Homeless in Vegas
Erica Griffin's Casa de Nada houses society's outcasts
CityLife: Several of your plays seem to be inspired by a sense of place: psych ward, homeless encampment ...
Erica Griffin: Yes! It's a fun challenge to create a place where you can manipulate the audience experience with an atmosphere before a single line is uttered. This may sound weird, but I've always been fascinated with homeless people ... as a child walking around Seattle, I'd see them almost as magical beings. The crazy ones were at once terrifying and fascinating.
CL: Having been away from theater awhile, do you feel you've changed artistically?
Griffin: Without a doubt, I have become a better artist since my sabbatical. Being a new parent has not only made me more patient and sensitive as a director, but my writing feels more honest and efficient. I may be finally finding my voice.
CL: You're literally doing an "out of town" tryout. How did that transpire?
Griffin: The event is called "the forgotten city," a camping trip organized by a local Burning Man group [at Lake Mead]. The principles of radical self-reliance and self-expression are key to the experience. There is no exchange of money. It just seemed like the perfect marriage, plus the actors could get a nice sunburn before we open.
CL: How is it to present Casa in Fringe-style rotation?
Griffin: It adds a level of excitement that will keep it urgent and in the moment, like all good theater. After rehearsing in my backyard with a naked toddler running around stealing props, the cast is pretty much immune to distraction at this point!
Fringe Festival: Casa de Nada Friday, June 3, 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, June 4, 4 p.m.; Sunday, June 5, 6:15 p.m.; Las Vegas Little Theatre, 3920 Schiff Drive, 362-7996, $12
Erica Griffin: Yes! It's a fun challenge to create a place where you can manipulate the audience experience with an atmosphere before a single line is uttered. This may sound weird, but I've always been fascinated with homeless people ... as a child walking around Seattle, I'd see them almost as magical beings. The crazy ones were at once terrifying and fascinating.
CL: Having been away from theater awhile, do you feel you've changed artistically?
Griffin: Without a doubt, I have become a better artist since my sabbatical. Being a new parent has not only made me more patient and sensitive as a director, but my writing feels more honest and efficient. I may be finally finding my voice.
CL: You're literally doing an "out of town" tryout. How did that transpire?
Griffin: The event is called "the forgotten city," a camping trip organized by a local Burning Man group [at Lake Mead]. The principles of radical self-reliance and self-expression are key to the experience. There is no exchange of money. It just seemed like the perfect marriage, plus the actors could get a nice sunburn before we open.
CL: How is it to present Casa in Fringe-style rotation?
Griffin: It adds a level of excitement that will keep it urgent and in the moment, like all good theater. After rehearsing in my backyard with a naked toddler running around stealing props, the cast is pretty much immune to distraction at this point!
Fringe Festival: Casa de Nada Friday, June 3, 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, June 4, 4 p.m.; Sunday, June 5, 6:15 p.m.; Las Vegas Little Theatre, 3920 Schiff Drive, 362-7996, $12
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