About Lola B.
Baltimore City - Station North A&E District
Lola B. Pierson is a highly collaborative artist who was born and raised in Baltimore City. She is a playwright, writer, and director. Her work challenges theatrical form, incorporating elements of social media, performance art, visual art, switcheroos, and boredom. Other words she has used to describe her work in bios include: presence, explore, dynamic, and representation. A graduate of Baltimore School for the Arts, Bard College, and Towson University, she is passionate about the… more
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Follow No Strangers To The Fun Places
Written, co-directed, and designed by Lola B. Pierson.
Premiered in May 2018.
Follow No Strangers To The Fun Places explores the attempts of the artists creating it to manufacture beauty and meaning. One of the directors said this description is rather "workman-like," but even though the other director (who is also the playwright) is sick, the first director wouldn't take on the simple task of writing a one-sentence description of this show.
Later they came up with this description: Follow No Strangers To The Fun Places is loosely inspired by the structure of Italo Calvino’s 1979 postmodern novel, If On a Winter’s Night a Traveler. However, admirers of Calvino will most likely be keenly disappointed, since the play bears little similarity to the book. Instead of focusing (like Calvino’s novel) on the act reading, The Acme Corporation’s piece deconstructs the audience’s experience of watching theatre. Follow No Strangers To the Fun Places lovingly follows two characters’ repeated—and constantly interrupted—attempts at making a piece of theatre. Through constant breaks, disruptions and disconnections, the show breaks down theatrical narrative; explores the relation of fiction to real life; and ultimately tries to answer the question of why anyone would want to make art in the first place.
Follow No Strangers To The Fun Places was exactly 68 minutes long and was named Best Play of 2018 by Baltimore Magazine.
Premiered in May 2018.
Follow No Strangers To The Fun Places explores the attempts of the artists creating it to manufacture beauty and meaning. One of the directors said this description is rather "workman-like," but even though the other director (who is also the playwright) is sick, the first director wouldn't take on the simple task of writing a one-sentence description of this show.
Later they came up with this description: Follow No Strangers To The Fun Places is loosely inspired by the structure of Italo Calvino’s 1979 postmodern novel, If On a Winter’s Night a Traveler. However, admirers of Calvino will most likely be keenly disappointed, since the play bears little similarity to the book. Instead of focusing (like Calvino’s novel) on the act reading, The Acme Corporation’s piece deconstructs the audience’s experience of watching theatre. Follow No Strangers To the Fun Places lovingly follows two characters’ repeated—and constantly interrupted—attempts at making a piece of theatre. Through constant breaks, disruptions and disconnections, the show breaks down theatrical narrative; explores the relation of fiction to real life; and ultimately tries to answer the question of why anyone would want to make art in the first place.
Follow No Strangers To The Fun Places was exactly 68 minutes long and was named Best Play of 2018 by Baltimore Magazine.
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The fake Sam Shepard PlayThe three women smoke in unison as part of a deconstruction of Sam Shepard and Pina Bausch.
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Follow No Strangers to the Fun Places silhouetteThing 1 admires her handiwork.
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big light box.jpgPart of the set made of pages from previous versions of the script.
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Thing 1 and Thing 2 hard at workThing 1 and Thing 2 program the light board
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Xrays in Dark.jpgLight boxes made of X-Rays (part of the set)
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The headphones signWhen the sign is on audience members put on their headphones.
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Empty chairsThe view of the audience as the headphones gives them an introduction about what their experience will be.
Putin on Ice (that isn't the real title of this show)
by Lola B. Pierson
Directed by Yury Urnov
Premiered September 2018.
Everything that happens on stage is a lie. This spectacle is a fantastical new portrait of Vladimir Putin. This ostentatious piece blends counterfeit ancient texts, falsified scientific data, and manipulated video evidence to create something entirely new and thrillingly strange. Putin is elevated from man to myth, stretching through time to become more deity than dictator. You are free to leave at any time.
