The Ruckus Theater Presents RUNG Workshop, 4/8-10

The Ruckus Theater presents the workshop premier of Rung by Matt Test, directed by Timo Aker. Rung explores the connection between voice and body. Casts for the project includes Chicago theater favorites and Ruckus regulars. Rung is performed at The Side Project Theatre (1439 W. Jarvis) April 8-10, 2012. The performance on Sunday, April 8th will begin at 3pm. All other performances are at 7:00pm. Tickets are pay what you can.

A body needs a voice- verbal or nonverbal. We require communication. Rung asks the question: what happens when a voice needs a body, and you can’t keep sharing yours? Playwright/composer Matt Test, director Timo Aker, are helping Norbert Grover Norquist uncover what to do with this spare voice he’s got rattling around in his head.

Playwright/ Composer Matt Test is a writer, actor, and musician. In addition to being an ensemble member with The Ruckus, he is a company member with the Curious Theatre Branch and plays music in the bands ElvisBride and The Crooked Mouth.

Director Timo Aker is the Casting Director for The Ruckus. Originally from Cleveland, OH, he holds a BA in Theatre Arts from Kalamazoo College, during which he studied for a year at Trinity College, Dublin. He has since completed the Acting Apprenticeship at Actors Theatre of Louisville, and regionally has acted with Actors Theatre of Louisville, The Cleveland Playhouse, Great Lakes Theater Festival, Idaho Shakespeare Festival, and American Theater Company. He has also taught with Idaho Shakespeare Festival and American Theater Company. He will begin an MFA in Acting at University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign this coming fall.

The cast of Rung includes Troy Martin as Norbert Grover Norquist, Casey Cunningham as Chorus 1, Jen Roehm as Chorus 2, Kyle Johnson as Chorus 3. Musicians include Charlie Worth on piano and Suzanne Osman on percussion. Dramaturgy for this production by Gwen Tulin.

Performance Schedule:
Sunday, April 8, 2012 Monday, April 9, 2012 Tuesday, April 10, 2012
3pm- pay what you can 7pm- pay what you can 7pm- pay what you can

Tickets to Rung are pay what you can. Tickets may be purchased online at ruckustheater.org or by phone at 205.335.5381.

Founded by an industrious group of Michigan ex-pats, The Ruckus is composed of actors, directors, playwrights, musicians, casting directors, publicity managers, grant writers, baristas, grad students, poets, computer fixers, appointment-makers and census-takers who aim to create a new kind of company—a casteless theater that blends the lines between playwright and actor, audience and company member. The Ruckus Theater is led by Artistic Director Allison Shoemaker, Associate Artistic Director Joshua Davis and a company and ensemble of nineteen.

The Ruckus develops new work and the artists who create that work. The ensemble breaks down the walls of traditional methods to nurture new plays and challenge exceptional artists. They believe in creating a process for every project from the ground up. They commit to the growth of our ensemble, the artists they collaborate with, and the plays they develop. They aim to deepen the cultural bedrock of the community by giving megaphones to new voices and by making theater affordable. By fostering conversations that rip through the curtain, they aim to lead both artist and audience down an unexpected path with art that doesn’t play by the rules.

For more information visit iruckus.blogspot.com; facebook.com/theruckustheater; flickr.com/ruckustheater; twitter.com/ruckustheater; and youtube.com/theruckustheater.