Immediacy Theatre Project

ITP have been long time friends of Art Underground. Their performances are consistently fresh, sometimes outrageous, often significant and always entertaining.  Founded in the last few hours of 2004 by by Ian Randall and Kyle Kratky (and “a variety of crazy people who love to rock socks”) they “produce new theatrical works that break the rules of conventional theatre, reassemble them, then break them again.”

Immediacy Theatre Project (ITP) encourages communication on issues of gender, race, class, and politics by exploring new forms of theatre through immediacy. ITP facilitates dialogue by producing new theatrical works that challenge conventional notions surrounding theatre as an art form.

They are unique pioneers, fearlessly engaging artistic assumptions, but they are not provocative for the sake of provocation.  There is a creatively subtle agenda behind their craft, encouraging the audience to assume a posture that humanizes rather than demonizes.  Plays are unpredictably reverent and self-deprecating, simultaneously affirming and critiquing, conflictingly absurd and masterful.  For them, audience participation is key, and they mean it when they say that the “stage” extends from the empty space in front of the seating, past the chair you sit in, over the bar in the back, and spilling out into the surrounding neighborhood…  go ahead… dare them.

It is very possible that you will disagree with their conclusions, but gosh darn are they likable!  You simply can’t escape the temptation to applaud their reckless pursuit of a common humanity.  Here are a few upcoming events that you don’t want to miss!

WRETCHED READINGS
Immediacy Theatre Project (ITP) is pleased as punch to announce a ‘Wretched Readings’ fundraiser November 23 at Duff’s in the Central West End.

‘Wretched Readings’ will feature a slew of prepared readers sharing their terrible poems, prose, plays, film scripts, research papers and more. Managing Director Kyle Kratky will host the fundraiser.  In addition to the prepared performers, audience members are invited to sign up for an open mic slot to share their journal entries, haiku or anything else they have personally written.

‘Wretched Readings’ costs $5 at the door, and the bar will be open for business. Proceeds will go toward ITP’s New Year’s Eve twenty-four hour new plays festival ’24/6.’

Doors will open at 6:30. The readings start at 7:00 pm.

Facebook event page for Wretched Readings.

BEST OF DRAWN & QUARTERED
Immediacy Theatre Project (ITP) is absolutely jazzed to present thirty-five plays in this year’s final installment of ‘Drawn & Quartered.’

ITP has been producing episodes of ‘Drawn & Quartered’ for nearly five years. They have produced over 400 two-minute plays. Audiences have heard stories tragic, humorous and bizarre. Sock puppets have been martyred. Politics have been discussed. Ideas have been transferred. Amidst the flashy lights and exciting dance numbers, they have continuously challenged notions about conventional theatre and, above all, sought to create lasting connections with their audience members. ITP Artistic Director Matt Heckman has been hard at work selecting plays from their archives that represent the best cross-section of the work we’ve created over the past several years. The final result is manic, personal and sharp.

You are invited to laugh, ponder and gasp with ITP for a massive ‘Drawn & Quartered’ event – 35 of their best two-minute plays performed in an order chosen by you: the audience.

This is a FREE EVENT at the Schlafly Branch of the St. Louis Public Library (at Lindell and Euclid) on December 2 at 7 pm.

Facebook event page for BEST OF D&Q.