The Radical Buffoon(s)

At Home in New Orleans, we are devoted to making work that is outsize in scope, physically evocative, socially provocative, and couched in humor as a vehicle for storytelling. We function in service of artists by putting the full weight of our administrative, financial, and creative-production skills behind a wide array of projects brought to us from collective members themselves.

TRB is built on a three track presenting/ production system that helps us focus and share our work to as many members of the New Orleans Community as possible.

Lab - A place for experimentation and the long-term support of new works of non-traditional theater
Young Audiences - Children's theater that's not childish and welcomes the whole family
Main Stage - Cutting-edge and forward-thinking comedy presented in big, hair-raising theatrical ways

THIS SEASON (Season 6: 2022-2023)

PLAYS
-Exit, Pursued by a Bear (MainStage) by Lauren Gunderson and Directed by Torey Hayward and Tenaj Jackson (presented at The Fortress of Lushington)

EXPERIMENTS:
-Let's Talk About it (LAB) a podcast featuring Buffoon Pam Roberts and a cadre of "women of a certain age" hilariously discussing menopause (presented at Zony Mash and The New Orleans Healing Center)

WORKSHOPS:
-And Come Round in Circle by Rebecca Elizabeth Hollingsworth & Dan Schap, Workshop led by Lyam Gable with multimedia design exploration by Joseph Amodei

LAST SEASON (Season 5: 2021-2022)

PLAYS
-Play. No Play. by Zondra Howard -- an hilarious and interactive, COVID-SAFE experience to teach children to embrace uncertainty. (Premiered 11/2021)
-Redux. by Jon Greene, Ally Miles, & Kendra Unique -- An absurdist investigation into isolation, clown work, and interpersonal psychology. (Premiered 1/2022)
-PACMAN: by Torey Hayward and Mahalia Abéo Tibbs, featuring original music by Tibbs. (Set to premiere during Jazz Fest April/May 2022)

WORKSHOPS
-Ands Come Round in Circle. conceived and led by Rebecca Elizabeth Hollingsworth -- Sisterhood. Spiritualism. Scandal.

PROGRAMS
-ReWrite -- Led by Megan Kosmoski this playwright focused program supports writers as they move a work from page to production ready.
-Write & Sip -- a team-building workshop that combines creative writing, local drinks, and creative self care.

A SEASON OF REST (Season 4: 2020-2021)

We took time, rest, thoughtfulness, and radical care that led to the following internal work created:

-In-house development of 4 new works: "Play? No. Play!" "Redux," and "PACMAN" (presented in 2021/22) and "And Come Round in Circle"
-Creation of new community focused programs including: Write N Sip and ReWrite
-A revamped organizational structure with a bottom up focus on serving a larger community of artists and makers.
-Deeper Grant Relationships including a GNOF Impact Grant.

The Right Before Times (Season 3: 2019-2020)

-"Rap Unzel" by Jeremy Rashad Brown
-"Rosencrantz & Guildenstern are Dead," By Tom Stoppard, (cancelled due to Covid)
-"Dreams" (created by Mack Guillory, Kristen Gremillion, Owen Ever, Lizzie Bruce, and Julie Dietz (cancelled due to Covid)

THE BEFORE TIMES (Season 2: 2018-2019)

-"Stories Without Words" conceived and directed by Jon Greene and Jarrell Hamilton
-"Balloonacy" by Barry Kornhauser
-"Barbecue" by Robert O'Hara

THE FIRST SEASON: (Season 1: 2017-2018)

-"Mr. Burns: A Post Electric Play" by Anne Washburn
-"The Dumbwaiter" by Harold Pinter

Testimonials

FROM OUR AUDIENCE:

"The Radical Buffoons is the most important theater happening in New Orleans. Their productions are always beautiful, challenging and even hilarious. This is the art that makes our community thrive. And I truly mean our community. All too often theater only caters to wealthier, white audiences. Radical Buffoons ensure that all people are properly represented in their productions and keep attendance prices accessible. Please consider giving to the Radical Buffoons for Give NOLA Day to ensure that we continue to have art that is ubiquitous with this crazy, magnificent city." (Hannah Epstein, Co-Founder Good Trouble Network).

"My son's first experience with live theatre was The Radical Buffoon's production of Balloonacy. It was a formative moment for him and for me, and we've been loyal TRB patrons ever since. Their fresh, innovative approach pushes my thinking and provides a look at the world through an entirely new lens. After every show, I am always grateful for the experience and I share my gratitude with TRB by supporting their work in whatever way I can." (Mary Bliss McCrossen)

FROM OUR COLLECTIVE:

I was selected for The Radical Buffoon's lab program at the beginning of 2020 and it changed my life as an artist. Having been in the theatre for 20 years, I thought I knew all there was about the stage. But through exploring this new leadership role, I have pushed the boundaries of my abilities in completely unexpected ways...