AUSTIN: Rude Mechs has announced its 2017-18 season, the organization’s 21st. As the troupe recently lost its home of 18 years, it plans to program events in 10 different venues around Austin. The lineup will include a play set in an actual apartment and a reimagined Troilus and Cressida.
“We spent the last 18 years building a home for Austin artists, the Off Center, but a couple of months ago, we were priced out,” the ensemble said in a press release. “In the face of this change, we are launching crushAustin, and we are going to do exactly that—CRUSH IT, really really good. The kind of crushing that is so good it is transformative. We want to insert creativity into every nook and cranny of Austin with the very best new independent cultural productions. Not palatable fare, but the kind of shit that curls your toes and takes your breath away and makes you lose your mind.”
The season will begin with Replacement Tapes by ensemble member Kirk Lynn (July 29). The play will be mounted in a private home for an audience of 30.
After that will be a new piece created by members Thomas Graves and Jennifer Kidwell, titled Gin & Tonix (November).
For the holidays, Rude Mechs will present Christmas Karaoke, in which the audience will help the ensemble sing A Christmas Carol (December).
Next will be the third installment of Lynn’s Fixing Shakespeare Series, Fixing Troilus and Cressida (March 2018), helmed by managing director Alexandra Bassiakou Shaw.
In addition to the new productions, the Rudes will do several one-night events. These will include performances from the Grageriart duo, composed of company members Lana Lesley and Peter Stopschinski (Aug. 27, 2017, and May 2018); a stand-up comedy workshop for the audience (Sept. 24); and a salon with scientists (January 2018).
Rude Mechs is a collective theatre company. Since 1999 they have created more than 30 original plays, some of which have toured nationally and internationally.
