TAKEOUT THEATER | Oct. & Nov. 2020

Takeout theater was a pandemic project in which the Imaginists invited different artists to create potential performances inside take-out food containers. Audience created their own installations/performances with the ingredients. With: Madelaine Behrens-Brigham, Brnet Lindsay, Amy Pinto, Jessica Yoshiko Rasmussen, and Alejandro Salazar.

“We provide the ingredients and you interpret. Together we make theater. It's like we've always done, but this time it's in a takeout to-go box.” the Imaginists

IMAGINISTS’ TAKEOUT THEATER MENU:

BOX #1: Ah, Wildness! Family Party Platter: Classic woody tableau overflowing with raw ingredients, stuffed with dried mars weed, bitter bark, topped with crisp-fired buggle eyes. Served with site-specific sides of aged-whipped fluff, ripened salt dough and steamy corny, current-currents. Includes fried deviled dreg strips served on a bed of bitter green fizz-fuzz with freshly sharpened rainbow sticks. Composed by Brent Lindsay.

BOX #2: Space and Time: Anatomy of slowness; every notion born along with its form. Important paperwork, reminders and memories included. Composed by Jessica Rassmussen.

BOX #3: Thinking Inside the Box ala Joseph Cornell, Julia Child and other J.C.s. Channeling Judy Chicago, John Coltrane, Jacques Cousteau, Jackie Chan, Jesus Christ, John Cage, Judy Collins, Johnny Cash, and Jimmy Choo with a dash of Dada. Composed by Madeline Behrens-Brigham.

BOX #4: Crushed Grapes: Slow simmering and smoked but served raw telenovela; tragedy = current reality. You are the actor. Painting, Photography, Theatre and Poetry included. Wine pairing not included. Composed by Alejandro Salazar. Poem by Berenice Espinoza.

BOX #5: tellingstorytellingstory: epic journeys, puzzles, and plots; “it matters what stories tell stories; it matters what thoughts think thoughts” Donna Haraway. Composed by Amy Pinto.

“The sidewalk outside could accommodate perhaps only a dozen socially distanced spectators at a time, but the small numbers enhanced the sense of magic. It was as if we were the chosen few let in on a secret.

One party plotted over what to order as if they were sharing an ice cream sundae. A passerby got in line after trying to figure out what was going on: “But is it real food?” she asked.

No one wanted to leave right away after getting a takeout bag — the sign of a work of theater that’s cast a spell.”

Write up in San Francisco Chronicle HERE