Saturday, June 20, 2009
Here is what Frank has to say about the show...
I went to see Twin Towers with nothing but a brief summary: Two guys go their separate ways and meet again a number of years later. When I saw the play, I realized that it's more than that. Twin Towers goes deep into the world of war vs. peace and comes out shining. Damian and Angela did a great job of evoking emotion throughout the play through their script and direction. Not to mention the phenomenal job by the cast! Definitely check this one out. -Frank
Friday, June 19, 2009
Please tell us what you thought of the show!
If you saw a production of Twin Towers, please leave a comment and let us know what you thought. You can also leave a comment at Theatermania
http://www.theatermania.com/new-york/shows/twin-towers_154905/
Thanks!
http://www.theatermania.com/new-york/shows/twin-towers_154905/
Thanks!
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Update on tickets - only 14 tickets left!
Just to let you all know, there are only 14 tickets left for the show on Friday's show at 7:30. If you want to see the show, please get your tickets early online. www.twintowersplay.com
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Audience Reaction!
"Twin Towers doesn't just entertain. Wrapped in a love story, the play addresses some serious issues — war, faith, homosexuality, absent parents. The actors share each of their character's struggles in a very real way, but the dance and song keep will keep you upbeat. You know you're watching something special when tango, rap and capoeira are blended into one seamless performance." - Meg
Monday, June 15, 2009
Second Show
We just had our second show and the audience response was very good. I don't want to say, "they laughed, they cried..." but that's pretty much what happened. People had great things to say about the show and the cast is really in their stride now that they know the space and we have a handle on the sound and lights. Just four more shows left! - Damian
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Friday, June 12, 2009
Thank You
A note from the writer/producer to everyone who made opening night possible:
The opening of TWIN TOWERS at 440 Studios is truly special for me. More than a year ago I started jotting down bits and pieces of dialog I overheard on the subway and in the streets of my neighborhood in Brooklyn. Slowly, a story formed, and the characters took on a life of their own. I started submitting the play to festivals in September of 2008, but I never imagined that my play would every actually get produced. Yet here I am - no, here we are, with a cast of 6, a creative team of more than 10 and a score of friends and family who have helped out. Many others read the play, connected with the message and took on the responsibility of making it come to life, be it by learning lines and playing the parts, sending me books of stamps, buying T-shirts or simply buying a ticket. I'm very thankful to the people who have helped make this possible, I couldn't do it alone, nor would I want to. The fun of this show is seeing people interpret and internalize the work, to connect with the characters, to gte involved and be as enthusiastic about my vision as when I was writing it. I've made great friends with the cast and crew, I've learned about my play and about myself, and my friends and family get to see my art, my vision of the world, in a different way. I truly thank you all for being a part of this. - Damian Wampler
The opening of TWIN TOWERS at 440 Studios is truly special for me. More than a year ago I started jotting down bits and pieces of dialog I overheard on the subway and in the streets of my neighborhood in Brooklyn. Slowly, a story formed, and the characters took on a life of their own. I started submitting the play to festivals in September of 2008, but I never imagined that my play would every actually get produced. Yet here I am - no, here we are, with a cast of 6, a creative team of more than 10 and a score of friends and family who have helped out. Many others read the play, connected with the message and took on the responsibility of making it come to life, be it by learning lines and playing the parts, sending me books of stamps, buying T-shirts or simply buying a ticket. I'm very thankful to the people who have helped make this possible, I couldn't do it alone, nor would I want to. The fun of this show is seeing people interpret and internalize the work, to connect with the characters, to gte involved and be as enthusiastic about my vision as when I was writing it. I've made great friends with the cast and crew, I've learned about my play and about myself, and my friends and family get to see my art, my vision of the world, in a different way. I truly thank you all for being a part of this. - Damian Wampler
"Now we have a show."
- Overheard on set yesterday, spoken by Angela Astle, director of Twin Towers after the second full dress run through.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
What to expect on Friday...
Kena talks about what to expect on Friday when Twin Towers opens at the Robert Moss Theater at 440 Studios, 440 Lafayette.
What is TWIN TOWERS?
