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This ain\u2019t Disney World \u2013 these characters got attitude! Credit: Eric Scire<\/p>\nWinter is coming, and his year with the changing seasons comes something truly extraordinary: the migration of the Flickerworms!<\/p>\n
Don\u2019t know about flickerworms? Allow the avant-garde artistic enclave Meow Wolf to introduce you, as these fictional creatures play a starring role in their new immersive exhibit called Phenomenomaly, running weekends from Saturday, November 15 through Sunday, January 4.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a hodgepodge, it\u2019s a mishmash, it\u2019s a bit of everything,\u201d laughs show director Alexandra Renzo, who helped bring all these moving pieces together. \u201cI also work in traditional stage theater and I also work in film, but for the past 8 years or so, I\u2019ve been collaborating alongside Meow Wolf to create theatrical adventures inside and outside their exhibitions\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI think it is the perfect amalgamation of a touring live show and a showcase of some of the best artists and performers that live in Houston,\u201d adds Connor Wolf, who serves as the Regional PR Manager for Meow Wolf. \u201cEssentially, these Flickerworms, these fictional flighty insect creatures have migrated south for the winter and taken over our location. Guests can experience a slew of different cast members and characters who have come to experience these Flickerworms as well.\u201d<\/p>\n
This ain\u2019t Disney World \u2013 these characters got attitude! Credit: Eric Scire<\/p>\n
The production lives somewhere between strictly scripted and freely improvisational. Director Renzo defines this as \u2018devised\u2019 theater. \u201cThat basically means we have a structure, we have an outline, we have creativity in print, and then I take who we cast and bring them all in a room together and we create the role as an ensemble,\u201d she says. \u201cI would also say we utilize people\u2019s skill sets and talents as we get to know them, and we create this system of rails and guidelines and there is a lot of space for goofing off and interpretation. The people we cast in the show are often really familiar with improv, so they come with a bit of a background.\u201d<\/p>\n
The exhibit opens each weekend, \u2018taking over\u2019 the Meow Wolf space, and runs from 1 pm to 6pm. Along the way, there are costumed characters, music and dance, as well as new uniquely Houston talent guest starring each weekend including Break Methodz, The Might Orq, and Mariachi Oro de mi Tierra to name a few.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s so fun,\u201d Renzo continues \u201cand we\u2019re partnering with so many community members like The Outspoken Bean and the Hot City Brass Band and Hopra. So we\u2019ve also got this total mesh of worlds coming in, and I hope it brings the Houston community to the forefront.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt runs all afternoon from 1 to 6pm, but a guest on average spends about two hours there,\u201d Gray explains. \u201cIt is a rotating show so guests can miss something and wait an hour for it to come back in\u201d<\/p>\n
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Enter a whimsical world of Flickerworms and Keepers. Credit: Eric Scire<\/p>\n
One of the set parts of the spectacle is the inclusion of world-class dance, Renzo highlights. \u201cFor this show in particular, we also have a full dance show, which is really choreographed \u2013 we are collaborating with the Houston Contemporary Dance Company, and we\u2019re collaborating with Marlana Doyle and Myra Johnson, and they are choregraphing a really beautiful section of the show. So it does have elements of traditional theater as well.\u201d<\/p>\n
However, this will not look like a normal night at the opera judging by the life sized neon costumes resembling reclaimed trash, skeletons and life sized birthday cakes.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat we learned was the sooner we get in our costumes, the better,\u201d says Renzo on the technical elements of the extravaganza. \u201cThe costumes for our speaking characters, which are a wild band of misfits, are large and crazy and super fun. But they are also heavy \u2013 and there are some sightline issues. So we need our actors in them pretty much right away, and we rehearse with them pretty much day one.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe same goes for the dancers in the piece, who are also movers and also be a set of characters as well called The Keepers. Also, you want to be able to feel in what you are wearing so that you can truly embody it. So you also have a feeling for your visual reference because in immersive work, it has to be constantly changing who your audience is \u2013 because you have to truly be able to see and interact with folks, and change dependent on the energy in the room.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Never enough fantastical creatures around when you need them for a photo opp! Credit: Eric Scire<\/p>\n
With a show so ever-changing, it\u2019s interesting to ask: how does Renzo know when the show is successful? \u201cThat\u2019s such a great question,\u201d she answers, thinking. \u201cPersonally, a successful show is also about the process. I\u2019ve very process oriented. So to me, it\u2019s about how much community involvement there is. How much we all grow as a team and an ensemble and how much fun and appreciated we have. I think there are a lot of things in this world to be hyper critical of. And I think finding joy right now is an act of resistance.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd I think professionally, I measure success on my continuing show director. I will have someone who will be onsite for the duration of the show\u2019s run to watch and give feedback and notes. To me, it\u2019s about the engagement of the guests. Are we getting repeat visitation? Are the guests leaning into it. Did my continuing show direction see an adult that maybe seems like they weren\u2019t into anything at the start and by the end become a bit of a child again. Do I have kids following around these characters? You know, those are all markers of success for me.\u201d<\/p>\n
Phenomenomaly runs at Meow Wolf Houston\u2019s Radio Tave on Saturdays and Sundays from Nov 15 to January 4 at 2103 Lyons Ave Building 2. For more information, call (866) 636-9969<\/a> or visit meowwolf.com\/visit\/houston<\/a>. $19-$51<\/p>\n