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 | [[Aaron Saenz]] | [[Alex Dobrenko]] | [[Andy Crouch]] | [[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]] | [[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]] | [[Roy Janik]] | [[Shannon Dale Stott]] | [[Stacy Kaplowitz]] | [[Theo Daley]] | [[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>|Mar/Apr 2015|Mar/Apr 2016}} | |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}} | ||
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'''''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 | 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 | 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=== | ||
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=== | ||
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=== | ||
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== | ||
Line 121: | Line 121: | ||
* [[John Ratliff]] | * [[John Ratliff]] | ||
* [[Jon Bolden]] | * [[Jon Bolden]] | ||
* [[Kaci | * [[Kaci Beeler]] | ||
* [[Lisa Jackson]] | * [[Lisa Jackson]] | ||
* [[Quinn Buckner]] | * [[Quinn Buckner]] | ||
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==== Crew ==== | ==== Crew ==== | ||
* [[Lindsey McGowen]] (tech director) | * [[Lindsey McGowen]] (tech director) | ||
* [[ | * [[Ian Markot]] | ||
* [[Mike Reed]] | * [[Mike Reed]] | ||
* [[Norman Tran]] | * [[Norman Tran]] | ||
* [[ | * [[Ripley Adams]] | ||
=== Season Six (2016) === | === Season Six (2016) === | ||
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* [[Aaron Saenz]] | * [[Aaron Saenz]] | ||
* [[Angie Yaeyama]] | * [[Angie Yaeyama]] | ||
* [[Chuy Zarate]] | |||
* [[Courtney Hopkin]] | * [[Courtney Hopkin]] | ||
* [[Heather Hasselle]] | * [[Heather Hasselle]] | ||
* [[Jon Bolden]] | * [[Jon Bolden]] | ||
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==== Crew ==== | ==== 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== |
Latest revision as of 20:36, 11 April 2018
Austin Secrets | |
---|---|
Theater | The Hideout Theatre |
Directed by | Roy Janik |
Cast |
|
Initial Run | Jan/Feb 2010 |
Subsequent Run(s) |
|
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)
- Andy Crouch
- Curtis Luciani
- John Ratliff
- Jon Bolden
- Kaci Beeler
- Kareem Badr
- Kristin Firth
- Lisa Jackson
- Marc Majcher
- Meghan Wolff
- Roy Janik
- Stacy Kaplowitz
- Valerie Ward
Season Two (2011)
- Andy Crouch
- Curtis Luciani
- Halyn Lee Erickson
- John Ratliff
- Jon Bolden
- Jordan T. Maxwell
- Kaci Beeler
- Kareem Badr
- Karen Jane DeWitt
- Kristin Firth
- Lisa Jackson
- Marc Majcher
- Mike Sullivan
- Peter Rogers
- Roy Janik
- Stacy Kaplowitz
- Valerie Ward
Season Three (2012)
Cast
- Alex Dobrenko
- Chuy Zarate
- Courtney Hopkin
- Jayme Ramsay
- Jon Bolden
- Kaci Beeler
- Kareem Badr
- Kayla Lane Freeman
- Lisa Jackson
- Nicole Oliver
- Paul Normandin
- Peter Rogers
- Roy Janik
- Valerie Ward
Crew
- Cindy Page (tech director)
- Katherine Grecco
- Luke Wallens
- Warren Henderson
Season Four (2013)
Cast
- Aaron Saenz
- Alex Dobrenko
- Bridget Brewer
- Chuy Zarate
- Courtney Hopkin
- Halyn Lee Erickson
- Jeanette Jones
- John Ratliff
- Jon Bolden
- Kaci Beeler
- Karen Jane DeWitt
- Marc Majcher
- Michael Joplin
Crew
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
Videos
- Video of the 2/27/10 performance.
- Video of the 2/5/11 performance.
- Video of the 2/19/11 performance.
- Video of the 3/12/11 performance.
- Video of the 3/26/11 performance.
- Video of the 11/17/12 performance.
- Video of the 11/24/12 performance.
- Video by Paul Normandin of the 12/1/12 show.
Photos
- Photoset by Michael Yew that includes the 2/6/10 show.
- Photoset by Michael Yew that includes its 6/5/10 performance at The 41-Hour Improv Marathon.
- Photoset by Peter Rogers of the 9/2/10 show from The 2010 Out of Bounds Comedy Festival.
- Photoset by Roy Moore of the show from the 2012 WaffleFest.
- Photoset by Claudio Fox of the 11/17/12 performance.
- Photoset by Claudio Fox of the 12/15/12 performance.
- Photoset by Steve Rogers of the 11/24/12 performance.
- Photoset by Warren Henderson of the a 2013 show.
- Photoset by Warren Henderson of the 9/7/13 premiere.
- Photoset by Heidi Rogers of the 10/25/13 show.
- Photoset by Steve Rogers of the 3/7/15 show.
- Photoset by Chad Wellington of the 4/11/15 performance in The 2015 Improvised Play Festival.
Other
- Slideshows of the secrets from the January 2010 shows.
- slideshow of the secrets from 11/3/12.
- A slideshow of the secrets from 11/10/12.
- A slideshow of the secrets from 11/17/12.
- A slideshow of the secrets from 11/24/12.
- A slideshow of the secrets from 12/1/12.
- Slideshow of secrets from the 12/7/12 "Lovecraft Secrets" show.
- Slideshows of secrets from the 12/8/12 and 12/15/12 shows.
- A slideshow of the secrets from 12/22/12.
- A slideshow of the secrets from 12/29/12.
- Photos of Kaci Beeler's set design for the 2011 run: 1, 2, 3, 4.
- Photo of Kaci Beeler's set design for the 2012 run.
More Information
- The first audition announcement.
- A 2/25/10 post by Roy Janik, looking back on the initial run.
- An announcement of their 2010 holiday show.
- An announcement of the auditions for the 2011 run.
- A post about preparing for the 2011 run by Jordan T. Maxwell.
- A 5/23/11 post about curating the show by Roy Janik.
- A call for secrets for the 2011 run.
- 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.