickets sold (163 of 240 advance tickets sold, 38 tickets sold at the door, 12 comps)(Ticket sales table updated September 16, 2019.)

Tickets: $13 cash in person if available one half hour before show (arrive early to get in line) OR
$15.99 online (no longer on sale)
Advanced purchase recommended due to limited seating.

Tickets for Bonus Show & Party: (no longer on sale)

RSVP: https://www.facebook.com/events/450405595516289/

Location: EXIT Theatre, 156 Eddy St, San Francisco

Cast and Crew Headshots and Bios: http://ritualart.org/wordpress/2019/06/18/20-20-play-actor-crew-bios/

20/20 Show Photos and Videos: http://ritualart.org/wordpress/2019/07/31/20-20-photos/

We are seeking costumers, set designers, painters, prop makers, roadies, sound and light crew, funders, venue staff, sign language interpreters (ASL), and other volunteers to stage this new play.

Please volunteer, donate funds, or donate venue, food, materials or equipment to make this show possible!

Thanks to our show donors: Stardust, Brad, Anonymous 1, Matt, and Anonymous 2.

Thanks to our in-kind donor:

Arizmendi logoAwesome worker-owned pizzeria and bakery for yummy vegan pastries and bread to nourish our actors and crew for rehearsals.
20/20 Play Cast & Crew Photo
20/20 Play Cast & Crew Photo

Activities:

Playwrights Circle reading and critique session of “20/20” at the Ingleside Branch Library in San Francisco on May 21, 2019.

Auditions held on May 31, June 1, June 3, and June 7. More info: http://ritualart.org/wordpress/2019/05/24/20-20-play-casting-notice-for-sf-auditions-on-may-31-june-1-deadline-may-28/

Cast Callback / Party at Stardust’s home in San Francisco on Sunday, June 16.

First rehearsal at Stardust’s home in San Francisco on Tuesday, July 9.

Second rehearsal at Stardust’s home in San Francisco on Saturday, July 13.

Third rehearsal at Stardust’s home in San Francisco on Tuesday, July 16.

Fourth rehearsal at Stardust’s home in San Francisco on Saturday, July 20.

Fifth rehearsal at Stardust’s home in San Francisco on Tuesday, July 23.

Sixth rehearsal at Stardust’s home in San Francisco on Saturday, July 27.

Seventh rehearsal at Stardust’s home in San Francisco on Tuesday, July 30.

Eighth rehearsal at Stardust’s home in San Francisco on Saturday, August 3.

Ninth rehearsal at Stardust’s home in San Francisco on Tuesday, August 6.

Maker Party for Props/Sets at Stardust’s home in San Francisco on Saturday, August 10.

Tenth rehearsal at Stardust’s home in San Francisco on Saturday, August 10.

Eleventh rehearsal at Stardust’s home in San Francisco on Tuesday, August 13.

Maker Party for Props/Sets at Stardust’s home in San Francisco on Saturday, August 17.

Twelfth rehearsal at Stardust’s home in San Francisco on Saturday, August 17.

Thirteenth rehearsal at Stardust’s home in San Francisco on Tuesday, August 20.

Maker Party for Props/Sets at Stardust’s home in San Francisco on Saturday, August 24.

Fourteenth rehearsal at Stardust’s home in San Francisco on Saturday, August 24.

Fifteenth rehearsal at Stardust’s home in San Francisco on Tuesday, August 27.

Maker Party for Props/Sets at Stardust’s home in San Francisco on Saturday, August 31.

Sixteenth rehearsal at Stardust’s home in San Francisco on Saturday, August 31.

Maker Party for Props/Sets at Stardust’s home in San Francisco on Monday, September 2.

Seventeenth rehearsal (Tech Rehearsal) at EXIT Theatre in San Francisco on Tuesday, September 3.

Eighteenth rehearsal (Final Dress Rehearsal) at Stardust’s home in San Francisco on Friday, September 6.

20/20 Play: Preview Video

Last chance to see “20/20” at the SF Fringe Festival is 5:00pm on Saturday, September 14, 156 Eddy Street, San Francisco.

Tix: https://20-20.brownpapertickets.com (or 30 minutes before showtime at the door)

It’s the year 2020. The President has been re-elected, the climate is heating up, and the economy is in meltdown. Now, it’s up to all of us to figure out what happens next. In this 60-minute satirical participatory performance, audience members choose from a list of possible scenarios they want staged: 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 at all has its consequences.

“20/20” will have four performances at the San Francisco Fringe Festival, September 7-14, plus a possible bonus performance on September 15, 2019.

Show info and tickets: http://www.ritualart.org/2020

20/20 Cast & Crew at EXIT Theatre

20/20 Cast & Crew in front of the EXIT Theatre in San Francisco
20/20 Cast & Crew in front of the EXIT Theatre in San Francisco

Last chance to see “20/20” at the SF Fringe Festival is 5:00pm on Saturday, September 14, 156 Eddy Street, San Francisco.

