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

"Now we have a show."

- Overheard on set yesterday, spoken by Angela Astle, director of Twin Towers after the second full dress run through.

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!

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/

Q, again. Seriously, look at this guy!

Kena as Trevor

Here is one image of Kena, playing Iraq War Veteran Trevor Forde. There's more like this on our Flickr site.

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

Kena

Kena has some great moves during the fight as well.

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...

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

No Comment.

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.

Jason and Trevor

Today's rehearsal was quite exhilarating- Jason and Kena (above) worked on the two fight scenes for more than three hours. Diego, our choreographer, is simply amazing. Here is an image from rehearsal, with a new backdrop added (that's actually my building in Crown Heights!).

Kink

A talked about how one of the characters' world become reality, and it is told through s techno song - well you can listen to the song on Grahame's music blog - Please check it out and leave a comment if you like it.

Grahame made that song in over the weekend, and it was his first song in two years - you can see that the previous music file he posted was from 2007! I guess he hasn't lost his touch because the song is pretty amazing. If fits the tone of the scene perfectly - I don't want to give too much away, but you'll understand when you see the show in June.

Seduction/Tango

Myla Flores and Kena Anae dance the Tango in Twin Towers, a play by Damian Wampler and directed by Angela Astle.

"This is one of the many seduction scenes in Twin Towers. Trevor has returned from the war and is determined to put everything back the way it was. The dance is flirtatious and spontaneous and both characters feel a rush of memories return. Patty took my vision and brought it to life. Kena and Myla understand the characters so well that they are in character throughout the scene. I love the way this turned out and I can't wait for people to see it." - Damian

Patty talks about the Tango

I described to Patty, our tango choreographer, my goals for the dance and some background about the characters. She took the ideas and ran with it! Patty speaks...

Tango

Here is a behind the scenes look at the production of TWIN TOWERS - Our tango Choreographer Patty working with one of the stars of the show, Kena Anae.

Bulk Tickets

This is a stack of letters I am mailing out to schools and organizations about bulk tickets. The regular ticket price is $18, but groups of 10 or more will be discounted at $15 each. Groups of 20 or more will be discounted to $12 a ticket.

To purchase bulk tickets, contact planetjennb@gmail.com

Schools who buy bulk tickets can invite an actor to their school for a talk back. Cool!

Casting Call

AEA and Non-AEA Actors for Twin Towers performing at Planet Connections Theatre Festivity this June (Pending Equity Approval)

Category: Performers
Description: Twin Towers Play (Damian Wampler, Writer/Producer and Angela Astle, Director) will be holding auditions for Twin Towers on Friday, May 1 at 132 W 21st street, between 6th and 7th. The first appointment will be scheduled at 1:00 and the last will be at 6:00pm. Auditions are by appointment only.

Indicate the desired role and an approximate call time that works best for you.

The following roles are available. Please submit head shots AND resumes via email ONLY to casting@twintowersplay.com We must receive your headshot and resume before Thursday, April 30th at noon. Late or incomplete submissions will not be considered.

Trevor Forde: Iraq war veteran, Esther’s adopted grandson, mid 20s. Trevor’s character MUST sing, dance Tango, and perform capoeira dance.

Jamal Jones: Returned Peace Corps Volunteer. Trevor’s best friend from grade school, mid 20s. Jamal MUST be able to sing and perform capoeira dance.

Olivia Walker: Young woman and mother, early 20s. Must be able to sing and dance Tango.

Male Ensemble Actor: 20s-35, must know capoeira dance. Characters include a Thug, an Army Captain, a Blind Preacher, and Trevor’s Psyche.

Female Ensemble Actress: 20s-35, must be able to move well (specifically capoeira training is helpful). Characters include Trevor’s Psyche and the Devil.

African American Actors especially encouraged to apply, but all ethnicities welcome.


Job Start Date 5/1/2009
Job End Date 6/28/2009
Salary Stipend
Pending Equity Approval
Company: Twin Towers The Play
Contact Damian Wampler: casting@twintowersplay.com
Website: www.twintowersplay.com

Sunday's Casting Call

Here is what Angela had to say about the casting call on Sunday:

"It always amazes me the plethora of talent that is in the Indie Theatre community and while we were unable to completely cast our show off of our first round of auditions, I feel like it was a successful day. I especially enjoyed meeting with the choreographer and talking a few specific capoeira moves! It was even more fun when we had two stellar artists perform those moves!

I have much respect for actors and their ability to day in and out, audition after audition, put their heart and soul out there for me to judge them. While I know my job is to find the best possible actors who can bring life to the characters within the play, it's still very difficult to be so judgmental when presented with so much talent!"

I agree completely! I was blown away.