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The Handless King – SparkFest

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The Handless King – SparkFest
JUNE 9 AT 8 PM & JUNE 11 AT 2 PM, SparkFest

The Handless King – SparkFest

BY HARLEY ELIAS, DIRECTED BY JAY DUFFER

JUNE 9 AT 8 PM & JUNE 11 AT 2 PM, SparkFest

The Handless King – SparkFest

BY HARLEY ELIAS, DIRECTED BY JAY DUFFER

STAGED READING

 

Staged readings are for developmental plays that are just missing that final touch–an audience.

 

A eunuch scribe tasked with counting up bodies on a battlefield of the Assyrian Empire learns that their much-loved language Cuneiform is changing to Aramaic, and that they’re being replaced by a new scribe. What the new scribe doesn’t know is that older scribe has invented a new form of writing– writing without purpose: poetry. The new scribe has a secret too: he wants to overthrow the oppressive empire. The fight to keep their language and rebellions leads the scribes into a web of deceit, blackmail, and an endless cycle of violence. Ultimately their struggle reflects the eternal reluctance of technological change, hope for revolution, state violence, gender, disability, and the nature of poetry. Based on a stele from 728 BCE, which for the first known time in history shows two writing systems existing at once. As a disabled Iraqi writer who experienced handlessness, it is also an inquiry into ancestry and selfhood.

 

Content warning: Please be advised that this play contains reference to violence.

 

This event is part of our enthralling two-week adventure, SparkFest 2023. Explore other SparkFest events. 

 

 

Amphibian Stage’s New Tiered Ticket Pricing Model
Tickets for this show range from $10-30, but YOU get to decide what you pay in an effort to make theatre more accessible for any budget. Read more about our tiered ticketing model here!

Meet the Team

Creative
Cast

Harley Elias

Playwright

Harley Elias is a playwright, librettist, and performer from New York City. His work has been supported by residencies at Banff Centre, Sewanee Writers Conference, a Fulbright Grant to India in Playwriting, Atlantic Center for the Arts, Resonance Ensemble, and Sparkfest at Amphibian Stage. He is the winner of the Wild Imaginings New Play Award, the Samuel French OOB Award, a Young Playwrights Award, and his Play #3 is published by Samuel French. He was the librettist-in-residence at Banff for their Opera in the 21st Century. For the composer Francisco de Guevara, he wrote the libretto for the opera 11:35, set to premiere in Mexico City in 2024. The documentary he co-wrote and directed, Reconquest of the Useless, was shown at the Havana, Zurich, Woodstock, and Virginia Film Festivals. As an actor, his credits include Les Miserables (Broadway and National Tour), A Thousand Clowns (Broadway), A Christmas Carol (Broadway), Ragtime (National Tour), and work at Goodspeed Opera House, EST, Workhouse, Second Stage, HB Studio, and Soho Rep. He holds a BA and MA in History and Art History from Stanford, and an MFA in Playwriting from Brown. He is currently under commission from Miami New Drama and Theater J.

Playwright

Harley Elias

Harley Elias is a playwright, librettist, and performer from New York City. His work has been supported by residencies at Banff Centre, Sewanee Writers Conference, a Fulbright Grant to India in Playwriting, Atlantic Center for the Arts, Resonance Ensemble, and Sparkfest at Amphibian Stage. He is the winner of the Wild Imaginings New Play Award, the Samuel French OOB Award, a Young Playwrights Award, and his Play #3 is published by Samuel French. He was the librettist-in-residence at Banff for their Opera in the 21st Century. For the composer Francisco de Guevara, he wrote the libretto for the opera 11:35, set to premiere in Mexico City in 2024. The documentary he co-wrote and directed, Reconquest of the Useless, was shown at the Havana, Zurich, Woodstock, and Virginia Film Festivals. As an actor, his credits include Les Miserables (Broadway and National Tour), A Thousand Clowns (Broadway), A Christmas Carol (Broadway), Ragtime (National Tour), and work at Goodspeed Opera House, EST, Workhouse, Second Stage, HB Studio, and Soho Rep. He holds a BA and MA in History and Art History from Stanford, and an MFA in Playwriting from Brown. He is currently under commission from Miami New Drama and Theater J.

