Anatomy of a groan (symphony)
WBEZ interviews Beau about the ties that bind Curious and the tribal connections behind Jenny’s Still in Play, this week on the MCA Stage.
Newcity’s Monica Westin interviews Jenny about the MCA residency today!
The deep, long-term collaboration between the MCA and Curious Theatre Branch might provide the most exemplary model of the kind of making-together that we’ve seen recently in Chicago theater.
Read the full interview here.
Being available…
Yesterday, as I was sitting in Office Hours, an older man was walking by. He was going slow, laboring to move across the long lobby towards the door. He was old, like golfer old; a cap, a cardigan, comfy shoes, no cane, but he looked like he could have used one. Somewhat bent over, and with a determined trajectory towards the door. I was working on the physicality of availability, not being predatory, seeking to meet people’s eyes and demand they come sit down with a brittle smile, but relaxed, smiling if I felt it; not, if I didn’t. I met his eye, and I smiled, and he smiled, quite big, and good, and said, “Hello Jenny”, but kept on going towards the door. I thought, oh, he must know me, maybe he’s seen me perform, maybe I know him from the rooms, maybe I’ve talked with him before about how things are for old golfer men in this world now, would my dad have been like that if he had lived past 76? (‘cause this guy looked like 96). I thought, maybe he would have stopped if he had time, because he obviously knows me, and anyone who knows me would stop over just for a moment. Then I realized that I was sitting calmly, available, under a large sign that said my name, and he simply read it, and moved on….
Office Hours starts up…
Tomorrow I begin the great experiment, Office Hours, again, at MCA, as part of the developmental residency. In some ways I don’t even really understand what I am doing, but something about the idea of sitting down for an hour and being available for direct conversation with someone appeals to me. Last year at this time, and for some years before that, I would have had no interest whatsoever in this idea; I was so burned out by life that the thought of GIVING anything more was an anathema. My eros was completely emptied. But I feel better this year, and for some reason, a lot of the conversation I have been having is kind of giving me energy, instead of taking it. Also, a colleague asked me whether or not I was in persona while “performing” Office Hours, and at first I said, no, no, its not like that. Then I thought about it for a minute and realized that I am in persona all the time as a teacher, and in fact, most of my attention to others is a performance. Generally, at heart, in my shriveled up little soul, I don’t care about anyone nor do I wish to listen or pay attention to them. I am working hard when I attend; it is a decision I have made, it doesn’t come naturally at all. So I am going to be paying some attention to the way I pay attention, noting how it affects my body, for instance, and whether I can remember to ask questions instead of holding forth on my particular theories. It is very affecting energetically to sit in a place and hope that someone stops by to talk; you get a strange combo vibe of tension and lassitude. But one thing I know: it is also kind of interesting to be available when nobody cares or talks to you. That is kind of like a meditation of availability. Staying open to just an empty seat. I am sure there will be a fair amount of that for the next 5 weeks. I am glad to be doing something that I don’t know how to do. 
Curious Goings On, Upcomings, Findings Out
Now that we’ve closed Jet Black Chevrolet and The Flowers Are Dead, what’s next? Scott’s play, McMeekin Finds Out, receives a handsome production by the Route 66 Theatre Company; Rieger puts the finishing touches on his short film, Just the Burrito, in time for a winter premiere; Moniz begins rehearsing her adaptation of Gertrude Stein’s Mexico, featuring Bivens and Test; Bivens and Bhattacharya retreat to the wilds of Michigan to work on their respective projects (Bhattacharya: a response to Mexico tentatively titled New Mexico; Bivens: a 24-part web series about theater and anarchy, tentatively titled Post No Bills); Magnus holds Office Hours at the MCA beginning October 19th, with video accompaniment by Bivens…
Not to mention that both Jet Black and Flowers may find their way to the Rhino in January. Sorry you missed the first run? You just might have another chance to catch these two fine plays.
New Beau play for Win’s company
World premiere at the Chicago Cultural Center. Starts next week. Please join us.
