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The Handless King

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The Handless King
July 26 – August 18, Main Stage

The Handless King

by Harley Elias
Directed by Jay Duffer

July 26 – August 18, Main Stage

The Handless King

by Harley Elias
Directed by Jay Duffer

A Wickedly Zany Road to Revolution

 

“Listen kid, I’ll keep your secret, but this revolution… it needs to happen now. We need to do it now.” 

 

A coworker dispute turns deadly in this morbidly funny new play. Set at the height of the Assyrian Empire, The Handless King follows two humble government employees (played by Patrick Bynane and Parker Gray), both tasked with tallying the dead in the wake of a recent battle. The problem? Only one of them can keep his job. As the day wears on, truths are revealed, revolution draws near, and someone’s losing limbs before the sun is set. This world premiere—inspired by real artifacts from 728 BCE—explores a timeless truth: move with the times or get left behind. This high-octane historical fantasy comes to you after a wildly successful development at Amphibian Stage’s 2023 Sparkfest.

 

Content Warnings: The play contains cursing, visual depictions/references of violence, stage blood as well as brief partial rear nudity. 

 

Runtime: 2 hours, One intermission

Amphibian Stage’s Tiered Ticketing Model

In order to relieve financial barriers, our tickets range from $15-60. Click here to learn more.

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Community Nights

LGBTQIA+ Night – August 2nd

What are community nights?

Our hope is that community nights bring like-minded people together to socialize and celebrate the power of live performing arts.

What is The Handless King?

Set at the height of the Assyrian Empire, a coworker dispute turns deadly in this morbidly funny new play. This world premiere—inspired by real artifacts from 728 BCE—explores a timeless truth: move with the times or get left behind.

Ticket details:

Explore our tiered ticketing model at amphibianstage.com. RSVP for LGBTQIA+ Night by emailing ayesha@amphibianstage.com

Under 40 Night – August 9th

What are community nights?

Our hope is that community nights bring like-minded people together to socialize and celebrate the power of live performing arts.

What is The Handless King?

Set at the height of the Assyrian Empire, a coworker dispute turns deadly in this morbidly funny new play. This world premiere—inspired by real artifacts from 728 BCE—explores a timeless truth: move with the times or get left behind.

Ticket details:

Explore our tiered ticketing model at amphibianstage.com. RSVP for Under 40 Night by emailing ayesha@amphibianstage.com

Cast & Creatives

Cast
Creative

Patrick Bynane

Ubru

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.

Ubru

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

Dilgan

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.

Dilgan

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.

Ahmad Kamal

Administrator

Ahmad Kamal is delighted to be back at Amphibian Stage, after first appearing in Baba, followed by performing in Sparkfest 2023! Regional credits include Selling Kabul (Northlight Theatre), Hotter Than Egypt (ACT and Marin Theatre Compnay), Gloria (Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company), Everybody (Shakespeare Theatre Company) and The Return (Mosaic Theater Company), among others. Ahmad is a graduate of the University of Virginia and Bristol Old Vic Theatre School.

Administrator

Ahmad Kamal

Ahmad Kamal is delighted to be back at Amphibian Stage, after first appearing in Baba, followed by performing in Sparkfest 2023! Regional credits include Selling Kabul (Northlight Theatre), Hotter Than Egypt (ACT and Marin Theatre Compnay), Gloria (Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company), Everybody (Shakespeare Theatre Company) and The Return (Mosaic Theater Company), among others. Ahmad is a graduate of the University of Virginia and Bristol Old Vic Theatre School.

Tanner Mobley

Understudy

Tanner Mobley is thrilled to be once again a part of the amazing team at Amphibian Stage! He was last seen as Karl/Ensemble in Amphibian’s October 2023 production of The Visit in collaboration with the University of Texas at Arlington, a school in which he has just graduated with his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting from this past spring (Mav up!). Tanner spends a lot of time behind a camera when not performing in front of one or not on the stage, doing headshot photography for local actors and other styles of portrait photography. Alongside running his professional photography business, Tanner loves to write and create his own short films with his closest friends, sharing them to social media in hopes to give others joy in his creations. Tanner would love to thank everyone who came out to witness this wonderful production, as well his parents, family, friends, and his beautiful Fiancé, Olivia.

