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FRIGID New York presents

Antonin…mon Artaud

an ETdC Projects’ Lab production
created, written and directed by Roi “Bubi” Escudero

Click here to buy tickets to this FRIGID New York show via smarttix.com

New York IT Awards

WED 2/27 @ 7:30 PM
SAT 3/1 @ 4 PM
SUN 3/2 @ 8:30 PM
WED 3/5 @ 9 PM
SUN 3/9 @ 4 PM

"Dazzling video and sonic imagery pervades the entire piece"
reviewed by Martin Denton
Feb 27, 2007

An irreverent performance-art-psychodrama uncovers Artaud’s passionate, daring truth and exposes him naked with his pain…"the pain of the world. "  A visual-dynamic spectacle with a touch of absurd and unpredictable humor that fuses magic realism and the shocking awareness of the Theatre of Cruelty to unravel Artaud’s brilliant, lucid madness.

Antonin…mon Artaud is based on the life and work of actor, director, theoretician, artist, and visionary genius Antonin Marie Joseph Artaud. After years of research and practice with Artaud’s theory of the Theatre of Cruelty, Roi “Bubi” Escudero has unraveled Artaud’s brilliant, lucid madness. To create this piece Bubi has followed Artaud’s belief that the creative process of the mise-en-scène needs to be in the hands of the same artist. With her background in French literature, visual arts and theatre she has constructed a universal language and originated an integral work as a performance artist, playwright and director. Bubi’s method focuses on impromptu and visceral techniques that guide the performers through the creative process. The poetic imagery of a multimedia video brings together music, sound, and movement, and supports the narrative and action onstage. The fourth wall is broken down, reality and fantasy are intermingled, and the audience is pulled into a visual-dynamic hallucination of a non-structured theatrical spectacle.

Artaud, Antonin [1896-1948] French actor, director, playwright, poet, essayist of the avant-garde theatre, artist, and early member of the surrealist movement in Paris.  He is one of the formative influences on the modern European theatre. His concept of the Theatre of Cruelty, his label for a theater intended to release feelings usually repressed in the unconscious that would assault the representational dynamics of traditional theater and break the boundaries between actor and audience, stage and spectacle, has been an important influence on modern dramatists such as Genet, Albee, and Gelber and on directors such as Grotowski, Beck, and Brook (among others), as well as the happenings of the 1950s & 1960s, the alternative theatre movement, and “performance art".  He was born September 4, 1896, in Marseilles, France, to a Catholic cultivated family with a Greek background. His father was a wealthy shipfitter. Artaud’s mother bore nine children, but only three lived beyond childhood. An attack of meningitis at the age of four left him with terrible neuralgias.  Later on he was prescribed laudanum to manage his pain, anxiety and depression, and became addicted to opiates for the rest of his life. After moving to Paris, Artaud became an actor. He appeared in silent classics such as Abel Gance’s Napoleon (1927) and Theodor Dreyer’s The Passion of Joan of Arc (1928), as well as on stage. He had a long and intimate relationship with Romanian actress Génica Athanasiou, the protagonist of his scenario, The Seashell and the Clergyman (1927) directed by Germaine Dulac. This silent film is considered the first surrealist film. He was a founder of the Theatre Alfred Jarry (1926-1929) with Robert Aron and Roger Vitrac.  In 1935 Artaud’s adaptation of Les Cenci opened at the Folies Wagram Theater, where it had a short, unsuccessful run.  Following a journey to Mexico in 1936 during which he lived among the Tarahumara Indians, and another to Ireland in 1937 Artaud began a nine year period of incarceration and electro-shock treatments in mental institutions following a lifetime of physical and mental instability.  His best known written work, The Theatre and its Double, was published in 1938 and remains a highly influential piece of literature to this day.  He recorded his final work, the radio broadcast Pour en finir avec le jugement de Dieu, shortly before his death at a clinic in Ivry at the age of 52.


