After the success of Blackouts, written and directed by Murray Mednick, Padua is proud to announce our second venture into the new world of hybrid online theatre work with Airlock-24, a sci-fi noir written by Guy Zimmerman, and directed by Scarlett Kim. Developed in Padua’s ongoing workshop, PaduaLab, Airlock-24begins outside the International Space Station when an astronaut refuses to return after a space walk. Exploring the idea of the Earth as a fragile airlock surrounded by nonliving expanse of outer space, Airlock-24 tracks the crisis as it unfolds between this astronaut (Paul Turbiak), a Russian cosmonaut (Andrea LeBlanc), and his estranged wife in ground control (Cordelia Istel). “The panoramic scope and the raw, primary emotions of these characters remind me of opera,” says Zimmerman.
The layered video design by Alexander Grover composites live feed video with archival footage creating a visual algorithm delineating and muddying the boundaries of these three different spheres of existence, and how performance figures in each. Original music by Anthony Storniolo evokes film noir and psychedelic rock through a lush blend of vibraphone, accordion and digital synths.
“This is an experiment in finding new relationships between physical and virtual spaces,” says Kim. “We are exploring the interdependence of systems—the brain as a neural space, space suit as ecosystem, love triangle as a landscape, memory spaces, and Earth and outer space as metaphors for the stage in this new medium of online theatre.” Kim conveys the elastic scale of these worlds by generating surprising alignments and disjunctions. Her work here is bold and adventurous—not-to-be-missed!
Produced by Gabrieal Griego and supported by a remarkable cast—in addition to Turbiak, LeBlanc and Istel including AJ Delaire, Briġid Gallaġher, Peter Mark and Daniel David Stewart. Production and video design by Alexander Grover and music by Anthony Storniolo, Airlock-24 breaks exciting new ground in online theatre arts.
Airlock-24 will premiere online on Friday, June 26th at 8pm (PDT), with subsequent performances on Saturday June 27th at 8pm (PDT), and a matinee performance on Sunday, June 28th at 3 pm (PDT).
We believe that no one should be denied access to the arts due to lack of funds.
Therefore all tickets to Airlock-24 are Pay What You Will.
We also believe in paying our artists for their work.
If you can, please help us achieve this with a generous donation at the box-office.
You may secure your link to any of our three performances here:
Help keep L.A. theatre arts alive, and experience for yourself exciting new work in this compelling new medium!