ABOUT NEUTRALITIES:
In the late 2000's I started work on an anthology of science fiction plays. Eventually these ideas came to be called "Notopia." Plays became a book of short stories which then became plays again. Neutralities dates back to 2009, making it one of the earliest Notopia stories. I workshopped the original script with The Vagabond Trust, a writers’ group that I founded with Next Folding Theatre Co.'s Artistic Producer, Ryan Griffith. In 2010 at the now defunct "Boom! Nightclub" I was invited to present a new piece of writing and so we did a readers' theatre version of Neutralities.
In the last 14 years the script has changed so much and yet the bones remain the same. Many of the more poetic lines have survived the test of time from the very first draft.
In the Notopia timeline this story takes place a few decades after "Moonshot," which is the last play Herbert staged back in April of this year. There is one other story that fits in between but it is not one that would easily translate to the stage. So, this is as direct a "sequel" to Moonshot as there ever would be. That's really special to me. If people never saw or heard of Moonshot, I believe Neutralities stands on its own. If you did see Moonshot, you'll understand our world building a bit more and be rewarded! If you haven't, I think you will still feel this is a rewarding, accessible story.
Back in 2009/2010 I never knew when this play - if ever - would be properly staged. It's short by design so it always needed to be paired with something else, part of something bigger. Over the years it became something that "I'll get to." Eventually. But with no real plan. This year everything lined up.
The 25th Wall. The 3rd entry in our collaborative "5th Wall" series. 3 companies. 3 cities. 3 great friends coming together. Respect, love, and fan-boying for each other's work. Shadows-Folding-Cows... no one else I'd rather be doing theatre with!
- Corenski Nowlan
Artistic Producer, Herbert the Cow Productions
Cast & Crew
CONDOLENCES
Byran Leger, AJ Ripley, Amy Bourne, Rosy Wright, Step Taylor, Jordan Trethewey, Mike Romard, Marshal Feit, Kyle Peters, Paul Lenarczyk, Imogen, Schala, & Harley Quinn Nowlan, Pele Spohn, Brandon Hubbard, Rob Faulkner, Gary Flanagan, Jenn Zed, Matt Carter, Mark Kilfoil
& Ilkay Silk for teaching me everything I know about theatre, challenging me, ENABLING ME, and always pushing for me to do more! Don’t like what we do? It’s not our fault; #BlameIlkay
In lieu of our birthday, we must offer our deepest, most sincere condolences to every person who has ever had the misfortune of finding themselves in the audience of a Herbert show in the last 25 years. Especially if they were in the front row. Unless the front row was reserved for stuff animal friends. That happened once.
In addition we extend even deeper, even more sincere-y condolences to every immensely talented actor who has ever been in a Herbert show in the last 25 years. We could never do what we do without naive ingenues- er… we mean, enthusiastic, devoted thespians.
To our actors, crew members, collaborators, mentors, sponsors, and audiences; from the bottom of our hooves, thank you. We are UDDERLY humbled by all of your support. Everything we have done is because of you.
It’s been a wild 25 years. Nano-Gods willing, here’s to another 25 because believe us when we say… our best is yet to come.​​
ABOUT US:
Herbert the Cow Productions was pasteurized (founded) in 1999, and we are celebrating our 25th birthday with our good friends Nasty Shadows Theatre Co, and Next Folding Theatre Co.
Our history is made up of plays, zines, chapbooks, poetry readings, writers' workshops, and art shows.
Low budget. High emotional intensity. Theatre that breaks the fourth wall, abolishes conventions, and shatters hearts!
We’ll make you say... “Holy Cow!”
SOCIAL MEDIA:
Facebook: /HerbertTheCowProductions
Instagram: @herbert_the_cow_productions
Email: herbert.the.cow.productions@gmail.com