About
THE MISSION
Zoo District is an international multifarious theatre-arts entity based in Los Angeles. It is our mission to use language, space, movement, imagination, design and technology to produce high concept work in multiple fields and genres. Theatre Art and Technology have become the primary elements that define us in this our contemporary environment. Primarily a performance based group committed to sustained theatre training, we embrace distinctive artists: directors, writers, designers, choreographers, composers, musicians, filmmakers, visual artists, puppeteers, acrobats, clowns, technicians, and an ensemble of disciplined performing artists.
As an international organization, it is our belief that the sustenance and effectiveness of theatre in the 21st Century, relies on the global community’s potential to celebrate and contribute their distinctive histories, social and political experiences and cultures. We create long-term relationships with local and international artists and theatre companies, to engage in mutual training and collaboration and to share and enhance our pedagogy and our aesthetic.
THE NAME
Zoo District is an area in Berlin featured in Bertolt Brecht’s DRUMS IN THE NIGHT. It’s the seedy, downtrodden, low-rent section of town inhabited largely by artists and free thinkers and where revolution first erupts in Brecht’s play.
Zoo District is also a proud member of the Network of Ensemble Theatres, a national organization dedicated to the support of ensemble theatre as a genre. Visit ensembletheaters.net
THE HISTORY
Born in the Downtown Arts District of Los Angeles in 1997, Zoo District began as a collective of writers, musicians, designers, and performers who forged a pathway for vital, irreverent storytelling that challenged expectations and engaged the imagination
We are proud to be an active part of the Los Angeles theatre community. Zoo is the recipient of numerous Garland, Ovation, and LA Weekly Awards and built its foundation on size-able collaborations involving the talents of many.
1997
THE DESCENT
The First Annual Festival of Horror
They say some things are better left unknown. We think otherwise.
Written by The Ensemble
Directed by Gleason Bauer
Produced for Zoo District by Gleason Bauer
“Imagine that Samuel Beckett had written Nightmare on Elm Street…
absurdism meets horror… the evening captures the proverbial descent
into Hades… both comical and genuinely disturbing.” –LA WEEKLY
“Hell comes to an artist’s loft… Zoo District… again proves that there
are interesting and twisted minds in the Downtown arts scene…”
–LA DOWNTOWN NEWS
Spring 1998
TOP GIRLS
What price does a woman have to pay to be on top?
Written by Caryl Churchill
Directed by Patrick Towne
Produced for Zoo District by Bernadette Sullivan
“The new Zoo District Theatre brings the ambitious 1982 comedy back to vigorous life in downtown…” —LA TIMES
“A wonderful and important work…a strong ensemble…outstanding…engrossing. —LA WEEKLY Pick of the Week
“Some of the strongest performances I’ve seen on the Los Angeles stages…”
—BACK STAGE WEST
Fall 1997
THE FACE OF EVIL
The Second Annual Festival of Horror
A bloody little play for Halloween
Written by The Ensemble • Directed by Patrick Towne
Produced for Zoo District by Jon Kellam and Rob Farrior
“Flashes of brilliance… always stylish, highly talented troupe.” —LA WEEKLY
“Exciting physical work and scenic elements at which these artists excel…”
“Zoo District has the talent” —BACK STAGE WEST
Summer 1998
METALUNA AND THE AMAZING SCIENCE OF THE MIND REVUE
What would happen if the Dada movement of post WWI Europe met American Vaudeville, and what if the meeting took place in a small town in Indiana?
Written by Joe Janes
Directed by Kate Hendrickson
Produced for Zoo District by Loren Rubin
“Zestfully played with great over-the-top style… wild whirlwind pacing…”
“It’s vaudeville with an avant-garde warping, and intellectual sexual innuendoes galore.” —LA TIMES
Winter 1999
SCENES FROM AN EXECUTION
A Woman’s brush with history…
In the twilight of the Renaissance, a battle is being waged between an artist and the state.
Whose truth will History tell?
Written by Howard Barker
Directed by Gleason Bauer
Produced for Zoo District by Rick Paladino
Musical Composition by Jek Bek
WINNER OF 2 LA WEEKLY AWARDS!
