Would you like to have a bunch of RATs invade Austin this August? That’s RATs
as in Regional Alternative Theatres, or Raggedy Ass Theatres, or Raving
Anarchic Thespians, or whatever you call the national network of artists and
independent theatre companies that’s been building over the past two years and
gathering in conferences in Iowa and Seattle. (See the Chronicle, Oct. 13,
1995.) Well, they’re talking about convening in our town this year, and some of
the Austinites with RAT affiliations want local theatre artists and supporters
to be able to hear more about what a RAT Conference is and to have a say in
planning a possible shindig here. For this purpose, Vicky Boone of
Frontera@Hyde Park Theatre and Jason Neulander of Salvage Vanguard Theater are
hosting a Theatre Town Meeting February 3, 3:30pm, at Hyde Park Theatre, 511 W.
43rd. Everyone in the performing arts community — artistic directors, actors,
audience members, et al. — is welcome. Erik Ehn, author of The Saint Plays and
Anarchy in the Oklahoma Kingdom, and the man who got the RAT ball rolling, will
be in town to take part in Frontera Fest, and he’ll be on hand. Get the skinny
as soon as you can. Those RATs are wily.
Ehn Justifies the Means?
Speaking of Ehn, this is the first of several trips the playwright will bemaking to Austin in 1996, not only because of the potential RAT gathering in
August but because he’s been engaged by Frontera@Hyde Park to develop a new
play with them for production this fall. One wonders when he’ll find time to
talk to the F@HP gang about it this weekend, however. In addition to his Friday
and Saturday night performances in Frontera Fest and his appearance at the
Theatre Town Meeting on Saturday afternoon, Ehn will be reading from his work
at Book People, Sixth and Lamar, on Sunday at 2pm.
Worthwhile Causes
On February 4, at 6pm, Beehive divas Judy Arnold and Andra Mitrovich lead the“Red-Hot Benefit and Amazing Graze” for the Zachary Scott Theatre Center at the
fancy new Schlotzsky’s Deli and Bread Alone Bakery in the Zach’s back yard. The
fundraiser includes a concert by these Soul Sisters (whose concert revue opens
the night previous on the ZSTC Kleberg Stage) and a spread of pizzas,
sandwiches, soups, breads, pies, and sweet treats. Tickets are $35 couple/$20
single. Call 476-0541 for information… On February 7, at 7:30pm, the Teenage
Parent Council of Austin, Inc. will host “An Evening of Oscar Wilde” to benefit
its programs addressing adolescent pregnancy in Travis County. The event
includes a performance of Wilde’s masterwork The Importance of Being Earnest,
as produced by Live Oak Theatre, and a reception following. Tickets are $20,
$30, and $40. For information, call 837-6197.
Send news on the local literary, performing, and visual arts scenes to:
“Articulations,”
PO Box 49066, Austin, TX 78765 or e-mail to: onstage@auschron.com
This article appears in February 2 • 1996 and February 2 • 1996 (Cover).