What is escapism? What is home? How do you build a slingshot big enough to shoot yourself into the cosmos? Theatre meets visual installation meets gallery in this devised production, inspired by visual artist Ilya Kabakov’s work, “The Man Who Flew Into Space from his Own Apartment.” A comical journey of begrudging allies and a few irreverently handled Big Questions, this show guarantees a little bit of paint and no helpful answers.

Two scientists in a chop shop workshop find themselves inspired, like many scientists, by the scrawling of someone certifiably mad. When said writers makes a fateful appearance into their lives, all three find themselves in a silent hypocritical waltz. A poetic imagining of scientific marvel; how far we’ll go to go up, and how violently we crash on reentry.

Showtimes

Health & Safety

Proof of vaccination is required to attend this event. For the safety of audiences, artists, staff, and our greater community, you must be fully vaccinated to attend this event. Fully vaccinated means two weeks after your second dose. You will be asked to show proof of vaccination before entering the venue. Accepted forms for proof of vaccination include: a physical vaccine card with your name on it or a digital photo of your vaccine card on a cell phone. Please plan accordingly.

Masks must also be worn for the duration of the performance.

Content Considerations

Appropriate for Ages 13+

Audience Instructions

Warning: The space will be very warm due to limited AC.  No public restrooms are available on-site.

Credits

Director: Anastassia Vertjanova

Poet/Dramaturg: Amir Gad

Dramaturg: Juana Perral

Production Manager: Bless Rudisill

Set Designer: Annemarie Branco

Lighting Designer: Larry Barnes

Costume/Props Designer: Cole Supsic

Cosmonaut: Mae River Waldron

Cosmonaut: Noah Sturtridge

Audience Instructions

Audience should enter at the north end of the building, all the way up the hill at the black door and to follow signage through the building.

About the Artists

Anastassia Vertjanova (Director, She/her) prides herself on being a constructivist-inspired director and multi-media artist with emphasis on refined impulse, immersion, and the human need for catharsis. Working in the Philly theatrical scene as a technician and scenic artist allow her to more strongly engage in physical and design-based storytelling.

Juana Parral is a Philadelphia based writer and dramaturg. A recent graduate of the University of the Arts, her past work includes Pericles (Shakespeare in Clark Park, dramaturg), Toothache (Uarts, playwright), and On Your Side (The Void Theater Collective, playwright). She extends her thanks to the entire team of Unorthodox Methods of Cosmic Flight!

Amir Gad is a collagist and playwright born in New Jersey. His works focus on the paranormal in the mundane, the seriousness in kitsch. Follow him @pluton14n on Instagram and Twitter.

Bless Rudisill is a queer Philadelphia based lighting designer that thrives on exploring new tools,techniques and skills. With that being said he is producing this piece….. well sort of.

Larry is the Lighting Director at the Wells Fargo Center. He likes long walks on the beach and making people excited through live performance and design.

Cole Supsic (They/Them; Costume & Properties) is a multi-focused theatre designer and production collaborator. They enjoy working on projects as a visual storyteller, finding the right environment and tools that amplify a production’s skeleton. Cole loves collaborating on new and emerging work, where the possibilities are infinite.

Annemarie Branco is a Philly based scenic artist and set designer. Her work focuses on immersive entertainment with sustainable design, so she really enjoyed the process for this production and looks forward to working on more shows like this. Her work can be found on her Instagram account @annemariebranco

Mae Waldron (they/them) is an actor, playwright, composer, and interdisciplinary artist. You can listen to their concept album at ghosttownmusical.com, and find out more about them at ohitsbetterthisway.com. All love to Fauna!

Noah Sturtridge is an actor from California delighted to make his second appearance in the Philadelphia FringeArts festival. He has a background in devised theater and comedic improv, and studied at the Moscow Art Theater through National Theater Institute. He’s immensely grateful to his fellow artists on this project and especially his director for this wonderful opportunity to return to live theater.