Twin Towers opens tomorrow at the Robert Moss Theater at 440 Studios, 440 Lafayette - but what is the play about? Quite simply, it focuses on two young men, Trevor (left, played by Kena Anae) and Jamal. Both fatherless and raised like brothers in the Bronx, the two meet again in their old neighborhood after five years apart. Jamal is returning from 5 years living overseas (which began with Peace Corps service) and Trevor is returning from a second tour of duty in Iraq. Trevor's return sparks a rush of childhood memories and emotions, while they both struggle to contain the feelings that are really inside them. In their youth, the boys were nicknamed the Twin Towers because of their strength and athletic ability, and while the play doesn't directly deal with the terrorist attacks on 9/11, it does confront the social and political issues of the Bush Era as it plays out on real people. Life isn't about the situation you are given, but how you react to the challenges you face. But the play isn't preachy - it uses music, dancing and a Brazillian martial art called Capoiera to move the story forward. Like my playwriting teacher in college said, "Don't be boring!"For tickets and showtimes, visit www.twintowersplay.com
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
One White Woman - please comment
Twin Towers has an all black cast except for Lauren, who plays the Devil.
Feel free to comment. Or call. - Damian
Feel free to comment. Or call. - Damian
The Writer Speaks about Angela Astle, director
I talk about how Angela's direction has made my play much much better! Watch.
Tickets and showtimes: http://www.twintowersplay.com/
Tickets and showtimes: http://www.twintowersplay.com/
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Here are the lyrics to "Love is a Treasure"
The song is posted on the right hand side. Enjoy.
Your words penetrate me
Armor piercing round
Like a rolling thunder
Recoil at the sound
I yield to your touches
Your fingers they invade
No shield can protect me
From the fate that I have made
Under cover of darkness you take me
To a place where madness will break me
And all my fears I thought over
Come alive in the shadow
Your lips infiltrate me
I fall to the ground
A robber you plunder
The treasure that you’ve found
My defenses are useless
Naked and exposed
To you I surrender
My body and my soul
Under cover of darkness you find me
And in the silence you bind me
And all my fears I thought over
Come alive in the shadow
The curse of your kiss, it blinds me
With a poison I can not cure
And all my fears I thought over
Come alive in the shadow
Your words penetrate me
Armor piercing round
Like a rolling thunder
Recoil at the sound
I yield to your touches
Your fingers they invade
No shield can protect me
From the fate that I have made
Under cover of darkness you take me
To a place where madness will break me
And all my fears I thought over
Come alive in the shadow
Your lips infiltrate me
I fall to the ground
A robber you plunder
The treasure that you’ve found
My defenses are useless
Naked and exposed
To you I surrender
My body and my soul
Under cover of darkness you find me
And in the silence you bind me
And all my fears I thought over
Come alive in the shadow
The curse of your kiss, it blinds me
With a poison I can not cure
And all my fears I thought over
Come alive in the shadow
Jason in Jeans
Jason Hurt, who plays Jamal Jones, is not only an actor but a model as well. We'd like to thank Paul Aarrington for buying an ad in our playbill, promote our star Jason and, well, show you this picture. See all our our cast at http://www.twintowersplay.com/cast/
Monday, June 8, 2009
S&M
At one point in the play, the world inside of Trevor's head explodes into reality and onto the stage. Trevor's nightmares (and fantasies) come to life in an S&M scene. Here are some images from rehearsal.
The whole scene is a metaphor, but... come see the show!
The whole scene is a metaphor, but... come see the show!
Rehearsals
The cast and crew of Twin Towers are working really hard to put on a great show. Everyone is working overtime. Here are some images from the show: Kena, Jason, Angela, Quatis, Lauren and Patricia.
Read more about the cast at http://www.twintowersplay.com/cast/
Read more about the cast at http://www.twintowersplay.com/cast/
Patches...
Some of Trevor's experiences and some of the dilemmas he faces reflect the challenges that some (certainly not all) soldiers in our military face. Throughout the play, Trevor’s personal turmoil reflects the crisis of a war veteran dealing with post traumatic stress disorder, and he impatiently struggles to pick up his civilian life right where he left off, despite his prolonged absence.
