Interview: Boiling Point Players Co-founder Autumn Clack Talks A NEW DAWN Cabaret

The Boiling Point Players continues its season with cabaret A NEW DAWN. A NEW DAWN presents four original works by Houston playwright Bryan Maynard-- THE ELEMENT OF SUNRISE, FACE IT, WAKE UP!, and REAL EYES. In REAL EYES, a carnival psychic shows a young woman the light and, in doing so, shines light on her own path.

The company adds musical interludes, improvisation, and a sneak peek of its upcoming A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM.

BPP co-founder Autumn Clack tells audiences what to expect at the show.

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You're a female-centric theater company producing four new works by a male playwright. Do you think this conflicts with your mission statement?

No - although we are a female-driven theater company that wants to tell female-driven stories, we don't exclude men. We would love to be a community of both men and women who are committed to bringing authenticity, fun and females to the stage. Also, Bryan writes women very well. In fact, we chose his plays from blind submissions twice last year, so he was a natural person for us to go to when creating this cabaret.

Did the Boiling Point Players commission the pieces?

We did. Bryan writes very compelling, intelligent, complex female characters, and after our cabarets last year, when both we as artists and our audiences had such great experiences with his pieces, we knew we wanted him to write the whole evening.

Where are you in the production process? What's your current approach to the show production-wise?

We are currently in rehearsals for all the pieces, as well as deep into creating the elements that will make the whole show flow. Ruth [McCleskey, co-founder] and I took Bryan's plays and split up directing responsibility, but we really view our role as the ones who have the vision and responsibility for the arc of the evening, and then we can give the other artists space to create and do what they do best.

What is the feel of the show? Will I laugh or cry?

Ideally, a lot of the first and a little of the second. We love comedy, and we tried to choose or create pieces that made us laugh but, at the same time, we feel like art isn't worth doing if it doesn't strike a deeper chord in you, so -- depending how sensitive you're feeling that night, you might cry.

A cabaret is only as good as its venue. Outside of practical concerns, why did you choose Rudyard's British Pub?

We love Rudyard's because there is so much flexibility in the space. Since they are primarily a live music venue, there are very few spatial restrictions. And we can treat it like a playground. Being improv artists, Ruth and I are drawn to spaces that allow us to intermingle with, or at least be surrounded by, the audience, and Rudyard's makes that very easy. Plus, the staff there, from Joe who does our tech to Staci who does our booking (and more!) to the bartenders, are so welcoming to artists and really make us feel at home there.

Tell me, what's going to knock our socks off when we see the cabaret?

It's hard to say, because there is so much talent involved with this production, and the beauty of the cabaret format is that there's something for everyone. So different people will connect with different pieces. But I think the really stand-out element of A NEW DAWN is the acting. We've got some very high caliber actresses bringing these characters to life, and I think the audience is going to walk away with these performances playing over and over in their mind.

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A NEW DAWN CABARET. January 21. 8:30p. Rudyard's British Pub, 2010 Waugh Drive. 832-303-1578. boilingpointplayers.com

Photos courtesy of Boiling Point Players

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