October 25 – the date we have all been waiting for! The premiere of the first project of the Zero Untitled Uncharted Media In-House Festival, or ZUUM-In Fest for short! Below you will find the digital play “The (Almost) Kindergarten Fire” written and directed by Katherine Orozco-Verderber and starring Kolby Hagel, Michael Verderber, and Ms. Orozco-Verderber as well.

“The (Almost) Kindergarten Fire” is a situational comedy about a hapless father and an overworked kindergarten teacher’s ongoing battle with bratty Annabelle and her love of lighters. The character of “Annabelle” has made appearances in several ZU works throughout the years (dating all the way to 2012), so what better mascot to kick off the festival with then our very own trouble-making child character?

The next ZUUM-In productions are as follows:
– “Wait, Wait – You Did What?!”

– “Innocuous”

– “For Those Soft and Lonesome Times”

– “Church of the Winter”

Enjoy the first production below:

Promotional aesthetics for the performances in the ZUUM-In Fest are being made and promoted. For the first production, “The (Almost) Kindergarten Fire” by Katherine Orozco-Verderber, the following aesthetic has been created from famous internet images that promote the play and the actors performing in the piece.

“Remains of Neverland” cast getting ready

We have some Zoom-style plays coming up and we need ACTORS and DIRECTORS! If you are interested in getting involved (and are not already a member of our Active group), then LIKE or COMMENT your interest on our Facebook or email us here: zero_untitled_films@yahoo.com  and let us know what you’re interested in! We need a headcount. Yes, you can live on the other side of the world and STILL be involved. You just need decent internet.

Zero Untitled “ZUUM In” Festival

Zero Untitled is officially announcing our first ever ZUUM-IN Digital Play Festival, or as we are calling it ZUUM In Fest. It’s ZU, plus Zoom, and In-House = Zero Untitled Uncharted Media Fest! This will be a series of 4 to 5 short plays that are staged via Zoom or Skype, in August or September.

In short, I am to aim for a mix of plays that acknowledge Zoom (think: the new Parks and Recreation episode), ones that acknowledge that there is an interface of some kind (our The Job Interviews series), perhaps a one-man show, or (what we are really hoping for), something we haven’t done yet. I want to explore Zero Untitled’s creativity. For now, this will be an in-house festival (meaning, only ZU writers for now).

The rules and guidelines (which may be subject to change, pending unforeseen problems) are as following:

• Ten minutes max (roughly)
• 2-3 characters max
• Minimal foul language (PG-13)
• Revivals of old shows are allowed
• NO political content (this is a preference)
• We would prefer that play content NOT revolve around pandemic
• Limited use of props
• Plays may or may not acknowledge the camera / Zoom interface
• Please contact us for questions
• DEADLINE: August 7^th, 2020 to zero_untitled_films@yahoo.com

We are really pushing for creativity in this endeavor as I KNOW we are very talented in weird elements, so let’s push it further. Selected plays will be cast in quarantine and productions WILL be filmed for distribution on www.zerountitled.com and on our YouTube account. Please note that one page of dialogue is about a minute of performance.

We would PREFER that playwrights direct their own productions (these will be filmed in screen capture by our crew), but you may offer up the play without your directing expertise. Please note on script or email whether you prefer to direct your own script. Playwrights MAY also act in their own productions.

Not sure if you are a member of Zero Untitled? Email us and we will let you know!

Zero Untitled – NYC’s 2018 production of “Captive Pilgrim” has a documentary based on it and you can vote for it! Just submit your email and cast your vote! More info below:

Check out this short documentary part of the #musicbedchallenege https://www.musicbed.com/challenge/submissions/captive-pilgrim/kYAS4g Anel talks about her work as a playwright and an immigrant artist living in America. We are showcased as a short documentary to be seen and heard around the world with other selected shorts that highlight important content for future films and content! it’s an honor just to be chosen to be showcased among the other amazing short films please vote on the film that most speaks to you. Anel Carmona is an immigrant from Mexico living in America who has gone to school here and has built a life here as an artist and an influencer for others. Watch as she explains her play “Captive Pilgrim” as she tries to show her place here in this country. Thank you again for watching and spread the word!

With a list of short video projects being worked on, here is the next and our 135th production! It is a song called “My Eyes Met Yours” written and performed by Verderber (Michael). See the video above!

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.