Rachel Klein

Cast of "Symphony of Shadows", Photo Credit: Michael BlaseRachel Klein is a director, choreographer, producer, and costume/production designer. Rachel established the RKP ensemble in 2007, with her adaptation of Oscar Wilde’s "The Canterville Ghost" and has since worked with RKP and other collaborators (including Junta Juleil Theatricals, the Jackie Factory, Disgraced Productions, HQ Rep, the House of Yes, Bluebox Productions & Razors Edge Productions) to build and develop the full length productions "The Tragedy of Maria Macabre," "Metro," "All Kinds of Shifty Villains," "Sir Sheever," "Aenigma," "Go-Go Killers!," "Hound," "Princes of Darkness," "Circus of Circus," "A Midsummer Night’s Dream" and "Lizardman, a Musical." Shorter works & dance pieces include "Our Prison," "La Enferma," "Medusa," "Sisters of the Moon, Sweeter Than Wine, Killer Workout, Beat Girl, Rocky Horror at Oh! You Pretty Things, London Calling," "March of the Black Queen," "ACT Up! Ballet: Why?" and "Night of the Living Dolls."

"Symphony of Shadows" Aerial Witch, Photo Credit: Michael Blase"Symphony of Shadows" Boys, Photo Credit: Michael BlaseThe Rachel Klein Theater Ensemble’s choreographic work has been presented throughout the city at several venues, festivals, art galleries & nightlife events including the Kitchen, Dixon Place, Theater for the New City, DUMBO Dance Festival, Night of 1000 Stevies, the Highline Ballroom, La MaMa, Banzai! at the Red Lotus Room, legendary rock 'n roll club Don Hill's, the Hiro Ballroom, the Bushwick Site Fest, Bushwick Open Studios Festival, the World Famous Bob’s Give Thanks!, Galapagos Art Space in DUMBO, the House of Yes, HOWL Festival and Off-Broadway at the Bleecker Street Theater.

Rachel was a 2010 recipient of the Emerging Artists’ Residency Grant from the Field in Association with the Tides Foundation, currently curates a monthly performance art review at Bowery Poetry Club, and was nominated for Outstanding Director of a Play and Outstanding Choreography/Movement for the 2011 New York Innovative Theater Awards.

Rachel's latest masterpiece, "Symphony of Shadows: A Tale From the Land Beyond the Veil," is a movement-based spectacular that tells the story of a woman combating a variety of sleep disorders, phantasmagorical night terrors, hypnotic horrors, and other visually stunning conjurings from the subconscious depths of her own disturbed mind. "Symphony of Shadows" merges striking elements of circus and aerial arts, dance and movement, burlesque and operatic productions to vividly illustrate its storyline in a genre-defying form. "Symphony of Shadows" is being presented at Dixon Place in NYC (161A Chrystie Street) from June 7-23. Click here for tickets!

1. Who or what inspired you to become a director, choreographer, and costume designer? MTV in the 80’s and 90’s. I often view the world through the lens of a narrative music video, which is part of why I approach theatrical work from a visual standpoint.

2. Who haven't you worked with that you would like to? Justin Bond and Lady Rizo. Such talented creatures.

3. What made you want to create "Symphony of Shadows: A Tale From the Land Beyond the Veil" as a movement-based spectular? Why did you combine the different movement genres as opposed to concentrating on one genre? I love to fuse creative mediums when telling a story. It gives me the opportunity to make everything larger than life in as many ways as possible, and to find more compelling ways of depicting emotion.

4. How did you decide which companies you wanted to work with to create this multi-movement piece? Dixon Place first approached me about presenting a project, and when I decided on using aerial, I went straight to my friends and frequent collaborators at the House of Yes and the Sky Box. One of my company members, Danielle Marie Fusco (also my dance captain and lead soloist) dances at Graham and brought with her to this show several extraordinarily accomplished dancers.

5. What do you hope audiences come away with after seeing "Symphony of Shadows: A Tale From the Land Beyond"? In addition to giving them something dark to reflect upon with the nightmare based story, I’d like for them to feel astonished by the diverse talents of the performers and quality of entertainment.

