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Breaking String Theatre

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Breaking String Theater is an emerging professional theater company in Austin, TX. Our mission is threefold: create excellent productions of Russian traditional and avant-garde plays; provide artists with a creative, respectful and professional environment in which to work; and be a thread in the rope linking Russian and American theater communities.

 

This project is funded and supported in part by the City of Austin through the Economic Growth & Redevelopment Services Office/Cultural Arts Division believing an investment in the Arts is an investment in Austin’s future. Visit Austin at NowPlayingAustin.com.

• At-a-
  Glance

  • Contact Info

    Breaking String Theatre

    2211-A Hidalgo Street
    Austin,

    Phone: (512)784-1465   |   Email   |   Official Website

  • Current Events

    There are no current events available for this organization at this time.

  • Upcoming Events

    There are no upcoming events available for this organization at this time.

• Current &
  Upcoming Events

  • Current Events

    There are no current events available for this organization at this time.

  • Upcoming Events

    There are no upcoming events available for this organization at this time.

• Past
  Events

  • Past Events

    02/08/13- 02/10/13	New Russian Drama Festival Salvage Vanguard Theater
    11/29/12- 12/15/12	Vodka, F***ing and Television Hyde Park Theatre
    03/09/12- 03/11/12	New Russian Drama Festival The Off Center
    03/09/12- 03/31/12	The Schooling of Bento Bonchev The Off Center
    06/16/11- 07/02/11	Uncle Vanya The Off Center
    01/28/11- 02/19/11	Flying The Off Center
    11/05/09- 11/21/09	Cherry Orchard Blue Theatre
    10/18/07- 11/01/07	The Seagull The Off Center

• Media
  Reviews

  • Media Reviews

    There are currently no media reviews for this organization.

• Member
  Reviews

  • Member Reviews

    • Event Name: New Russian Drama Festival
      "Holy Effin' Tolstoy Batman, this is great Russian Theater!"
      Review posted by: graber78 from 1, Mar 09, 2012
      

      You want to see this World Premier of the story of a Bulgarian grad student who does not believe in love, sexual love that is. It might be an allegory about the Russian tendency to nihilism, but who... Expand

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      You want to see this World Premier of the story of a Bulgarian grad student who does not believe in love, sexual love that is. It might be an allegory about the Russian tendency to nihilism, but who cares. Jesse Bertron is a lively earnest youth, and Devyn Ray is brilliant as his disciple. Watch the non-existant sparks fly! The set is wonderful; the costumes are marvelous. Wait until you see Garry Peters and Chris Humphrey as the older couple. Graham Schmidt gets the credit for putting it all together. I was entranced and I laughed a lot. Collapse

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    • Event Name: Uncle Vanya
      "Breaking String knows Russian Well"
      Review posted by: Stephen - A-Team from Austin, TX, Jun 26, 2011
      

      I am always happy when I hear that Breaking String is putting on a show. I am tough on Russian plays but find that Graham Schmidt knows how to translate a story into two hours and I am delited. The... Expand

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      I am always happy when I hear that Breaking String is putting on a show. I am tough on Russian plays but find that Graham Schmidt knows how to translate a story into two hours and I am delited. The show only runs for one more weekend and the blend of drama and a bit of comedy show a slice of life in rural Russia. The play makes you think and feel. The story is simple but don't let that make you judge it harshly. It is a story of relationships. I won't give away the ending but know its Russian. There are many stand out performances. Liz Fisher knows how to turn a glace and small emotional action into something very captivating. Robert Matney as Uncle Vanya is perfect in his attempts to survive life and self reflection of his character. Emily Everidge truly makes one feel as one would for any character. A strong will and duty shine. The ensemble cast of actors includes Robert Deike, Harvey Guion, Anne Hulsman, Chris Humphrey, and Matt Radford provide very memorable moments. A must see. Collapse

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    • Event Name: Uncle Vanya
      "An Excellent Chance to see Chekhov at Its Best"
      Review posted by: Ellie from Austin, TX, Jun 22, 2011
      

      **A-Team Review**Breaking String seeks to connect people across time and culture--specifically Austinites with the vibrant characters of Russian theatre. They've done just that with Uncle Vanya, one... Expand

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      **A-Team Review**Breaking String seeks to connect people across time and culture--specifically Austinites with the vibrant characters of Russian theatre. They've done just that with Uncle Vanya, one of Chekhov's best works, about a family reunion on the old estate that disunites them in the end. There's the major theme of the environment, but it's the unexpected juxtaposition of the rich that live comfortably at the expense of the poor, nay, their own family, that hits you like a frying pan and leaves a lump in your throat and makes you think critically about who here in Austin works around the clock unthanked and unnoticed. Emily Everidge shines beyond all other cast members as Sonya--you might as well go just to see her churn out those real tears. Or go just to see the set, with its canopy of leafless branches and warm indoor glow. But seriously, see this play. Graham Schmidt's translation of Chekhov is modern, REALLY funny, and does what good theatre should do: pulls at your heart and your mind. Collapse

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    • Event Name: Uncle Vanya
      "A summer in the country........."
      Review posted by: theaterlover from Austin, Jun 18, 2011
      

      The setting is a dacha in the country - the "absentee landlord" is visiting and creating conflict, giving a reason for introspection and searching for a raison d'etre. Russian plays are not... Expand

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      The setting is a dacha in the country - the "absentee landlord" is visiting and creating conflict, giving a reason for introspection and searching for a raison d'etre. Russian plays are not performed very often - this is a fine translation, a great performance with a fantastic cast. An absolute "must see". Collapse

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    • Event Name: Uncle Vanya
      "Thought-Provoking and Moving"
      Review posted by: Lauren from Austin, TX, Jun 16, 2011
      