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Bees attack!Zsa Zsa Gabor (actor Ben Kleymeyer) is attacked by bees
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Bees attacking Zsa Zsa Gabor
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Romeo and JuietThe Cult of Putin performs Romeo and Juliet (annotated with secret messages from Shakespeare about Putin)
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Putin on Ice (that isn't the real title of this show)
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Franz Ferdinand and his Wife SophieThe inception of World War I as told by table top puppets (including the truth about Putin's hand in it).
Help
A collaborative project created, directed, and produced by Lola B. Pierson and Cricket Arrison, Help premiered on Adult Swim's Live Stream on October 26, 2018.
Help follows a woman through terrifying scenes into everyday situations. No matter what the scenario she can only say one word: Help.
Help follows a woman through terrifying scenes into everyday situations. No matter what the scenario she can only say one word: Help.
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Help | Adult Swim SmallsA woman finds herself in several terrifying situations and calls for help, but none is forthcoming. As she transitions into normal life again she learns that she can only say "help."
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The Woman SwimmingA still from Help
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The Scary PhoneA still from Help
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Swamp Thing The CatStill of Swamp Thing the cat being transported.
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Period SpongeThe Woman rinses out her bloody period sponge.
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Doctor's VisitThe Woman visits the doctor and tries to get Help.
Thr3e Zisters
Lola B. Pierson's Thr3e Zisters is an amalgamation of a modern adaption of Chekhov's Three Sisters, a literal translation of the original Russian text, dramatic criticism of Chekhov's work, and some "sick of this shit" feminist anger. The piece explores the innate conflict between performing classic texts and the changing roles of gender and performance in contemporary culture. Oh, and the sisters are zombies.
The Austin Chronicle's Top Ten Theatre Riches of 2015: #1
Austin Critics' Table Winner 2014/2015 "Best Production, Comedy"
The Austin Chronicle's Top Ten Theatre Riches of 2015: #1
Austin Critics' Table Winner 2014/2015 "Best Production, Comedy"
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GestureThe three sisters are taught gesture.
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After the feastThe three sisters relax after the zombie attack.
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Irina eats
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Video of Thr3e Zisters (password protected)Password: Zisters15
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PreparationThe three sisters get prepared for their performance.
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Irina rebelsJenny Larson as Irina turning into a Zombie.
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Script of The Thr3e Zisters"Olga: To-day thou all shinest, thou-seemest extraordinarily pretty. And Masha also is-pretty. Andre would be good, only he filled-out very, this to him not goes. And I grew-old, grew-thin strongly, from-that, it-must be, that am-cross in college, on girls. There to-day, I-am free, I at-home, and by me not aches head, I feel myself younger than yesterday. To-me twenty eight years only...All well, all from God, but to-me seems, if-I-should-go-out for-husband, and whole day sat at home, then this would be better."
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Show posterDesigned by Salvage Vanguard
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Thr3e ZistersThe three sisters, Andrei, and Vershinin pose for the audience.
The Determination of Azimuth
"Determination of Azimuth" is a math-space operetta that tells the story of Katherine Johnson, one of the true, but hidden heroes of the Space Age. Katherine was a human computer who rose above the limitations of color and gender to become one of the most trusted mathematicians in the space program and an essential part of the Apollo 11 mission to the moon. Directed by Lola B. Pierson with music originally by Andrew Bernstein as part of the BROS Six Pack in 2015. Remounted at Arena Players in 2018 with music by Zack Branch. Written by NASA employee Heather Graham and Eric Church.
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The Determination of Azimuth
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Space danceUsing minimalist music and abstract geture the human computers act out one of the mathematical principles used in Katherine Johnson's work, "All Moments Are Zero Math."
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Katherine Johnson solves equationsSurrounded by a whirlwind of activity including projections and puppetry Katherine uses Newton's 3rd law (equal and opposite reactions) to calculate space travel.
