Tarantula
| Tarantula | |
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| Theater | The Institution Theater |
| Directed by | Sarah Marie Curry |
| Cast | Varies |
| Crew | Varies |
| Run | 2015-Present |
Tarantula is The Institution Theater's monthly 10pm show, playing every 2nd Saturday at 10pm as part of The Staple Shows.
Summary
Tarantula is a "formless-form" show, in a similar vein as Todd Stashwick's Mayfly, or Chicago's JTS Brown format. An eight-legged cast of improvisors and musical guests arrive on the night of, in preparation to discover the show they are in as they are finishing it. Tarantula has been called "dreamlike" "dynamic" and "what was THAT?" (but in a good way).
Art Tie-ins
Dystheatre Art Installation
Beginning in September of 2015, Michael Ferstenfeld began an art installation project in the adjacent room of the performance as part of his MIND MAP series.
Artist Series Poster Commission
As part of the loose, experiential nature of the show, an artist series of posters has been commissioned from the pool of Austin Improv Community designers, of which there are many members, contributing designs for productions in many and varied ways across the improv marketing scene in Austin. Please see photo archive for in series work.
Press Blurb
Tarantula is a combination of improv and live music melding together in the most unique ways. The improvisers will use the stage and their own bodies like a canvas, a tapestry of emotions and perceptions. Unlike most improvised shows that tell a story in a narrative fashion, Tarantula will tell a story that is fragmentary and organic. You will relate to the weird and twisty rhythms of the show because you are HUMAN and it connects with you soul. Improvisers will move as one, create without structure and follows the beats and tempo that the musicians lay down for them in the moment.
History
The show is produced and/or curated (depending on your loose definition in a formless form thingy whats-it) by Sarah Marie Curry, who originated the idea after a production meeting for The Staple Shows at The Institution Theater, wherein she was asked to create a long running show to reduce the strain of turning over multiple new productions at once. She was asked what she thought would be marketable, enduring and inspiring. She came up with TARANTULA instead. The name came from thinking of insects (Mayfly) and that the cast is often made of eight improvisors, and the work they do endeavors to be beautiful and scary.
Casts
October 10th, 2015
- Adam Mengesha
- Aspen Webster
- Brad Silman
- Heidi Rogers
- Michael Ferstenfeld
- Sarah Marie Curry
- Wyatt Tall
- Musician: Brent Baldwin
September 12th, 2015
- Adam Mengesha
- Asaf Ronen
- David Moses Fruchter
- Kierstin Hettler
- Kristen Kurtis
- Michael Ferstenfeld
- Paul Wainwright
- Sarah Marie Curry
- Shannon McCormick
- Musician: Southpaw Jones
August 8th, 2015
- Ashlee Medlin
- Aspen Webster
- Courtney Hopkin
- Craig Kotfas
- Jon Bolden
- Kierstin Hettler
- Michael Ferstenfeld
- Shannon McCormick
- Musician: Lindsay McKenna
July 11th, 2015
- Brently Heilbron
- Brett Tribe
- Courtney Hopkin
- Jordan Maxwell
- Kenny Madison
- Kierstin Hettler
- Michael Ferstenfeld
- Sam Schak
- Sarah Marie Curry
- Musicians: The Source Band
June 13th, 2015
- Adam Mengesha
- Asaf Ronen
- Kierstin Cecelia
- Michael Joplin
- Quinn Buckner
- Ruby Willmann
- Sam Freckles Schak
- Sarah Marie Curry
- Musician: David Ronn
May 16th, 2015
- Adam Mengesha
- Cat Drago
- Courtney Hopkin
- Jon Bolden
- Kareem Badr
- Matt Needles
- Michael Ferstendfeld
- Sarah Marie Curry
- Musician: Content Knowles
April 18th, 2015
- Ashley Nugent
- Frank Netscher
- Kareem Badr
- Kiersten Hettler
- Sarah Marie Curry
- Tom Booker
- Musician: Ammon Taylor
March 21st, 2015
- Adam Mengesha
- Courtney Hopkin
- Kareem Badr
- Lisa Jackson
- Michael Ferstenfeld
- Sam Schak
- Sarah Marie Curry
- Musician: Content Knowles
February 21st, 2015
- Ashley Nugent
- Clifton Highfield
- Heidi Penix
- John Ratliff
- Kareem Badr
- Sam Schak
- Sarah Marie Curry
- Musician: Brently Heilbron
January 24th, 2015
- Arthur Simone
- Asaf Ronen
- Halyn Erickson
- Heidi Penix
- Kareem Badr
- Sam Schak
- Sarah Marie Curry
- Tom Booker
- Musicians: Ryan Hill, Lindsey McGowen
Media
Photos
- Photoset by Peter Rogers of the January 2015 performance.
- Photoset by Chad Wellington of the same show.
- Photoset by Steve Rogers of the February 2015 performance.
- Photoset by Heidi Rogers of the March 2015 performance.
- Photoset by Michael Yew of the April 2015 performance.
- Photoset by Heidi Rogers of the May 2015 performance.
