Khaos Company Theatre (KCT), Indy’s newest professional theatre located in the newly declared Federal Promise Zone on the near eastside, is putting on The Taming of the Shrew beginning this weekend and running to Aug. 15. Kaylee Spivey Good, the Artistic Director of Khaos Theatre, is excited to stage the play at the company’s new Mainstage at 3125 E. 10th St., Suite K.
She hopes that this phase of the build-out will allow them to bring more theatre to the near eastside. The group, which formed just last year, has been busy with performances and classes for young people, and its inaugural inside performances promise “modern staging to let the performances shine,” according to Good.
The building’s makeover offers a separate box office lobby, elevated technical facilities, elevated booth seating on the west end of the theatre, and semi-permanent flat and curtain features. The new stage arrangement provides a blackbox theatre with the flexibility to easily perform in the round. Phases two and three consist of upgrading bathroom and technical facilities and are planned to start in the upcoming months. Support from the East 10th Street Civic Association has been instrumental in helping get Khaos off and running.
“This area has a lot of potential,” she noted, pointing out the increased business activity and affordable housing in the surrounding neighborhood. “I love the buildings and homes with the great architectural features. There is a lot of revitalization going on.”
The Taming of the Shrew marks the one year anniversary of Khaos Company Theatre’s first production, Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night which the company performed in a parking lot across the street. “That was so much fun,” Good said. “We built a stage from pallets, and it was very cool.” However, she’s very glad the performances will move indoors, especially in light of all the recent rains.
Good is also excited that the 2015 Dionysia New Play Competition is coming up right after Shrew, Aug. 21-29. “Dionysia and Aphrodite — who looks a little bit like me — will emcee five minute readings of locally written plays. The audience will get to vote, and the play with the most votes will be produced by Khaos.” The competition will be followed by a production of Shakespeare’s Richard III, and the round out 2015, A Christmas Carol.
The Taming of the Shrew will be performed on July 31, Aug. 1, 8, 14, and 15 inside the Clifford Corners Building. There is free street parking and parking around the back of the building available. Shows start at 7 p.m with seating opening at 6:30 p.m.
KCT is offering Pay-What-You-Want Tickets when buying tickets at the door for all performances. Tickets are available for pre-sale at www.brownpapertickets.com/event/1845906. Anyone who reserves a ticket online will receive a reserved seat at the best vantage point for the performance of their date of choice. Further show information can be found at www.kctindy.com