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MeetingThe white male engineers exclude Katherine Johnson, who is responsible for much of the math used on the mission, from a meeting.
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Katherine Johnson teaches other computers
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Song about orbit
Stranger Kindness
Assembled and co-directed by Lola B. Pierson, Stranger Kindness is a misinterpretation of the American classic A Streetcar Named Desire. Using the intentions and emotions of the original script, the piece alternates between a play and a video being live filmed for the audience. Incorporating language from canonical American plays, modernist existentialist writers, and Marxist feminism Stranger Kindness is much more interesting
than it sounds like it will be.
The production considers the mythology created by the classical American theatre and how that mythology is impacted by plays being made into films. Using live video and inspired by the film version of Streetcar the piece explores how
much we rely (or don’t rely) on language to convey meaning.
Baltimore City Paper's Top Ten Stage Productions 2016.
Baltimore City Paper's Best of Baltimore "Best Production" 2016.
Baltimore City Paper's Top Ten Stage Productions 2016.
Baltimore City Paper's Best of Baltimore "Best Production" 2016.
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Blanche speaks to the audiencePhoto Credit:Tania Karpekina
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"Stranger Kindness"A video of the performance. Video Credit Tom Kessler.
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Blanche and StellaPhoto Credit:Tania Karpekina
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The set from the sidePhoto Credit:Tania Karpekina.
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Blanche's madnessPhoto Credit:Tania Karpekina
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Mitch talks to StanleyPhoto Credit:Tania Karpekina
Kaspar
Winner of Baltimore City Paper's Best of Baltimore "Best Use of Video In a Play"
Baltimore City Paper's Top Ten Stage Productions 2014
Directed with portions of the video production by Lola B. Pierson, the Acme Corporation's Kaspar was a contemporary version of Peter Handke's play from 1967. Using video, internet, and the audience members' own cell phones the show explored the idea that language and society simultaneously make us more connected, but less ourselves. Using over 60 local Baltimore artists the show parodied various shows and genres using the text of the original play. Included amongst them were Law & Order, exercise videos, the Eastern Motors commercial that plays on 92Q, movie trailers, soft core pornography, and unboxing videos.
Baltimore City Paper's Top Ten Stage Productions 2014
Directed with portions of the video production by Lola B. Pierson, the Acme Corporation's Kaspar was a contemporary version of Peter Handke's play from 1967. Using video, internet, and the audience members' own cell phones the show explored the idea that language and society simultaneously make us more connected, but less ourselves. Using over 60 local Baltimore artists the show parodied various shows and genres using the text of the original play. Included amongst them were Law & Order, exercise videos, the Eastern Motors commercial that plays on 92Q, movie trailers, soft core pornography, and unboxing videos.
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Kaspar speaksSophie Hinderberger as Kaspar speaks with a different effect on each microphone
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Kaspar and Other KasparsKaspar's identity splits into Other Kaspars.
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Kaspar's final moment"Already with my first sentence I was trapped."
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Kaspar on FacebookKaspar learns about Facebook.
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Video part 3 of 3
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Video part 2 of 3
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"KASPAR": directed by Lola Pierson, written by Peter Handke, (Part 1)
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Show posterDesigned by Jennifer Strunge
The World Is Round
Winner of Baltimore City Paper's Best of Baltimore 2015 "Best adaptation"
Baltimore City Paper's Top Ten Stage Productions 2015 "#1"
Baltimore Sun's List of The Best of Baltimore's 2015 Theatre Season
The World Is Round was directed and adapted from the Gertrude Stein children's novella by Lola B. Pierson. The piece chronicles the adventures of a young girl named Rose who does a lot of thinking and deciding and mountain climbing. Through her encounters with animals, the woods, school, and mountains Rose explores a very profound understanding of what it means to be human with a child’s understanding of the world. The show explored Stein’s unique writing style and its intersection with modern theatrical devices. Using presence, repetition, chance, and stream of consciousness the piece explored boredom, liveness, and believing in yourself. Original music for the show composed by Jenn Wasner.