Jay Duffer

Director

Jay Duffer directed The Bible: The Complete Word of God (abridged) for Amphibian both in 2014 and 2017, and Babbette’s Feast in 2019. He will direct Marie Antoinette in our 2022 season. Past Amphibian acting credits include Wittenberg, The Nosemaker’s Apprentice, The Mystery of Irma Vep and the workshop production of David Davalos’ Daedalus (Retitled A Lost Leonardo). He has professional acting and directing credits spanning several decades and has performed in theatres from Off-Broadway, to regional theatres, to productions overseas. Jay has been involved in new works and script development with Threads Theatre Company (serving as a Founding Member and the Executive Director of New Works), Pulse Ensemble Theatre, Manhattan Theatre Source, Kaleidoscope Theatre Company, Fort Wayne Civic Theatre and Brooklyn based The Artful Conspirators. His play, Asleep in the Arms of God, received its world premiere in November 2017 at the Box Theatre in Riverside, CA produced by New Threads Productions (CA). His play, Big Girl, Little World premiered at the New York International Fringe Festival. His latest play, naked, was included in Amphibian’s inaugural SPARKFEST in the summer of 2021. Prior to joining Amphibian as Managing Director, Jay was Associate Professor of Theatre and Department Chair at Huntington University in Indiana. At HU, he directed a wide variety of approximately 50 plays and musicals while heading the theatre program. Jay currently teaches Directing for the Department of Theatre and Dance at the University of Texas Arlington. He is a member of Actors Equity Association and is an Associate Member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society.

Director

Jay Duffer

Jay Duffer directed The Bible: The Complete Word of God (abridged) for Amphibian both in 2014 and 2017, and Babbette’s Feast in 2019. He will direct Marie Antoinette in our 2022 season. Past Amphibian acting credits include Wittenberg, The Nosemaker’s Apprentice, The Mystery of Irma Vep and the workshop production of David Davalos’ Daedalus (Retitled A Lost Leonardo). He has professional acting and directing credits spanning several decades and has performed in theatres from Off-Broadway, to regional theatres, to productions overseas. Jay has been involved in new works and script development with Threads Theatre Company (serving as a Founding Member and the Executive Director of New Works), Pulse Ensemble Theatre, Manhattan Theatre Source, Kaleidoscope Theatre Company, Fort Wayne Civic Theatre and Brooklyn based The Artful Conspirators. His play, Asleep in the Arms of God, received its world premiere in November 2017 at the Box Theatre in Riverside, CA produced by New Threads Productions (CA). His play, Big Girl, Little World premiered at the New York International Fringe Festival. His latest play, naked, was included in Amphibian’s inaugural SPARKFEST in the summer of 2021. Prior to joining Amphibian as Managing Director, Jay was Associate Professor of Theatre and Department Chair at Huntington University in Indiana. At HU, he directed a wide variety of approximately 50 plays and musicals while heading the theatre program. Jay currently teaches Directing for the Department of Theatre and Dance at the University of Texas Arlington. He is a member of Actors Equity Association and is an Associate Member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society.

Kaitlin Hatton

Production Stage Manager

Kaitlin Hatton is excited to be working with Amphibian Stage again! Recent props designs include Ann (WaterTower Theatre), La Medium (FW Opera), Baba, Spaceman, Marie Antoinette (Amphibian Stage Productions), Kodachrome, Fences, Young Frankenstein, An Empty Plate in the Cafe du Grand Boeuf, The Glass Menagerie, The Last Wide Open, and One Man, Two Guvnors (Circle Theatre). Recent stage management includes I’m Proud of You, The Other Josh Cohen, Tiny Beautiful Things (Circle Theatre), Marjorie Prime, Handle With Care, Between Riverside and Crazy, Witch, On The Exhale (Stage West), Baba, Spaceman, The Hollow, Egress, Hans & Sophie, She-Wolf, Gutenberg! The Musical!, Babette’s Feast, Lonely Planet, and Artist Descending A Staircase (Amphibian Stage Productions). Kaitlin holds a BFA in Theatre – Design and Technology from Texas Wesleyan University and teaches Stage Management there. She is a member of Actors’ Equity Association and received the 2019 Live Theatre League Bill Garber Young Artist Award.

Production Stage Manager

Kaitlin Hatton

Kaitlin Hatton is excited to be working with Amphibian Stage again! Recent props designs include Ann (WaterTower Theatre), La Medium (FW Opera), Baba, Spaceman, Marie Antoinette (Amphibian Stage Productions), Kodachrome, Fences, Young Frankenstein, An Empty Plate in the Cafe du Grand Boeuf, The Glass Menagerie, The Last Wide Open, and One Man, Two Guvnors (Circle Theatre). Recent stage management includes I’m Proud of You, The Other Josh Cohen, Tiny Beautiful Things (Circle Theatre), Marjorie Prime, Handle With Care, Between Riverside and Crazy, Witch, On The Exhale (Stage West), Baba, Spaceman, The Hollow, Egress, Hans & Sophie, She-Wolf, Gutenberg! The Musical!, Babette’s Feast, Lonely Planet, and Artist Descending A Staircase (Amphibian Stage Productions). Kaitlin holds a BFA in Theatre – Design and Technology from Texas Wesleyan University and teaches Stage Management there. She is a member of Actors’ Equity Association and received the 2019 Live Theatre League Bill Garber Young Artist Award.

