麻豆影院

Single Carrot stages theater revolution

When members of听听put on听Illuminoctem听last November, they used a classic storyline 鈥� destiny brings boy and girl together, they fall in love at first sight and, despite adversity, are united in the end.

But the way the story was told showcased the group鈥檚 unique style. The play was completely wordless, and actors moved across stage with a mix of contemporary, interpretive and African dance moves. The beat of drums and an original composition by听Jesse Case听(Thtr鈥�07) pulsed in the background.

The originality, edginess and energy of the performance perfectly represent the faces behind Single Carrot: 10 CU graduates, most of them theater majors, who decided to make their own rules in the theater world by starting a brand new company.

鈥淲e discovered that if we all came together we could create amazing projects,鈥� company member听Margaret 鈥淕iti鈥� Lynn Jabaily听(Thtr鈥�05) says. 鈥淲e wanted to give ourselves the opportunity we had been looking for.鈥�

After graduation the group went through a list of 50 potential cities before settling on Baltimore. The city wasn鈥檛 already saturated with theaters, making it a place where they felt they could truly make an impact in the community. That desire is reflected in the theater鈥檚 name, Single Carrot, which was taken from a quote by French painter Paul C茅zanne, 鈥淭he day is coming when a single carrot, freshly observed, will set off a revolution.鈥�

鈥淚t stuck with us, looking at an everyday image of a carrot and having the idea that one day it could be looked at in a different light so much that it could start a revolution,鈥� company member听Elliott Rauh听(Engl, Thtr鈥�05) says.

The theater occupies a space in the new city-designated arts district, and three years after beginning the venture, Single Carrot has rocketed into the city鈥檚 performing arts scene. The company performs to sold-out audiences, has won accolades from Baltimore鈥檚听City Paper听补苍诲听Broadwayworld.com听and even snagged the attention of the听The听New York Times.

Each company member plays lead roles, supporting parts and directs for different plays. Whether they鈥檙e reworking old classics or putting on original productions, they try to push the envelope and aren鈥檛 afraid to take on shows with violence or nudity.

With ambitious plans to offer more performances and theater classes for kids and adults, plus an endless amount of passion and excitement, the group members see the sky as the limit for Single Carrot鈥檚 future.

鈥淚鈥檓 working with some of the arts leaders who will shape the way America sees theater in the future,鈥� Elliott says. 鈥淎nd the fact that I get to call them my friends and make crazy, silly art with them every day is pretty much the greatest thing ever.鈥