Dust

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The Dog Powered Robot Fundraiser 2.0 was held at Stardust Video & Coffee (1842 E Winter Park Rd at Corrire Drive). I had donated 5 DPR prints for the fundraiser and two of the prints were sold! Whoo hooo! I was at the Dust to pick up the remaining three prints. The day of the fundraiser, there was a flurry of activity with the DPR army rushing about getting the stages ready. A projector was being hung from the rafters. Andy Matchett & the Minx were slated to play at the fundraiser, so there would be a wild time with confetti, fans and a huge parachute. Today the place was quiet in comparison.

The people seated in front of me were discussing some design work. She listened to his premise and then pulled up graphic designs that were similar in intention. The meeting went on for the whole duration of the sketch so they had a lot of ground to cover. The tables are made from old doors with a thick coating of polyurethane. Old windows were suspended in the plate glass windows. Single shoots of Mothers in Law Tongues thrust up out of old coffee cans on each table. Strings of Christmas lights and Oriental lanterns decorated the ceilings. Once in NYC, set designer James Yeomans asked me to go to Chinatown to pick up such paper lanterns for the play, “A Street Car Named Desire.” It seems a lantern is ripped down every evening in that play. So I brought several dozen large lanterns. It turns out they were too large so I was stuck as a lantern salesman for the next year to make my money back.

It had been several weeks since the fundraiser. Christie and Evan Miga were seated at several tables surrounded by DRR art. This fundraiser had been a huge success, giving them the much needed cash as they continue building more cardboard robots. One of the Dust staff was sweeping the floor and she was surprised that she was still sweeping up confetti. “Where does it keep coming from?” she asked a costumer. “It must be coming from underneath the stage.” he suggested. “It was cute at first” she confessed, “but this stuff just keeps multiplying.”

Dog Powered Robot Build

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Dog Powered Robot will be returning to the Orlando Fringe Festival in 2012 with an all new adventure. After a very successful fundraiser at Stardust Video & Coffee, the crew is now busy in the robot lab building all new robots for the new show. A mockumentary was made of the DPR cast and crew and the Florida Film Festival expressed interest in screening it. The top secret DPR Robotics Lab is full of gizmos and gadgets galore.

Evan Miga showed me a schematic for the robot they were working on. It was a female robot that is the antithesis of the sweet and quaint Lollybot. This purple bot has a very angular attitude. Evan was constructing her head which featured some deep purple eyes. Christie Migawas busy deconstructing an old robot and salvaging any usable components. The laser cannon was still workable. Jeb Britt was working out the delicate geometry of the robots body and skirt. Occasionally Christie would try on the skirt and body parts to see how they fit. Cardboard boxes were stacked halfway to the ceiling in the center of the lab.

Charles Smith whipped together some robotic headphones in no time flat. Some very serious weaponry hung from the ceiling. The large laser cannon has some high tech weaponry which will shock any Fringe goer. A new red white and blue astronaut bot was already constructed. After the work session, Evan demonstrated the bot. It’s arms move in a wacky rubbery way that is hilarious. Glowing plates and neon edging make this bot a sleek and sexy addition to the cast. Fisher, the dog behind Dog Powered Robot, entered the lab several times to supervise.

Dog Powered Fundraiser 2.0

Posted on by Thor


D-D-DOG POWERED ROBOT: UPLOAD DPR FUNDRAISER 2.0, tonight, Saturday, February 25th 2012 from 7:00pm-11:00pm. You have only minutes before the awesomeness begins at Stardust Video & Coffee (1842 East Winter Park Road.)

Dog Powered Robot is returning…and he is bringing the whole robot crew with him! To ensure mega-awesomeness, he has activated the ultimate upgrade of ANDY MATCHETT & THE MINKS! Prepare to have your mind circuits blown!

Join TEAM DPR as we celebrate and raise money for our 2012 full length Fringe show: DOG POWERED ROBOT AND THE SUBSEQUENT ADVENTURE.

Post script: Three prints of my sketches of Dog Powered Rehearsals and performances are still on display in Stardust Video and Coffee through March 15th. Prints sold help raise funds for DPR.

Hench Bots

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Some thought it couldn’t be done. Dog Powered Robot was an instant flash fire hit at last year’s Fringe. Back then the show was just three minutes long. Every night it won an award that said it would make a great full length Fringe show. Tons of dedicated hard work went into making the show a runaway hit at this year’s Fringe. Now there is a small army of new robots all built from cardboard yet seeming high tech on a shoe string budget. It’s the simplicity that continues to give DPR it’s charm. In this sketch, “No Bones” lies on his flaccid bean bag chair. His delicate inflated ego needs constant re-enforcement from his two “Hench Bots” who were programed to offer constant praise and adulation. They weren’t designed with legs however so they move on simple coaster wheels using their robotic arms for propulsion.

