Experimental Theater: "Dream, Carl, Dream!" and the 12th Avenue Arts

A couple of weeks ago I had the opportunity of checking out an art venue in Seattle I hadn't been before: the 12th Avenue Arts. On top of that, I did so by enjoying a performance of Experimental Theater: "Dream, Carl, Dream!". Let me explain!

First of all, the 12 Avenue Arts is a somewhat new art space in the city. New apartment buildings are popping up everywhere, but, in the case of this one, the builder included on the ground floor a space for art that can have multiple uses, including theater. It's small, but very comfortable and convenient, and I'm always happy that we can get new spaces for art in the region.

Now, about Experimental Theater: there isn't a precise definition for it, but in general includes theater performances that "break the separation between the stage and the public". This is certainly the case of "Dream, Carl, Dream!": a small theater group from Seattle created a very interesting play that goes exactly along those lines. A group of actors are dressed up as "brain cells" that belong to Carl's brain, and then the public is divided in small groups and together with the "brain cells", in a separate room in the theater, you collaborate to create a dream for Carl. Once each group creates a dream, the "brain cells" return to the stage and perform the dream - with Carl in attendance, giving his impressions on each dream. To spice up things, now and then Carl's subconscious shows up just to mess up things.

It turned out to be a very interesting play, in which I could participate with my own ideas and choose props for some of Carl's dreams, and it ends in a surprising (and positive) note. I liked it very much, and I'm looking forward to more unconventional plays like this one.





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