Understudy

Tanner Mobley

Tanner Mobley is thrilled to be once again a part of the amazing team at Amphibian Stage! He was last seen as Karl/Ensemble in Amphibian’s October 2023 production of The Visit in collaboration with the University of Texas at Arlington, a school in which he has just graduated with his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting from this past spring (Mav up!). Tanner spends a lot of time behind a camera when not performing in front of one or not on the stage, doing headshot photography for local actors and other styles of portrait photography. Alongside running his professional photography business, Tanner loves to write and create his own short films with his closest friends, sharing them to social media in hopes to give others joy in his creations. Tanner would love to thank everyone who came out to witness this wonderful production, as well his parents, family, friends, and his beautiful Fiancé, Olivia.

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.

Jess Anoruigwe

Directing Apprentice

Jess Anoruigwe is a playwright, actor, aspiring director, and new UT Arlington Alumna who is honored and blessed to work on her first project with Amphibian Stage. She was recently involved in numerous projects in her final semester of college, including her portrayals of Lady Montague and Ursula in Stolen Shakespeare Guild’s repertory productions of William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet and Much Ado About Nothing for the 2024 Stolen Shakespeare Festival and Stranger/Conjure Woman in the UTA Black Theatre Society’s production of Wren Aubrey Latham’s Eat The World, Baby. Her recent directorial credits include assistant directing the UTA Maverick Theatre Company’s production of Jen Silverman’s Bonnets under Stage West Theatre’s Garret Storms, artistic directing the 2024 Theatre for Change Project—in which she directed student playwright London Crawford’s Salmon Croquettes—and directing student playwright Samuel Byron Griffith’s Over my Wrath for the UTA Maverick Theatre Company’s 2024 Two-Minute Play Festival, presented by the BA Ensemble. Her recent playwriting credits include Silent Songs of Service for the 2024 Theatre for Change Project and “Sting” for the 2024 Two-Minute Play Festival. She sends abundant love and gratitude to her Heavenly Father, King Jesus, for His never-ending blessings, her amazing parents, Gabriel and Monica Anoruigwe, her awesome siblings, her wonderful professors, including Jay Duffer for giving her this incredible opportunity, and Megan Noble, Dr. Julienne Greer, Felicia Bertch, Joe Chapa, and Darius Booker for always encouraging and believing in her. She also sends abundant love and gratitude to her close friends and her beautiful partner for their unwavering support.

Directing Apprentice

Jess Anoruigwe

Jess Anoruigwe is a playwright, actor, aspiring director, and new UT Arlington Alumna who is honored and blessed to work on her first project with Amphibian Stage. She was recently involved in numerous projects in her final semester of college, including her portrayals of Lady Montague and Ursula in Stolen Shakespeare Guild’s repertory productions of William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet and Much Ado About Nothing for the 2024 Stolen Shakespeare Festival and Stranger/Conjure Woman in the UTA Black Theatre Society’s production of Wren Aubrey Latham’s Eat The World, Baby. Her recent directorial credits include assistant directing the UTA Maverick Theatre Company’s production of Jen Silverman’s Bonnets under Stage West Theatre’s Garret Storms, artistic directing the 2024 Theatre for Change Project—in which she directed student playwright London Crawford’s Salmon Croquettes—and directing student playwright Samuel Byron Griffith’s Over my Wrath for the UTA Maverick Theatre Company’s 2024 Two-Minute Play Festival, presented by the BA Ensemble. Her recent playwriting credits include Silent Songs of Service for the 2024 Theatre for Change Project and “Sting” for the 2024 Two-Minute Play Festival. She sends abundant love and gratitude to her Heavenly Father, King Jesus, for His never-ending blessings, her amazing parents, Gabriel and Monica Anoruigwe, her awesome siblings, her wonderful professors, including Jay Duffer for giving her this incredible opportunity, and Megan Noble, Dr. Julienne Greer, Felicia Bertch, Joe Chapa, and Darius Booker for always encouraging and believing in her. She also sends abundant love and gratitude to her close friends and her beautiful partner for their unwavering support.