In one magical sequence in the play, a simple overhead projector shows transparencies that animate YouTube pop cultural viral clips. I was laughing uncontrollably when “Keyboard Cat” started tickling the ivories. I laughed so hard I couldn’t breath. You could see the operator’s fingers as he moved the transparencies to animate the cat’s paws and pink head. But this is just one example. I laughed just as hard throughout the rehearsal. These two bickering “Hench Bots” played off each other like Laurel and Hardy but with metallic voices and endless robotic charm.

When Dog Powered Robot finally appears, the epic robotic battle still has an adorable humor to it because Fisher, the dog nestled inside the chest of Dog Powered Robot, steals the show. The show is cleverly written and expertly directed yet there is a playful quality that come’s out in rehearsals and is sure to hit the stage. I can imagine flash mobs across the country breaking out and doing the Dog Powered Robot Ddddance!

5/26 THU 7:40PM
5/27 FRI 6:40PM
5/29 SUN 1:25PM

Dog Powered Dreams

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This was the first full run through of Dog Powered Robot that I got to see at a rehearsal. The laughs started right from the moment Lollybot came out to introduce the show. Lolly offered a lollypop to John Bateman’s wife who had also come to see the rehearsal. When she sashayed up to me and offered a lollypop I was stunned. In her metallic voice she said, “You can have my sweets anytime.” I swore I saw her bright pink pupils dilate and then she winked at me. I swooned. I love Lolly!

No Bones played by John Bateman is integral to the epic drama that followed. While the large cast of robots all move stiffly, John flails his limbs around like wet noodles. In the opening scene when I sketched him, his controlling manipulative ways became obvious as he played a futuristic holographic version of a video game. He isn’t a villain, he is just someone who always has to win at any cost. I have had friends with a similar world view.

In a strange dream sequence, Allissa Foley came out as a slice of watermelon. She was a sinister slice who planted the seeds to a truly diabolical plot. Of course she was simply a recreation of No Bones’ warped imagination and she sounded strangely like his mother with whom he had a contentious relationship. Much like the relationship between Norman Bates and his mother in Psycho.

5/24 TUE 5:15PM

5/26 THU 7:40PM

5/27 FRI 6:40PM

5/29 SUN 1:25PM

Dog Powered Rehearsal

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When I arrived at the Chandler Art Market the entire Dog Powered Robot cast was gathered around a table eating pizza talking and laughing. Fisher, the dog behind the robot was dancing on his hind legs for scraps. He doesn’t seem fazed by his sudden rise to fame. He still appreciates the little things in life like pizza crust. Christie Miga got things started by reading off what robot and set parts people would be responsible to get off the truck during load in. They would only have 20 minutes to get everything off the truck and get it set up in the theater.

For the first part of the rehearsal Katie Green, the stage manager, asked everyone to move all the robots, set pieces, and technological wonders from the back room to the main room. She set the stop watch on her iPhone and shouted go. The cast rushed through the narrow doorway and they scrambled like frantic worker bees to get everything in place. Once everything was in place, they then had to “suit up.” Alyssa Folley who plays Lollybot squeezed into a shiny black nylon or spandex body suit with a hood. Christie was helping her slip on the glove. Center stage Doug LoCicero quickly maneuvered into his Henchbot. Fisher scrambled around until Christie picked him up. They were ready for showtime with time to spare. Of course at the Repertory Theater they would have to move everything a bit further depending on how close they could park the truck. Dog Powered Robot was ready to roll!

At the Green venue at the Rep Theater. Tickets.

5/22 SUN 9:20PM

5/24 TUE 5:15PM

5/26 THU 7:40PM

5/27 FRI 6:40PM

5/29 SUN 1:25PM

Team Dog Powered Robot

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I went to some of the final rehearsals for Dog Powered Robot. Rehearsals were held at the Chandler Arts Market in Winter Park where Christie Mega works. Joey Corcoran was busy building a bot as the actors started to rehearse. The robot’s skeleton was being built from pvc tubing. Joey measured his own leg and arm bones and then transferred those measurements to the PVC. He cut the PVC using a circular saw which was outside the back door. . With all the bones cut, he assembled the skeleton in minutes using PVC elbow joints and T-joints. Then the skeleton had to undergo numerous tweaks to to give the bot just the right crumpled gesture. Fisher, the dog behind Dog Powered Robot pranced around the rehearsal space inspecting all the action.

The rehearsal involved the actors practicing the choreography involved in the epic fight scenes. It felt more like elementary playtime rather than a serious rehearsal as the actors moved in slow motion pretending to be huge menacing robots. No one was “suited up” since they wanted to practice the movements without the bulky robotic limitations. Joseph Geoghagen jotted down notes whenever any improvised line seemed particularly funny. I’m sure when the actors are encased in the incredible robot suits, the scenes will become even more epic. Everyone in the room was laughing.

