Theater Ninjas' Marble Cities
Marble Cities from Theater Ninjas on Vimeo.
Marble Cities
Directed and Devised by Jeremy Paul
Created and Performed by Theater Ninjas
Produced in association with Temple King Productions.
Starring Davis Aguila, Ray Caspio, Brittany Gaul, Ryan Lucas, Cassie Neumann, Michael Prosen, Emily Pucell and Colleen Uszak
Assistant Directed by Ray Caspio
November 1 – November 17
Ohio City Masonic Temple
2831 Franklin Blvd., Cleveland, OH 44113
TICKETS: www.theaterninjas.com
Master Apprentice: $30
General Admission: $20
Under 25/Over 65: $15
Mondays and Previews: $10
View the trailer online at: http://www.theaterninjas.com/#currentShow
Theater Ninjas Open the Doors on Marble Cities
World Premiere dives into power, secret societies and the ability to change the world
CLEVELAND (September 21, 2012) – This November, Theater Ninjas invites Cleveland audiences to explore the world of Marble Cities, an original new performance by the acclaimed theater group. Artistic Director Jeremy Paul brings together an ensemble of local artists to explore fate, desire and future of the universe. Taking its name from an Augustus Caesar quote (“I found Rome a city of bricks and left it a city of marble.”), the performance is about power; how people obtain it, use it and keep it.
Artistic Director Jeremy Paul found inspiration for this play in the way power and imagination intersect. “No matter if you believe in secret societies or magic or shadow governments, I think everyone desires a better world. We have these dreams in our minds, but rarely find the means to make them real, to make the world fit our fantasies. Whether it’s American politics or conquering our personal demons, the path to change is not always clear. We wanted to make a play about the lengths people go to affect the future.”
The fate of Cleveland looms large over the production. “Cities are a concrete connection between who we are as individuals and who we are as a nation,” says director Paul. “As Cleveland artists, we are interested in what makes cities succeed and what makes them fail–and what our role is in the future of our community. Buried underneath the rituals and conspiracies of Marble Cities are the questions ‘What role do you play in Cleveland’s identity? Can an individual truly make a difference or are the reins of power just too far out of reach?’”
Theater Ninjas Associate Artistic Director Ray Caspio also points to Cleveland as a major inspiration for the devised work. “Cleveland and its people are the heart of Marble Cities. Most of us are native Clevelanders – we've been through the ups, the downs, and the ups with everybody else.”
Marble Cities is an original, devised show created by an artistic ensemble of Theater Ninjas veterans and some dynamic new faces: Davis Aguila, Ray Caspio, Brittany Gaul, Ryan Lucas, Cassie Neumann, Michael Prosen, Emily Pucell and Colleen Uszak. Designers include Benjamin Gantose (lighting), Kevenn T. Smith (costumes), Val Kozlenko (set) and installation design by Joan Hargate. This unique performance is taking place in the historic Ohio City Masonic Temple.
More adventurous patrons have the option of purchasing a “Master Apprentice” ticket. This ticket includes early admittance to the show and a chance to participate in an exclusive secret ritual. “Master Apprentice” tickets have limited availability and have to be reserved at least 24 hours before the event.
Theater Ninjas was founded in 2006 with the goal of creating out-of-the-ordinary theatrical experiences. Theater Ninjas’ 2012-13 season is generously funded by the citizens of Cuyahoga County through Cuyahoga Arts and Culture and through the Ohio Arts Council. Artistic Director Jeremy Paul is a recipient of the 2012 Creative Workforce Fellowship award, which has helped make this new season of work possible.