Difference between revisions of "Austin Secrets"

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|Theater= [[The Hideout Theatre]]
|Theater= [[The Hideout Theatre]]
|Director = [[Roy Janik]]
|Director = [[Roy Janik]]
|Cast = {{Unbulleted list | [[Alex Dobrenko ]] | [[Andy Crouch ]] | [[Chuy Zarate ]] | [[Courtney Hopkin ]] | [[Curtis Luciani ]] | [[Halyn Lee Erickson ]] | [[Jayme Ramsay ]] | [[John Ratliff ]] | [[Jon Bolden ]] | [[Jordan T. Maxwell ]] | [[Kaci Beeler ]] | [[Kareem Badr ]] | [[Karen Jane DeWitt ]] | [[Kayla Lane Freeman ]] | [[Kristin Firth ]] | [[Lisa Jackson ]] | [[Marc Majcher ]] | [[Meghan Wolff ]] | [[Mike Sullivan ]] | [[Nicole Oliver ]] | [[Paul Normandin ]] | [[Peter Rogers ]] | [[Roy Janik ]] | [[Stacy Kaplowitz ]] | [[Valerie Ward]] }}
|Cast = {{Unbulleted list | [[Aaron Saenz]] | [[Alex Dobrenko]] | [[Andy Crouch]] | [[Angelina Martin]] | [[Angie Yaeyama]] | [[Bridget Brewer]] | [[Chuy Zarate]] | [[Courtney Hopkin]] | [[Curtis Luciani]] | [[Halyn Lee Erickson]] | [[Heather Hasselle]] | [[Jayme Ramsay]] | [[Jeanette Jones]] | [[John Ratliff]] | [[Jon Bolden]] | [[Jordan T. Maxwell]] | [[J. R. Zambrano]] | [[Kaci Beeler]] | [[Kareem Badr]] | [[Karen Jane DeWitt]] | [[Kayla Lane Freeman]] | [[Kristin Firth]] | [[Lisa Jackson]] | [[Luke Wallens]] | [[Marc Majcher]] | [[Margaret Rose Hunsicker]] | [[Meghan Wolff]] | [[Michael Joplin]] | [[Mike Sullivan]] | [[Nicole Oliver]] | [[Patrick Creamer]] | [[Paul Normandin]] | [[Peter Rogers]] | [[Quinn Buckner]] | [[Regina Soto]] | [[Roy Janik]] | [[Shannon Dale Stott]] | [[Stacy Kaplowitz]] | [[Theo Daley]] | [[Tyler Groce]] | [[Valerie Ward]] }}
|Run = Jan/Feb 2010
|Run = Jan/Feb 2010
|Subsequent Runs = {{Unbulleted list|Jan/Feb 2011|Nov/Dec 2012|Sep/Oct 2013<ref>[http://www.hideouttheatre.com/announcing-the-2013-season-and-schedule Announcing the 2013 Season and Schedule]</ref>}}
|Subsequent Runs = {{Unbulleted list|Jan/Feb 2011|Nov/Dec 2012|Sep/Oct 2013<ref>[http://www.hideouttheatre.com/announcing-the-2013-season-and-schedule Announcing the 2013 Season and Schedule]</ref>|Mar/Apr 2015|Mar/Apr 2016}}
}}
}}


''Austin Secrets'' is an improvised shortform show inspired by real-life-storytelling projects such as [[wikipedia:PostSecret|PostSecret]], [[wikipedia:StoryCorps|StoryCorps]], and [[wikipedia:The Moth|The Moth]].
'''''Austin Secrets''''' is an improvised shortform show inspired by real-life-storytelling projects such as [[wikipedia:PostSecret|PostSecret]], [[wikipedia:StoryCorps|StoryCorps]], and [[wikipedia:The Moth|The Moth]].


Due to its sustained artistic and commercial success, ''Austin Secrets'' has been the mainstage show at [[the Hideout Theatre]] on numerous occasions.
Due to its sustained artistic and commercial success, ''Austin Secrets'' has been a mainstage show at [[the Hideout Theatre]] nearly every year since its initial run in 2010.