Trevor set out to advance his career by entering military service, only to face an abrupt shift of roles the invasion of Iraq placed on many soldiers. At one point in the play, Trevor mentions that he joined the army to be a clerk, to learn a trade. Due to the necessities of the Iraq war however, there is no clear division between the clerks and the soldiers- even “support elements” like Trevor conduct patrols, protect convoys, and face roadside IEDs, suicide bombers, and non-military insurgents. In the war in Iraq, everyone is on the front line.
For nearly half a century the military has promoted itself as an opportunity to learn valuable career skills, but in the modern age of counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism, it has proven impossible to separate even the “cooks and clerks” from the career soldiers- when the Iraq War first began, entire divisions of the military were stretched thin on a high speed armored dash to contain Iraq’s major military resistance, and to project US forces to places like Baghdad as soon as possible. The result was that entire brigade combat teams were deployed wholesale, often strung out in long supply chains, often with the support elements, the cooks and the clerks, alongside and sometimes facing as much hostile fire. While the military was stretched thin before the strategy of the current, force-heavy, human presence of the “Surge,” Guard and Reserve elements were also facing militias and insurgents on street patrols alongside full-time career soldiers. In short, anyone and everyone in today's ground forces faces at least some degree of very real danger of combat action in Iraq. This is an essential component of Trevor's character and his journey, one we don't see on stage, but we do see on his uniform.
Trevor’s uniform marks him as a very particular kind of soldier, and ties his service to a very particular time window of the Iraq war. Since Trevor wears the old Desert Camouflage Uniform, which predates the green-grey Army Combat Uniform, we know that his time in Iraq was most likely sometime between 2003 and late 2006. The pre-surge numbers of soldiers deployed in theatre meant that those there would more likely be called upon for combat duties, regardless of specialty. Even the cooks and clerks had to fight.
But Tr
evor is not entirely unprepared. On his right shoulder, Trevor wears a “combat patch.” This is the patch of the larger unit he was assigned to when he saw 
combat, and is now authorized permanent wear regardless of whichever other unit he transfers to. On his left shoulder, he wears the patch of the unit he currently serves with, and more specifically ties him to the 167th Support Division (left), which would fit with his stated career path as a clerk. His combat patch is of the 3rd Infantry Division, (square, right) a much larger unit and one of the Army’s oldest and biggest and most distinguished. At least some element of the 3rd has been deployed to Iraq at every point since the initial invasion.
Trevor also wears specialty insignia which allude to his training in a ground combatant role. He wears the Army’s Air Assault wings (left, with helicopter center), which identify him as having trained to conduct airborne helicopter operations. More coveted that the Air Assault pin is the Army’s Airborne “jump wings,” (left, with parachute) which indicate that he has attended the 
Army’s basic paratrooper training. Both of these badges mark him as a very capable soldier.
In the military, unlike almost any other profession, personal history and credentials are worn and displayed openly, rather than noted in a résumé. Perhaps if Trevor’s true personality could be displayed as openly as those insignia, he could more easily relate to those around him. But for Trevor, a uniform can only capture one tiny piece of his person, one dimension of his conflicted psyche. Despite the simplicity of the story that the patches tell, there is much more to Trevor, and to life, than can be indicated by a man's rank.
Trevor set out to advance his career by entering military service, only to face an abrupt shift of roles the invasion of Iraq placed on many soldiers. At one point in the play, Trevor mentions that he joined the army to be a clerk, to learn a trade. Due to the necessities of the Iraq war however, there is no clear division between the clerks and the soldiers- even “support elements” like Trevor conduct patrols, protect convoys, and face roadside IEDs, suicide bombers, and non-military insurgents. In the war in Iraq, everyone is on the front line.
