About this project
Writer/director Zeke Virant
Photo by Sara Katz
Check us out on Facebook! Check out Zeke's Web Page!
TYDRUS THE TWIT will be performed at The Bushwick Project for the Arts
Wednesday, December 8th through Saturday, December 11th at 8pm
“Tydrus the Twit” is a collective work featuring an incredible assemblage of young actors, musicians, and artists (the stars and burnouts of tomorrow) working in conjunction with the Bushwick Project of the Arts. The Bushwick PA's fabulous space will become an integral part of this theatrical experience.
THE STORY
“Tydrus the Twit” drapes weighty themes in the mantle of the romantic and ridiculous. The play begins with two lovers, the drunken queen Savannah and the titular hero Tydrus in the midst of their last embrace. The break-up is uneasy to say the least, and it is followed by noxious displays of melodramatic affection and lies, lies, lies. Alone and heartbroken, things continue to worsen for Tydrus. Two evil fruit vendors trick him into going on a perilous goose chase, which ends with a witch transforming him into a foul beast. It is only as a wretched outcast that Tydrus is able to finally recognize and accept his brutish nature.
THE MUSIC
The music for “Tydrus the Twit” combines instrumental music and unmusical sounds made by the mouth. The score specifically avoids the carefully notated practices of traditional opera, relying instead on procedural notation and musical games employing the entire ensemble. These practices, designed with an eye to creating an immersive theatrical environment, includes singing, blowing on bottles, laughing, clicking tongues, whistling, buzzing, grunting, yawning, and spitting.
“Tydrus the Twit” expresses a world of sound that is not dependent on technical ability and draws out unique responses from each musician. Without the exclusive need for expert performers, “Tydrus the Twit” reveals a truer sense of how the world is populated: a few virtuosos for every thousand amateurs.
WHERE/WHEN IS IT HAPPENING
Bushwick Project for the Arts
304 Meserole St.
Brooklyn NY
Wednesday, December 8th through Saturday, December 11th @ 8pm
HOW WE PLAN TO DO IT and WHAT THE MONEY IS FOR
While the Bushwick Project for the Arts has graciously given us a space to perform in late November and early December, we will be renting space for rehearsals. In order to ensure sufficient rehearsal time, we are asking for donations. With donations from Kickstarter, we will be able to rehearse, build sets, design costumes, and sufficiently promote the opera.
Everything we raise over 100% of our goal will go towards paying the players.
WHO IS INVOLVED
MUSICIANS:
Aaron Wistar
Alex Carter
Daniel Fishkin
Emily McCabe
Emma Alabaster
Tobe Tsuchiya
ACTORS:
Max Cramer
Michael Newton
Sarah Paden
Ted Quinlan
Zoe Morris
TECH and DIRECTION:
Abigail Lloyd
Zeke Virant
FAQ
Have a question? If the info above doesn't help, you can ask the project creator directly.
23
Backers
$2,200
pledged of $2,000 goal
0
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Funding Successful
This project successfully raised its funding goal on October 16, 2010.
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A firm handshake when you walk through the door of the show.
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A digital copy of Zeke Virant’s new album, “Tydrus” + all the above
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A ticket and reserved seat for "Tydrus the Twit" on the night of your choosing + all of the above
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Two reserved seats at the performance + all of the above
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A handmade copy of Zeke Virant’s new album, “Tydrus,” a personal letter of thanks, a prize from Michael Newton’s mystery box + all of the above
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The candy of your preference sent to you everyday for a week (except Sunday), a super special handmade copy of Zeke's new album, "Tydrus" with the cuts they (the Man) don't want you to hear + all of the above
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A character will be named after you or the person of your choice + all of the above
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Listed in the program as “Producer," Zeke will professionally clean your apartment/house for four hours (NYC only) + all of the above
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A personal dinner/tour of NYC hotspots with international gold trader/opera investor Fabulous Mike + all of the above
Project By
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I am a 23-year-old writer and composer from Georgia. I graduated from Bard College where I studied music composition and writing. I have written and put on three operas, written pieces for orchestra and chamber ensembles, put out a few albums, and written a book of poetry. I love my work and my girlfriend and have a lot of fun playing music.
Here's something I wrote to my friend, Jake Brunner, about my work philosophy:
"What I’m trying to do is to try to figure out a way of incorporating poetry people would otherwise not read, with music people would not listen to, with a body that no one would desire, and work with it!”
