Etiquette at UTR

I arrived at Veselka Restaurant, 144 Second Avenue as a "walkup" without a reservation for the show Etiquette. It was then I learned that they were able to squeeze me in but this half-hour experience is for TWO people. Quickly, I went through my phone book and began texting and calling friends. Alas, no one was able to make time for Etiquette. It was encouraged that I go try to find someone! I really thought this would be quite easy in NYC. I was very excited and did not want to scare anyone so I thought of a couple strategies. 1. Make eye contact, then approach a person, tell then I have an extra free ticket to show just across the street. 2. Ask people if they have about thirty minutes to take part in a project that could change their life. 3. Or just point at my Under The Radar guide and ask people if they could come to this with me right there motioning to Veselka.
I tried all of these. I also disclosed it is not really "acting".
I must have talked to over forty people in twenty minutes. I was up and down the street, in a coffee shop, talking to a couple shop owners. I think I came off more weird than crazy. I was really confident that I would find a partner in the coffee shop but that is where I got the most random excuses. From “I am looking for a job”, “I have class in a few minutes”, “Is this a religious thing?”, “I bet you are going to ask me for money later” to a couple huffs to clenched fists where I thought I might get punched.
But then just when I was about to give up. I met Dorie. She was already wearing headphones but stopped her music to talk to me. I explained I came thousands of miles away to come to NY to experience this amazing communication project and I needed another person. She shrugged and walked with me towards Veselka.
Etiquette was incredible. I was in a public place saying words and thinking thoughts that I had never before. I felt moved by talking to the person across from me and listening to what was being said to me. I was moving as the voice on the head phone instructed me to do. I felt like I was performing yet this is foreshadowing something to come later in my life. Why had all those other people said no to me and Dorie said yes? As it ended I was saddened yet satisfied that I had completed this performance and wanted to take a bow. I strongly encourage you make a reservation if you have another person or just show up and hope to find a Dorie.
Wilson from Portland, Oregon.

Welcome to Under the Radar

UNDER THE RADAR
is an explosively diverse kaleidoscope of NEW THEATER – examples from around the U.S. and the world that spotlight artists ranging from emerging talents to masters in the field. UTR 08 promises to be an INTENSE and WILD celebration of theater.


Jan 9, 2008 to Jan 20, 2008

TICKETS ON SALE NOW AT THE PUBLIC THEATER!

SHOW LISTINGS

EVENTS AT THE PUBLIC THEATER:
ALL TICKETS ARE $15!

Young Jean Lee's Theater Company CHURCH

Reggie Watts DISINFORMATION

Belarus Free Theater GENERATION JEANS

Mike Daisey HOW THEATER FAILED AMERICA

The Suicide Kings IN SPITE OF EVERYTHING

Rha Goddess LOW: MEDITATIONS TRILOGY PART 1

Nature Theater of Oklahoma POETICS: A BALLET BRUT

Michel Melamed REGURGITOPHAGY

Dael Orlandersmith STOOP STORIES

Abbey Theatre TERMINUS

Jay Scheib THIS PLACE IS A DESERT



EVENTS AT PARTNER THEATERS:

1927 BETWEEN THE DEVIL AND THE DEEP BLUE SEA

Superamas BIG, 3RD EPISODE (happy/end)

The Foundry Theatre and Rotozaza ETIQUETTE

Stan's Cafe OF ALL THE PEOPLE IN ALL THE WORLD: USA

Back to Back Theatre SMALL METAL OBJECTS

Classical Theatre of Harlem’s TROJAN WOMEN



FREE PANEL DISCUSSIONS:
Space is limited and not guaranteed. Please show up early.

Friday, January 11 at 6PM
Artist Talk at The Public
Theater of Resistance: A Conversation with Free Theater of Belarus

Sunday, January 13 at 11:30AM - 1PM
An informational breakfast at The Public
How to bring your show to Edinburgh Fringe:
A breakfast with Jon Morgan, Director, Eileen O'Reilly, Promoter Liaison and Leroy Harris, Press and Marketing Manager as they discuss how to bring your show to Edinburgh, the benefits of performing and tips to make the most out of your Fringe show. The Edinburgh Fringe Festival is the largest open arts platform in the world.

Sunday, January 13 at 3:30PM
Artist Talk at The Public
Words and Music – Hip Hop and spoken word in today’s theater: Reggie Watts, Rha Goddess and The Suicide Kings

Saturday, January 19 at 11AM
Artist Talk at The Public
New Theater - Back to the Future: Young Jean Lee, Jay Scheib and Nature Theater of Oklahoma.


WELCOME TO UNDER THE RADAR THE BLOG!