Best Musical Score: Jef Bek
Best Actress: Bernadette Sullivan
“The passionate cast imbues this period drama with raw vitality.” —LA TIMES
“Dramatically explosive examination of the timelessly relevant conflict between honest art and a corrupt establishment.” —LA WEEKLY – Recommended
“Passionate, atmospheric…this ambitious production of a highly challenging play is a praiseworthy effort by a risk-taking company.” —BACK STAGE WEST
Spring 1999
THE HOSTAGE
Pimps, whores, thieves, lunatics, IRA members and plenty of stout…
Oh, and one young British soldier held hostage.
Written by Brendan Behan
Directed By Patrick Towne
Produced for Zoo District by Brett Paesal
“A handsome Zoo District revival captures Behan’s affection for his Irish compatriots.” —LA TIMES
“The production’s sheer vitality is infectious… opens the floodgates to parody on the most subversive levels… nothing is sacred.”
“The cast is strong… The production never stops dancing.” —LA WEEKLY – Recommended
“Zoo District is wonderful theatre…one is instantly swept into a bawdy, funny, amazing world of a Dublin brothel…” —TDRL
Summer 1999
THE TWO-CHARACTER PLAY
In a state theater of a state unknown, the psyche of America’s greatest playwright hangs in the balance.
Written by Tennessee Williams
Directed by Gleason Bauer
Produced for Zoo District by Tamar Fortgang, Ashley Osler, and Ricardo Zeger
“Gifted work… Zoo District provides magnificent settings for all its plays, creating memorable environments that transcend traditional theatrical space.” —BACK STAGE WEST
“Zoo District renders a loving and innovative interpretation.” —LA DOWNTOWN NEWS
BROWN AND BLACK AND WHITE ALL OVER
A Cuban-American storyteller shares his insights on racism, abuse and what it is to be a man in this society.
Written and performed by Antonio Sacre
Directed by Paula Killen
Produced for Zoo District by Michael Franco
Fall 1999 & Winter 2001
NOSFERATU
Angel of the Final Hour
The Third Annual Festival of Horror
A dreamlike exploration of the haunted past and personal mythology of the great film director F. W. Murnau
Created by Jon Kellam, K.J. Luker and Bernadette Sullivan
Written by K.J. Luker (additional dialogue by the ensemble)
Directed by Jon Kellam
Produced by Bernadette Sullivan, Michael Franco and Darcine Wdowczak Thomas
Original Music by Jef Bek
WINNER OF 7 GARLAND AWARDS!
Best Production
Best New Play
Jef Bek for Musical Score
Brian Frette for Choreography
Jef Bek for Musical Direction
Michael Franco for Lighting
Christine Deaver for Best Performance
OVATION AWARD WINNER!
Musical Direction, and Score
“Entertainingly undead… head-snapping, dead on timing… fascinating….” —LA TIMES
“Astutely juxtaposes slapstick comedy with the darkest of human impulses.” —LA WEEKLY – Recommended
“Zoo District members have pooled their artistic blood to course life into a tightly crafted dreamworld… warm, elegant… a percussive, balletic feel that is slick and striking.”
“What makes this production so exquisite is the extreme sensitivity to detail.” —BACK STAGE WEST – Critic’s Choice
Spring 2000
THE MASTER AND MARGARITA
A new stage adaptation of the Russian Masterpiece
by Mikhail Bulgakov
Adapted for the stage by Richard Helweg and Michael Franco
Directed by Loren Rubin
Produced for Zoo District by
Michael Franco, Lorenzo Gonzalez and Joe Seely
Original Music by Jef Bek
WINNER OF 2 GARLAND AWARDS!
Michael Franco & Richard Helweg for Best Adaptation
Jef Bek for Original Music
OVATION AWARD WINNER!
Jef Bek for Best Original Score
FIVE LA WEEKLY AWARDS!
