Rogue Artists Ensemble
Encyclopedia
Rogue Artists Ensemble is a theater company based in Long Beach, California
that specializes in “Hyper-theatrical” performance. According to the mission statement on the company’s official website:
Hallmarks of Rogue Artists shows include mask work, puppetry, and digital projection. Many Rogue Artists shows are adapted from existing works, but the final scripts are always written in-house via a collaborative process. Although most Rogue Artists shows tend to employ adult themes, the group also runs a children’s program with workshops and performances for those too young to attend regular Rogue performances.
. Their first three shows, "Hyperbole," "The Poe Play" (based on the stories of Edgar Allan Poe
), and "Pip" (based on the novel Great Expectations
by Charles Dickens
) were performed on campus.
In 2003, the group became a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) company and began performing independently of the members’ alma mater
. Subsequent shows were performed in small venues around Los Angeles
and Orange County, California
.
In 2006, and again in 2008, the Rogues received a grant from the Jim Henson Foundation
to produce an adaptation of Neil Gaiman
and Dave McKean
’s “The Tragical Comedy or Comical Tragedy of Mr. Punch
.”
In 2009 the Rogues created an original adaptation of three shorts stories by Nikolai Gogol
- "The Overcoat
", "The Nose", and "Diary of a Madman
"- entitled Gogol Project. The play was written by Kitty Felde with original music and songs by Ego Plum.
, illustrator Dave McKean
, writer Angus Oblong
, and musicians such as The Ditty Bops
, Jack Irons
, Two Sheds, and composer Ben Phelps.
LA Times photo spread http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/arts/la-ca-puppets10-2008aug10,0,2919384.story
ExperienceLA http://blog.experiencela.com/2008/07/mr-punch-grown-up.html
Long Beach, California
Long Beach is a city situated in Los Angeles County in Southern California, on the Pacific coast of the United States. The city is the 36th-largest city in the nation and the seventh-largest in California. As of 2010, its population was 462,257...
that specializes in “Hyper-theatrical” performance. According to the mission statement on the company’s official website:
Rogue Artists Ensemble is a collective of multi-disciplinary artists who create Hyper-theater, an innovative hybrid of theater traditions, puppetry, mask work, dance, music, and modern technology. Through a collaborative development process, with an emphasis on design and storytelling, the Rogues create original, thought provoking performances. We cultivate unique audience experiences that appeal to multiple generations of theatergoers in order to expand the boundaries of contemporary American theater.
Hallmarks of Rogue Artists shows include mask work, puppetry, and digital projection. Many Rogue Artists shows are adapted from existing works, but the final scripts are always written in-house via a collaborative process. Although most Rogue Artists shows tend to employ adult themes, the group also runs a children’s program with workshops and performances for those too young to attend regular Rogue performances.
History
Rogue Artists Ensemble was founded in 2001 by students at the University of California, IrvineUniversity of California, Irvine
The University of California, Irvine , founded in 1965, is one of the ten campuses of the University of California, located in Irvine, California, USA...
. Their first three shows, "Hyperbole," "The Poe Play" (based on the stories of Edgar Allan Poe
Edgar Allan Poe
Edgar Allan Poe was an American author, poet, editor and literary critic, considered part of the American Romantic Movement. Best known for his tales of mystery and the macabre, Poe was one of the earliest American practitioners of the short story and is considered the inventor of the detective...
), and "Pip" (based on the novel Great Expectations
Great Expectations
Great Expectations is a novel by Charles Dickens. It was first published in serial form in the publication All the Year Round from 1 December 1860 to August 1861. It has been adapted for stage and screen over 250 times....
by Charles Dickens
Charles Dickens
Charles John Huffam Dickens was an English novelist, generally considered the greatest of the Victorian period. Dickens enjoyed a wider popularity and fame than had any previous author during his lifetime, and he remains popular, having been responsible for some of English literature's most iconic...
) were performed on campus.
In 2003, the group became a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) company and began performing independently of the members’ alma mater
Alma mater
Alma mater , pronounced ), was used in ancient Rome as a title for various mother goddesses, especially Ceres or Cybele, and in Christianity for the Virgin Mary.-General term:...