Baltimore City Paper's Top Ten Stage Productions 2015 "#1"
Baltimore Sun's List of The Best of Baltimore's 2015 Theatre Season
The World Is Round was directed and adapted from the Gertrude Stein children's novella by Lola B. Pierson. The piece chronicles the adventures of a young girl named Rose who does a lot of thinking and deciding and mountain climbing. Through her encounters with animals, the woods, school, and mountains Rose explores a very profound understanding of what it means to be human with a child’s understanding of the world. The show explored Stein’s unique writing style and its intersection with modern theatrical devices. Using presence, repetition, chance, and stream of consciousness the piece explored boredom, liveness, and believing in yourself. Original music for the show composed by Jenn Wasner.
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The ChorusThe Chorus sings "A Rose Is A Rose"
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Opening SequenceThe Chorus and Rose perform the opening song while being projected upon.
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The Other ShoreA moment from the play. See Project Overview for details on the production. Photo by Chris Hartlove
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The ChorusThe chorus performs a song about drowning.
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The Chorus and RoseThe Chorus and Rose speak directly to the audience.
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RoseCricket Arrison as Rose the depressed little girl
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Video of "The World Is Round"
Play
Co directed with set design by Lola B Pierson. This show was a combination of theatre and performance art. It was performed on loop for 24 hours continuously by the same actors.Considered one of Beckett’s seminal texts, Play presents three characters trapped in a Purgatory-like situation.
Winner of Baltimore City Paper's Best of Baltimore for "Best Production of 2013"
Winner of Baltimore City Paper's Best of Baltimore for "Best Production of 2013"
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Woman 2 monologueSophie Hinderberger as Woman 2
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Woman 1 Monologue, 24-Hour "Play"Naomi Kline performing a monologue version of her lines from the piece after performing for 20 hours continuously.
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British Dinner Party, 24 hour PlayTaken at the 23rd hour of the continuous performance, this video displays one of the 4 incarnations of the script. The directors and cast affectionately referred to this version as "The British Dinner Party."
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Office Worker versionHour 23
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The finale, 24-hour PlayThe cast reaches the conclusion of the piece after performing for 24 hours continuously.
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Traditional version, 24 hour PlayThe cast performs Beckett's Play exactly as it is written with no liberties taken. This video was taken in the 22nd hour of the performance.
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Traditional versionNaomi Kline, Nathan Cooper, and Sophie Hinderberger perform the play traditionally.
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Woman 2 Monologue, 24 Hour PlaySophie Hinderberger performing a monologue version of her lines from the piece after performing for 21 hours continuously.
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Show posterDesigned by Jennifer Strunge
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Woman 1 and Woman 2Naomi Kline as Woman 1 and Sophie Hinderberger as Woman 2.
Office Ladies
Written and directed by Lola B Pierson, Office Ladies featured music composed and performed by Alex Scally. The show explores obsession, ants, the atomic bomb, and how we use art to construct meaning for ourselves.
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Foumi's Ant DanceSophie Hinderberger as Foumi dances about ants.
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SelfJenna Rossman as Self talks to Rosie (Deirdre MacAllister) about holidays.
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Midori makes it rainCaitlin Weaver as Midori sprinkles the lower level with rain made out of punched paper holes.
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Script of Office Ladies"ROSIE: Hey, how is your ant infestation? FOUMI:Oh, you know what? I finally just decided to let them in the house. I mean if they want it that badly then as far as I’m concerned they can just come on in. It was easier than fighting them. ROSIE: I know exactly what you mean. We’re planning Christmas with my husband’s family right now and it’s just a complete nightmare."
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Show PosterDesigned by Jennifer Strunge
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All six ladiesEach of the ladies working at her desk.