In the early Nineties, a generation of new theatre troupes lighted a fire under local theatre with works that bucked convention and broke the rules. Their shows were mostly original, frequently funny, and flagrantly theatrical in innovative ways, and they struck a chord with audiences under 30 – maybe because the artists behind them were that age themselves. Most of these “rebel theatre” companies – all independent, all small, all poor – flamed out by the end of the decade, but two of the most daring and pioneering, the Rude Mechanicals and Salvage Vanguard Theater, are still burning bright and look to be for a long time to come. With both currently running new shows – the Rudes’ Decameron Day 7: REVENGE! and SVT’s Static – this seemed a fitting time to pore over their respective histories and see what a difference a decade has made in these theatrical rebels.
Special thanks to the folks at Room Service Vintage, 1701 S. Lamar, for their generosity in providing a location for our cover “party shot” and for their hospitality during our stay.
This article appears in April 14 • 2006.