==Structure==
==Structure==
Generally, the show works with "secrets" -- these are real-life secrets from anonymous people, either taken from [[wikipedia:PostSecret|PostSecret]] or sent to [[the Hideout]] on postcards or via email.  A secret will be shown on the theater's TV screen to the audience and to the players (or, in the case of "Hidden Secrets", to just one player), and then the scene will draw its inspiration from that.
Generally, the show works with "secrets" -- these are real-life secrets from anonymous people, either taken from [[wikipedia:PostSecret|PostSecret]] or sent to [[the Hideout]] on postcards or via email.  A secret will be shown on the theater's TV screen to the audience and to the players (or, in the case of "Hidden Secrets", to just one player), and then the scene will draw its inspiration from that. Traditionally, the five segments played in the following order; starting with the 2016 run, the order of the Truth Chair and Audio Secrets segments were swapped.
   
   
===A Thousand Different Directions===
===A Thousand Different Directions===
After the introductory hosting -- which, among other things, informs the audience about the projects that ''Austin Secrets'' uses for inspiration -- the show kicks off with "A Thousand Different Directions.  In this part, a single secret is shown onscreen, and the players perform a quick montage of a couple dozen scene starts based on that secret.  This helps to start the show energetically, shows the audience that there are lot of different ways to interpret a secret, and, ideally, demonstrates to the audience by quick examples that the tone of the show can vary widely, from light, surreal silliness to powerful, real-life drama.
After the introductory hosting -- which, among other things, informs the audience about the projects that ''Austin Secrets'' uses for inspiration -- the show kicks off with "A Thousand Different Directions" where a single secret is shown onscreen, and the players perform a quick montage of a couple dozen scene starts based on that secret.  This helps to start the show energetically, shows the audience that there are lot of different ways to interpret a secret, and demonstrates to the audience by quick examples that the tone of the show can vary widely; from light, surreal silliness to powerful, real-life drama.


===Act One: Known Secrets===
===Act One: Known Secrets===
After this, the show goes into "known secrets", wherein a secret is shown to the audience and to all the players, and then the players perform a scene based on that secret.   
In this segment, a secret is shown to the audience and to all the players, and then the players perform a scene based on that secret.   


===Act Two: Truth Chair===
===Act Two: Truth Chair===
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===Act Three: Audio Secrets===
===Act Three: Audio Secrets===
At this point, a single secret is shown to both audience and players.  Then the lights go down, and two players improvise a fictional, extended interview on the microphones based on that secret.
Here a single secret is shown to both audience and players.  Then the lights go down, and two players improvise a fictional, extended interview on the microphones based on that secret, in the style of StoryCorps.


===Act Four: Hidden Secrets===
===Act Four: Hidden Secrets===
The show closes with "hidden secrets", wherein a secret is shown to the audience and to *only one* player.  That player keeps the secret to him- or herself, and initiates a scene based on that secret.
During this final segment, a secret is shown to the audience and to *only one* player.  That player keeps the secret to him- or herself, and initiates a scene based on that secret.


==Casts==
==Casts==
===Season One===
===Season One (2010)===
* [[Andy Crouch]]
* [[Andy Crouch]]
* [[Curtis Luciani]]
* [[Curtis Luciani]]
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* [[Valerie Ward]]
* [[Valerie Ward]]


===Season Two===
===Season Two (2011)===
* [[Andy Crouch]]
* [[Andy Crouch]]
* [[Curtis Luciani]]
* [[Curtis Luciani]]
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* [[Valerie Ward]]
* [[Valerie Ward]]


===Season Three===
===Season Three (2012)===
==== Cast ====
* [[Alex Dobrenko]]
* [[Alex Dobrenko]]
* [[Chuy Zarate]]
* [[Chuy Zarate]]
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* [[Valerie Ward]]
* [[Valerie Ward]]


=== Season Four ====
==== Crew ====
*[[Cindy Page]] (tech director)
*[[Katherine Grecco]]
*[[Luke Wallens]]
*[[Warren Henderson]]
 