Leah Mazur

Scenic Designer

Leah Mazur, MFA, graduated from the Scenography Program at the University of Kansas in May of 2017. She received her B.A. in Theatre with an emphasis in Theatre Design from Cameron University in Lawton, Oklahoma. She is currently a freelance Scenographer and visual artist based in the DFW metroplex and is the Area Head of the Design & Technology BFA program in the Department of Theatre Arts and Dance at the University of Texas at Arlington.
Leah’s work has been seen at Spinning Tree Theatre, Unicorn Theatre, Kansas Repertory Theatre, Lake Dillon Theatre Company, Canterbury Theatre, Anacostia Playhouse, Catholic University, Cape May Stage, Scena Theatre, St. Mary’s College of Maryland, and the University of Texas at Arlington.

With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Leah’s focus shifted to the integration of XR (extended reality) into the performing arts as a means of accessibility and expanded storytelling. She is a member of USITT.

Scenic Designer

Leah Mazur

Leah Mazur, MFA, graduated from the Scenography Program at the University of Kansas in May of 2017. She received her B.A. in Theatre with an emphasis in Theatre Design from Cameron University in Lawton, Oklahoma. She is currently a freelance Scenographer and visual artist based in the DFW metroplex and is the Area Head of the Design & Technology BFA program in the Department of Theatre Arts and Dance at the University of Texas at Arlington.
Leah’s work has been seen at Spinning Tree Theatre, Unicorn Theatre, Kansas Repertory Theatre, Lake Dillon Theatre Company, Canterbury Theatre, Anacostia Playhouse, Catholic University, Cape May Stage, Scena Theatre, St. Mary’s College of Maryland, and the University of Texas at Arlington.

With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Leah’s focus shifted to the integration of XR (extended reality) into the performing arts as a means of accessibility and expanded storytelling. She is a member of USITT.

Kaitlin Hatton

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.

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.

Shahrzad Mazaheri

Costume Designer

Shahrzad Mazaheri, an experienced costume designer with over seven years of experience in Iran, has been working in Dallas after moving to United States. Among her notable national credits are English a co-production of Goodman Theatre and Guthrie, The Good John Proctor, Becky, Nurse of Salem, Sweeney Todd and Sueño at Trinity Repertory Company, English at Berkeley Repertory Theatre, La Gringa at American Stage Company, and Carmela, Full of Wishes for Children’s Theatre Company. She has designed costumes for several theaters in DFW area such as Pleasure Trials and Baba at Amphibian Stage, The Merit System at Teatro Dallas, The Persians and He’s Born, He’s Borne at Undermain Theatre, and Lizzie, The Rock Musical and The Immigrant at Theatre Three. Shahrzad has completed her MFA in Stage Design at SMU and holds an MFA in Textile and Fashion Design. Upcoming projects are POTUS and Ms. Holmes and Ms. Watson – Apartment 2B at Trinity Rep, English at Cincinnati Rep and Wish You Were Here at South Coast Repertory. Get to know her more at shahrzadmazaheri.com

Costume Designer

Shahrzad Mazaheri

Shahrzad Mazaheri, an experienced costume designer with over seven years of experience in Iran, has been working in Dallas after moving to United States. Among her notable national credits are English a co-production of Goodman Theatre and Guthrie, The Good John Proctor, Becky, Nurse of Salem, Sweeney Todd and Sueño at Trinity Repertory Company, English at Berkeley Repertory Theatre, La Gringa at American Stage Company, and Carmela, Full of Wishes for Children’s Theatre Company. She has designed costumes for several theaters in DFW area such as Pleasure Trials and Baba at Amphibian Stage, The Merit System at Teatro Dallas, The Persians and He’s Born, He’s Borne at Undermain Theatre, and Lizzie, The Rock Musical and The Immigrant at Theatre Three. Shahrzad has completed her MFA in Stage Design at SMU and holds an MFA in Textile and Fashion Design. Upcoming projects are POTUS and Ms. Holmes and Ms. Watson – Apartment 2B at Trinity Rep, English at Cincinnati Rep and Wish You Were Here at South Coast Repertory. Get to know her more at shahrzadmazaheri.com

