Double Dipping in Virtual Theatre

The Cast of Scary Animals

As we all re-calibrate to this new on-the-verge-of-dystopian reality, I am eternally grateful for the two opportunities I had earlier this month. The theatrical landscape is one gigantic question mark for the foreseeable future but I was luck to explore this redefined medium in two world premiere readings.

First off was a reading of Experience Machine by Pawan Mehta. Pawan is one of my best friends who wrote this play as part of their senior thesis at Rutgers University. Initially I had to turn down the project due to scheduling conflicts. Now that everything’s online, I was able to accept and join this sci-fi/fantasy reading.

Later on I was a part of the world premiere of Liza Birkenmeier’s Scary Animals. Directed by Leah Reddy (who I previously work with in Love and Information), the show was initially intended to be a live theatrical production as part of the Strasberg Practicum Program. The team did a little pivoting to put together a Zoom reading of this new piece. By happenstance I was able to catch Liza’s previous play Dr. Ride’s American Beach House at Ars Nova last fall and so I was very excited to take part in this piece.

With all of the fear and uncertainty in the world, it provides the smallest of reliefs to know that artists will always find a way to make theatre.