6. What excites you about having this premiere at Dixon Place? What does this space offer the show that another space wouldn't? Dixon Place is a beautiful space with a supportive staff that really want the work they present to be successful. It’s fantastic to have such assistance on a project.

7. You are the founder of Rachel Klein Theater Ensemble. What made you want to start your own company? What do you get from having your own company? When I first moved to NYC in 2005 I struggled with for-hire gigs, working on pieces that did not speak to me emotionally. I never meant to actually start a theater company. It just sort of happened when my original collaborators, Elizabeth Stewart, Michael Porsche, Abigail Hawk, and I began to develop work ourselves, and from that point forward we haven’t looked back.

8. You were recently nominated for Outstanding Director and Outstanding Choreography/Movement for the 2011 New York Innovative Theater Awards. What did it mean to you to receive this nomination? It was exciting to be recognized for awards, especially in more than one category. I aspire to continue generating work that touches audiences in a positive way.

9. What's the best advice you've ever received? A colleague who I hold in very high regard once told me after seeing a production that "New York needs you. Do not change your style of work for anyone." It completely blew me away, and I’ve continued on my artistic path with those words in mind.

10. If you could dream about anyone while you sleep, who would it be? Aladdin Sane era Bowie.

BONUS QUESTIONS:

11. Favorite way to spend your day off? Sleeping!

12. Favorite way to stay in shape? Do you consider drinking Bloody Marys a workout?

13. Favorite skin care product? Gentics...I hope.

14. If you could have any super power, which one would you choose? Telekinetic fire-starting…like Carrie.

John Stork

Photo Credit: The Piccolini TrioJohn Stork is an actor, writer, and clown! He began his training in circus arts at age thirteen with Zina & Valodia Augustov, former Soviet acrobats with the Moscow State Circus. He has performed with Circus Smirkus, SeaWorld, The Midnight Circus, The Second City, and on his own as a professional busker. He played “The Handyman” in the clown play "Out of Orbit" in NYC. In the summer of 2010 he was the star of Yakov Smirnoff’s Moscow Circus, playing the main character “Andrei The Clown.” John appears alongside Taylor Lautner and Pat Morita in the independent film “Shadow Fury,” as the lead villain “Kismet,” performing many of his own stunts and fight choreography. He has also appeared on television, once again performing many of his own stunts and martial-arts choreography, starring as “Goku” from Dragonball-Z in a national Burger King commercial, as “Hyper-Strike” on Sci-Fi Channel & Stan Lee’s “Who Wants To Be A Superhero?” and performing his comedy-martial-arts-acrobatic-board-breaking act on Comedy Central.

John is currently starring with The Piccolini Trio in "Circus in a Trunk" at the Canal Park Playhouse in NYC (508 Canal Street) through January 29 on Saturdays and Sundays at 2pm and 4pm. Click here for tickets!

For more on The Piccolini Trio be sure to visit http://www.piccolinitrio.com and follow them on Facebook!

1. Who or what inspired you to become a performer/clown? JACKIE CHAN. His masterful combination of martial arts, acrobatics, comedy, stunts, and prop manipulation inspired me like nothing else had. But also, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, before I discovered Chan when I was 11.

2. Who haven't you worked with that you would like to? Jackie Chan, Akira Toriyama, Yusuke Murata, Martin Scorcese, Quentin Tarantino, Christopher Nolan, Stephen Chow, Edgar Wright, Jean-Pierre Jeunet, Daniele Finzi Pasca.

3. How did you become part of the Piccolini Trio? Me and Josh Shack (director for the Piccolini Trio) have been close friends for over 10 years ever since we met at Circus Smirkus in 2001. Thanks to him, I got to make my clown debut in 2007 when he cast me in his clown play "Out of Orbit", also his directorial debut. The collaboration was great for both of us, but our careers went down separate paths afterward, during which time Josh formed the Piccolini Trio with Joy Powers and Shea Vaccaro. In the fall of 2010, he called me about possibly filling in for Shea who was unavailable for their impending engagement at the Canal Park Playhouse. I was more than happy to work with him again. Since then, Shea has decided to focus on a career in music and I've become his full-time replacement.