=== Season Four (2013)===
==== Cast ====
* [[Aaron Saenz]]
* [[Aaron Saenz]]
* [[Alex Dobrenko]]
* [[Alex Dobrenko]]
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* [[Marc Majcher]]
* [[Marc Majcher]]
* [[Michael Joplin]]
* [[Michael Joplin]]
==== Crew ====
* [[Chris Albano]]
* [[Cindy Page]]
* [[David Ronn]]
* [[Dean Palm]]
* [[Jennifer Brinlee]]
* [[Luke Wallens]]
* [[Warren Henderson]]
=== Season Five (2015) ===
==== Cast ====
* [[Andy Crouch]]
* [[Chuy Zarate]]
* [[Courtney Hopkin]]
* [[Heather Hasselle]]
* [[John Ratliff]]
* [[Jon Bolden]]
* [[Kaci Beeler]]
* [[Lisa Jackson]]
* [[Quinn Buckner]]
* [[Shannon Dale Stott]]
* [[Theo Daley]]
* [[Valerie Ward]]
==== Crew ====
* [[Lindsey McGowen]] (tech director)
* [[Ian Markot]]
* [[Mike Reed]]
* [[Norman Tran]]
* [[Ripley Adams]]
=== Season Six (2016) ===
==== Cast ====
* [[Aaron Saenz]]
* [[Angie Yaeyama]]
* [[Chuy Zarate]]
* [[Courtney Hopkin]]
* [[Heather Hasselle]]
* [[Jon Bolden]]
* [[Kaci Beeler]]
* [[Kareem Badr]]
* [[Lisa Michelle Jackson]]
* [[Luke Wallens]]
* [[Margaret Rose Hunsicker]]
* [[Patrick Creamer]]
==== Crew ====
* [[Lindsey McGowen]] (technical director)
* [[Brent Chismark]]
* [[Bonnie Dilber]]
* [[Casey Quinlan]]
* [[Jay Mahavier]]
* [[Kelly Campbell]]
* [[Rob Yoho]]
=== Season Seven (2018) ===
==== Cast ====
* [[Aaron Saenz]]
* [[Angelina Martin]]
* [[Angie Yaeyama]]
* [[Chuy Zarate]]
* [[Courtney Hopkin]]
* [[J. R. Zambrano]]
* [[Kaci Beeler]]
* [[Kareem Badr]]
* [[Lisa Jackson]]
* [[Margaret Rose Hunsicker]]
* [[Regina Soto]]
* [[Tyler Groce]]
==== Crew ====
* Stage Management: [[Bonnie Dilber]]
* Technical Direction: [[Lindsey McGowen]]
* Technical Improvisers: [[Biz Gilmore]] and [[Cindy Page]]
* Scenic and Visual Design: [[Kaci Beeler]]


==Media==
==Media==
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* [http://vimeo.com/54682393 Video of the 11/17/12 performance.]
* [http://vimeo.com/54682393 Video of the 11/17/12 performance.]
* [http://vimeo.com/54237354 Video of the 11/24/12 performance.]
* [http://vimeo.com/54237354 Video of the 11/24/12 performance.]
* [http://vimeo.com/54746832 Video of the 12/1/12 performance.]
* [http://vimeo.com/54746832 Video] by [[Paul Normandin]] of the 12/1/12 show.