Loren Rubin for Direction
Eric Snodgrass for Production Design
Jef Bek for Original Music
Michael Franco & Richard Helweg for Adaptation
Maro Parian & Sofi Kachmanian for Costume Design
LA DRAMA CRITICS CIRCLE AWARD NOMINATIONS
Production of the Year
Maro Parian & Sofi Kachmanian for Costumes
Fall 2000
PATHE X
A Play About A Lost Dream About A Lost Play or The Laughter From The Room Next Door
Inspired by the art and lives of Salvador Dali, Remedios Varo & Leonora Carrington
Written by Ricardo Zeger, Directed by Antony Sandoval
Produced for Zoo District by Michael Franco, Ben Simonetti,
Lorenzo Gonzalez and Tracy Hudak
Original Music by Jef Bek
2000 OVATION AWARDS:
Kara Feely & Paule Lemasson for Costume Design
Jef Bek for Sound Design
OVATION AWARD NOMINATIONS
Ensemble Performance, Best Director
NOMINATED FOR 5 LA WEEKLY AWARDS
Supporting Female, Production Design, Costumes, Props, Masks
“A strikingly new original production from Zoo District”
“Stunning visual images”
“As presentational art this production is a masterpiece.” —LA TIMES
“A sprawling tale of subconscious adventure”
“Soaring flights of inventiveness”
“A free-form through-the-looking-glass journey.” —LA WEEKLY
“A bucket of wonders”
“The atmospheric pleasures keep coming.” —LA TIMES – Critic’s Choice
“Bold, gutsy theatre fueled by charismatic performers who dive into this work with gusto.” —LA WEEKLY – Pick of The Week
“The courage and daring of this company is awe-inspiring.” —BACK STAGE WEST
Fall 2000
THE DOMINANT 7th
Light Attracts the Lonely Late at Night
Written by Paula Killen
Directed by Theresa Larkin
Produced for Zoo District by Paula Killen, Patrick Towne, Brett Paesal, Brian Leahy and Tim O’ Shea
Summer 2001
THE SLOW AND PAINFUL DEATH OF SAM SHEPARD
The Slow and Painful Death of Sam Shepard imaginatively reinvents playwright/actor Sam Shepard’s dizzying ascent from man to myth. Threading themes from H. P. Lovecraft, Tennessee Williams, Al Capp, John Steinbeck, Patti Smith, Tom Wolfe and Sam Shepard, Dorchen’s play careens from moment to cartoon moment exploring the destructive nature of fame. To answer the question, “Can a billion year old monster turn Sam Shepard into a God?”
Written By Jeffrey Dorchen
Directed by Bill Cusack
Musical Composition by Jef Bek & Jeffrey Dorchen
Musical Direction by Jef Bek
Produced by Michael Franco and Ben Simonetti
GARLAND AWARD WINNER!
Tamar Fortgang for Best Performance
LA WEEKLY AWARD WINNER!
Jef Bek for Musical Direction
The Mysterious Cecil Schmidt for Set Design
OVATION AWARD NOMINEE
The Mysterious Cecil Schmidt for Set Design
Jef Bek & Eric Snodgrass for Sound Design
Fall 2001
UPPA CREEK
A West Coast Premiere!
The play takes place in the antebellum south representing several eras of our past and present. Hepthesput, (Young Negress) is the new wet nurse to the way-too-old-to-be-breast- feeding, Lil Massa. In a misfired attempt to poison him to death, she instead poisons Miss Anne, (Mistress of the House) and her daughter, Lil Annie with a madness potion.
Written by Keli Garret
Directed by Patrice Pitman Quinn
Musical Composition & Direction by Graham Jackson
Produced by Michael Franco and Loren Rubin
“Rather than dramatize the ugly history of American slavery with guilt-drenched yanks at the heartstrings, this edgy staging tackles the subject with nonstop, full-throttle parody.” —LA TIMES
STARDUST & STRIPES
Using found texts, pictures and songs of Los Angeles during World War II, Stardust & Stripes is a collage of resonant images and events from 1941 to 1945 that profoundly and irrevocably altered the people and landscape of our city.
This original piece was created using Tadashi Suzuki’s actor training method and Anne Bogart’s Viewpoints as developed by the SITI company.
Commissioned by The L.A. History Project
Performed at L.A.T.C.
Written by the Ensemble
Directed by Gleason Bauer & Melina Bielefelt
Musical Composition & Direction by Nina Rolle
Produced by Gleason Bauer & Lee Bradley
Winter 2001
HELLCAB
Driving a cab through Chicago’s mean streets is a helluva way to spend Christmas Eve.
Presented by Soul for Hire,
in association with Zoo District
Written by Will Kern
Directed by David Razowsky
Produced by Michael Franco and Charles Wilson
Winter 2001
IN ABSENTIA
A one man show
Written and Performed by Ben Davis
Directed by Loren Rubin
“A raw, powerful, poignant narrative of a young man’s coming of age. This brilliant one man show is alternately devastating and funny, grounded and elusive, tough and tender. Ben Davis is luminous.” —Sara Lawrence Lightfoot, Professor of Sociology, Harvard University
Fall 2002
HEART OF A DOG
The story of a dog that is turned into a man by science, with less than stellar results, and was the first work of Bulgakov’s to be banned in the former Soviet Union for its scathing satire.
