Most artists’ sketchbooks contain three types of material. First, intriguing little gems that need no further development—deft, isolated flashes of imagination. Second, studies for larger pieces that may someday emerge, which to outsiders may have little value beyond documenting the creative process. And finally, ideas that are better discarded.
Most importantly, it’s got the right scale. After 13 years, the artists involved have mostly figured out how to make seven minutes of stage time feel complete. Sometimes it’s by recounting a memorable anecdote: in Survey No. 5, performed by Colin Sphar, writer Alex Lubischer tells an apparently autobiographical story about “the bisexual,” who meets an ex-girlfriend while he’s still reeling from the breakup with his first boyfriend. Sometimes it’s by creating a pregnant moment: in Adam Seidel’s Darkness, preternaturally unpleasant Grace, who’s been dead three centuries, has one chance to convince her supernatural agent she’ll make the world a better place if she’s allowed back among the living. And sometimes it’s by simple stage magic: director Paige Reilly creates an arresting image of heaven in Minus You by dressing an actress in white, seating her on a white swing hung from the ceiling by white satin, and projecting clouds onto her.
Correction: This article has been updated to reflect that it’s Adam Seidel, not Adam Joshua Seidel. We also wrote that Alex Lubischer both wrote and performs in Survey No. 5; actually the performer is Colin Sphar.
Through 6/30: check with theater for schedule Collaboraction, Flat Iron Arts Building
1579 N. Milwaukee, third floor 312-226-9633collaboraction.org
$25 per performance, $60 festival pass
