DEINDE Artist – Alyssa Simon

Photo and graphic design by Isaiah Tanenbaum. Pictured: Alyssa Simon as DARA.

This interview series will focus on the artists of DEINDE and ForePlay Human 2.0, asking them to riff on the themes and question of the plays. There are still some $12 tickets for the first four shows, so get ’em while the getting is good!

Alyssa Simon plays DARA (see her cool social studies teacher business card above – there’s an easter egg in there for those who know the show!), easily one of the most challenging roles in the show. Though she only speaks in two scenes, her presence as the only character infected with the virus hovers over everything, and she has an aria of emotion in the second act that is as difficult as anything I’ve written. Thankfully, she is wonderful in the role, bringing a lovely toughness, vulnerability, and, well, DARA-ness to the role that you will not soon forget. Here’s her take on the questions about the future!

What crazy invention are you most looking forward to in the future?
An HIV vaccine and transporter beams.

In 2051, theatre will____
___be still exploring what it means to be human.

For the human race to evolve, it will need to____
____renounce violence .

A time-travelling-you from the future suddenly appears with something important to tell present-you. What do they have to say?
“Life is so short! It all goes by so quickly!”

Will the future be more like Star Trek, Star Wars, Battlestar Galactica, or the Jetsons? Hopefully, like a mix of Star Trek’s optimism with the Jetsons’ jazzy theme song.

If you had the opportunity to think and feel directly into a computer, would you take it?
For the experience, yes, but only if I was 100% sure I could get out and there would be no side effects. Otherwise, no.

What do you have coming up in the near future that you want our readers to know about it?
I’m in a great reading of a screenplay “Sense Memory”, a horror camp spoof, at Dixon Place. It’s written and directed by Danielle Winston and performs May 18th.

Tell us about your character DARA – what have been some of the surprises, challenges and joys you’ve found in playing her?
Confronting mortality, illness and pain in relationships have all been challenges in creating Dara. Finding the humor as well as the love are terrific challenges too and are continually joyful surprises.

Alyssa Simon: This is Alyssa’s first show with Flux! She has performed in many NYC theaters and with many companies, most frequently at the Caffe Cino-award winning Brick Theatre, where she is a Master Mason. Her next project is a fall production of Stelios Manolakakis’ The Rose Of Sharon, in the title role. alyssasimon.com