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300 Plays About Vladimir Putin

Conceived and Curated by Jose Angel Hernandez

directed by Robert S. Fisher


Set & Lights by Brad Carlin


Sound & Video by Robert S. Fisher

Music by Robert Pierson
 / bigamysisters.com/300plays


Ensemble: Lowell Bartholomee, Joey Hood, Elizabeth Wakehouse, Lana Lesley, Rhea Hines, Adam Sultan, Jason Liebrecht, Leigh Fisher, Judson L. Jones, Michael Rains, Robert Pierson,  and “The Nose” – created and performed by Julia M. Smith

December 11 – 20, 2003 at The Off Center (Austin, TX)

Emerging from the see-saw of progression that is Russian history, Vladimir Putin has risen to the height of political power. A force to be reckoned with. A dashing ex KGB operative. The subject of 300 plays??? Maybe. Two years ago a call was issued for artists to submit plays about whatever Putin inspires. The rules were simple:

  • Preference the impossible.
  • This is a hoax.
  • The spirit of Putin is inimitable.
  • This is the new world. You have been participating in the new world.
  • Just when things get going: curtain.
  • An attraction to wolves redux.
  • I loved her in my own way.
  • Each scene as an apology to the way things might be from the way things are.
  • Each scene a taste. Let some other art be a meal.
  • “Putin” is a funny word.

Keeping in mind the spirit of “Anything Goes,” we have pulled out the scissors, glue, tape, string, vodka, computers, lighter fluid, a deck of cards, some history books, cook books, a bunch of people, lots of coffee, cigarettes, and a baseball bat to destroy all that was given by talented playwrights such as Lowell Bartholomee (Middle of the Night); Rebecca Beegle (Hour, Minute, Second); Steve Moore (The Kinderman Depiction); Cyndi Williams (A Name for a Ghost to Mutter), Caridad Svich (Fugitive Pieces), and many, many, many others (full list to the right). And from these ashes, like Peter the Great, Lenin, and Yeltsin we have made what’s old new again.

With the help of artists from all over Austin and beyond, Rude Mechs brings to the stage the multimedia extravaganza that is 300 Plays About Vladimir Putin.

The Putin Writers:

Anonymous, Lowell Bartholomee, Rebecca Beegle, Molly Beth Brenner, Wayne Allen Brenner, Elizabeth Cobbe, Courtney Deginder, Dale Detwiler. Mike Henry, Max Langert, Jeremy Lee, Tim J. Lord, John McManus, Travis Mills, Ben Moorad, Dawson Moore, Steve Moore, Edi Patterson, Matthew Pitt, Anne Reed, Elizabeth Roen, Greg Romero, Andrea Schoeneberger, Ronald B. Soloman, Rose E. Sullivan, Caridad Svich, Randy Wyatt, Cyndi Williams

ABOUT THE SECOND STAGE

The Second Stage is an opportunity for Rude Mechs’ company members and associates from the larger Austin arts community to develop new work, present works-in-progress, and stretch their theatrical muscles. Second Stage performances are produced under a low-to-no budget and take place in a casual late-night or top-of-the-week environment.

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