For nearly half a century the military has promoted itself as an opportunity to learn valuable career skills, but in the modern age of counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism, it has proven impossible to separate even the “cooks and clerks” from the career soldiers- when the Iraq War first began, entire divisions of the military were stretched thin on a high speed armored dash to contain Iraq’s major military resistance, and to project US forces to places like Baghdad as soon as possible. The result was that entire brigade combat teams were deployed wholesale, often strung out in long supply chains, often with the support elements, the cooks and the clerks, alongside and sometimes facing as much hostile fire. While the military was stretched thin before the strategy of the current, force-heavy, human presence of the “Surge,” Guard and Reserve elements were also facing militias and insurgents on street patrols alongside full-time career soldiers. In short, anyone and everyone in today's ground forces faces at least some degree of very real danger of combat action in Iraq. This is an essential component of Trevor's character and his journey, one we don't see on stage, but we do see on his uniform.
Trevor’s uniform marks him as a very particular kind of soldier, and ties his service to a very particular time window of the Iraq war. Since Trevor wears the old Desert Camouflage Uniform, which predates the green-grey Army Combat Uniform, we know that his time in Iraq was most likely sometime between 2003 and late 2006. The pre-surge numbers of soldiers deployed in theatre meant that those there would more likely be called upon for combat duties, regardless of specialty. Even the cooks and clerks had to fight.
But Tr
evor is not entirely unprepared. On his right shoulder, Trevor wears a “combat patch.” This is the patch of the larger unit he was assigned to when he saw combat, and is now authorized permanent wear regardless of whichever other unit he transfers to. On his left shoulder, he wears the patch of the unit he currently serves with, and more specifically ties him to the 167th Support Division (left), which would fit with his stated career path as a clerk. His combat patch is of the 3rd Infantry Division, (square, right) a much larger unit and one of the Army’s oldest and biggest and most distinguished. At least some element of the 3rd has been deployed to Iraq at every point since the initial invasion.Trevor also wears specialty insignia which allude to his training in a ground combatant role. He wears the Army’s Air Assault wings (left, with helicopter center), which identify him as having trained to conduct airborne helicopter operations. More coveted that the Air Assault pin is the Army’s Airborne “jump wings,” (left, with parachute) which indicate that he has attended the Army’s basic paratrooper training. Both of these badges mark him as a very capable soldier.In the military, unlike almost any other profession, personal history and credentials are worn and displayed openly, rather than noted in a résumé. Perhaps if Trevor’s true personality could be displayed as openly as those insignia, he could more easily relate to those around him. But for Trevor, a uniform can only capture one tiny piece of his person, one dimension of his conflicted psyche. Despite the simplicity of the story that the patches tell, there is much more to Trevor, and to life, than can be indicated by a man's rank.
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Jason talks about his passion for acting
I asked Jason about his motivation for being an actor and his passion for the part of Jamal Jones in TWIN TOWERS.
Quatis speaks
"I knew I wanted to move to New York to pursue an actor career, just wasn't sure how to do it. I came in January and then again in February - and was convinced. Still unsure of how. One can never truly be completely prepared for what New York has to offer. The constant pace, the tremendous culture, the overwhelming amounts of restaurants color the imagination of things to do. But opportunity was first on my mind. And working with the Twin Towers team has provided that first opportunity to work in New York.It has been amazing to work with people like Angela - who is from the same city I am from - and is a New York caliber talent - the way she has sewn the picture of this production together makes me glad to be apart of this life enriching painting. Also working with the Capoiera instructors/ choreographers has been a lot of fun. It has given me such a respect for stage combat. They showed true patience and skill helping me to understand the basics of capoiera and how to bring it to life on stage. All-in-all this has been a great experience, and I look forward to working with more talented people here in New York!" - Quatis Tarkington
www.twintowersplay.com/quatis_tarkington
Tonight's comedy show - Jullian
Jullian will be one of the featured guests at the comedy show today at 4:30 at the Comedy Cellar, 117 MacDougal. Only $10! Very funny comic and great guy- watch the video.
All the info: www.twintowersplay.com/fundraiser
All the info: www.twintowersplay.com/fundraiser
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Jason during the fight scene
Jason Hurt play Jamal Jones, Trevor's best friend. You're going to have to see for yourself how this scene ends. Don't worry, Jason is OK.
Friday, June 5, 2009
Another Auction Image
Here is another image that will be part of Sunday's auction. This one is by Lanola Stone, the most talent photographer of children I have ever met. Enjoy! 