Performed in Kiev, Ukraine for First Annual Bulkgakov Festival
Funded in part by a grant from
THE TRUST FOR MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING
Produced for Zoo District by Michael Franco
Written by Mikhail Bulgakov
Adapted for the stage by Michael Franco
Directed by Antony Sandoval
Winter 2003
Angela Carter’s THE BLOODY CHAMBER
A dark and sensuous tangle of stories emerges from the heart of Bluebeard’s Castle
Adapted for the stage and directed by Kara Feely
March 2003
THE LIVELY LAD
Hilarity erupts when little Eva and the secret cult of Xerxes struggle to preserve their cherished institution of eunuch servitude.
Part of Hot Properties at [Inside] the Ford, a collaboration of Los Angeles County Arts Commission and A.S.K. Theater Projects.
Supported, in part, by a generous grant from the James Irvine Foundation.
Written by Quincy Long
Produced by Lorenzo Gonzales
Directed by Joe Seely
August 2003
THE TAMING OF THE SHREW
Performed in the opulent, grand lobby of the restored ORPHEUM movie palace in Downtown Los Angeles.
Written William Shakespeare
Produced by Tamar Fortgang and Steve Needleman
In association with Zoo District and the LA Conservancy
Directed by Alec Wild
Spring 2004
HOME
The Quest for the Lost Tablet of Ur
By Steven Haworth
Conceived by: Gleason Bauer, Bernadette Sullivan, Jon Kellam
Developed by the Ensemble
LA WEEKLY AWARD WINNER
Production Design, Gleason Bauer & Barry Wyatt
Mask/Makeup Design – Joe Seely
OVATION AWARD WINNER
Sound Design, Bill Levine
LA WEEKLY AWARD NOMINEE
Best Ensemble Performance
Winter 2005
DOGMA: 1.5
10 vows, 10 obstructions, 13 theatre artists comprise the formula for BONE 1.5, a performative exploration based on the film making manifesto DOGME 95 drafted by Lars von Trier with the sole purpose of countering ‘certain tendencies’ of today’s cinema. In 2005, less equals more, and these Orwellian times have inspired Zoo District to take drastic measures.
THE BOY KING
Zoo District was commissioned to create a new work for children by Los Angeles’ EdgeFest Future Project, a program created to develop new plays for audiences of the future.
Written and Directed by Brian Frette’
‘This production would make a grand partnership for the touring King Tut exhibit. The renowned company could not only quite capably expand into the youth market but also could do so smartly, creatively, and with its signature sense of adventure intact.” —Backstage West
2006
THE SUBMISSION and THE FUTURE IS IN EGGS
Horses on fire, eggs in incubation, superheroes, and the pressures of familial expectation combine to make a daring ride through Astroturf filled absurdity. The Submission is the final performance of the Ensemble Theatre Collective’s inaugural season at [Inside] the Ford.
By Eugene Ionesco
March 2006, Inside the Ford, part of the Ensemble Theatre Collective
Produced by: Cody Nickell and Kristi Schultz
Directed by: Kristi Schultz
‘Schultz’s direction is brilliant, artfully balancing the physical comedy with stylish directorial touches’ —LA WEEKLY ‘GO!
‘Zoo District’s Kristi Schultz and a top-notch cast have given an old absurdist a new, decidedly retro infusion of hipster chic and manic energy. They’ve created one swell piece of consistently high style.’
LA CITY BEAT ‘This inventive revival rejects the surface realism that dominates Hollywood and much of mainstream theater. Hipsters want their theater skewed, shaken, stirred. This production shows us how it’s done. —BACKSTAGE WEST
Summer 2006
JOUR DE BOSSE CABARET
Inside the Ford
Cabaret performance that brings together the weird and the wonderful of LA’s theatre community. Annual Cabaret brings together the weird and the wonderful of LA’s theatre community. Solo performing artists and theatre companies from around Los Angeles share and experiment with new work in a supportive and creative environment.
THIS IS NOT A PIPE DREAM
2006, ISC Barnsdall Park – in a association with Gifted Crow and Independent Shakespeare Company’s outdoor summer reading series.
PIPE DREAM brings the work of surrealist painter Rene’ Magritte to young audiences.
