2022 Virtual Festival Line-Up

Project SK+A // A Poem written at the Cross

Inspired by J.S.Bach’s beautiful Aria “Erbarme Dich, main Gott” and the Gospel of Matthew, A Poem written at the Cross is made as a contemporary ballet performed by 3 female artists (premiered at Detroit in 2021). Using symbolic gestural movements and cultural theme, “A poem written at the Cross” is presented within aesthetic atmosphere but with sadness. This piece can be diversely interpreted by points of view with trans-cultural perspective today in a globalized world beyond religious aspect.

Choreographer: Seyong Kim

Daners: Sabrina Darnall, Sara Kausch, Jordan Moyer 

Music: Erbarme Dich

Composer: Johann Sebastian Bach

Run Time: 6 Minutes 30 Seconds

Black Market Dance & Film // Saturation

Provoked by color theory, we dove into what it means to experience, embody and endure color. To feel and express how it might influence an artists movement in real time. How might we use color as a way to communicate and in turn be able to understand each other more deeply? To express oneself and embody place. This exploratory film embodies just that.

Movement Artist/Dancer: Katelyn Altmann 

Cinematographer: Black Market Dance and Film

Music: Morning by Brandon Buhr

Run Time: 5 Minutes, 55 Seconds

Timothy Mooney Repertory Theatre // BREAKNECK ROMEO & JULIET

It’s Romeo & Juliet, as you’ve always imagined it! All of Romeo & Juliet in just one hour by one guy! Tim Mooney plays Romeo AND Juliet! The Montagues AND the Capulets! Friar Lawrence AND The Nurse! We take a deep dive “into the Julieverse” to see just how fun and funny (and maybe a tiny bit tragic) this great tragedy actually is!

Tim Mooney is the author/explainer/performer of (now) SIX one-man Shakespeare plays! “I thought it was time to get Juliet under my belt before I hit retirement age,” Tim notes. His explanation of the imagery, and the wild panoply of coincidences throughout the play reveal the “Romeo & Juliet” that you’ve always imagined, but which, somehow never got presented quite that way in the theatre!

Run Time: 57 Minutes

Button Podcasts // Vigil

Vigil Part 1: Lush Part 1
Maria Kennedy begins her investigation of the previous unknown support hero Vigil with his very first recorded case. Vigil attempts to stop a super-criminal plaguing The Safeguard, but doesn’t get the support he was expecting.
Content Warning:

This episode contains depictions of violence, alcoholism, surveillance, alcohol consumption, physical restraint, and forcing someone to become inebriated against their will, as well as mentions of death, murder, theft, crime, assassination, and alcohol poisoning. There are some sudden, loud noises. It also contains strong language and themes that may not be suitable for all audiences. Listener discretion is advised.

Vigil Part 2: Lush Part 2
With Urgent in danger, Vigil must think fast to save the young intern and stop Lush. Maria Kennedy breaks down the conclusion to Vigil’s first recorded case.
Content Warning:
This episode contains depictions of violence, alcoholism, surveillance, alcohol consumption, physical restraint, and forcing someone to become inebriated against their will, as well as mentions of murder, theft, crime, assassination, and alcohol poisoning. There are some sudden, loud noises. It also contains strong language and themes that may not be suitable for all audiences. Listener discretion is advised.

Vigil Part 3: Transfer Part 1
Maria Kennedy explores another case in the fledgling career of Vigil. When the support hero receives a call from the hero organization Origin Story, he sees a big opportunity. But will it be for him or the super-criminal Transfer?
Content Warning:
This episode contains depictions of violence, crime, surveillance, mind control, breaking and entering, physical restraint, and manipulation, as well as mentions of communicable diseases, loss of ability, infection, and theft. There are some sudden, loud noises. It also contains strong language and themes that may not be suitable for all audiences. Listener discretion is advised.

Vigil Part 4: Transfer Part 2
Vila is in danger, and not just because of Transfer’s tactics. Maria Kennedy takes you through this pivotal case and the impact is has on the rest of Vigil’s career.
Content Warning:
This episode contains depictions of violence, crime, surveillance, mind control, breaking and entering, physical restraint, and manipulation, as well as mentions of communicable diseases, loss of ability, infection, and theft. There are some sudden, loud noises. It also contains strong language and themes that may not be suitable for all audiences. Listener discretion is advised.
——–
Vigil was written and performed by Hayley San Fillippo as Maria Kennedy, Adam Qutaishat as Vigil, Dennis Lewis as Urgent, Laila Sahir as Vila, and Cereyna Bouganeau as the Unnamed Hero, with Voice Over by Shayne Steliga.
Marketing by Laila Sahir.
Logo and Graphics by Marcus Beyer.
Vigil is produced by Adam Qutaishat (Button Podcasts) and All In Productions.

Subscribe on your feed to be the first to listen to Vigil, and learn more about the series and creators by checking out our website at vigilpod.com.
You can follow us on social media at buttonpods on Instagram and Facebook.
You can drop us a line at contact@vigilpod.com.

Run Time: 1 Hour 5 Minutes

Don Russell // Something in the Loss of Leaves

Through the use of text, poetry, movement, music, and visual arts Something In the Loss of Leaves explores how the various relationships, interactions, and experiences in our lives shape us into the people who we become. Written and performed by Don Russell with choreography by Laurie Roberts.

Run Time: 42 Minutes

Júlia Garcia // you ask me about my passion

you ask me about my passion, title translated to English, is an MPB (Popular Brazilian Music) lyric from the song “Como Nossos Pais” by Elis Regina. 

What happens when rhythm takes over the body, and you become one with the music? In a contagious heat, a strong community experiences the freedom to express yourself as you are.

Run Time: 10 Minutes

Roberta Miles // I Want a Banana and Other Desperate Love Stories

I Want a Banana and Other Desperate Love Stories is a collection of autobiographical monologues by Roberta Miles that touches on growing up in Chicago in the 70s, her life’s indiscretions and romantic regrets. And she tells all with brutally hilarious candor.

Run Time: 1 Hour, 10 Minutes

Anne Heaton with Frank Marotta, Jr.

Join singer-songwriter, storyteller and pianist Anne Heaton as she shares her songs that are, by turns, “tender, barbed, and spiritual” (Washington Post). Anne has been featured by the New York Times Popcast, toured widely in North America, and has shared the stage with artists like Jewel, Sarah McLachlan, and jazz drummer Max Roach. Known for the infectious energy of her live performances — “a natural performer [with] a rich, soaring voice” (Seattle Times) —Anne’s online concert for MKE Fringefest will feature stories and songs and is an invitation for us to connect to our essential joy and sense of celebration even when we are going through challenges personally, in our communities, or globally. Anne will sing and play piano, while accompanied by Frank Marotta, Jr. on guitar and vocals.

Anne grew up a big fan of Peter Gabriel, the Indigo Girls and Tori Amos. She became fascinated by early American spirituals while living in New York City and sang in a Harlem gospel choir directed by John Motley. From these seeds have grown her soulful songs; from the electronic rhythm of “Joy, ” the Annie Lennox-esque driving quality of “Rise,” to the utter silliness of “The Donut Song.” Anne and Frank put on a deeply resonant and fun show. These days, Anne teaches songwriting for Berklee College of Music’s Summer Programs and is the founder of Soul Songs School, an online songwriting program.

Run Time: 42 Minutes, 53 Seconds