<![CDATA[Outcry Theatre

<![CDATA[Outcry Theatre - Blog]]>Tue, 06 Oct 2026 20:09:03 -0700Weebly<![CDATA[Outcry Theatre Announces Auditions for Bat Boy: The Musical]]>Wed, 12 Jul 2017 01:25:37 GMThttps://www.outcrytheatre.org/blog/outcry-theatre-announces-auditions-for-bat-boy-the-musicalOutcry Theatre will present its first ever musical this fall with Bat Boy: The Musical, which has a story and book by Keythe Farley and Brian Flemming, and music and lyrics by Laurence O'Keefe, the composer of Heathers.

The show will be directed by Artistic Director Becca Johnson-Spinos with music direction by Marina Pogosyan.

AUDITION DATES:
Friday, August 4 from 6:00-10:00 pm
Sunday, August 6 from 6:00-10:00 pm

SIGN UP:
http://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0449a5a828aaf58-batboy

CALLBACKS:
Friday, August 11 from 6:00-10:00 pm

PERFORMANCE & REHEARSAL DATES:
Friday, October 6 at 7:30 pm
Saturday, October 7 at 2:00 & 7:30 pm
Sunday, October 8 at 2:00 pm
Friday, October 13 at 7:30 pm
Saturday, October 14 at 2:00 & 7:30 pm
Sunday, October 15 at 2:00 pm

Rehearsals will start Monday, August 28 and be in the evenings, five or six days a week.

AUDITION & REHEARSAL LOCATION:
Outcry Theatre
1915 N. Central Expressway
Suite 120
Plano, TX 75075

PERFORMANCE LOCATION:
Studio Theatre
Addison Theatre Centre
15650 Addison Rd.
Addison, TX 75001

CAST: 6M, 4F or more, with gender flexibility and lots of doubling. All roles are available.

SYNOPSIS: A half boy/half bat creature has been discovered in a cave in West Virginia, and the Parker family must decide what to do with it. Will Meredith Parker follow her instincts and treat the creature like a son? Or should veterinarian Dr. Parker just put it down? The Parkers’ decision to raise the Bat Boy as their own sets the family on a collision course with their narrow-minded and frightened neighbors, and the developing relationship between Bat Boy and their daughter Shelley threatens to tear their whole world apart. Both hysterical and heartbreaking, Bat Boy: The Musical explores what it feels like to be an outcast and what it means to be human.

WHAT TO PREPARE: Actors will be asked to sing 32 bars/one-minute of a music theatre song, preferably in the style of the show. Please bring sheet music for our accompanist. Actors may also be asked to read sides from the show.

ROLES:
Bat Boy - (Male, Teenager): A boy. A monster. The role demands a great deal of physicality, comedic timing, and emotional vulnerability. Tenor/Falsetto.
Meredith Parker - (Female, Wife & Mother): Mother to Shelley & wife of Dr. Parker. Her compassionate & loving nature leads her to take in & care for Bat Boy. This role requires both comedic chops & emotional nuance. Mezzo-Soprano.
Dr. Thomas Parker - (Male, Father & Husband): Mother to Shelley & husband of Meredith. The local veterinarian, very well respected by the townsfolk, who would do anything to restore his relationship with his wife. A desperate and sad man, pushed to the limits of sanity. Baritone/Tenor.
Shelley Parker - (Female, Teenager): An innocent, immature, and rebellious teenager, who grows up over the course of the show. This role calls for an excellent comedic & dramatic actress. Mezzo-Soprano.
The Townsfolk:
Sheriff Reynolds - (Male, 30+): The local Sheriff, very concerned about re-election, & trying to make everyone happy. Baritone.
Rick Taylor - (Male, Teenager): Shelley's boyfriend, troublemaker. Must be comfortable rapping & singing in a heavy metal style. Typically doubles as Lorraine (local townswoman), Mr. Dillon (a rancher), & Doctor. Tenor.
Reverend Billy Hightower - (Male/Female, 30+): A gospel singing evangelist, brought in to save the town. Must be an excellent vocalist with great comedic timing. Typically doubles as Mrs. Taylor (aggressive mother of the Taylor kids), & Institute Man. Tenor/Alto.
Pan - (Male/Female, 16+): The god Pan, who leads the other animals of the forest to help bring Bat Boy & Shelley together. Typically doubles as Bud (a rancher) & Daisy (a townswoman). Tenor.
Mayor Maggie - (Female, 30+): Bossy & assertive town official, not afraid to speak her mind. Typically doubles as Ron Taylor (middle Taylor kid, rowdy, spelunking teenager) & Clem (a townsman). Alto.
Ruthie Taylor - (Female, Teenager): A rowdy, rebellious, teenage spelunker. Youngest of the Taylor kids. Typically doubles as Ned (a rancher). Soprano.