4. What excites you about performing "Circus in a Trunk" and at the Canal Park Playhouse? I enjoy performing for a live audience. I enjoy performing in a very physical way, combining character work with physical skill. "Circus in a Trunk" and the Canal Park Playhouse are both ideal for these things. Furthermore, this show is very collaborative, so I feel directly involved with the creative process. It is extremely satisfying to work with people you respect; writing, directing, producing, and performing your own work together. We are constantly able to experiment and hone our abilities on every level. Kipp Osborne, Sara Murphy, and everyone else at the Canal Park Playhouse has been unbelievably nurturing, encouraging, and understanding of everything we do. They've made it possible for us to not only continue growing as artists, but to also receive copious amounts of laughter and applause while we do it, all the while being paid for our work. I think any artist working (or attempting to work!) today can tell you how rare that is. On top of all this, we get to do it in New York City. It is a privilege to work at the Canal Park Playhouse and we are extremely grateful to them. We can't thank them enough. :)

5. What do you enjoy about working with the Piccolini Trio as opposed to your solo shows? Josh, Joy, and everyone at the Playhouse is super talented. When I'm working by myself, the sum talent of the show is solely my own. With this production, there are that many more people's talents involved, for a much larger grand total of talent and entertainment. Also, my solo shows are mostly street performing, so it's nice to have a roof over my head, not to mention lights, sound, and waffles... :) However, the thing I most appreciate about this collaboration is Josh's ability to push me into action. I am a perfectionist and, if left to my own devices, will often do nothing rather than compromise. Josh gets me actually doing what I love, and what's more valuable than that? I couldn't be more thankful.

6. What is your favorite part of the creative process in putting a show together? Where is your favorite place to practice/rehearse on your own? I like writing and brainstorming; actually coming up with the ideas. I dislike building props or working on costumes. I guess that goes back to what I was talking about earlier; how I have a tendency to be very, almost solely, cerebral, and Josh is one of the few people who can consistently get my head out of the clouds and my butt out of this chair. He gets me to stop dreaming and start acting, literally.

My favorite place to rehearse is the old Karate dojo where I grew up taking classes and got my black belt. As a matter of fact, my Mom still studies there and is now a 6th degree black belt!!! (But I still started before her... :) The master there, Freddie LaPan, has never accepted any money from me and has always let me practice there for free! It's very centering for me when I'm training there.

7. What have you learned about yourself from being a performer/clown? Well, my life is completely centered around my performing, so I guess, you could say, everything I know.

8. What's the best advice you've ever received? Ha, ha. The best advice I ever received is contained throughout the entirety of the best book I ever read. But that book is a secret... (In the future, I hope to write and direct animation and I want to animate that book, but I want it to be a surprise for my future fans...I have a pretty active imagination, huh? :) Anyway, I'll instead cite another one of my favorite books, which has similar themes to my all-time favorite, since it too contains page upon page of the absolute best advice I've ever received. That book is "Walden", by Henry David Thoreau.

9. If you could dream about anyone while you sleep, who would it be? Ha, ha. I'd rather not dream of anyone; I just want to relax while I'm asleep!!! :) My dreams are usually stressful, so I'd prefer not to have any at all. And, furthermore, in reference to my personal conflict of dreaming v.s. acting, I'd like to quote Mr. Thoreau from the book I just mentioned above:

"Through an infirmity of our natures, we suppose a case, and put ourselves into it, and hence are in two cases at the same time, and it is doubly difficult to get out. In sane moments we regard only the facts, the case that is. Say what you have to say, not what you ought. Any truth is better than make-believe. ... ... Rather than love, than money, than fame, give me truth."