This is one Fringe show you do not want to miss. I predict that these shows will sell out. I would get tickets early, or you might only hear rumors of the awesomeness as you drown your sorrow at the beer tent for having missed a historic Fringe sensation.

Show times are…

5/20 FRI 7:55PM

5/21 SAT 12:00PM

5/22 SUN 9:20PM

5/24 TUE 5:15PM

5/26 THU 7:40PM

5/27 FRI 6:40PM

5/29 SUN 1:25PM

Fringe Preview

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The Preview for the 20th Annual Orlando International Fringe Theater Festival was held at the Orlando Shakespeare Theater. Fringe is twelve days of art, music, dance and theatrical madness. Fringe begins May 18th through May 30th. I decided to sit in the mezzanine which was at the very back row right in front of the sound and lighting booth. I figured the green light issuing from the booth would give me enough light to sketch in and that theory worked out. There were 30 acts listed in the program so there is no way I can give you a taste from all of them. Each act had a thumbs up, a thumbs down and an F you hand gesture to rate the acts. Things got off to a great start when the “Downtowners” hobbled on to the stage. This singing and dancing group were all aged 70 to 95 and their rendition of “Stayin’ Alive” took on a whole new meaning. The audience loved them.

The festivities were hosted by Beth Marshall and Michael Wanzie. The smallest and Fringiest venue last year took place in a closet and Jeff Ferree will once again feature puppets in this cramped walk-in theater. In the preview if any act ran over three minutes, they would be interrupted by the Fringe Cheerleaders who would shout out Gimme an “F”, gimme an “R” until the audience spelled out and shouted Fringe! This kept the show moving at a fast clip. Kevin Thornton’s film where he tried to explain and justify his show “I love you (we’re f@#ked)” was hilarious.

I was disappointed when it was announced that “Dog Powered Robot” could not perform at the preview. Instead a show titled “Squatters” took to the stage. They set up a small cardboard shanty town and started an insipid act about hunting for Easter Eggs. They were then rudely interrupted by Dog Powered Robot sending Easter eggs flying and cardboard boxes tumbling. The audience didn’t know what hit them. It was a fun evening where anything could happen, and usually did. Fringe is fast approaching like a freight train with no breaks. Order tickets for your favorite shows now or you might be left in the irreverent dust.

Dog Powered Robot Fundraiser

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I arrived at Blank Space (201 East Central Boulevard) early and the DPR Army was busy setting up. They all wore custom blue Dog Powered Robot T-shirts. The cardboard city took form quickly but Evan Miga made many adjustments and then started adding cardboard billboards. The advertising was blunt and to the point like “Things”, “New Stuff” and “Naked Underwear Model.” Scott Wilkins, the music selector for the night, was busy setting up sound equipment and tapping at the keyboard of his Mac computers. Before the first patrons arrived I shot a photo of the whole DPR army using Douglas LoCicero‘s camera.

I donated a print to the auction. There were some amazing silent auction items, like digital cameras, a bottle of white wine with the label, “Wine Powered Robot” and a Robot Pizza Party! The huge DPR blue foam letters stood stoically outside the Blank Space entrances. Bob Kodzis and Christie Miga manned the entryway. Two young women who were just passing had to find out what was going on. With admission they were given a wrist stamp. My wrist still has the a blue robot on it and if I wiggle my hand side to side, I can make the robot dance. I really should wash my wrist.

Alyssa Foley, the actress who now plays Lollybot, asked me if my work had been on display at the library. It turns out her boyfriend is an artist and he pointed out my work to her. Alyssa was be very funny. Once she stepped inside the Pink Robot she was a non stop dancing and flirting machine. There were lolly pops along the length of her arm. I tried valiantly to get one for myself and Terry but Lollybot was dancing so much that I couldn’t grab a pop from her waving arms. It was a bit comical as I tried again and again to get at the lolly pops. Each time I reached out she would turn or robotically walk away. Finally Lollybot walked right up to where Terry and Amanda Chadwick were sitting and Amanda quickly snatched two lolly pops. All my gallant effort was wasted, I never seem to catch the prize. I’ve always depended on the kindness of strangers.

Tod Kimbro performed on piano. He was later joined by Jessi Riese. They performed a fun lively set as I sketched frantically. Then came the main attraction, a recreation of the 2010 Fringe act that started it all. Darci Ricciardi stepped in and lip synced the singing of Britt Daley. As always the crowd was hollering and hooting as Dog Powered Robot Destroyed the Cardboard city. A video was then screened which had stunning special effects including lasers explosions and a burning cardboard city. Christie’s silent screen debut was hilarious. I have never seen Blank Space so crowded. Swami Worldtraveler introduced me to two young German women who were visiting Orlando. This proves that DPR is already an international phenomenon. The fundraiser was an undeniable success.