Live Theater Returns — to Your Front Lawn

Lawrence Elizabeth Knox
Live Theater Returns — to Your Front Lawn

KNOWN FOR PRODUCING edgy and experimental new works, Catastrophic Theatre was, like most theaters around the world, sidelined for its 2020-2021 season. But founders and artistic directors Jason Nodler and Tamarie Cooper dispatched troupes of "fearless thespians" to perform in front lawns all over H-Town last year — and the site-specific "Drama Squad" shows enjoyed a sold-out run in the fall.


Now, The Drama Squad returns with all-new material beginning this weekend, through May 9. Performances of original shows by Catastrophic artists — including Afsaneh Aayani, Tabitha Bounds, Greg Cote, Tamarie Cooper, Juan Sebastian Cruz, Bryan Kaplún, Scott Lupton, Mara McGhee, Erin Rodgers, Alli Villines, Muhammad Khaerisman, and Abraham Zeus Zapata — are available to book on Saturdays and Sundays at 1pm and 4pm.

The participating performers have been divided into two teams, and each team produces different content, ranging from puppetry to magic to comedy to dance. Interested parties can book one or both teams; bookings must be made three days in advance, and the location is of the purchaser's choosing, provided it meets a few basic requirements, including a maximum audience size of 10 people.

Catastrophic intends on continuing the site-specific performances for as long as in-person theater remains compromised.

Art + Entertainment
Fall Philanthropy Report: Easter Seals of Greater Houston ‘Impacts Where People Need Us the Most’

What year was your organization launched? Founded in Houston in 1947, as the Cerebral Palsy Treatment Center, the organization provided services to individuals with disabilities living in Houston and Harris County. In 1989, the organization changed its name and greatly expanded its services to meet the needs of its clientele. Today as Easter Seals Greater Houston, the organization provides multiple outstanding service programs to children, adults, veterans, and service members with all types of disabilities and their families in Harris and sixteen surrounding counties.

Keep Reading Show less

Nadia Hafeez, Shireen Hadi, Sara Perry (photo by Daniel Ortiz)

A ROSTER OF women you might usually see in scrubs and white coats flipped the script and went high-fashion for the Arts of Healing Foundation’s fourth annual Fashion Show at the Post Oak Hotel, celebrating Houston’s Women in Medicine.

Keep Reading Show less

Amy Pierce, Sippi Khurana, Dr Namrata Sharma Goel and Ruchi Muchejee (photo by Daniel Ortiz)

A BIG CROWD turned up at the Post Oak Hotel for the Children at Risk gala, raising some $360,000 focused on “understanding and addressing the root causes of child poverty and inequality,” per its mission statement.

Keep Reading Show less