Actuary Day
An absurdist-philosophical exploration of one possible end-of-times. Or maybe not the end of times.
Written by Tom Block
Directed by Katrin Hilbe
Date: Thursday, June 18, 2020 at 6:00pm Eastern Time
Language: English
Location: IATI Theater (64 E. 4th St., NYC 10003)
Website: Facebook Page
Synopsis
Actuary Day opens with Susan, an anthropology professor, alone in a room, the last survivor in a world that has disappeared. Her only clue to rebuild human civilization is a short video, which offers (she believes) an original myth from which to rebuild. Jennifer, a risk assessor at The Hartford insurance company and a hidden poet, enters the room. Susan informs her they must rebuild humanity. Jennifer asks: if they are really charged with rebuilding human civilization, aren’t they missing something? Just then, Lethe slides into the room on a pole. She, a transgender woman (we find out at an appropriate time) with a PhD in philosophy. A homeless man, Benedict, wanders into the room. Then the orderlies – Pat and Chris – bustle in. A bunch of stuff happens which is metaphor for other, deeper stuff. Then the play ends as the universe began.
About the Playwright
Tom Block is a playwright, author of five books, 25+ year exhibiting visual artist and Founding Producer of New York City’s International Human Rights Art Festival (ihraf.org). His plays have been developed and produced at such venues as the Ensemble Studio Theater, HERE Arts Center, Dixon Place, Urban Stages, Theater for the New City, IRT Theater, Theater at the 14th Street Y, Athena Theatre Company, Theater Row, A.R.T.-NY, Drama League, Wild Project and many others. He was the Founding Producer of the Amnesty International Human Rights Art Festival (2010), a Research Fellow at DePaul University (2010), LABA Fellow (NY, 2013-14), Hamiltonian Fellow (2008-09) and recipient of funding/support from more than a dozen foundations and organizations. He has spoken about his ideas throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, Turkey and the Middle East. www.tomblock.com
Cast
K. Kellye Rowland
Sheila Joon Azim
Ian Gould
Mark Peters
Samantha Simone
Alex Stene
Rachel Halper
Staged Readings Go Online
Due to COVID-19, our staged readings for Cimientos 2020 will have an alternative format as Live Zoom readings. To attend the reading of Actuary Day, RSPV at the link below.
The reading will also be streamed on Facebook Live; and you will be able to access the live recording later on Youtube. Make sure you follow our Facebook Page and Youtube Channel.
Want to submit your play for Cimientos 2021? We are accepting scripts between June 1 and June 30, click here for more information.