The whole scene is a metaphor, but... come see the show!
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.
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