Seattle Theater+Dance

Robopop actors: John Abramson, Erin Pike, Micky Rowe and Libby Matthews Photographer: Laurie Clark Photography Heidi Ganser and Ben Zamora are Seattle-based theater artists. She designs costumes, he designs lighting, and they are engaged. But before Ganser can start planning their summer wedding, the pair are plunging into a completely different type of production, one where the current rehearsals are creating the story. “It started as conversation: if we could do anything in the world, what should we do? A robot musical!” said Ganser. “We thought about turning Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots into a live show,” said Zamora. “But after contacting the Flaming Lips, we found that somebody else already had the rights,” Ganser added. In fact, Aaron Sorkin ( West Wing) has been reportedly writing a Broadway-bound musical based on the group's 2002 album. Not wanting to let a good idea get away, Ganser and Zamora decided to create their own robot musical perfo...

Balagan Theatre . After performing as an acclaimed Trudy the bag lady in The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe , she's back as the director of the roller derby comedy/drama The Jammer opening March 11 at the Capitol Hill theater. How did you come to direct The Jammer at Balagan? Balagan has become my second home since returning to Seattle a year and a half ago. I joined the company after performing in Arabian Nights and I created and co-host their monthly late night cabaret, Schmorgasborg . Christine Nelson and Nick Edwards Photo: Andrea Huysing Seattle actress Terri Weagant works on both sides of the footlights at Last year I directed a short piece in Balagan's Death/Sex. It really whet my appetite for this aspect of production. As a company we planned this insane ten play season and I was invited to direct one. I wanted to find a fun, fast-paced, stylized piece that would allow a group of actors and myself to just com...