COMPENSATION: Actors will receive a stipend.
Bat Boy: The Musical is produced by special arrangement with Dramatists Play Service, Inc.]]><![CDATA[Outcry Theatre Expands Into Educational Theatre With Outcry Youth Theatre]]>Sat, 30 Apr 2016 15:58:50 GMThttps://www.outcrytheatre.org/blog/outcry-theatre-expands-into-educational-theatre-with-outcry-youth-theatreOutcry Theatre, whose previous productions include Hearts Like Fists and the Out of the Loop winning dark play or stories for boys, announces Outcry Youth Theatre, an educational theatre program producing plays and musicals for children and teens.

Artistic Director Becca Johnson-Spinos has been working in both adult and children’s theatre for the last five years. She previously served as a director at Plano Children’s Theatre (directing over 25 productions), as well as their daytime show manager. She founded Outcry Theatre in 2010 and has directed all of their productions.

Johnson-Spinos says, “I'm excited to create a theatre where kids and teens can express their individuality, explore great works of literature, and grow as both performers and people. I'm also thrilled to bring the Outcry Theatre aesthetic into this venture, and create professional quality, unique, quirky, and exhilarating theatrical productions starring youths and teens.”

Danielle Soffa will join Outcry Theatre as the new Managing Director. She brings extensive experience in show managing as well as a passion for working with youth as evident in her previous position as the Program Services Manager at Heroes for Children.

About the new Outcry Youth Theatre program, Soffa says, “Outcry Youth Theatre offers a high level of standards for the youth involved. They don’t just learn their lines and blocking, they immerse themselves into their characters with the guidance of director Becca Johnson-Spinos.”

Co-founder and former Managing Director Jason Johnson-Spinos will become the Marketing Director and will continue as the theatre’s resident sound and projection designer.

The first production of Outcry Youth Theatre will be Love/Sick, the sequel-of-sorts to John Cariani’s popular Almost, Maine. Love/Sick will be for ages 14-18 and will perform July 15-24 at the Margo Jones Theatre in Fair Park.

Click here for more info on Love/Sick.

Up next will be A Wrinkle in Time, adapted from Madeleine L’Engle’s book by James Sie. Performing at GG’s Theatre ETC. in Valley View Mall from August 19-28, A Wrinkle in Time will be for ages 8-14.

Click here for more info on A Wrinkle in Time.

]]><![CDATA[3 QUESTIONS WITH "HEARTS LIKE FISTS” FIGHT CHOREOGRAPHER RHONDA DURANT]]>Thu, 05 Mar 2015 04:00:26 GMThttps://www.outcrytheatre.org/blog/3-questions-with-hearts-like-fists-fight-choreographer-rhonda-durantIn Outcry Theatre's Hearts Like Fists, a group of female-vigilante Crimefighters take on the evil Doctor X, who injects poison into the hearts of sleeping lovers. Leading the Crimefighters into battle both literally and figuratively is Rhonda Durant, who doubles as Fight Choreographer and head Crimefighter Sally.

In a new series of blog posts, we'll be asking 3 questions of the artists involved in producing Adam Szymkowicz's Hearts Like Fists, which plays March 19 - 29 at the Margo Jones Theatre in Fair Park. Rhonda Durant, never afraid, agreed to go first.

1. How did you get into fight choreography?

I was a gymnast for about ten years when I was younger, so I have always been athletic and very aware of my body. Because of this, if a role emerged that required a female who could pick up on fight choreography quickly, I was often cast in them. As an actor I got a lot of 'on the job' training, as it were this way. One of these roles was an Opera by the name of Kashche the Immortal, with Millennium Opera Company. They needed someone who who could handle a sword while singing high notes. The director and I became good friends after that, and she invited me to go with her to a Stage Combat Training weekend in Louisiana, and I decided to try to try it out. I have been training in various disciplines since then. A couple of years ago a friend was directing a play and the guy he usually looked to for choreography was unavailable, so he asked me to step in. Since then I have worked on several film sets, and stages all over DFW.