      The show was quite poignant and moving, particularly toward the end as the conversations got heated and the heart of the play was revealed. I found the one-on-one scenes between the characters to... Expand

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      The show was quite poignant and moving, particularly toward the end as the conversations got heated and the heart of the play was revealed. I found the one-on-one scenes between the characters to be particularly enveloping and I liked that we got to see the inner struggles of each individual character. The part of the professor was extremely well- played. I felt that his passionate fits and every small, contained movement of his drew me deeper into the play. Sonya was lovely from the beginning- the way she held herself and acted so good- natured and naive- to the end- when we got to watch her character develop and feel her unshakable faith. The rest of the cast was lovely, but these are the characters that really made the play for me. The set and effects were also excellent. Go see it! Collapse

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    • Event Name: Flying
      "Flying doesn't quite take off"
      Review posted by: T Ott from Austin, Texas, Feb 15, 2011
      

      While the performances are strong, the vision is not, nor is the script. In a kind of updated Balm in Gilead set in the Russian hipster techno world, Schmidt's direction fails to bring all the... Expand

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      While the performances are strong, the vision is not, nor is the script. In a kind of updated Balm in Gilead set in the Russian hipster techno world, Schmidt's direction fails to bring all the stories together. Some fine performances from Trussell and Hood that should be noticed. I had hoped for more in the end. Collapse

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    • Event Name: Flying
      "Flying is a fast, dangerous and exhilarating ride. Pt 1."
      Review posted by: MM from Austin, TX, Feb 11, 2011
      

      Graham Schmidt and Breaking String Theatre put audiences up close to the beautiful youth of post-Soviet Russia, in this 2004 piece by one of those who originated the “New Drama” that came raging... Expand

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      Graham Schmidt and Breaking String Theatre put audiences up close to the beautiful youth of post-Soviet Russia, in this 2004 piece by one of those who originated the “New Drama” that came raging into the mid-1990’s. It plays at the Off Center, 2211-A Hidalgo Street (behind Joe’s Bakery on 7th Street) until February 19. Heedless, hedonistic and rootless, a gang of six young professionals address one another only by their remarkable nicknames. Snowstorm, Blizzard, Snowflake, Maniac, Orangina and Lenochka strut, talk, preen and play hard. They revolve about one another and thrust themselves through the drab Moscow nights like shooting stars. Director Schmidt, choreographer Adrian Mishler and composer Justin Sherburn give this story a kinetic power that leaves the audience breathless at the end of the first half. Collapse

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    • Event Name: Flying
      "Flying is a fast, dangerous and exhilarating ride Pt. 2"
      Review posted by: MM from Austin, TX, Feb 11, 2011
      

      This gang of six is without a past and with only fleeting thoughts about a future. In the original Russian version they were a commercial TV team; Breaking String makes them DJs, models and the... Expand

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      This gang of six is without a past and with only fleeting thoughts about a future. In the original Russian version they were a commercial TV team; Breaking String makes them DJs, models and the well-connected rich. They sweep along with them a naïve 17-year-old café waitress from Siberia whom they nickname nickname “Bushy tail.” They charm her and seduce into their world of glamorous emptiness. It’s a hot cast that sizzles as an ensemble. Bad boys Joey Hood and Jacob Trussell; handsomely depraved Jesse Berton as Maniac the base jumper; juicy women Michelle Keffer and Katie van Winkle; the dangerously seductive Adriene Mishler, also responsible for the dizzying movement; big-eyed Griçelda Silva as the girl from the sticks. Collapse

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    • Event Name: Flying
      "Flying is a fast, dangerous and exhilarating Pt. 3"
      Review posted by: MM from Austin, TX, Feb 11, 2011
      

      Playwright Mukhina’s dialogue is remarkable. Rapid-fire exchanges are punchy, direct and surprising. All the more remarkable is the fact that she lifted every word, she says, from... Expand

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      Playwright Mukhina’s dialogue is remarkable. Rapid-fire exchanges are punchy, direct and surprising. All the more remarkable is the fact that she lifted every word, she says, from interviews. Nihilism and glamour do not prevail. The second act is an equally talky, eloquent exploration of consequences. David J. Boss as the stolid police lieutenant Volodya brings reality to some of them – in part because he lost his ballerina girlfriend to Maniac, who in turn wasn’t able to keep her (I missed that plot twist in performance but found it later in the text). Childhood and narcissism do not last. Each of those shooting stars transforms or flame out. This is the first production of the play in North America, and the Center for International Theatre Development brought Mukhina to Austin last weekend to see it and to talk to actors and writers. Mukhina, Schmidt and this talented company create a terrific, terrible and hypnotic spectacle for us. Flying is an experience not to be missed. Collapse

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    • Event Name: Cherry Orchard
      "Meeting the Challenge of Chekhov"
      Review posted by: tristan alexander from austin, tx, Nov 13, 2009
      

      chekhov is one of the most challenging playwrights to produce for a number of reasons, the primary being the difficulty creating a balance between tone, language, and character. many productions to... Expand

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      chekhov is one of the most challenging playwrights to produce for a number of reasons, the primary being the difficulty creating a balance between tone, language, and character. many productions to veer towards the melodramatic, led by chekhov's verbose writing style that can sound foreign to the modern ear. using the dialogue to add life to the simple yet realistic story arcs can leave a production oddly disjointed from the audience. overall, breaking string's production strikes a good balance between language and story, finding the humor within. overall the acting is strong, though not entirely even in quality. strong comedic performances lift the show, but the timing of some moments seemed off at times. however, the show is a pleasing interpretation that rises to the challenge of tackling chekhov. Collapse

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