• To create an environment where the numerous exceptionally talented professional actors and playwrights in the Twin Cities can work and play on their craft together and more often.
• To experiment with a new form of theatre that is more spontaneous, raw, direct and accessible to both artists and audiences.

VISION:

We want to create a place where Equity actors test, challenge, and stretch their skills through the new work of professional playwrights who push their own boundaries with uncensored, unrefined, exceptionally spontaneous scripts; a place where a new audience finds the joy and transcendence in live theater by engaging with talented theater artists at play; a place where artists and audiences enjoy themselves in an environment where they are already, naturally, at ease; and a place where the overhead is low enough that the artists are paid.

PARAMETERS:

1. Every scene must take place in a bar (though it need not be the actual bar of the performance).
2. One performance of five scenes a week, every Monday, for five months. The scenes will run three to six times in repertory intervals that are useful to the playwrights and actors.
3. One to two rehearsals; no more than two hours per rehearsal. We strongly encourage the playwrights not to spend more time writing the script than the actors spend rehearsing it. We also recommend scripts between five and twenty pages that last no more than 15 minutes, using no more than four actors.
4. Playwrights and actors collaborate directly, in their own ways, without mediation.
5. All collaborators will be paid $15 per rehearsal and $15 per performance.
6. You must embrace chaos, imperfection and some terror.

LOGISTICS:

At least one month before their performance date, Thirst will assign playwrights to dates and actors to playwrights.

Once the dates and actors and playwrights are assigned they should prepare on their own within the above parameters.

No later than five days before their performance date, each actor and playwright group must check in with Thirst. Please provide us with your exact rehearsal dates as well as any special needs you may have on the night of the performance. For example, we expect you to tell us if you need a waiter to deliver drinks during your scene. Also, you are responsible for whatever props, etc., you need, but if you keep us informed we may be able to help.

On the night of the performance, the performer’s call will be half an hour before the show (except in special circumstances).

The audience’s cover charge will be $10.

The performers will be – of course – in the bar with the audience before and during the show. Ideally, a scene will run at a corner table or at the bar or overhead. Then people will get more drinks, chat with their neighbor and, when they don’t expect it, another scene will run. Repeat until all the scenes are done (or we’re too drunk to continue).

As long as the above parameters are met, many of the logistics are only limited by the artists’ imagination. For example, we could run every scene that evening at the exact same time so that audience members are required to choose where their attention goes. Then, we take a break for drinks and do it again with the actors in different locations. Thirst will facilitate whatever we can in order to best serve the vision of a new, challenging, accessible and nurturing, professional artistic environment.

BTTB (Better Theater Through Beer).