Eric Watkins

Lighting Designer

Eric is a Chicago based lighting designer who specializes in modern theatre and grand opera. He returns to Amphibian Stage having designed last season’s Baba. In the Fort Worth area he has also designed for both the Fort Worth Opera (Don Pasquale) and the Dallas Opera (Show Boat, Falstaff, and Hansel and Gretel). CHICAGO (selected) Tambo & Bones (Jeff Awards Winner for best Lighting, Refracted Theatre Company); Short Shakespeare! Romeo & Juliet (Chicago Shakespeare Company); Notes from the Field (Timeline Theatre); The Singularity Play (Jackalope Theatre); Routes (Remy Bumppo); A Mile in the Dark (Interrobang Theatre); Our Dear Dead Drug Lord (Steep Theatre); The Magnolia Ballet (About Face Theatre); Il Corsaro (a Chicago premiere of Verdi’s work for Opera Festival of Chicago); Dial M for Murder and Fireflies (Northlight Theatre); Sugar in Our Wounds (Jeff nomination) and Hooded: or Being Black for Dummies (First Floor Theater); Alaiyo and EthiopianAmerica (Definition Theatre Company); In The Blood (Red Tape Theatre); A Swell In The Ground (The Gift Theatre); Fallen (Mozawa); Porcelain (Prologue Theatre; Jeff nomination) and many more. REGIONAL/INTERNATIONAL (selected) Mrs. Harrison (Indiana Rep); Two Mile Hollow (Phoenix Theatre, IN); Ariande (Arizona Opera); A Streetcar Named Desire (Opera Santa Barbara and Kentucky Opera); The Rake’s Progress (Merola Opera, CA); The Book Club Play (Third Avenue Playworks, WI); Barber of Seville (Lithuanian National Opera); Song of Home (Theatre Lumina tour through Poland and Moldova). Eric received his MFA from Boston University and is a proud member of USA Local 829, the theatrical design union. www.ericwatkins.com

Lighting Designer

Eric Watkins

Eric is a Chicago based lighting designer who specializes in modern theatre and grand opera. He returns to Amphibian Stage having designed last season’s Baba. In the Fort Worth area he has also designed for both the Fort Worth Opera (Don Pasquale) and the Dallas Opera (Show Boat, Falstaff, and Hansel and Gretel). CHICAGO (selected) Tambo & Bones (Jeff Awards Winner for best Lighting, Refracted Theatre Company); Short Shakespeare! Romeo & Juliet (Chicago Shakespeare Company); Notes from the Field (Timeline Theatre); The Singularity Play (Jackalope Theatre); Routes (Remy Bumppo); A Mile in the Dark (Interrobang Theatre); Our Dear Dead Drug Lord (Steep Theatre); The Magnolia Ballet (About Face Theatre); Il Corsaro (a Chicago premiere of Verdi’s work for Opera Festival of Chicago); Dial M for Murder and Fireflies (Northlight Theatre); Sugar in Our Wounds (Jeff nomination) and Hooded: or Being Black for Dummies (First Floor Theater); Alaiyo and EthiopianAmerica (Definition Theatre Company); In The Blood (Red Tape Theatre); A Swell In The Ground (The Gift Theatre); Fallen (Mozawa); Porcelain (Prologue Theatre; Jeff nomination) and many more. REGIONAL/INTERNATIONAL (selected) Mrs. Harrison (Indiana Rep); Two Mile Hollow (Phoenix Theatre, IN); Ariande (Arizona Opera); A Streetcar Named Desire (Opera Santa Barbara and Kentucky Opera); The Rake’s Progress (Merola Opera, CA); The Book Club Play (Third Avenue Playworks, WI); Barber of Seville (Lithuanian National Opera); Song of Home (Theatre Lumina tour through Poland and Moldova). Eric received his MFA from Boston University and is a proud member of USA Local 829, the theatrical design union. www.ericwatkins.com

David Lanza

Sound Designer

David Lanza has been sound designing in DFW for some time now, is excited to still be sound designing, and looks forward to sound designing more in the future.  He also loves the Phibs always and forever.  Pro-tip: eat half of your cookie now, and save the other half for a late night snack after the show.  Follow David Lanza Audio on Facebook or go to www.DavidLanzaAudio.com to learn more.  Or look up my LiveJournal I had in high school. Love to Nikki, Maggie, Peter, and the Oxford comma.