2. What excites you about the stage combat in Hearts Like Fists?

It is very rare to come across a script where a woman gets to do any fight choreography at all, let alone 4 who get to look like bad asses at that! Being able to play with such an interesting style of combat on top of that really lets you get very creative in a way that I often don't get to. These are strong, powerful women who work together as a team and really back each other up. It's excited to help create that dynamic on stage for the audience to experience it.

3. Have you ever been in a real life fight?

I have never gotten into a 'real fight', persay, but I did almost break my husband's nose when we were first married. You see, most people have what you call a 'fight or flight reflex.' If in danger and your adrenaline kicks in quickly, your 'lizard brain' turns on, and your 'rational brain' shuts down. I do not have fight or flight. I have what I call 'punch and run.' One good hit and I am out the door. I will survive the horror movie. During the first week living together in his apartment after we had gotten married, I had accidentally scared him multiple times. I was not intentionally sneaking up on him, but I am very light on my feet. He decided to get revenge one day by hiding in the hallway on top of the dryer and waiting until I walked by so he could pop out and scare me. His plan worked in one way: I was scared. 'Lizard brain' turned on and 'rational brain' turned off and I popped him in the face. I had some Muay Thai [a combat sport] under my belt at this point so I knew how to land a punch. I was out the door and halfway through the parking lot before my 'rational brain' alerted me that I had just hit my husband. He still knows better than to sneak up on me.

For tickets to see Rhonda and the rest of the Crimefighters kicking butt at the Margo Jones Theatre, click here.

]]><![CDATA[OUTCRY THEATRE COMES BACK SWINGING WITH “HEARTS LIKE FISTS”]]>Mon, 15 Dec 2014 16:31:37 GMThttps://www.outcrytheatre.org/blog/outcry-theatre-comes-back-swinging-with-hearts-like-fists

Outcry Theatre will present Hearts Like Fists, a superhero noir comedy by Adam Szymkowicz, at the Margo Jones Theatre in Fair Park on March 19-21 and March 26-March 29.

This will be Outcry Theatre’s first production since producing Lucas Hnath’s Isaac’s Eye this past January, which critic Christopher Soden called a “sublime, chilling, phenomenal drama.” Previous productions include Carlos Murillo’s dark play or stories for boys (winner Best of Loop at Out of the Loop) and Itamar Moses’s The Four of Us in 2012, and Sarah Hammond’s Circus Tracks in 2013.

In Hearts Like Fists, the emotionally and physically scarred Doctor X is terrorizing the city, murdering sleeping lovers with a heart-stopping poison. Will the female-vigilante Crimefighters be able to stop him? And will their newest member Lisa survive the challenges of a superhero’s double-life? Can heartbroken doctor Peter finally build an artificial heart to replace his own and save the lovers of the city? Will Peter and Lisa fall in love? And worse yet, what will happen if they do?

Author Adam Szymkowicz’s plays have been produced in Canada, England, The Netherlands, Germany, Lithuania and all over the United States, including in Dallas with Nerve, which was developed with Kitchen Dog Theatre.

Hearts Like Fists will be directed by Artistic Director Becca Johnson-Spinos and will feature costume design by Amanda Capshaw, lighting design by Skyy Pamilton, and sound and projections designed by Managing Director Jason Johnson-Spinos. Auditions for Hearts Like Fists will take place in January, exact date TBA.

There will be a Pay-What-You-Can Preview Performance on Thursday, March 19 at 8 pm. Opening Night is Friday, March 20 at 8pm.

Performances:
Thursday, March 19 at 8 pm (Pay-What-You-Can)
Friday, March 20 at 8 pm (Opening Night)
Saturday, March 21 at 8 pm
Sunday, March 22 at 2:30 pm

Thursday, March 26 at 8 pm
Friday, March 27 at 8 pm
Saturday, March 28 at 8 pm
Sunday, March 29 at 2:30 pm

Tickets:
$10 – Thursday and Sunday
$15 – Friday and Saturday
Thursday, March 19 is a Pay-What-You-Can performance.
Tickets can be reserved by emailing outcrytheatre@gmail.com or calling 972.836.7206. Payment for tickets is cash or check only, at the door.