Biographies
Roi Escudero, known as “Bubi”, is a conceptual-performance artist, dramatist, and director of new media theatre and performance art-cinema™. She was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Her French, Italian, and Spanish background exposed her to different cultures. In her country she appeared in films, TV shows, and in theatrical productions. RCA Records, Argentina, produced her songs. She won a "Gauchito de Plata" for her musical visual theatre Donald Sol y Luna, scored by Donald Mc Cluskey. In the USA Bubi conceived, designed, and directed more than fifty performance-art pieces, media-theatre concepts, and multimedia video installations for museums, art galleries, cultural events for patrons of the arts, educational institutions, and theatre festivals. This includes the Contemporary Museum, Baltimore; Los Angeles County Museum Gallery (LACMA); The New York Musical Theatre Festival 2004-2005-2006-2007; chashama 2007; The Swim Shorts 3 Festival, 2007; The MITF-2003; The Fringe-NYC-1999-2000-2001. Currently, Bubi’s ETdC Projects’ Lab  is located in New York City, “Thank you James and Valentin for your love and support. Thanks to all the artists of the lab. Thank you “Monsieur Artaud” for your lucid madness and your devotion to the truth. With deep respect and love, Bubi.”
Andy Chmelko moved to New York City in 2000 with a BA in Theatre from Oswego State University.  Andy has been an artist in residence at Roi “Bubi” Escudero’s ETdC Projects’ Lab since 2004 and has appeared in five of Escudero’s performance art pieces: After Charlie (2004), La Playa (The Beach) (2005), What@trip! (2006), The Bubulinos Best Bestows (2007), and A Proverbial Affair (2007).  He has also appeared in all three Swim Shorts Festivals (2002-2003, and 2007).    As a playwright, Chmelko’s short plays include The Zax Complex, kindlovetalent…, Buh (co-written with Brian Smallwood), Speaking as a Child of the 90’s (co-written with Luis Miguel Echegaray), and Bangs and Whimpers.  His full-length play Office Sonata was produced in December 2005 and was recently published in Martin Denton’s annual anthology Plays and Playwrights 2007. “Through an uncompromising and rewarding regimen of hard work, focus, and discovery under the inspiring guidance of Ms. Escudero I finally find myself becoming the performer that I’ve dreamed of being since childhood.”
Jennifer Loryn * A graduate of Northwestern University's acting school, Jennifer Loryn has performed in houses such as Williamstown, the McCarter, & Atlantic Theatre Co.  Feature length films include The Understudy (starring Richard Kind) and the lead role in Liszt for President (featuring Larry Pine).  After improvising with David Letterman on his Late Show, other TV work includes SNL, Guiding Light, & Gossip Girl.  Jennifer is also the Resident Choreographer for the comedy show, Creation Nation.  Having worked with Roi "Bubi" Escudero on The Anniversary and A Proverbial Affair, Jennifer is thrilled about their third project together.  www.jenniferloryn.com
Eddy Rimada  is a stage and film actor whose credits include 'Late Night with Conan O'Brien'.  Eddy studied his craft at The Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute here in NYC. He recently joined an actor collective group at INTAR Theatre that just finished a run of Suzan-Lori Parks "365 days 365 plays" which ended with a sold out performance at The Public Theater. He performed as Joey in Requiem For a Life, which was one of the finalists at the Strawberry One-Act Festival. In 2005 he appeared in Union City, NJ, Where Are You? directed by Arian Blanco, Since 2005 Eddy has been a continual member of Roi “Bubi” Escudero’s ETdC  Projects’ Lab and has appeared in three of her performance art pieces: La Playa (The Beach) (2005), What@trip! (2006) and A Proverbial Affair (2007) at the Swim Shorts 3 Festival (produced by Impetuous Theater Group). Eddy feels privileged to work once again with Bubi, Jennifer and Andy.
James Ewan Attended the Pratt Institute. His atmospheric theatrical background, paintings mounted on umbrellas and sculptures are part of public and private collections in USA, Argentina, France, London, and Italy.

Alan Kanevsky (Tech) has worked extensively throughout NYC including: NYMTF, NYC Fringe Fest, MITF and Spotlight On Prod. He co-founded La Muse Venale Acting Troupe and, most recently, The Actor's Legacy Group. Mr. Kanevsky has several directing credits that include "Beyond the Veil" and "The Tragedy of Abraham Lincoln". Go to www.TheActorsLegacyGroup.org to find out more.

ETdC Projects - Roi “Bubi” Escudero’s Performance-art-cinema™ & New Media-Theatre Experimental Lab. 
The lab is committed to developing a non-structured new media-art-theatre and video and supports a collaborative production-based learning environment focused on creating inventive, cutting edge narrative projects. The lab is led by Roi “Bubi” Escudero. The artist uses her unique method in guiding the actors during its process. Bubi’s work is based in multiculturalism, ethics, and aesthetics. Its objective is to provoke thought and to promote cultural and creative integration through the evolution of new media, performance-art, physical theatre and dynamic entertainment.  Roi “Bubi” Escudero’s ETdC Projects’ Lab is a proud member of the New York INDIE THEATRE movement. (For more information about ETdC Projects please visit: www.etdcprojects.org )        

“…brimming with outstanding performers….”  - Martin Denton. Editor nytheatre.com- 

*AEA member appearing courtesy of Actors Equity Association

What critics and audiences say about
ETdC Projects’ Lab productions

“‘Such courageous art is not so common these days and has much to teach its audience and, I venture to guess, its performers as well.”
“Yet, for all its fantastical convention and genre-defying ways, this show is one of the most real and most grounded works of theatre I've seen in quite some time.”
"Rightly billed as "installation" instead of a mere play, creating a bravura sensory experience of dance, music, film, drama and comedy. Somehow it seems as natural as spring water, seeing and hearing this tale in this unconventional manner, it's also about as sexy a theatre experience as any I’ve witnessed…spectacularly original, eminently watchable piece… “Bubi's vision of what theatre can be is intoxicating and thrilling…"
- Reviewed by Martin Denton - nytheatre.com-

“A jewel, well constructed. Three perfect actors well directed by the author”
“Roi “Bubi” Escudero makes us reflect. Original! - Bubi is a director of the third millennium”.
“Bravo! Roi Escudero "Bubi" directs with great style and astonishing originality … intriguing story … talented actors and musicians… applause for all!
Mario Fratti - Playwright/Critic -American Oggi.