Sound Designer

David Lanza

David Lanza has been sound designing in DFW for some time now, is excited to still be sound designing, and looks forward to sound designing more in the future.  He also loves the Phibs always and forever.  Pro-tip: eat half of your cookie now, and save the other half for a late night snack after the show.  Follow David Lanza Audio on Facebook or go to www.DavidLanzaAudio.com to learn more.  Or look up my LiveJournal I had in high school. Love to Nikki, Maggie, Peter, and the Oxford comma.

Bella Barnett

Props Designer

Bella is a production designer, art director, prop builder, and scenic artist. She received her B.A. in technical theatre from West Texas A&M University. Bella now works as a freelancer in advertising, film, and theater. She worked recently as the production designer for 2022 Lone Star Film Festival official selection Pool Service and 2022 Micheaux Film Festival and 2022 National Black Film Festival official selection Blue Porcelain. Her work with Amphibian Stage includes the props design and scenic painting for The Hollow and Miss Molly along with scenic painting for Spaceman and Baba.

Props Designer

Bella Barnett

Bella is a production designer, art director, prop builder, and scenic artist. She received her B.A. in technical theatre from West Texas A&M University. Bella now works as a freelancer in advertising, film, and theater. She worked recently as the production designer for 2022 Lone Star Film Festival official selection Pool Service and 2022 Micheaux Film Festival and 2022 National Black Film Festival official selection Blue Porcelain. Her work with Amphibian Stage includes the props design and scenic painting for The Hollow and Miss Molly along with scenic painting for Spaceman and Baba.

Evan Michael Woods

Projections Designer

Evan is a Fort Worth-based actor, photographer, and designer. His work has been seen at the Dallas Theater Center, Second Thought Theatre, Undermain Theatre, Stage West Theatre, Trinity Shakespeare Festival, Amphibian Stage, and more. Evan holds a BFA in Acting from Texas Christian University. Evan is represented by the Kim Dawson Agency.

Projections Designer

Evan Michael Woods

Evan is a Fort Worth-based actor, photographer, and designer. His work has been seen at the Dallas Theater Center, Second Thought Theatre, Undermain Theatre, Stage West Theatre, Trinity Shakespeare Festival, Amphibian Stage, and more. Evan holds a BFA in Acting from Texas Christian University. Evan is represented by the Kim Dawson Agency.

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.

Nathan Autrey

Fight Choreographer

Nathan Autrey holds a B.F.A. in Acting from the University of North Texas and an M.F.A. in Directing from the Actors Studio Drama School at Pace University. He is excited to have the opportunity to work with Amphibian Stage. His recent Directing/Fight/Intimacy credits include: The Diary of Anne Frank (McKinney Rep Theatre); Legally Blonde (Junior Players); The Curse of the Puerto Ricans (Bishop Arts Theater); Fiddler on the Roof, Donner Party, American Idiot, Seven Guitars (UNT); Twelfth Night, Hamlet, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Tempest (Shakespeare Dallas); The Producers, Something Rotten, The Wedding Singer (Stolen Shakespeare Guild); The Great Gatsby, A Christmas Carol, Sweeney Todd, Little Shop of Horrors, Boeing, Boeing, Almost, Maine, Christmas Story (Breckenridge Backstage Theatre); Does This Woman Have a Name, Ivy Walls (3-Legged Dog); Shining City (The Irish Rep); Through the Cracks (HERE Arts). Nathan currently serves as a member of the acting faculty at UNT, Managing Artistic Director for Inkspark Theatre Company, and is a proud member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Union & a member of the Society for American Fight Directors. www.nathanautrey.com

