SIMPLE MATH: Solving For The Neurobiology Comes To FringeNYC

Lisa Danielle Buch's new solo show, SIMPLE MATH: solving for the neurobiology of assault will have its New York Premiere at The New York International Fringe Festival in October. The limited engagement will play for five shows between October 13 - 28. SIMPLE MATH stars Buch and is directed by Ben Stockman with movement direction by Mardiee Slater.

In this poignant one-woman show Lisa reflects on a life changing experience that put her on the path to career success, but took advantage of her still-developing sense of self and timidity in the face of sexual pressure from a trusted mentor.

In mathematics, "imaginary numbers," or "i," were created to represent numbers we didn't originally think existed. By simply accepting that "i" exists, complex equations can be solved that were previously impossible. Just because something cannot be clearly defined does not mean it doesn't exist; and it definitely doesn't mean it is imaginary.

In SIMPLE MATH, Lisa explores the complex equation behind sexual assault, acknowledges that "i" exist(s), and finds healing at the end of a confounding calculation.

Buch and Stockman have been collaborating since they studied together at Ohio University (OU). Stockman directed Lisa in two shows at OU: Middletown and Machinal. They are reuniting for their first project together outside of school. When Buch first produced SIMPLE MATH in Athens, she specifically sought out a female director, OU student Olivia Rocco, who just finished the Siti Company summer intensive. Buch will be filling many creative team positions with women or genderqueer. It is important to Buch that all gender identifying individuals are part of this conversation.

In keeping with the festival spirit, this year, all audience members will meet at The FringeHUB, 685 Washington Street (Between Charles & Perry) and will be walked to the theatre by a Fringe Ambassador. All theatres are within 3 blocks of the FringeHUB.

Tickets are $22 and go on sale September 1 at http://www.fringenyc.org/basic_page.php?ltr=S#SIMPLE. Running time: 90 minutes.

Performance dates:
Saturday, October 13 @ 4:30 pm
Thursday, October 18 @ 8:00 pm
Sunday, October 21 @ 12:15 pm
Friday, October 26 @ 4:00 pm
Sunday, October 28 @ 7:15 pm

More info is available at www.simplemathshow.wixsite.com/lisabuch and www.fringenyc.org.

Lisa Danielle Buch (Playwright/Performer) was born and raised in metro Detroit, Michigan. She always had an interest in investigating the human experience, and shortly after receiving her BA in Psychology, decided to pursue acting as a career and moved to NYC. After a few years in the acting field in New York, she was accepted to the MFA Acting program at Ohio University (OU), where she graduated in May 2018. In her final year, she chose to do an independent study to create and write her own one-woman show, resulting in SIMPLE MATH. She is passionate about new work, social justice theater, and seeing how theatrical storytelling can shape and change an audience.

Ben Stockman (Director) is a half-Syrian half-Jewish NYC-based director and recent graduate of Ohio University's MFA Directing program. He is from southern Vermont, and began his directing career at the ever-so-tender age of 14 at the New England Youth Theatre in Brattleboro. He has held numerous theatre positions including acting, writing, puppetry, podcasting, stage management, dramaturgy, music production, and lighting design. Ben started pursuing directing as a career after getting his Bachelor's degree in English at Lesley College in 2010.

Mardiee Slater (Movement Director) comes from a desert embraced by mountains. Maridee got herself an MFA in Directing from Columbia University. During the 2016 election, she was a Visiting Associate Professor of Theatre in Colorado, which reignited her passion for social discourse. She is an affiliate of #WakingTheFeminists. She's always scheming, always dreaming, and cultivating the vital impulse. Sometimes she makes with her hands (as afabricator/carpenter/welder), sometimes she makes with her head (as a director and producer), sometimes with her body (as a choreographer and performer), and often by encouraging, prodding, and cheerleading others to realize their creative potential. Always, she makes with her heart and an unstoppable enthusiasm -- she has mountains of it. Notable credits: assistant directing Anne Bogart at the Guggenheim, Blackout: House, Hrbored with En Garde Arts, Onronerend Goed, The Boys Are Angry, and Hello Sunshine with Reese Witherspoon.

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