The New Colony continues to push the limits of theater with its second production: FRAT, by founding member Evan Linder. A graduate of the College of Charleston and a member and officer of a southern fraternity, Linder's play is set to surprise audiences this spring with its blunt honesty about the southern fraternity experience.
Culled from his own experiences and those of brothers around the country, Linder set out to expose audiences to what really goes on behind the closed doors of the fraternity house. "We've all seen Animal House and every other Hollywood depiction of the greek system," Linder noted. "My goal was to show the whole picture, not just a small piece of it. Fraternities are the breeding grounds for corporate executives, politicians, celebrities and even presidents. More goes on in that house than just keg parties."
To deliver this unique piece, Artistic Director Andrew Hobgood decided to take a non-traditional approach. "This show is too big to put on a stage. Literally and figuratively," Hobgood explained. With an ensemble of eighteen actors, all of whom never leave the playing area, Hobgood was given the daunting task of bringing this show to life. "Our goal is to bring the audience into the action. To accomplish that, Evan and I want to create the environment of the fraternity house as fully as possible." Hobgood put together a search team and sent them out to find him the perfect space for this project. After looking at everything from warehouses, lofts, storefronts and churches, the team finally landed on the Dank Haus in Lincoln Square. Going one step further, Hobgood challenged his design team to stick to the reality of the piece. "I want practical lighting and sound operated by the ensemble. Just the way it would be if you were at their fraternity house."
FRAT is directed by Andrew Hobgood, Written by Evan Linder, Produced by Sam Snowden and Associate Produced by Nathan Gardner and Karen Davidov. Featuring James Asmus, Will Cavedo, Caitlin Chuckta, Jared Fernley, Chas Fries, Michael Gonring, Meg Johns, Tony Kaehny, Nick Lake, Evan Linder, Thea Lux, Whit Nelson, Josh Odor, Henry Riggs, Tara Sissom, Kevin Stangler, Gary Tiedemann, and Quinn White.
FRAT premieres on Monday, March 9th with an additional Press Opening Thursday, March 12th at 7:30PM. FRAT will run Thursdays through Saturdays at 7:30PM at The Dank Haus at 4740 N Western Ave. Closes April 4th.
Show Passes are a suggested donation of $20. Passes go on sale February 25th at www.thenewcolony.org or by calling 800.838.3006. All Passes to New Colony productions allow the purchaser to see the show for which the Pass was purchased an unlimited number of times.