Fight Choreographer

Nathan Autrey

Nathan Autrey holds a B.F.A. in Acting from the University of North Texas and an M.F.A. in Directing from the Actors Studio Drama School at Pace University. He is excited to have the opportunity to work with Amphibian Stage. His recent Directing/Fight/Intimacy credits include: The Diary of Anne Frank (McKinney Rep Theatre); Legally Blonde (Junior Players); The Curse of the Puerto Ricans (Bishop Arts Theater); Fiddler on the Roof, Donner Party, American Idiot, Seven Guitars (UNT); Twelfth Night, Hamlet, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Tempest (Shakespeare Dallas); The Producers, Something Rotten, The Wedding Singer (Stolen Shakespeare Guild); The Great Gatsby, A Christmas Carol, Sweeney Todd, Little Shop of Horrors, Boeing, Boeing, Almost, Maine, Christmas Story (Breckenridge Backstage Theatre); Does This Woman Have a Name, Ivy Walls (3-Legged Dog); Shining City (The Irish Rep); Through the Cracks (HERE Arts). Nathan currently serves as a member of the acting faculty at UNT, Managing Artistic Director for Inkspark Theatre Company, and is a proud member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Union & a member of the Society for American Fight Directors. www.nathanautrey.com

Johna Sewell

Wardrobe Assistant

Johna Sewell is very happy to be working with Amphibian Stage once again. Past productions include serving as wardrobe supervisor for Miss Molly, The Hollow, and Babette’s Feast. They also designed costumes for Hans & Sophie. Other Fort Worth credits include Costume Designer for The Distant Echo of Ancient Youth and Don Quixote with Hip Pocket Theatre; and Costume Designer for Murder For Two with Stage West Theatre. They received their BFA in Theatre Design/Production from the University of Mississippi and their MFA in Costume Design from Indiana University.

Wardrobe Assistant

Johna Sewell

Johna Sewell is very happy to be working with Amphibian Stage once again. Past productions include serving as wardrobe supervisor for Miss Molly, The Hollow, and Babette’s Feast. They also designed costumes for Hans & Sophie. Other Fort Worth credits include Costume Designer for The Distant Echo of Ancient Youth and Don Quixote with Hip Pocket Theatre; and Costume Designer for Murder For Two with Stage West Theatre. They received their BFA in Theatre Design/Production from the University of Mississippi and their MFA in Costume Design from Indiana University.

FAQ’s

How long is this performance?

The approximate run time of The Handless King is approximately 120 minutes with one intermission.

Is this a comedy or a drama?

The Handless King is considered a black comedy.

Is there free parking?

Yes. If you have a ticket to the performance, you can park for free in the parking lot behind our building on South Main Street.

Is there assigned seating?

All seating is General Admission except for members who have reserved seating included in their membership package. We recommend arriving 15 minutes prior to the show to find your seats.

Content warning

The play contains cursing, visual depictions/references of violence, stage blood as well as brief partial rear nudity.

Is there a dress code?

Come as you are! (Shoes and shirts required). We’re glad to have you.

Are there age restrictions?

We recommend patrons be 18 years of age to see this production. Keep in mind The Handless King contains cursing, visual depictions/references of violence, stage blood as well as brief partial rear nudity.

Can I bring food or drink into the theater?

We do not permit outside food and drink inside the theater. We sell snacks, water, soda, and alcoholic beverages at the bar in the lobby.

Are accessible seating options available?

Our venue is ADA Accessible and there is accessible seating available in the theatre. Please let our box office know ahead of time so we may accommodate your needs.

What’s On

Tickets & Dates

Low-Cost Ticket: $17

When money is tight.

Discounted Ticket: $27

When $42 is still too much on your bank account.

Standard Ticket: $42

Our standard ticket price.

Pay-It-Forward Ticket: $62

Pay for your ticket and help offset our lower ticket prices.

Showtimes

Thursday – Saturday 8 PM

Sunday 2 PM

Duration
2 Hours
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