BROKE WIDE OPEN by Rock WILK, Directed by Stephen Bishop Seely | A NYC Story of Adoption & One Man's Search For Identity & Home

New York native, Rock WILK, actor, playwright, poet, adoptee and subway “creative” brings his life’s work - his play, BROKE WIDE OPEN back home to New York City, from the recently riot-ravaged but resilient London, for the United Solo Theatre Festival, at Theatre ROW, The Studio Theatre, located at 410 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10003 on Monday, October 24, 2011 at 9pm. Written, composed and performed by Rock WILK; Directed by Stephen Bishop Seely; and Production sponsored by Jack Sharkey; BROKE WIDE OPEN is an evocative, soul-bearing musical about the true life story of Rock WILK’s adoption, identity and search for home.

High energy, honest, and unforgettable, BROKE WIDE OPEN is a poetic and orchestral unveiling of truth with Rock WILK as both maestro and menace. In BROKE WIDE OPEN, Rock WILK, fostered three times and finally adopted as a baby, takes us on a journey where he recounts and relives life changing consequences and decisions. Like martyr, like savior, like rebel without pause, Rock WILK is insistently fighting to enlighten and protect anyone and everyone in his path. A force, a hurricane, a cyclone of well intentioned chaos, Rock WILK is a tempest of love; he is valor and destruction all wrapped up into one. Testing the limits of every relationship in his life, Rock WILK’s journey to explore cause, and find home, becomes both incessant and reluctant. Emotionally gripping and spiritually giving, BROKE WIDE OPEN is also hopeful with pockets of laugh out-loud, comedic revelation. Rock WILK’s transgressions and triumphs throughout BROKE WIDE OPEN inspire unsolicited introspection; like a mirror and milestone, this theater piece compels many to face themselves and transcend to that which they are open and willing.

“...I want you to know that I’m open
That I’m always receiving
Expectant of nothing
But hoping for something
Something unforeseen,
Something prodigious
Praying for an accident
Of the most startling kind…”

–Rock WILK, BROKE WIDE OPEN

Tickets are $18 via www.telecharge.com  | 212.239.6200

www.brokewideopen.com
United Theatre Solo Festival 

[Photo Credit: Serge Cashman]

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Terror Pigeon Dance Revolt - Neil Fridd Sculpture Alumnus '09 in Seventeen Magazine | Purchase College SUNY

[Image: Seventeen.com]

Terror Pigeon Dance Revolt, posing for Seventeen Magazine, with its front man Neil Fridd, one of SUNY Purchase's most recent Alum. Back in June or early July '09, Neil told me that he would be touring Europe with his band while I was pulling out of the Campus Center South parking lot. I guess the red-bearded Fridd who was sporting a pair of hot pink short-shorts and ripped-up/written-on tee is staying true to his word.

Although his major was sculpture his music continues to engage people of all ages. His elaborate costumes and set designs are evident of his degree and background in art. Some might classify his work as performance pieces. Neil graduated from the School of Art+Design's Sculpture Program where Donna Dennis currently serves as the Area Head for the Sculpture Board of Study at Purchase College. She and other Art+Design full-time faculty will be exhibiting work at the college this fall '09 semester. You may remember Donna from this New York Times article.

More on "The Fridd":
The New York Times Article featuring Neil Fridd, Purchase College, School of Art+Design BFA Candidate '09

Neil Fridd; Eclectic, Engaging & Truly Entertaining Purchase College SUNY BFA Show Down!

Art+Design Faculty Group Exhibition Info

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Michael Jackson Tribute Featuring Purchase College SUNY Alumna, Moses Harper

[Photo by Newsday.com]

Moses Harper, Purchase College SUNY Alumna is featured in several MJ tribute videos. Having gone to school with Moses, a true MJ fan and music devotee, I witnessed snippits her dance skills back in my college days (when paying rent meant you were old); it was always something amazing to watch. It seems like MJ taught her the moves himself...

SEE FOR YOURSELF:


THE TRIBUTE

AND MORE
NEWSONE.com @ Apollo 6/25/09
Brief Interview 6/30/09 by (BeholderFilmsTV)
6/26/09 (illdoc1more)
Apollo Theater 6/30/09
New York Post
Extended Interview by (BeholderFilmsTV) [See 5:40-7:05 of 10:03 mins]

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PepsiCo Awards Million Dollar Grant to Purchase College SUNY

While the nation treads recession infested water, the educational value and sustainability of SUNY's higher education institutions stands the test of time, where every dollar or cent and supportive gesture counts. The Purchase College Foundation was recently awarded a million dollar grant to support the Baccalaureate and Beyond Center at Purchase College SUNY. Check out Westchester.com's article for more information.