"Another great cast Andy Chmelko, Jennifer Loryn, and Eddy Rimada" …
- Ivanna Cullinan - nytheatre.com

“Convincing ensemble (…) guided by Ms Escudero’s masterful direction…”
-Alfred Weiss- The Italian Voice

"Those lucky enough to see any of the performances were treated to a theatrically thrilling, emotionally powerful experience…"
Alfred Weiss-The Italian Voice

“Roi “Bubi” Escudero’s artistic point of view and multimedia work is exceptional!”
–Fuera de Serie- Channel 56

"Bubi's performance as the angry and betrayed woman was arresting. Her piercing eyes and curly long hair recalled a Latin Medea. "
Arlene McKanic, Off Off Broadway Review

"Charmingly portrayed by Roi Escudero "Bubi (…) evolves beautifully and takes you willingly along on its mesmerizing journey." -
Laurie Lawson, NY Electronic Link

"A well-structured, powerful play. An exciting show."
Catharine Wall-Il Ponte Italo -Americano Revista Internationale Di Cultura Arte e Poesia.

"Offbeat, playful and achingly human" -
Reviewed by Esther Tolkoff for Backstage Online.

It is a potential master piece.” -
Jill Benezra - Artist and Art Advocate.

"Spontaneous, unique and absolutely liberating."
Tom DeTitta - Director of World Communities. Projects -Based Theatre--Georgia Southwestern State University

"Escudero con su extraordinaria imaginación sublima los clichés y los objetos de la vida cotidiana. La tradición en sus manos se convierte en un mitólogico acto de celebración. Una brillante puesta en escena " -
SBS

ETdC Projects’ Lab Productions in New York City

A Proverbial Affair
at the Swim Shorts 3 Festival
produced by Impetuous Theater Group

The Bubulinos’ Best Bestows 2007
at chashama

what@trip!
at the New York Musical Theatre Festival 2006, at the Red Room                               

La Playa
at the New York Musical Theatre Festival 2005

After Charlie
at the New Yorek Musical Theatre Festival 2004.

Bubulinos’ Dreams Series
appeared at The Present Company and at The New York International Fringe Festival, The Walker Space, and The Henry Street Experimental. Fringe NYC 1999-2000.

The Anniversary and The Fourth
by Mario Fratti
at ATA Theater. A Week Of Staged Readings, 2005-2006. Ester  by Franco Celenza  Namaste  by Etta Cascini The Colonel’s Wife  by Mario Fratti, at Midtown International Theatre Festival 2003, and at the Fringe NYC 2001.  

Director's Note

My work is the result of mixed cultural experiences, with a psychoanalytic perspective behind nature, superstition and universal existential thoughts. It incorporates the Latin-American technique of “realismo magico” to exaggerate reality and blend together the “real” with fantasy, magic, myth, superstition, and nature’s phenomena.  The creative principle of my work is to create equilibrium between the real atmosphere and the magical one: imaginary characters doing mundane things and mundane characters doing unreal and fantastic things.

Special Thanks to: Patrons of the Arts Joan and Frederick Nicholas; Ray Evans Estate; Steve Wobido, Director at The Children’s Aid Society, at The Philip Coltolf Greenwich Village Center, NYC; Rochelle and Martin Denton, nytheatre.com; INDIETHEATER.ORG; John Chatterton; Mary Frances Rand,  Mario Fratti,  Nene Laplacette, Marina Escudero,  James Ewan, Valentin Ewan;  Lidia Suarez, Gustav Vintas, Joyce Maio, Josefina Calí, David Segretto, Antonio Fini, Celia Malzac, Pauline Legrase, Melody Mc Cluskey, Federico Serravalle,  Gustavo Ortiz,  Miguel Mc Cluskey, Christian Cziotka,  Jodie Wong, Violetta Donini, Soprano Jennifer Rosa, Barbara and Robert Rosa;J Scott Music, Donald Mc Cluskey Productions;  www.sportperfect.com; chashama; Joe Powell, Impetuous Theater Group; LatinMedia: Patricia Herrera; Erika Hertell; Anita Velez Mitchell. - Horse Trade Theatre Group-Erez Ziv, Morgan Lindsey Tachco, Justin Sturges; Emily Owens PR.  -Roi “Bubi” Escudero’s ETdC Projects’Lab is a proud member of the New York INDIE Theatre movement.
The artist’s work is under the umbrella of Fractured Atlas, a non-profit arts service organization.