. Subsequent shows were performed in small venues around Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
and Orange County, California
Orange County, California
Orange County is a county in the U.S. state of California. Its county seat is Santa Ana. As of the 2010 census, its population was 3,010,232, up from 2,846,293 at the 2000 census, making it the third most populous county in California, behind Los Angeles County and San Diego County...
.
In 2006, and again in 2008, the Rogues received a grant from the Jim Henson Foundation
Jim Henson Foundation
The Jim Henson Foundation was founded by puppeteer and Muppet creator Jim Henson to promote and develop puppetry in the United States. It is the only grantmaking institution with this mission. The Jim Henson Foundation has bestowed 440 grants. Its president is Cheryl Henson, Jim Henson's...
to produce an adaptation of Neil Gaiman
Neil Gaiman
Neil Richard Gaiman born 10 November 1960)is an English author of short fiction, novels, comic books, graphic novels, audio theatre and films. His notable works include the comic book series The Sandman and novels Stardust, American Gods, Coraline, and The Graveyard Book...
and Dave McKean
Dave McKean
David McKean is an English illustrator, photographer, comic book artist, graphic designer, filmmaker and musician....
’s “The Tragical Comedy or Comical Tragedy of Mr. Punch
The Tragical Comedy or Comical Tragedy of Mr. Punch
The Tragical Comedy or Comical Tragedy of Mr. Punch or simply Mr. Punch is a graphic novel written by Neil Gaiman, illustrated and designed by Dave McKean...
.”
In 2009 the Rogues created an original adaptation of three shorts stories by Nikolai Gogol
Nikolai Gogol
Nikolai Vasilievich Gogol was a Ukrainian-born Russian dramatist and novelist.Considered by his contemporaries one of the preeminent figures of the natural school of Russian literary realism, later critics have found in Gogol's work a fundamentally romantic sensibility, with strains of Surrealism...
- "The Overcoat
The Overcoat
"The Overcoat" is the title of a short story by Ukrainian-born Russian author Nikolai Gogol, published in 1842. The story and its author have had great influence on Russian literature, thus spawning Fyodor Dostoyevsky's famous quote: "We all come out from Gogol's 'Overcoat'." The story has been...
", "The Nose", and "Diary of a Madman
Diary of a Madman (story)
Diary of a Madman is a farcical short story by Nikolai Gogol. Along with The Overcoat and The Nose, Diary of a Madman is considered to be one of Gogol's greatest short stories. The tale centers on the life of a minor civil servant during the repressive era of Nicholas I...
"- entitled Gogol Project. The play was written by Kitty Felde with original music and songs by Ego Plum.
Collaborations
The Rogue Artists Ensemble have collaborated with a number of other artists, including writer Neil GaimanNeil Gaiman
Neil Richard Gaiman born 10 November 1960)is an English author of short fiction, novels, comic books, graphic novels, audio theatre and films. His notable works include the comic book series The Sandman and novels Stardust, American Gods, Coraline, and The Graveyard Book...
, illustrator Dave McKean
Dave McKean
David McKean is an English illustrator, photographer, comic book artist, graphic designer, filmmaker and musician....
, writer Angus Oblong
Angus Oblong
Angus Oblong is the pen name of an American writer and illustrator best known as the author of Creepy Susie and 13 Other Tragic Tales for Troubled Children and the 2001 television series it spawned, The Oblongs...
, and musicians such as The Ditty Bops
The Ditty Bops
The Ditty Bops is an American band from Los Angeles, California. Though previously with Warner Brothers, they now self-produce. They are noted for their tight vocal harmonies and playful style. They are headed by Abby DeWald and Amanda Barrett...
, Jack Irons
Jack Irons
Jack Steven Irons is an American musician who is best known as the original drummer of the American rock band The Red Hot Chili Peppers, as well as the former drummer for Eleven and Pearl Jam. He has also worked with Joe Strummer and The Latino Rockabilly War, Redd Kross, Raging Slab, Spinnerette...
, Two Sheds, and composer Ben Phelps.
Reviews
LA Times http://www.latimes.com/theguide/performing-arts/la-et-punch26-2008jul26,0,7698905.storyLA Times photo spread http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/arts/la-ca-puppets10-2008aug10,0,2919384.story
ExperienceLA http://blog.experiencela.com/2008/07/mr-punch-grown-up.html