The New Colony Presents: “Down & Derby”
The New Colony, a 2011 Broadway in Chicago Emerging Theatre Award-recipient, is proud to announce the world premiere of its eleventh original creation, Down & Derby. Written by Aaron Weissman and directed by company member Thrisa Hodits, Down & Derby runs October 27 – December 8, 2012 at the Red Tape Theater, 621 W. Belmont Ave.
Created through The New Colony’s unique devised process of improvisation and character workshops, Down & Derby tells the story of sheer grit and guts. Set in the fictional town of Larkin City, Ohio, it’s the first home bout for the local Misfit Mavericks roller derby team. In just over a year they’ve trained up from nothing to become a fierce pack of quad squad rollers. Now the Misfits are on their own turf, and hope to become hometown heroes. Will the roller derby give Larkin City something to root for? Or will the team’s quick success send them spiraling out of control?
By taking advantage of movement director Katie Spelman’s dance and choreographic leadership coupled with the real-life experiences of former Windy City Roller, Jaclyn Keough (Kilotwatt) and current Chicago Outfit skater, Lucy Gossett (Blood Bath and Beyond), the team of eleven roller girls will move through the Red Tape Theatre space each on their own set of wheels.
The expansion of typical rehearsals to include bruiseinducing bouts on the roller rink has given the cast of Down & Derby the skills to transport their audiences from theater seat to rink side seat in an immersive theater experience emblematic of The New Colony. Derby-goers should expect the likes of JonBenet Slamsey, Harlot O’Scara and Blood Bath and Beyond to impress with their skating skills while humanizing the archetype of roller-chick through the original script devised by the entire cast and penned by Aaron Weissman.
Tickets are $20, with student and industry discounts available. The production runs Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm with the official press opening on Tuesday, October 30. Tickets go on sale September 26 and may be purchased at 773-413-0TNC (0862) or at thenewcolony.org.
