HERE & Back

THIS AND THAT

NOV 30-DEC 17

The Bushwick Starr and The Chocolate Factory Theater in partnership with HERE present The Institute of Useless Activity’s THIS and THAT:

What is THIS? What is THAT? — THAT imagines the creation of the universe. Video equipment comes to life by the cranking of tripod knobs, zooming in and out, maneuvering visual feedback loops, dissolving images together and apart, creating an abstract video puppetry before our eyes. No pre-recorded video, no tricks. THIS is about people – their romantic sense of longing, loss, alienation and near miss… a cowboy sleeps under the stars, a family puts their child to sleep for the night, a crooner serenades his lover, a jazz pianist fantasizes while he plays. Hand shadow vignettes, inspired by Henry Moore sculptures, morph from one scene to another.

Created by Phil Soltanoff / Steven Wendt

Performed by Steven Wendt

Directed by Phil Soltanoff

THIS AND THAT is made possible by a Henson Foundation Workshop Grant


THIS AND THAT comes to HERE after its sold out run at The Chocolate Factory Theater this past September.

“Chock-full of pure forms made just from light and shadow… it’s sweet and gossamer fine… we’ve all been invited under the blanket fort to play”The New Yorker

“a playful production with a spirit of inquiry [and] gently psychedelic… If you have a favorite edible, I imagine that preshow would be a fine time to indulge.” – The New York Times

“THIS AND THAT beguiled me… I found the artistry of Mr. Wendt’s empathetic puppet work to be surprisingly sophisticated and deeply soulful, which is in fascinatingly stark contrast to the impenetrable mysteries presented by the preceding depiction of the cosmic/primordial.”Interludes


Until further notice, all patrons attending HERE performances and events will be required to wear masks (KN95 or KF94 masks are strongly recommended). 

Proof of vaccination is no longer required.

We ask all audience members to please stay home if they have a sore throat, are feeling sick in any other way, or have been recently exposed to COVID-19, and to please contact the box office for refunds or exchanges.

All of our performers, technicians, and staff members are required to be fully vaccinated and masked unless they are onstage performing. Additionally, they are participating in an active testing regimen to keep everyone as safe as possible.

HERE reserves the right to revise protocols as the rate of transmission changes and in light of new scientific data that may present itself.

Wed-Sat, 8:30 PM

10 tickets are available for $10 for every performance.

Approx. 56 minutes

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