Experiments 17: I’d Do Anything For You In The Dark
Written by Ryan Trout
Francis is wearing sweatpants and lives with his parents now. After exhausting all his energy and money working on the next Great American Play (he’s thinking part-Albee, part-Baker, half-Tennessee), he’s broke, broken, and living in Iowa. Recently diagnosed with Bipolar II – a diagnosis he gave himself after his therapist said it wasn’t supported by “enough evidence” – the only one who gets it is Henry: excellent baker, quiet listener, doesn’t age. When his boyfriend flies in from New York to spend Christmas with him, all he can do is beg Henry to bake him something good.
RYAN TROUT is a writer and performer from Iowa, who lives in Brooklyn. He’s obsessed with why people treat each other so strangely, and he strives to capture the frenetic millennial voice in all his work. He is an associate company member at TheatreEast and a contributor to All Boats artist gatherings. Recent writing credits include: WHEN I STARTED DATING MEN (Dixon Place, Under St. Marks, Stella Adler) and IN THE WEEDS (Dixon Place) Recent acting credits include: SUNSET (South Oxford Space, Fresh Fruit) and Strictly Dishonorable (The Flea). B.F.A from Tisch School of the Arts.
SRDA VASILJEVIC is a Sarajevo-born, New York based theatrical director. His work focuses heavily on millennial culture, and his training in Tectonic Theater Project’s Moment Work combined with a background of large-scale spectacle are strong indications of his bold aesthetic and developmental approaches for new work. Recent credits include: Dust Can’t Kill Me (NYMF), The White Rose (NY Theatre Barn), When I Started Dating Men (Dixon Place), What’s the Deal with Olivia Lee (#serials@theflea), Deaf West’s Spring Awakening (AD/Brooks Atkinson), New York Spectacular (AD/Radio City Music Hall), and Frozen, A Musical Spectacular (Associate/Disney Creative Entertainment). Srda is a member of the ENCORES! Off-Center Artists’ Board and Lincoln Center Director’s Lab. www.sr-da.com
Experiments Play Reading Series
For the 23rd season of La MaMa Experiments we will focus on theatrical works in progress addressing mental health issues. No one is more familiar with the need to create greater access to mental healthcare than our New York audience, who come face to face with this crisis on a daily basis. After 3 years of a global pandemic, all of us are feeling the upsurge of anxiety and depression, but these trends have been on the rise long before Covid-19. The works this season shed light on important, personal stories and deal with this subject matter in many different and unique ways. From tongue in cheek comedies to absurdist tragedies, Experiments hopes to create a season that will destigmaify, enlighten and, yes, even entertain.