=== Photos ===
=== Photos ===
* [http://www.facebook.com/michael.yew/media_set?set=a.1150515485813.21655.1315383518&type=3 Photoset] by [[Michael Yew]] that includes the 2/6/10 show.
* [http://www.facebook.com/michael.yew/media_set?set=a.1294236478748.36180.1315383518&type=3 Photoset] by [[Michael Yew]] that includes its 6/5/10 performance at [[The 41-Hour Improv Marathon]].
* [http://www.facebook.com/hujhax/media_set?set=a.482845292264.261205.588952264&type=3 Photoset] by [[Peter Rogers]] of the 9/2/10 show from [[The 2010 Out of Bounds Comedy Festival]].
* [http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.408278745907477.91540.118587218209966&type=3 Photoset] by [[Roy Moore]] of the show from the 2012 [[WaffleFest]].
* [http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.408278745907477.91540.118587218209966&type=3 Photoset] by [[Roy Moore]] of the show from the 2012 [[WaffleFest]].
* [http://www.facebook.com/claudio.fox.5/media_set?set=a.493316100689890.111453.100000345135257&type=3 Photoset] by [[Claudio Fox]] of the 11/17/12 performance.
* [http://www.facebook.com/claudio.fox.5/media_set?set=a.505047759516724.113636.100000345135257&type=3 Photoset] by [[Claudio Fox]] of the 12/15/12 performance.
* [http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.451551858241669.109988.221927764537414&type=3 Photoset] by [[Steve Rogers]] of the 11/24/12 performance.
* [http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.451551858241669.109988.221927764537414&type=3 Photoset] by [[Steve Rogers]] of the 11/24/12 performance.
* [http://www.facebook.com/warren.henderson.946/media_set?set=a.666557423374746.1073741846.100000614831752&type=3 Photoset] by [[Warren Henderson]] of the a 2013 show.
* [http://www.facebook.com/warren.henderson.946/media_set?set=a.661103777253444.1073741845.100000614831752&type=3 Photoset] by [[Warren Henderson]] of the 9/7/13 premiere.
* [http://www.facebook.com/Heidi.N.Rogers/media_set?set=a.10104423796967290.1073741861.7909117&type=3 Photoset] by [[Heidi Rogers]] of the 10/25/13 show.
* [http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.917842691612581.1073742162.221927764537414&type=1 Photoset] by [[Steve Rogers]] of the 3/7/15 show.
* [http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.797600740316439.1073741856.473177099425473&type=3 Photoset] by [[Chad Wellington]] of the 4/11/15 performance in [[The 2015 Improvised Play Festival]].
=== Other ===
* [http://www.hideouttheatre.com/the-secrets-thus-far Slideshows of the secrets from the January 2010 shows.]
* [http://www.hideouttheatre.com/secrets_11_3_2012A slideshow of the secrets from 11/3/12.]
* [http://www.hideouttheatre.com/austin-secrets-season-3-the-secrets-from-wafflefest A slideshow of the secrets from 11/10/12.]
* [http://www.hideouttheatre.com/secrets-from-nov-17-2012 A slideshow of the secrets from 11/17/12.]
* [http://www.hideouttheatre.com/secrets-from-nov-24-2012 A slideshow of the secrets from 11/24/12.]
* [http://www.hideouttheatre.com/the-austin-secrets-from-dec-1-2012 A slideshow of the secrets from 12/1/12.]
* [http://www.hideouttheatre.com/blog/page/19 Slideshow of secrets from the 12/7/12 "Lovecraft Secrets" show.]
* [http://www.hideouttheatre.com/the-austin-secrets-from-dec-8-and-dec-1th-2012 Slideshows of secrets from the 12/8/12 and 12/15/12 shows.]
* [http://www.hideouttheatre.com/austin-secrets-from-dec-22-2012 A slideshow of the secrets from 12/22/12.]
* [http://www.hideouttheatre.com/secrets-from-dec-29-2012-the-last-austin-secrets-show-of-season-3 A slideshow of the secrets from 12/29/12.]
* Photos of [[Kaci Beeler]]'s set design for the 2011 run: [http://kacibeeler.com/Kaci_Beeler/Artwork/Pages/Set_Design_files/Media/photo%203_2/photo%203_2.jpg?disposition=download 1], [http://kacibeeler.com/Kaci_Beeler/Artwork/Pages/Set_Design_files/Media/photo%202_1/photo%202_1.jpg?disposition=download 2], [http://kacibeeler.com/Kaci_Beeler/Artwork/Pages/Set_Design_files/Media/photo%204_2/photo%204_2.jpg?disposition=download 3], [http://kacibeeler.com/Kaci_Beeler/Artwork/Pages/Set_Design_files/Media/photo%201/photo%201.jpg?disposition=download 4].
* [http://kacibeeler.com/Kaci_Beeler/Artwork/Pages/Set_Design_files/Media/austin-secrets-set-2012/austin-secrets-set-2012.jpg?disposition=download Photo] of [[Kaci Beeler]]'s set design for the 2012 run.
== More Information ==
* [http://www.hideouttheatre.com/nov2009auditions The first audition announcement.]
* [http://www.hideouttheatre.com/death-to-secrets A 2/25/10 post] by [[Roy Janik]], looking back on the initial run.
* [http://www.hideouttheatre.com/austin-holiday-secrets An announcement of their 2010 holiday show].
* [http://www.hideouttheatre.com/austin-secrets-auditions-tuesday-nov-23rd-from-7-10pm An announcement of the auditions for the 2011 run].
* [http://www.hideouttheatre.com/honor-the-secret-by-jordan-t-maxwell A post about preparing for the 2011 run] by [[Jordan T. Maxwell]].
* [http://www.hideouttheatre.com/the-curators-secret A 5/23/11 post about curating the show] by [[Roy Janik]].
* [http://www.hideouttheatre.com/desperately-seeking-secrets A call for secrets for the 2011 run.]
* [http://directory.libsyn.com/episode/index/show/thetheftforum/id/2199716 2013 interview] with director [[Roy Janik]] and cast members [[Alex Dobrenko]], [[Kayla Lane Freeman]], [[Paul Normandin]], [[Jayme Ramsay]], and [[Peter Rogers]] on ''[[The Theft Forum]]''.


