For most of us, it’s tough enough writing a coherent email minus any typos or emoticons. But two writers managed to transcend those limitations to write an entire double bill for the theater.
Phoenix playwright Mare Biddle and Canadian playwright Sterling Lynch had never met. But in March of 2009, in one of those fortunate, life-changing moments, the pair connected on Twitter and forged an unusual partnership.
Biddle and Lynch began collaborating on each other’s plays via email and the result is a double bill, Tangelico/A Cube with a View, now playing at Space 55 in Downtown Phoenix.
A Cube with a View, Biddle’s edgy comedy, was written as a companion piece for Lynch’s Tangelico, a farce about the creative process, friendship and memory. The two will finally meet for the first time on Feb. 27, the closing night of their one-act plays. Following the performance, they’ll conduct a live Q&A/Tweet-up on Twitter and with the theater audience.
If you haven’t yet been to Space 55, go and check out this small gem of a troupe. Unlike most of the bigger theaters, Space 55 develops much of its own work, collaborating closely with local writers and performers. Most of the work is offbeat and original, performed in a small, intimate setting.
Founded by actress Shawna Franks, Space 55 has a commitment to nurturing local talent. They host a monthly Writers Workshop where local playwrights can workshop new material and a Writers Forum that gives emerging talents the opportunity to encourage each other and bounce ideas around.
The very definition of a community theater, Space 55 wants people to experience live performances at a price they can afford. “In times like these, I think it’s important for people to find ways to get out, connect with each other and not break the bank,” says Franks.
So, how affordable is it? Performances are priced from $5 to $15 per person. That seems like a darned affordable way to show your support for the Downtown scene and its emerging roster of creative talents.