The Unexpected Laboratory and "@ntigone"

 A talk with Joe Hill of The Unexpected Laboratory

by James Gold

On August 15th, a modernized version of the famous Greek tragedy, "Antigone," will be opening at The Dairy Center for the Arts. And one of the many things that makes it a unique production is that it's being produced by young, ambitious college students rather than older, hardened thespians.

It has taken these students over a year to put this production together and along the way they've faced age discrimination, fundraising hurdles, and have burst successfully through the miles of red tape it took to incorporate their production company, "The Unexpected Laboratory."

Recently, I sat down with Joe Hill, the eighteen year old co-founder of the company, and talked to him a little bit about their "Antigone," seen as "@ntigone" on their marketing materials.

But first, I read the promotional postcard they've been using to advertise "@ntigone," which reads as such:

"Thebes, a city ruined by war and drug addiction is about to be rescued. Security cameras on every corner and guards on patrol will prevent any moves toward rebellion. How do you function when every move you make is watched? When your brother hangs for his treason, how deep will you dig in the dirt to hold your ground? When your dreams are stained from the residue of family, what will it take to convince you to look away? One girl will rise from the devastation to stand up for her brother. The question is, when your king is too high, how far can you fall?"

JG: Why such dark material, Joe? Why a tragedy?

JH: Well, it's basically a coming of age piece for us. I mean, I've lived most of my life seeing war, seeing sexual violence, seeing drugs, and being exposed to a state of surveillance that I never could have imagined I would. We felt like making a piece about our experience because as new adults we now have a say in these issues.

JG: Surveillance?

JH: Oh yeah, and during the play the stage is under surveillance the whole time. And the cameras can be used as props by the actors who can pick them up and film what they want.

JG: Does that mean there's no fourth wall, in this production?

JH: Oh no, there's definitely a fourth wall. There's no interaction with the audience in that way.

JG: How did you raise the money to produce this play?

JH: Well, the Boulder County Arts Alliance had a lot to do with that. We are fiscally sponsored by them. We had to go to them with a business plan and our articles of incorporation. And aside from that, we sent out letters in order to raise money and we ended up raising about six thousand dollars in three weeks.

JG: Wow, that's impressive.

JH: Thanks.

One of the clearest and most immediate things you notice about Joe Hill, is that he's a genuinely nice guy with a tremendous level of charisma and drive. He accepts compliments humbly and is quick to include every single member of his production staff and cast as integral to the success of the upstart of the company and this show.

He talks about the more risque elements of their "Antigone"-- the drug use and the mild violence and the profanity and the sexual content. It serves a purpose, he says. The drug use is about escapism from a bleak existence, the representation of complete doom and desperation. "We hope that in our production you find the beauty through that," Joe says.

And he talks about the future. Right now, the headquarters of The Unexpected Laboratory is in a basement. But who knows what the future holds. First, there's a collective plan to graduate from college. And then, they'd like to travel and help people tell their personal stories through theatre.


The Dairy and The Unexpected Laboratory present "Antigone":

Thursday, August 15th @ 7:30pm (w/ talkback after the performance)
Friday, August 16th @ 7:30pm (w/ talkback after the performance)
Saturday, August 17th @ 7:30pm
Sunday, August 18th @ 2:30pm

Tickets are $12 to $15
and can be purchased at www.thedairy.org
or by calling the box office at 303-444-7328