What do puppets, marshmallows, and bread have in common? They are all features in our #ZeroLife video projects and trailers for forthcoming works. We have a handful of video projects lined up and already out, so here is a quick recap of this month’s goodies. We have a trailer for our upcoming puppetry film “The Mattress”, a #ZeroLife of the gang eating gross marshmallows, and an upcoming Christmas song that will be posted soon.

As promised, “Banana But Bread”:

Check out “The Mattress” trailer here (viewable on YouTube):

Check out “#ZeroLife Marshmallow Roulette” (viewable on YouTube):

Trailer #1:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wQjVHnC5mNk

Trailer #2 “Car Trailer”:

in[SOMNIA] flyer by Merideth Harvey

in[SOMNIA] flyer by Merideth Harvey, EC version

Under the direction of Katherine Orozco-Verderber and Michael Verderber, the trailer pays homage to a horror classic.

Trailer #3 “We All Are” –

Although not a new branch, OBJECT-ionable Puppetry will be a new series of short works featuring puppets. At the moment, we will be constructing and designing projects with rod puppets instead of the more popular sock and marionette.

Primarily dealing with found objects (hence the name) as puppets, the projects will be quirky, experimental and done through various mediums. Although no specific puppet project is slated for release, we are looking at filming some of our homemade puppets for commercial use, skits, plays, or short film teasers. Here is a photo of the first puppets that are in development.

 Come watch, rehearse, and hang out with members of the award-winning theatre company Zero Untitled at our FREE outdoor rehearsals happening January 14th – 17th! Different branches of our group will be present from 6 pm to 7 pm (and likely longer) to rehearse some improv comedy and improv drama games and you are welcome to get on the street stage along with us! Audience participation will be a major component in the event, but not mandatory.  You can learn about how to get involved in Zero Untitled or Zero Untitled – NYC.

January 14th – TAMUK Cafeteria (outside) with Premature Punchline Improv Comedy

January 15th – TAMUK Javelina Statues with Dramatica Dramatic Improv

January 16th – TAMUK Cafeteria (outside) with Premature Punchline Improv Comedy

January 17th – TAMUK Javelina statues with Dramatica Dramatic Improv

Pictured below was the September Outdoor Rehearsal event.

In addition to new music exclusives (see article below), both the Zero Untitled and the Premature Punchline Facebook pages will be uploading tons of new and original memes (in addition to sharing some of our favorites found on the internet).

Primarily, the content will be targeting and making fun of US, so if you have seen our shows, you can certainly relate to the jokes. Check out both Facebook pages for daily updates.

 Check out the Zero Untitled Facebook for exclusive tracks from our March Music Month! First up are some tracks from DJ Oringe, like this one “They Descend”!!

Several other tracks will be released shortly afterwards, so be on the look out.

 Read the BroadwayWorld.com article on “Captive Pilgrim” here: https://www.broadwayworld.com/brooklyn/article/Zero-Untitled-NYC-Presents-The-First-Stage-Reading-Of-CAPTIVE-PILGRIM-20180430

Rehearsal discussion

Divided by Zero – Interview Series “The Hunt of the Scarecrows”

We sat down with Dark Tour veterans and stars of the upcoming “The Hunt of the Scarecrows” actors Andrea Lorin, Justin Bennet, and director Michael Verderber to get some insight on this next production. The espionage-based play is a radical departure from the usual horror themed Dark Tours. Dark Tours are Zero Untitled’s name for their immersive production series staged in pitch-black spaces in which audiences travel the space with only dimmed flashlights. Previous productions have been set in Wonderland and Willy Wonka’s factory, but with this latest show, the group returns to the noir, crime-filled world of Emerald City.

DB0: Tell me a little bit about your role in the upcoming Dark Tour. 

Andrea Lorin: Everyone in this show, myself included, plays a different role every night. So if you want to learn more, you’ll just have to come all three nights and see for yourself!

Justin Bennet: I play Finch, a detective and Finch is just trying to set things right after years of being a corrupt cop.

Michael Verderber: In addition to co-writing and co-directing, I will be a handler for the show.

DB0: What’s a handler?

MV: Oh, I will be helping out with the technological aspects of the show. Some audience groups will be required to go online and connect with an Operative who will give them mission directives.
DB0: What can audiences expect from coming to this show? 

JB: The audience can expect wall-to-wall action and feel like they are making a difference in the story.

AL: Audiences can expect lots of walking, espionage, and clues that will keep you guessing.

MV: A different sort of work. Katherine (co-director and playwright) and I wanted to venture into new territory; away from horror and to tread something new. But like previous shows, the immersive element is what will make it fun. The difficulty is, will the audience miss something? So, definitely confusion and mistrust, but that is by design.

DB0: Can you expand on that?

JB: (Laughs)

MV: Yeah, the show has a timing element where certain events happen at certain times, so if the audience isn’t where they are supposed to be, they might miss out.

JB: Like in a scene that I am in, some groups will see it while others will not.

AL: Same here.

MV: So seeing the show which has four different “paths” is the best way to get the big picture.

DB0: How does this show differ from other immersive Dark Tours that Zero Untitled has done?
AL: A traditional Dark Tour is often indoors and meant to scare you while also telling a story. The Hunt of the Scarecrows, an outdoor experience, is meant to make you think and think quickly, as you only have a certain amount of time to complete your mission. There is also no “tour guide” as in most of our Dark Tours, taking you from place to place – the cryptic clues you receive are your only guide, along with your wits and knowledge of the TAMUK campus.

JB:  What set this different than other Dark Tours from the past is that we are giving the fate of the play into the hands of our audience. Plus the audience now has freedom to move more freely, because in the past the audience was confined into a close space. But with this Dark Tour, we give them for freedom to interact with our characters and their environment.

DB0: Thanks, gang! “The Hunt of the Scarecrows” has two performances per night at 7:00 and 8:15 on May 7, 8, and 9.

Ava and Katy singing for “Coffee Shop Girl: The Musical”.

Allan Guzman came in to work on some lead solos for a metal song.

David and Zeta working on “Coffee Shop Girl”

So, Zero Untitled has dedicated all of March to “March Music Month” to allow our talent individuals to work on all of those music projects we just don’t have time for. So, now, there is no excuse! Robert and Andrea are working on piano music, Michael is working on some score and a metal song, Zeta and Julio are working on some hip hop tracks, a new musical is in development, and long-time collaborator, DJ Oringe, is developing some new music as well. Plenty is going on so here are some pics from last night’s rehearsal.

Here are some pics of just a few of the works in development.

Cover art for DJ Oringe’s “Pummel”

UPDATE: Here is the newly released song “Pummel” by DJ Oringe! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I2dR1oRItfo