Levi Richey

Production Assistant

Levi Richey is a graduate of UT Arlington with a bachelors in musical theatre. He is proud to have been a part of many productions at Amphibian including IMSTRUCTIOMS FOR A SEANCE and MARIE AND ROSETTA. Levi is also a makeup artist and currently studying wig building. @goodmoringitslevi on all platforms.

Production Assistant

Levi Richey

Levi Richey is a graduate of UT Arlington with a bachelors in musical theatre. He is proud to have been a part of many productions at Amphibian including IMSTRUCTIOMS FOR A SEANCE and MARIE AND ROSETTA. Levi is also a makeup artist and currently studying wig building. @goodmoringitslevi on all platforms.

Jeff Stanfield

Technical Director

Jeff Stanfield is a graduate of Texas Christian University. After spending eight and a half seasons with Dallas Children’s Theater, he is pleased to have returned to Fort Worth with Amphibian Stage. You may have seen him on stage under the open Texas sky at the Hip Pocket Theatre in such productions as Love Letters to a Raven, Loop the Loop, In Watermelon Sugar, The Lake Worth Monster and Don Quixote.

Technical Director

Jeff Stanfield

Jeff Stanfield is a graduate of Texas Christian University. After spending eight and a half seasons with Dallas Children’s Theater, he is pleased to have returned to Fort Worth with Amphibian Stage. You may have seen him on stage under the open Texas sky at the Hip Pocket Theatre in such productions as Love Letters to a Raven, Loop the Loop, In Watermelon Sugar, The Lake Worth Monster and Don Quixote.

Soria Adibi

SparkFest Apprentice

Soria is a proud Iranian American born and raised in Arlington, Texas. With a background in sustainability and environmental planning, this is Soria’s first entry working in theatre, and she is bursting with appreciation to Amphibian Stage for the opportunity to be immersed in the creative arts while amplifying the diversity of MENASA experiences. Soria holds a Bachelor’s in Political Science and Masters degrees in City and Regional Planning, both from the University of Texas at Arlington.

When not playing around in the garden, Soria enjoys observing people and culture through media, food, and politics. Connect on LinkedIn to stay in touch.

SparkFest Apprentice

Soria Adibi

Soria is a proud Iranian American born and raised in Arlington, Texas. With a background in sustainability and environmental planning, this is Soria’s first entry working in theatre, and she is bursting with appreciation to Amphibian Stage for the opportunity to be immersed in the creative arts while amplifying the diversity of MENASA experiences. Soria holds a Bachelor’s in Political Science and Masters degrees in City and Regional Planning, both from the University of Texas at Arlington.

When not playing around in the garden, Soria enjoys observing people and culture through media, food, and politics. Connect on LinkedIn to stay in touch.

Patrick Bynane

Actor

Patrick Bynane is originally from Northeast Ohio and has lived and worked across the US. He has a Ph.D in Theatre History from LSU (Geaux Tigers!) and is a proud member of Actors Equity. He has lived in Denton, TX since 2006 when he moved there to join the Texas Woman’s University Theatre Program. He is Program Director for TWU Theatre and is currently enjoying a semester sabbatical to pursue creative and scholarly projects. He is thrilled to return to the Amphibian stage where he has previously been seen in this past summer’s SparkFest, Babette’s Feast and A Lost Leonardo among other productions.

Actor

Patrick Bynane

Patrick Bynane is originally from Northeast Ohio and has lived and worked across the US. He has a Ph.D in Theatre History from LSU (Geaux Tigers!) and is a proud member of Actors Equity. He has lived in Denton, TX since 2006 when he moved there to join the Texas Woman’s University Theatre Program. He is Program Director for TWU Theatre and is currently enjoying a semester sabbatical to pursue creative and scholarly projects. He is thrilled to return to the Amphibian stage where he has previously been seen in this past summer’s SparkFest, Babette’s Feast and A Lost Leonardo among other productions.

