BOB BIRDNOW PREMIERES IN LOS ANGELES AT HOLLYWOOD FRINGE

Second Thought Theater Presents
In Association with Aviation Cinemas

“Bob Birdnow’s Remarkable Tale of Human Survival and the Transcendence of Self”
At the Hollywood Fringe Festival

DALLAS (April 19, 2013) – Second Thought Theatre and Aviation Cinemas announced today that “Bob Birdnow’s Remarkable Tale of Human Survival and the Transcendence of Self” will appear at the Hollywood Fringe Festival, June 13 – 30. STT produced the world premiere of the play by Eric Steele, starring Barry Nash and directed by Lee Trull at the 2011 Festival of Independent Theatres (FIT) in Dallas, Texas.

“I wrote this piece during a time of isolation while I was traveling around the country on business,” said Steele. “It’s been an incredible journey sharing this play with the Dallas community. I’m excited to continue sharing the story with a brand new audience at the Hollywood Fringe Festival.”

Lawson Taitte of The Dallas Morning News wrote, “Eric Steele has an ear for the way people talk and a depth for empathy not to be taken for granted.” “[Barry] Nash’s performance is a thing of effortless beauty that mesmerizes…” wrote M. Lance Lusk of D Magazine.

The title character of this one man play, Bob Birdnow, tells of his experience as a pilot in the midst of an unspeakable tragedy. It’s a story of courage and the human spirit’s ability to endure. In this poignant drama, Steele explores the connection between a person’s natural instincts of self-preservation and their larger purpose in life. Birdnow’s tale is an example of how pain and tragedy can light the way to salvation and how the darkest times can lead to personal clarity.

Nash will reprise his role as Birdnow at the Hollywood Fringe Festival in performances that begin on June 21. Trull will return as director.

“Second Though Theatre strives to nurture the storytellers in our community, send their storied out into the world and infuse other communities with the voice of our city,” said Steven Walters, STT Co-Artistic Director. “By taking Bob Birdnow to the Hollywood Fringe Festival, we are doing just that.”

After the world premiere at FIT in 2011, Second Thought Theatre staged Bob Birdnow in 2012 as one piece of Steele’s The Midwest Trilogy, which was based on ideals rooted in Middle America. Two short films, Cork’s Cattlebarron and Topeka, were shown with the play.

Tickets to Bob Birdnow’s Remarkable Tale of Human Survival and the Transcendence of Self are $15 and can be purchased online at www.HolywoodFringe.org beginning May 1, 2013.

Barry Nash (Bob Birdnow) graduated from Trinity University with an MFA in Theater. Barry is thrilled to be returning to the Second Thought Theatre fold to reprise the role of Bob Birdnow. As an actor, Barry has also performed with the Dallas Theater Center, the Shakespeare Festival of Dallas, Wingspan Theatre, and Kitchen Dog Theatre among others. In addition, Barry is a founding member of The Coaching Company. He has coached thousands of television anchors and reporters, including a number of the world’s best known and most respected local and network news personalities. In addition to his work with prominent local stations such as KGO and WSB, he is the principal talent development coach for CNN.

Eric Steele (playwright) is a writer, director, filmmaker and producer from Dallas, TX. Producing credits include Sundance Official Feature Film Selection Pit Stop directed by Yen Tan (2013), Clay Liford’s WUSS (2011) which premiered at SXSW and won the Audience award at AFI, and The Verdigris a documentary about Will Rogers (in production). Writing and directing credits include Bob Birdnow’s Remarkable Tale of Human Survival and the Transcendence of Self (2013), Cork’s Cattlebaron (2012) which premiered opening night Maryland Film Festival, Hamptons International Film Festival, and won “Best short” at NorthSide Film Festival. Steele’s play The Midwest Trilogy won the DFW Theater Critics Forum for ‘best new play’ of 2011 after a national debut at Second Thought Theater. In 2010, Steele and three other filmmakers (Adam Donaghey, Jason Reimer, and Barak Epstein) formed Aviation Cinemas Inc and now operate the Historic Texas Theatre in Oak Cliff, TX.

Lee Trull (director) is a theatre artist based out of Dallas, Texas. Currently the Director of New Play Development at Dallas Theater Center, Lee was formerly Dallas Theater Center’s casting director and a member of the Resident Acting Company. He is also a company member at Kitchen Dog Theater. Past directing credits at Second Thought Theatre include: ‘Bob Birdnow…’ the world premiere ofThe Midwest Trilogy, and the regional premiere of Dying City. Lee has acted in over fifty stage productions, and in addition is a screenwriter and an award-winning playwright.

ABOUT SECOND THOUGHT THEATRE:
Second Thought Theatre seeks to capture the moment of creation between artist and audience. Dedicated to ensemble productions that explore challenging and dramatic works from the canon of theatrical literature, STT strives to enlighten and entertain its audience by pushing the boundaries of human thought and emotion. Old works done in new ways, new works done in old ways. Everything is possible when you take a second thought.

DETAILS AT A GLANCE
“Bob Birdnow’s Remarkable Tale of Human Survival and the Transcendence of Self”
By Eric Steele
June 21 – 29, 2013 at Theatre Asylum Lab 1078 Lillian Way Los Angeles, CA 90038

Director: Lee Trull
Cast: Barry Nash

Websites: www.HollywoodFringe.org
www.2tt.co
Tickets: $15, available online beginning May 1

“Bob Birdnow’s Remarkable Tale of Human Survival and the Transcendence of Self” Performance Calendar

Friday 6/21/2013 10:00p
Sunday 6/23/2013 7:00p
Tuesday 6/25/2013 10:00p
Thursday 6/27/2013 8:30p
Saturday 6/29/2013 4:00p

Contact: Kelsey Guy, Public Relations Manager
[email protected]

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