Tix: https://20-20.brownpapertickets.com (or 30 minutes before showtime at the door)

It’s the year 2020. The President has been re-elected, the climate is heating up, and the economy is in meltdown. Now, it’s up to all of us to figure out what happens next. In this 60-minute satirical participatory performance, audience members choose from a list of possible scenarios they want staged: 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 at all has its consequences.

“20/20” will have four performances at the San Francisco Fringe Festival, September 7-14, plus a possible bonus performance on September 15, 2019.

Show info and tickets: http://www.ritualart.org/2020

20/20 Photos and Videos

20/20 Cast & Crew in front of the EXIT Theatre in San Francisco
20/20 Play Cast & Crew Photo
20/20 Play Cast & Crew Photo

Actor David-Henry Bennett shares thoughts and feelings in this video about the 20/20 play from the Theatre Makers project of the Ritual Art Troupe.

Co-writer and director Stardust shares thoughts and feelings in this video about the 20/20 play from the Theatre Makers project of the Ritual Art Troupe.

Actor Geeta Rai shares thoughts and feelings in this video about the 20/20 play from the Theatre Makers project of the Ritual Art Troupe.

Actor Hima Menon shares thoughts and feelings in this video about the “20/20” play from the Theatre Makers project of the Ritual Art Troupe.

Actor Jess Thompson shares thoughts and feelings in this video about the 20/20 play from the Theatre Makers project of the Ritual Art Troupe.

Actor Nadeem Anjum shares thoughts and feelings in this video about the 20/20 play from the Theatre Makers project of the Ritual Art Troupe.

Actor Matt shares thoughts and feelings in this video about the 20/20 play from the Theatre Makers project of the Ritual Art Troupe.

Actor Ryan Samarakoon shares thoughts and feelings in this video about the “20/20” play from the Theatre Makers project of the Ritual Art Troupe.

Co-writer Kari Barclay shares thoughts and feelings in this video about the 20/20 play from the Theatre Makers project of the Ritual Art Troupe.

20/20 Play Character Anna in a trenchcoat wearing a pussy hat and carrying a rocket launcher
20/20 Play Character Anna with pussy hat, trench coat, and rocket launcher
20/20 Play Actors Jess Thompson, Hima Menon, Ryan Samarakoon, and Nadeem Anjum, on a well-deserved vegan meal break from rehearsals
20/20 Play: Assassin Choking President
20/20 Play: Rehearsal of Assassin Choking President
20/20 Play: Assassin Choking President
20/20 Play: Rehearsal of Assassin Choking President

Show info: http://ritualart.org/2020/
Buy tickets: https://20-20.brownpapertickets.com

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/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2019/07/2020.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

What20/20: 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/

20/20 Play Actor & Crew Bios

ActorsCrew / Personnel
Nadeem AnjumKari Barclay
David-Henry BennettStardust Doherty
MattBert van Aalsburg *
Hima MenonTyler Mann
Geeta RaiPeter Menchini (Videography)
Ryan SamarakoonTyler (Fringe Tech)
Jess Thompson
Dennie Warren

Actors

Nadeem Anjum headshot

Nadeem Anjum (SOCHE)

Nadeem (he, his, him) is from Calcutta and first started acting in college. Since then, Nadeem has focused on improv with the South Bay Improv group and had his U.S. acting debut with the Theatre Makers as Gorilla in “Animal Factory Farm” (2018) and as a wealthy entrepreneur in “Ecopocalypse” (2018).



David-Henry Bennett (ELLIS)

David-Henry (he, his, him) is a native of Atlanta who started acting at the age of 3. He has acted in many roles, both comedic and dramatic and is currently studying his final year for an MFA in Acting at Academy of Art University. He plans to work in television and stage after graduation. David-Henry is also a dancer and writer. He also want a career in education as a means of giving back. He feels that acting is a way of expressing things we don’t normally get to express and allowing ourselves to be in harms way as a way of sharing with people how they can heal. David-Henry first appeared with Theatre Makers as Cow in “Animal Factory Farm” (2018) and as a wandering indigent in “Ecopocalypse” (2018).



Matt (ENSEMBLE)

Matt (he, his, him) first performed at a Fringe Festival in Edinburgh at the age of 16 and is happy to be back, this time in San Francisco. Matt also acted in the Theatre Makers productions of “Animal Factory Farm” (2018) and “Ecopocalype” (2018). Matt is a multimedia artist and virtual reality developer. He co-founded Virtual Bytes, an art, education and research collective creating virtual reality experiences and research that utilize neuroscience concepts to explore the mind/body connection. He is passionate about using his background in creative media and technology to develop virtual reality experiences that challenge our preconceptions about the world around us, and help us connect to each other in new ways. Matt also serves on the Board of the Ritual Art Troupe.