Spring 2007
THE DEFENDERS
Two intrepid spies from opposite sides who save the world as a matter of course…
March 2007 — Inside the Ford, part of the Ensemble Theatre Collective
April 2007 — San Francisco FURY FACTORY supported by the Association of Performing Arts Presenters
Written and Directed by Brian Frette’
Produced by Kristi Schultz
5 GARLAND AWARD HONORABLE MENTIONS:
Choreography, Brian Frette
Original Score, Buddy Habig
Costume Design, Johnny Apollo
Set Design, Katrina Coulourides and Brian Frette’
Lighting Design, Rachel Myles
“Witty, disciplined and a pleasure to watch, ‘The Defenders’ deserves a smart audience and a long run.” —LA TIMES – CRITIC’S CHOICE
“A tongue-in-cheek salute to all things cheeky, witty, and unapologetically eccentric.” —LA WEEKLY
“Brian Fretté’s hilariously choreographed battles are fantastic from concept to execution by this skilled and committed cast” —BACKSTAGE WEST – CRITIC’S PICK
Winter 2007
365 DAYS/ 365 PLAYS
Pulitzer prize-winning Suzan-Lori Parks sat down and committed to writing a play a day for 365 days. This play cycle is a yearlong national festival simultaneously in major cities and communities around the country. Over 600 theaters in Atlanta, Los Angeles, Denver, Seattle, San Francisco, Austin, Washington D.C., Chicago, Minneapolis, the Carolinas, Mississippi River towns, and university campuses created the largest theater collaboration in U.S. History.
SHOT IN THE DARK: A Winter Salon
Watch your back….
WEEK 30 June 2007, John Anson Ford Amphitheatre
Written by Suzan-Lori Parks
Produced by Michael Franco
Directed by Michael Franco, Jon Kellam, Joe Fria, and Paul Plunkett
The spirit of the unafraid began Zoo District history, uniting artists of all backgrounds to explore and ignite the ideas of a new live art.
Zoo District is embarking on an adventure, plotting 4 short original works that throw caution to the wind and humility to the wolves.
Featuring:
MS. FURR & MS. SKEENE by Gertrude Stein
Adapted and performed by Laura James
SOTTO VOCE
Created and performed by Brian Frette’ and Kristi Schultz
WORKSHOP CONFIDENTIAL
Created and performed by Shirley Anderson
DARK HUMOURS
Directed by Joe Seely, Created by Joe Seely and Ensemble
March 2009
DESTRUCTION OF THE 4th WORLD
As the Hopi prophecy of Koyaanisqatsi (a world out of balance) unfolds, a dysfunctional Jewish family comes to terms with their own existence. The ancient Native American trickster, Coyote, makes ready for the end of this world with his only accomplice – a 13-year-old boy. A part of Padua Playwrights Masters Series’ Tribute to author Murray Mednick, Zoo District has developed this World Premiere of Mr. Mednick’s to be a wild ride through the psyche of humanity on the precipice.
MARCH 2009, Artshare LA
By Murray Mednick
Directed by Kristi Schultz and Brian Frette’
Commissioned by Padua Playwrights
‘Masterfully directed… seamless….experimental theatre at its best’ —EYESPY LA
‘Laudable… expansive, free-wheeling staging’ —BACKSTAGE WEST
‘Bristles with raw urgency’ —LA TIMES
Zoo’s development would not have been possible without:
FOUNDING MEMBERS
Gleason Bauer, Jef Bek, Rob Farrior, Tamar Fortgang, Tracy Hudak, Jon Kellam, KJ Luker, D Morris, Loren Rubin, Joe Seely, Bernadette Sullivan, Pat Towne
Other contributing artists and past members of Zoo District include:
Brian Frette, Kristi Shultz, Joe Fria, Debbie Falb, Ben Simonetti, Ben Davis, Christine Deaver, Graham Jackson, Steve Sennet, Barry Wyatt, Lorenzo Gonzales, Michael Franco, Charlie Wilson, Kelly Morris, Jenna Fischer, Becky Wahlstrom, Peter Alton, Mami Arizono, Antony Sandoval, Marius Mazmanian, Kara Feely, Michael Childers, Ashley Osler, Yana Shukman, John McCarthy, Matt Aston, Paul Mackley, Rick Paladino, Millie Epstein, Kim Fitzgerald, Tod Yenowen, Jon Schofield, Jerri Tubbs, Bosco Flanagan and Laura Harring
BOARD OF DIRECTORS:
Debbie Falb – President, John McCarthy, Yana Shukman