Hearts Like Fists is presented at:
Margo Jones Theatre in Fair Park
Magnolia Lounge
1121 First Ave.
Dallas, TX 75210

Hearts Like Fists is produced by special arrangement with Dramatists Play Service, Inc.

About Outcry Theatre
The mission of Outcry Theatre is to draw teenagers and young adults to the theatre as both audience members and participants. Outcry Theatre utilizes bold artistic vision, highly physical staging, and an energetic and visceral performance style. With rigorous rehearsals, tenacious attention to detail, and unwavering dedication to excellence, Outcry Theatre focuses on developing stellar performances and exceptional storytelling.

]]><![CDATA[OUTCRY THEATRE RETURNS WITH “ISAAC’S EYE”]]>Wed, 13 Nov 2013 15:26:27 GMThttps://www.outcrytheatre.org/blog/outcry-theatre-returns-with-isaacs-eyeOutcry Theatre will present Isaac’s Eye, a comedy by Lucas Hnath, at the Studio Theatre in the Addison Theatre Centre on January 23-26 and January 31-February 2.

This will be Outcry Theatre’s first production since bringing Sarah Hammond’s Circus Tracks to the 2013 Out of the Loop Festival. Previous productions include Carlos Murillo’s dark play or stories for boys, winner of Best of Fest for the Studio Theatre at the 2012 Out of the Loop Festival, and the critically praised The Four of Us, written by Itamar Moses.

Isaac Newton once stuck a needle into his tear duct to try to figure out how the eye sees light. This is true. He really did that. But still, really? Did he really have to do that? Isaac's Eye, by Lucas Hnath, playfully blends the facts of Newton's life with an equal dose fiction to explore what great people are willing to sacrifice to become great people.

A resident playwright at New Dramatists since 2011, Lucas Hnath's work has been produced at Actors Theatre of Louisville, University of Miami, The Culture Project, Target Margin and Ontological-Hysteric Theater. Additionally, his plays have been developed at Ensemble Studio Theatre, Rattlestick Playwrights Theater, and Cleveland Public Theatre. He has enjoyed playwrighting residencies with The Royal Court Theatre and 24Seven Lab. He is a two-time winner of the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation Grant for his feature-length screenplays: The Painting, the Machine, and the Apple, and Still Life. He received an EST/Sloan Project commission for Isaac’s Eye. Lucas earned both his BFA and MFA from NYU's Department of Dramatic Writing and is a lecturer in NYU's Expository Writing Program. His other plays include Death Tax and nightnight.

Isaac’s Eye will be directed by Artistic Director Becca Johnson-Spinos and will be assistant directed by Managing Director Jason Johnson-Spinos.

Auditions for Isaac’s Eye are Monday, December 16 from 6-10 pm, and appointments can be made by emailing outcrytheatre@gmail.com. More info on auditions can be found here.

There will be a Pay-What-You-Can Preview Performance on Thursday, January 23 at 8 pm. Opening Night is Friday, January 24 at 8pm.

Performances:
Thursday, January 23 at 8 pm (Pay-What-You-Can)
Friday, January 24 at 8 pm (Opening Night)
Saturday, January 25 at 8 pm
Sunday, January 26 at 2 pm
Friday, January 31 at 8 pm
Saturday, February 1 at 8 pm
Sunday, February 2 at 2 pm

Tickets are $10, and can be reserved by emailing outcrytheatre@gmail.com or calling 972.836.7206. Payment for tickets is cash or check only, at the door.

Isaac’s Eye is presented at:
The Studio Theatre in the Addison Theatre Centre
15650 Addison Road
Addison, TX 75001

Isaac’s Eye is produced by special arrangement with Dramatists Play Service, Inc.

About Outcry Theatre
The mission of Outcry Theatre is to draw young adults to the theatre as both audience members and participants. Outcry Theatre utilizes bold artistic vision, highly physical staging, and an energetic and visceral performance style. With rigorous rehearsals, tenacious attention to detail, and unwavering dedication to excellence, Outcry Theatre focuses on developing stellar performances and exceptional storytelling.
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