Parker Gray

Actor

Parker Gray is a Dallas based Actor, Producer, Teaching Artist, and Playwright, and is so excited to be returning to Amphibian where he was last seen as Matthias Manley in the world premiere of Miss Molly, as well as the original reading of The Handless King at SparkFest! Other stage acting credits include work across the metroplex at Dallas Theater Center, Casa Mañana, Theatre Three, Circle Theatre, Kitchen Dog Theater, Stage West, Undermain Theatre, Shakespeare Dallas, WaterTower Theatre, Fair Assembly, Lyric Stage, Shakespeare in the Bar, and Second Thought Theatre where he currently serves as the Executive Director. Parker’s voice can be heard in various shows with Crunchyroll, and can be seen in several films including the Dallas-made horror film The Finale. He has served as a teaching artist for Stage West, Shakespeare Dallas, Bishop Dunne, and Arts Mission Oak Cliff. Parker’s premiere play, Incarnate, received a reading at Undermain for their Whither Goest Thou America Festival in 2022, and his play How to Lose a Sleep Paralysis Demon in 10 Days was chosen for the inaugural year of the Digital Development Project in 2023. More of Parker’s plays can be found on New Play Exchange. He holds a BFA in Acting from SMU and is represented by the Kim Dawson Agency.

Actor

Parker Gray

Parker Gray is a Dallas based Actor, Producer, Teaching Artist, and Playwright, and is so excited to be returning to Amphibian where he was last seen as Matthias Manley in the world premiere of Miss Molly, as well as the original reading of The Handless King at SparkFest! Other stage acting credits include work across the metroplex at Dallas Theater Center, Casa Mañana, Theatre Three, Circle Theatre, Kitchen Dog Theater, Stage West, Undermain Theatre, Shakespeare Dallas, WaterTower Theatre, Fair Assembly, Lyric Stage, Shakespeare in the Bar, and Second Thought Theatre where he currently serves as the Executive Director. Parker’s voice can be heard in various shows with Crunchyroll, and can be seen in several films including the Dallas-made horror film The Finale. He has served as a teaching artist for Stage West, Shakespeare Dallas, Bishop Dunne, and Arts Mission Oak Cliff. Parker’s premiere play, Incarnate, received a reading at Undermain for their Whither Goest Thou America Festival in 2022, and his play How to Lose a Sleep Paralysis Demon in 10 Days was chosen for the inaugural year of the Digital Development Project in 2023. More of Parker’s plays can be found on New Play Exchange. He holds a BFA in Acting from SMU and is represented by the Kim Dawson Agency.

Aaron Mateo Arroyo

Actor

Aaron Mateo Arroyo (Administrator) is thrilled to be making his Amphibian Stage debut with SparkFest! Recent credits include Sam in Mamma Mia at Lyric Stage, Inspector/ Hermit in Young Frankenstein at Circle Theatre and Theatre Three. Some of his favorite roles are Freddy Trumper in Chess: The Musical, Abram Baker in Our Class, and Florizel in The Winter’s Tale. He holds an MFA in Acting from UC Irvine. Aaron is a proud member of Actors’ Equity. Sends many thanks to Jay, Harley, the cast, and the crew of this show. Love to Sterling, Matty, and Tiresias.

Actor

Aaron Mateo Arroyo

Aaron Mateo Arroyo (Administrator) is thrilled to be making his Amphibian Stage debut with SparkFest! Recent credits include Sam in Mamma Mia at Lyric Stage, Inspector/ Hermit in Young Frankenstein at Circle Theatre and Theatre Three. Some of his favorite roles are Freddy Trumper in Chess: The Musical, Abram Baker in Our Class, and Florizel in The Winter’s Tale. He holds an MFA in Acting from UC Irvine. Aaron is a proud member of Actors’ Equity. Sends many thanks to Jay, Harley, the cast, and the crew of this show. Love to Sterling, Matty, and Tiresias.

Analisa Salinas

Actor

Analisa Salinas is a recent graduate of the University of Texas at Arlington, with a BFA in Theatre Arts (with a concentration in Musical Theatre) and minors in History and English. Most recently, she was the Bird Seller in UTA’s Sweeney Todd. She was also an apprentice for Amphibian Stage’s annual SparkFest in 2022, where she made her professional debut. Her other credits include Roz in 9 to 5, and a performer/writer for Design for the Future, a devised theatrical piece in collaboration with MIT. She’s also written and directed short plays for UTA.

Actor

Analisa Salinas

Analisa Salinas is a recent graduate of the University of Texas at Arlington, with a BFA in Theatre Arts (with a concentration in Musical Theatre) and minors in History and English. Most recently, she was the Bird Seller in UTA’s Sweeney Todd. She was also an apprentice for Amphibian Stage’s annual SparkFest in 2022, where she made her professional debut. Her other credits include Roz in 9 to 5, and a performer/writer for Design for the Future, a devised theatrical piece in collaboration with MIT. She’s also written and directed short plays for UTA.

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