Adolescent Anarchy: A Theatrical Collaborative to Present TrAAil Mix this Month

TrAAil Mix is the 2014 concept by Adolescent Anarchy: A Theatrical Collaborative, at the Des Moines Community Playhouse. TrAAil Mix consists of three events: "Equinox" June 13-15, "[title of show]" June 27-29, and Rasta Grandpa presented after each of the performances. Tickets for "Equinox" may be purchased at the door. Tickets for "[title of show]" may be purchased online at dmplayhouse.com, by phone at 515-277-6261, and at the Playhouse ticket office, 831 42nd St.

"Equinox" is an original play created by your very own Anarchists, Elsa Klein and Connor Bredbeck. It is the story of Oliver Moore, a 19 year-old college dropout who seeks to find his own path. When his parents pressure him down a road he does not wish to follow, he leaves to spend the summer with his eccentric aunt and uncle in Brazil. "Equinox" captures the conflict of choices every teenager faces.

The cast features Sam Bates-Norum, Melissa Chavas-Miller, Dave Miller, Claire Guderjahn, Jodi Stanfield, Karen Schaeffer, Denis Klein, and Spencer Gilbert. Adolescent Anarchy production team members are Elsa Klein and Connor Bredbeck, co-writers; Madi Delk, director and public coordinator; Tommy Anderson, technical designer; Victoria Saengsavath, costume designer; Halen Becker and Sam Bates-Norum, properties designers; Meredith Toebben, composer/sound designer; and Travis Reinders, producer.

"[title of show]" is a musical about writing a musical. Hunter and Jeff, two run-of-the-mill guys, aspire to make it big in the NYC theatre world. To accomplish this, they decide to write an original musical for the New York Musical Theatre Festival. As the three-week deadline looms over the characters' shoulders, emotions grow tense - creating a fun, fast-paced, and comedic performance that is sure to entertain.

The cast features Travis Monroe Neese, Zander Morales, Katherine Boothroyd, Rachel Rudeen, and Hannah Schnucker. Adolescent Anarchy production team members are Elsa Klein, director; Meredith Toebben, music director; Claire Guderjahn, choreographer; Tommy Anderson, technical designer; Paige Marshall, costume designer; Jones Pfeifer, properties designer; Madi Delk, public relations coordinator; Travis Reinders, producer; and Sam Maude, stage manager.

Rasta Grandpa is a fun, anything goes improv experience with classic and innovative techniques, including music, rap, and pure improv. This Adolescent Anarchy improv troupe was created to give students the opportunity to perform short-form improv in a professional environment. Rasta Grandpa performs after every performance of "Equinox" and "[title of show]," with additional performances around the community yet to come! Improv members include Tabitha Aplin, Noah Dorsett, Chris Hanian, Anne Hillker, Jake Lieberton, Grace Mumm, Cianna Rothwell, Grady Stein, and Lejla Subasic. Adolescent Anarchy production team members include Sam Bates-Norum and Danny Williams, co-directors; Madi Delk, public relations coordinator; and Travis Reinders, producer.

Adolescent Anarchy is made up of nine passionate and enthusiastic teens ready to take the world by storm. The group was inspired by the dedication and initiative taken by teens involved in the Playhouse education department's Pre-Intern Program (PIP). Their mission is to build a foundation of involvement for teens in the theatre by giving them the complete creative control to develop a fully realized, successful production. Last summer, Adolescent Anarchy produced the groundbreaking production of "Lord of the Flies". With mentoring from Playhouse professional staff, the teens were responsible for every aspect of production: direction, scenic design, costume design, finances, promotion, and ticket sales.

The Playhouse is Iowa's oldest and largest producing theatre. Located at the 42nd Street exit of I-235, the theatre has presented a full season of shows since 1919 and also offers a wide variety of educational experiences including classes for ages 4 to adult, theatre trips to New York, and volunteer opportunities onstage and backstage.

For more information about TrAAil Mix and Adolescent Anarchy, contact the Des Moines Community Playhouse at 515-277-6261 or visit www.dmplayhouse.com.