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Congresswoman Nita Lowey Visits SUNY Purchase College after Arbor Day

"Nita Lowey visits Purchase College to combat global warming" Check out LoHud.com's brief article.

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"Best of Show" (Fall 2007) | Five Purchase College, Art+Design Students are Honored.

(Image: Painting (cropped) by Alec Spangler, Purchase College, MFA Alumnus '08)

Every Semester students from the School of Art+Design participate in the SUNY Student Art Exhibition held in Albany State Plaza. For six consecutive semesters up to three of five participating students have received 'Best of Show' honors. One year Jennifer Bakalar who is now a graduating senior, won the 'Best of Show Piece' prize of $1000. In addition, she was awarded the honor of having her artwork displayed at the governor's mansion.

To participate the the SUNY Student Art Exhibition, students must be invited by a professor in their board of study and the artwork(s) submitted must also be selected by the referring professor. Students may submit up to three pieces but only five total artworks will entered into the juried exhibition held in Albany, NY.

Check out the article below (link) by LowHud.com about Alec Spangler, Purchase, N.Y.; Patricia Gaeta, Niagara Falls, N.Y.; Kevin Knoerzer of Newburgh, N.Y.; Jennifer Bakalar, Keen, N.H.; and Luke Chase, Valate, N.Y.

"Purchase College students in “Best of SUNY Student Art Exhibition”

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The New York Times Article featuring Neil Fridd, Purchase College, School of Art+Design BFA Candidate '09

(Photo by Nicholas Roberts for The New York Times, ONE-MAN MENAGERIE Neil Fridd of Terror Pigeon Dance Revolt!)

Check Out the New York Time Article featuring Neil Fridd, Purchase College SUNY, School of Art+Design BFA Senior:
"Roosting at Purchase: Terror Pigeon Dance Revolt!"

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What is Fairey Telling the A.P.? by Ebony Brown

(Image: Mannie Garcia/Associated Press - nytimes.com, feb 8, 2009)

Speak of the devil, my previous blog entry nearly kissed Shepard Fairey's feet, placing him on the bricky pedestal of the School of Art+Design's Richard & Dolly Maass Gallery. Although copyright infringement threatens to dissolve Obama poster boy's cloud nine as per this NEW YORK TIMES ARTICLE , I refuse to discredit Fairey's contribution to the college.

Fairey, and other artist who regularly 'appropriate' existing art into their own artwork are probably well acquainted with the statutes of copyright infringement.

David Schwarz Project 6: Infobbable, the graffiti/street art inspired group show held at the Richard and Dolly Maass Gallery in which Shepard Fairey participated, exposed students and visitors to a contemporary body of graphic art that was both engaging and legal; no arrests were made (this time). While DSP6: Infobbable may have unnerved some, the exhibition seemed to be well received by both the on and off campus community.

Any thoughts on reappropriation and copyright infringment as it relates to Fairey's case or similar cases?

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Shepard Fairey, Obama's poster boy exhibited work @A+D's Richard & Dolly Maass Gallery on Purchase College Campus | by Ebony Brown

In the Spring 2007, Shepard Fairey (Designer of the Official Barack Obama Election and Inargural posters) exhibited work at Purchase College SUNY in the Richard & Dolly Maass Gallery as part of the group show, David Schwarz Project 6: Infobabble. Stephen Powers, Brian Donnelly, Cynthia Connolly and Mike Mills also exhibited work in the exhibtion.

"David Schwarz Project 6:Infobabble, featured creators from the worlds of fine art, graffiti, photography, film and advertising, exploring how contemporary artists find a voice in the melee; be it through subversion, parody, polical action or direct intervention" said Denise Mullen, former Dean of the School of Art+Design. The exhibition was curated by Aaron Rose, Director of Alleged Gallery in NYC and co-curator of the seminal exhibition "Beautiful Losers".

Featuring the work of respected, emerging artist, the Richard & Dolly Maass Gallery is located in the Visual Arts Building, adjacent to the Neuberger Museum of Art. Richard & Dolly Maass Schedule.

Did you see DSP6:Infobbable featuring Shepard Fairey's artwork? Check out this recent article on Shepard Fairey.


(Image Top: DSP6: Infobabble postcard design by Dave Caputo, Graphic Design BFA Alumnus, School of Art+Design.)

(Image Bottom: School of the Arts, Art+Design Event Brochure, Design by Doug Clouse)

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