==Notes==
==Notes==
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[[Category:Shows]]
[[Category:Shows]]
[[Category:The Hideout Theatre]]
[[Category:The Hideout Theatre]]
[[Category:Productions That Have Included Real-Life Wedding Proposals]]

Latest revision as of 20:36, 11 April 2018


Austin Secrets is an improvised shortform show inspired by real-life-storytelling projects such as PostSecret, StoryCorps, and The Moth.

Due to its sustained artistic and commercial success, Austin Secrets has been a mainstage show at the Hideout Theatre nearly every year since its initial run in 2010.

Structure

Generally, the show works with "secrets" -- these are real-life secrets from anonymous people, either taken from PostSecret or sent to the Hideout on postcards or via email. A secret will be shown on the theater's TV screen to the audience and to the players (or, in the case of "Hidden Secrets", to just one player), and then the scene will draw its inspiration from that. Traditionally, the five segments played in the following order; starting with the 2016 run, the order of the Truth Chair and Audio Secrets segments were swapped.

A Thousand Different Directions

After the introductory hosting -- which, among other things, informs the audience about the projects that Austin Secrets uses for inspiration -- the show kicks off with "A Thousand Different Directions" where a single secret is shown onscreen, and the players perform a quick montage of a couple dozen scene starts based on that secret. This helps to start the show energetically, shows the audience that there are lot of different ways to interpret a secret, and demonstrates to the audience by quick examples that the tone of the show can vary widely; from light, surreal silliness to powerful, real-life drama.

Act One: Known Secrets

In this segment, a secret is shown to the audience and to all the players, and then the players perform a scene based on that secret.

Act Two: Truth Chair

In act two, a chair is placed center stage. A performer sits in this so-called "Truth Chair", and they answer honestly any question put to them by the audience. Then, the rest of the cast performs a scene inspired by *that* secret. Typically, the TV screen will show a bullet list of biographical data about each performer, which the audience can use as a jumping-off point for their questions.

Act Three: Audio Secrets

Here a single secret is shown to both audience and players. Then the lights go down, and two players improvise a fictional, extended interview on the microphones based on that secret, in the style of StoryCorps.

Act Four: Hidden Secrets

During this final segment, a secret is shown to the audience and to *only one* player. That player keeps the secret to him- or herself, and initiates a scene based on that secret.

Casts

Season One (2010)

Season Two (2011)

Season Three (2012)

Cast

Crew

Season Four (2013)

Cast

Crew

Season Five (2015)

Cast

Crew

Season Six (2016)

Cast

Crew

Season Seven (2018)

Cast

Crew

Media

Videos

Photos

Other

More Information

Notes

  1. ↑ Announcing the 2013 Season and Schedule
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