10. What made you want to audition for "Who Wants To Be A Superhero"? What was it like/did it mean to you to come in 2nd place? At the time that "Who Wants To Be A Superhero?" was casting, I was in the habit of performing as a Japanese anime/manga/videogame inspired superhero character. A friend of mine heard about the casting call (I was living in Chicago at the time, working for The Midnight Circus), and they thought I'd be perfect for it and I agreed. I was just really into doing anything as that character at the time. :)

Coming in 2nd bummed me out, but I really respected The Defuser, and truthfully, then and now, think he would make a much better real-life superhero than I would. Either way, filming that show as a blast. Watching it on the other hand... :)

BONUS QUESTIONS:

11. Favorite way to spend your day off? Favorite way to stay in shape? I like to read a new volume of manga. That's my favorite day off activity. "One Piece" and "Bakuman" are my favorite titles right now. I don't really play too many videogames anymore, but when I do, I go for classics like "Super Mario Bros. 3", or "Sonic 2". I also like to watch a good film I haven't seen before. Or anything by Miyazaki. His films recharge and inspire me. I also like to read books. I'm trying to learn how to speed read now so I can read much more. I often re-read my favorite books.

My favorite way to stay in shape is Chinese Wushu class! Right now I'm learning a broadsword form and soon we're going to learn a Snake-Fist form! (Anyone wondering how there can be a "snake-fist", check out "Snake In The Eagle's Shadow", Jackie Chan's first breakout hit film, directed by Yuen Woo-ping!!!!!)

12. Boxers or Briefs? Ha, ha. Come see "The Piccolini Trio: Circus In A Trunk" at the Canal Park Playhouse and find out! (Seriously, I'm sorry to say you really will... :)

13. Favorite website? Wikipedia. I'm always looking stuff up. I should probably donate...

14. Superman or Wonder Woman? Ha, ha. I think a better question for me and my tastes would be "Son Goku or Sailor Moon?" :)

Bill Bowers

Photo Credit: Yoshio Itagaki Award winning actor and mime, Bill Bowers has appeared on Broadway as "Zazu" in "The Lion King" and "Leggett" in "The Scarlet Pimpernel." His other New York credits include "Souls Of Naples" (with John Turturro) at Theatre for a New Audience, "Zero Church" at St Anne's Warehouse, and "Hibiscus" at La Ma Ma. Three of his original shows have been produced Off Broadway as well: "'Night Sweetheart Night Buttercup" at Here, "Under A Montana Moon" at Urban Stages, and "It Goes Without Saying" at Rattlestick Theatre. His play "Heyokah Hokehay," inspired by Native American "Contrary Clowns," has been produced at several theatres in the U.S, and also at the Edinburgh Festival.  Bill’s solo show "Under A Montana Moon" was presented 10 years ago at Urban Stages and has since been performed around the world including Romania, Macedonia, Italy, Japan, Norway, Denmark, Puerto Rico, as well as the Kennedy Center, Steppenwolf, and theatres around the U.S. In 2006 his solo play "It Goes Without Saying" premiered at Rattlestick Playwrights Theatre, and garnered rave reviews, and an extended run. This show has been produced all over the country as well - in 50 cities in 23 states. (Berkshire Theatre Festival, Adirondack Theatre Festival, Historic Asolo Theatre, Mt. Baker, Two River Theatre Co.). The show has won many awards including "Best Performance" at the International Fresh Fruit Festival, the International United Solo Festival, and the Out of the Loop Festival in Dallas. It was also listed as Best of the Berkshires, and a New York Times Critics Pick. He is featured in the film "Two Weeks Notice" starring Sandra Bullock and Hugh Grant and on such hit television shows as "Law & Order," "One Life To Live," "All My Children," "Remember W.E.N.N.," and Disney's "Out Of The Box."

Bill's latest show "Beyond Words," is a collection of mime, music, and monologues: a poignant journey that continues Bowers' ongoing investigation of silence in our culture. Set against the backdrop of "small-town America," "Beyond Words" takes the audience on a funny and poignant journey of sound and silence. "Beyond Words" plays at Urban Stages in NYC (259 West 30th Street) through October 30! Click here for tickets!

