RuddyDuck Theatre Company strives to create a safe and open space for local artists—of any age, race, or sexual orientation—to create new surrealistic experiences. Using mediums such as theatre, film, dance, and music, our goal is for artists to be able to express their unique work to audiences around Colorado.
Our board of directors votes on what projects we do—typically original work in the realm of epic absurdism, expressionism, or both—but we are an open company, so anyone can attend board meetings and pitch new ideas. We have no “home base,” but, with help from company dues, we are able to explore various spaces to accommodate the specific needs of the experiences we produce.
Being a company member has many benefits—like enjoying priority for material submission, securing first pick of audition times, and, overall, having a more hands-on role in making RuddyDuck Theatre successful! Non-members will have first come, first serve access to auditions and design opportunities.
Flea Market
“(BIG SIS turns up the volume on the boom box. LITTLE SIS stiffens up and sighs. When the time comes in the song, LITTLE SIS unenthusiastically tap tap taps her feet and her clap clap claps her hands. Then she puts one foot in, one foot out, bows her head and turns about, half-assing everything. BIG SIS repeats the dance afterwards, much more enthusiastically. The dance continues. Overtime, LITTLE SIS loosens up and reaches the same level of energy and enthusiasm as BIG SIS. The song has an almost magical effect on the two sisters; they are suddenly both children again, and they both laugh and prance about. They even deviate from the original choreography, pick up a few vintage knick-knacks or toys from the shelves, and dance with them. A moment after the “tra la la’s” in the song, BIG SIS suddenly senses a disturbance and stops dancing. She races to the boom box and switches it off. LITTLE SIS stops dancing as well and looks towards BIG SIS in confusion. Then offstage, a sound is heard in the distance, like someone has entered through the front of the flea market. BIG SIS and LITTLE SIS look at each other in terror.)”
En El Abismo Suave
CHAMPION
That doesn’t matter. Tie faster.
(From above–a portrait. Increased humming. Clattering to the ground. Wooden frame. Stiff. Lacquered. The face–a blurry haze. Rushed, splattered, and vague. Yet, despite its rigidity, human. CHAMPION and SCUM exchange a glance. Lose the bands. Rush the painting.)
CHAMPION
(Groping.)
What is it?
SCUM
Look at the lines, the background. I think it might be–
CHAMPION
I can’t make anything out. Do you see any appetizers? Drinks? What about sides.
SCUM
It’s a painting, not a menu. It’s a person–
(Beat.)
They’re standing.
CHAMPION
You mean there’s no table?
SCUM
No. But that’s… blood? A bloody napkin?
No Halo
“The moonlight glinted off of metal tracks and smooth rocks under them. She fell to her knees and let her bag hit the ground with the weight of a life. She figured she could wait a little longer and relish in the ‘moment before’. Audrey pulled a single cigarette out of her flannel pocket and put it in her mouth. She fumbled for the lighter in her bag and after a few flicks, took a long drag. It instantly warmed her chest, lightened her head, and numbed her feet. She blew out the smoke, watching it waft away from her nose. She stared as it twirled and circled, dancing just like the stars, before disappearing. She laughed as she tried to imagine what kind of circles that smoke did in her lungs. “A beautiful fuckin thing,” she whispered.”
A Shaft of Light
LORI: I’m kidding, I’ve been here about 33 years. I think I’ll retire when I hit 65, that’s when the pension plan kicks in, you’ve gotta basically be on death’s door or they won’t pay you piss after you retire.
JEN: Wow, 33 years? That’s a long time. Like, a really long time. My parents haven’t even been married that long! Has the zoo changed since you started working here?
LORI: Oh yeah, yeah – you should have seen this place in its prime. Back before management cared about guest satisfaction and actually gave a damn about animal care and husbandry. The keepers were on top! Now there’s all these meetings about how we can increase “engagement” with the guests, doing interviews with “marketing” and hiring hot young keepers – pfft, last week they asked me if they could film me feeding the gorillas for the zoo “YouTube” page! If they want to see it so bad, get here when it happens! I’m not taking time out of my day so some kid can hold a phone in front of my face.
The lights flicker.