Art Auction
Sunday's Fundraiser will feature an art auction. Here are the images that will be available - come ready to buy some amazing art
!
Photographers:
Row 1
Damian Wampler
Jaime Permuth
Row 2
Judith Monteferrante
Hye Ryoung Min
Daniel Bolliger
Row 3
Robert Herman
Tolga Adanali
!Photographers:
Row 1
Damian Wampler
Jaime Permuth
Row 2
Judith Monteferrante
Hye Ryoung Min
Daniel Bolliger
Row 3
Robert Herman
Tolga Adanali
Daniel's Print
Here is the print that Daniel Bolliger has donated to the silent auction for Friday's Night of Comedy. Daniel is a Swiss artist who has blown us all away with his amazing photography. Like Judith and Jaime, he is a classmate of mine in the SVA Master's in Digital Photography program.
Come to the fundraiser this Sunday at the Olive Tree Cafe's Comedy Cellar, 117 MacDougal. Doors open at 4:00pm, the show starts at 4:30pm.
Kena as Trevor
Here is one image of Kena, playing Iraq War Veteran Trevor Forde. There's more like this on our Flickr site.
Thursday, June 4, 2009
7 Profitz
Sunday's fundraiser will feature an amazing hip-hop group called 7 Profitz. I ran across their website and I fell in love with their style and energy. Their lyrics speak about many of the issues that plague our main characters throughout the show TWIN TOWERS. I had to somehow incorporate them into the production, and Elle Madison from the group was eager to work with us. I'm proud to have them on the lineup for Sunday, don't miss it!
Silent Auction
This Sunday's fundraiser will feature a silent auction. Here is another image that will be auctioned to support the play and ENACT. The image is by my classmate and friend, Brooklyn-based Guatemalan-American photographer Jaime Permuth.
Stunning! Bring some extra cash for this print.
More on the fundraiser at www.twintowersplay.com/fundraiser
Stunning! Bring some extra cash for this print.
More on the fundraiser at www.twintowersplay.com/fundraiser
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Auction
Here is another image that we will auction off. It is by Robert Herman, a great photographer who has been doing NY street photography for decades. Enjoy!
Overheard at rehearsal...
The following was overheard at a prop meeting last week...
ADAM SAMTUR: Ok, Angela is bringing the bible and Damian is bringing the bondage cuffs...
ADAM SAMTUR: Ok, Angela is bringing the bible and Damian is bringing the bondage cuffs...
Fundraiser
Next Sunday's Fundraiser will include a silent auction of some of the best photgraphers from around the world. Below is just one of the images we'll be auctioning - all to support ENACT and the production of the play. Photo by Judith Monteferrante.
Visit www.twintowersplay.com/fundraiser for more details
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Jedi Master Q
When Q came to the audition and did a high kick above his head, I thought to myself, "He's going to be in this play." I'd like to go on and on about Quatis Tarkington, aka Q, but I'll just let the photos speak for themselves.
Monday, June 1, 2009
Diego on Twin Towers
Diego Villada spent two sessions with our actors making our fight scenes a reality. He had some thoughts about the production:
"The cast is very energetic, and the energy that they brought to their rehearsals brought the characters to life. It was a pleasure working with them. The subject matter in Twin Towers relates to the physical action on stage, and the enthusiasm and proficiency of the production team helped bring it all together. The importance of the subject matter is what drew me in. I've done a lot of movement, so seeing fighting and Capoiera on stage is nothing new, but I've never seen anything about post traumatic stress syndrome and an Iraq war veteran's support system incorpirated into a movement piece like this, it made it very interesting."
"The cast is very energetic, and the energy that they brought to their rehearsals brought the characters to life. It was a pleasure working with them. The subject matter in Twin Towers relates to the physical action on stage, and the enthusiasm and proficiency of the production team helped bring it all together. The importance of the subject matter is what drew me in. I've done a lot of movement, so seeing fighting and Capoiera on stage is nothing new, but I've never seen anything about post traumatic stress syndrome and an Iraq war veteran's support system incorpirated into a movement piece like this, it made it very interesting."
Jason and Trevor
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