Hima Menon headshot

Hima Menon (TV NEWS HOST)

Hima (she, her, her) is very happy to be part of Theatre Makers. She is from the San Francisco Bay Area where she is currently training with The Meisner Technique studio. She is passionate about art in any form and loves to be part of theatre productions as much as possible. She is a software engineer by the day but strives to complete her training one day and submit more of herself to art. She has been part of a few art projects around the Bay Area and hopes to be able to contribute more as time progresses. “20/20” is Hima’s debut with Theatre Makers.



Geeta Rai (MASTER OF CEREMONIES)

Geeta (she, her, her) is a Bay Area Theater and Film Actor whose recent theater credits include Naatak’s “Rabbit Hole” and “EnActe Arts, Go to Your Room, Mother!”. Her theater education includes the Trinity College of London’s Speech and Drama Curriculum and Foothill College Acting Coursework. When she is not on stage/set/auditioning, she helps manage a theatre non-profit that promotes South Asian themed theater and children education programs. She is excited to perform at the Fringe Festival in San Francisco. “20/20” is Geeta’s debut with Theatre Makers.



Ryan Samarakoon (President)

Ryan (he, his, him) is from London, was raised in the midwest, and has now lived in the Bay Area for 3 years. He is excited to get back into acting after a hiatus during his neuroscience studies. He has had a passion for the arts since he was 6 years old when he began singing, acting, and playing violin. He will be training at the American Conservatory Theatre in the fall. Ryan is thrilled about his debut role with Theatre Makers in “20/20”.



Jess Thompson (ANNA)

Jess (she, her, her) studied Social Work in her graduate program and Acting and Psychology in her undergraduate program. Jess currently works as a therapist with low-income high school students. She is excited to merge her passions for theatre and social justice. “20/20” is Jess’ debut with Theatre Makers.



Dennie Warren (OCTAVIA, VP)

Dennie (she, her, her) has appeared in a wide variety of films, television series, and plays, as a featured actor and as an extra. Dennie is excited for her theatrical debut to be a role in “20/20” with Theatre Makers.



Crew / Personnel

Kari Barclay headshot image

Kari Barclay (CO-WRITER)

Kari (he, his, him) is a director, playwright, and researcher completing his PhD in Theater and Performance Studies at Stanford University. Originally from Washington, DC, he has made work regionally and in New York at venues including the San Francisco Mime Troupe Studio, Round House Theater, and Manbites Dog. His original play, “Can I Hold You?”, was one of the first plays about asexuality performed in the U.S. and enjoyed runs in San Francisco and Brooklyn. Kari is a co-writer of the Theatre Maker play “20/20”. More at kari-barclay.com



Stardust Doherty (DIRECTOR/CO-WRITER)

Stardust (ze/per/herm) is a playwright, composer, musician (oboe and English horn), and English teacher. Stardust is focused long-term on the True of Voice musical dance theatre production and is a co-organizer of the Theatre Makers Meetup, as well as other playwrighting and composing projects. Stardust serves on the Board of Ritual Art Troupe, as well as two other non-profit organizations, the Online Policy Group and the San Francisco Composers Chamber Orchestra. Stardust formerly worked at the Electronic Frontier Foundation and the Verified Voting Foundation, and at various high-tech companies during a prior career. Stardust began directing plays with per Shakespeare adaptation “A Midwinter Afternoon’s Nightmare” and the original “Bush Faeries: The Musical” (2018) staged at Breitenbush Community Hot Springs winter radical faerie gatherings. Along the way, there was an agit prop production of “Occupy San Francisco Employee Retirement System” (2013) in response to the bankster housing crisis. Stardust is a co-writer with Iryna Lymar and director of the Theatre Maker plays “Animal Factory Farm” (2018) and “Ecopocalypse” (2018) and co-writer with Iryna Lymar of “You Too” (planned 2019) and the director of and a co-writer with Kari Barclay of “20/20” (San Francisco Fringe Festival 2019).



Bert van Aalsburg (Stage Manager)*

Bert (he, his, him) embarked on a full-time theater career in the mid-70s as the technical director and utility player for the Red Barn Theater in Saugatuck, Michigan. In 1987, he came west as technical director for the Great American Melodrama in San Luis Obispo. After a season with the Melodrama, Bert moved to the Bay Area. In 1999, he joined the Lorraine Hansberry Theatre to stage manage their first production of Black Nativity. He continued as their SM of choice and recently stage managed their productions of How I Learned What I Learned and Urban Retreat this past spring. Other notable productions include the premieres of Stones in His Pockets at Magic Theatre and Mission Magic Mystery Show with Culture Clash. The list also includes Godfellas with SF Mime Troupe and The Thomashefsky’s at SF Symphony. When not stage managing, Bert keeps busy in other areas of theater where he has earned critical acclaim as a lighting and scenic designer. Additionally, Bert is an active member of Actors’ Equity.

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