For much more on Bill be sure to visit http://www.bill-bowers.com/

1. Who or what inspired you to become a performer? My hero is Charlie Chaplin. I saw "The Gold Rush" when I was about 7, and then found out that Charlie Chaplin and I share the same birthday.....it was HUGE in my 7 year old brain!

2. Who is the one person you haven't worked with that you would like to? Cherry Jones, Bill Irwin, Dan Puric (the most famous mime in Romania)

3. How did you decide to study mime? What do you like about mime performance as opposed to non-mime performing? I have been a mime all my life....before i knew what MIME was. I grew up in Montana, which is a big quiet place. I am also from a large QUIET family, who talks about NOTHING. I am also a gay man,  and I was a gay kid growing up in small town Montana in the 60's, before "Oprah" or "Glee."

I love the SILENCE of mime. It puts the audience in a place of contemplation, sometimes an uncomfortable place, and asks them to participate, in this is imaginary world. When it works well, the audience is a partner in the story telling.

4. How did you come up with the idea and title behind "Beyond Words" and what do you hope audiences come away with after seeing the show? What excites you most about this show? When I was born the nurses pinned a poem to my little blue blanket. It was titled WHAT IS A BOY. Very hokey and from the 50's. I found this poem a few years ago, while going through my Mother's house.....she had passed away. I was intrigued with the poem and how little it seemed to relate to me as a boy (or a man). That is the 
original inspiration. I then looked for stories about what boys learn on their way to becoming men. What are the messages about masculinity that we get from the media, from society? And what happens if you don't fit the mold of the "average all american boy."

It is exciting that the response is so strong to BEYOND WORDS. Audiences seem to connect to the stories I have collected. Some stories are from my life and some from literature, current events, and from my imagination.

BEYOND WORDS as a title seems to resonate to the idea of a mime show, and also to the fact that some experiences in our lives go beyond what words can communicate.

5. What do you get from writing and performing your own shows that you don't get from strictly performing? What is your favorite part of the creative process in putting a show together and in the rehearsal/preview period in a show? Where is your favorite place to write/rehearse on your own? I create my own work, which means it is suited to my strengths, as a movement artist in particular. I also like to develop my plays with a strong collaborative director, in this case, Scott Illingworth. Much of the writing actually occurs through movement and improvisation.....I like to think of it as my Body's imagination.
I love the collaboration, and I also like to open up rehearsal at a certain point, and invite some people in to watch and see what they take away from it.

I mostly write while moving, and then take notes afterward......or have a great stage manager who can notate......in this case, Laura Lindsay.

6. What is it like/mean to you to have your shows performed around the world to such acclaim? It is a dream come true. It reminds me that Mime is a universal language, and that people aren't as complicated as we might think.

7. What have you learned about yourself from being a performer? How has being an openingly gay performer enhanced your craft? What made you decide to be openly gay in your career? How accpeting is the mime community of being openly gay? I feel incredibly free on stage, more and more. This has to do with my own self acceptance. I made the decision to be openly gay as a performer and teacher, because I travel and perform in many communities around the US where young people may not have access to a LGBTQ community. I feel like it is my responsibility to be honest and open as an artist and as a human. Again, I don't think people are as complicated as we might be led to believe.

In my experience all across the world, audiences and students have been incredibly open and receptive to my work. I would like to be a positive, accessible gay American male, who happens to perform mime.

8. What was the best part about studying under Marcel Marceau? He was THE source of what we all know about pantomime. A sense of history.

9. What's the best advice you've ever received? Show up and pay attention.

10. If you could dream about anyone while you sleep, who would it be? Enrique Iglesias!

BONUS QUESTIONS:

11. Favorite way to stay in shape? Favorite way to spend your day off? Bikram yoga!!! I love it. With my boyfriend, as a shut in, watching tv.

12. Boxers or Briefs? Boxer briefs....lucky is my favorite brand.

13. Favorite website? Huffington Post.

14. Superman or Wonder Woman? Superman......for sure.