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2 Acclaimed Solo Shows:
Out of My Mime
Dodging Bullets |
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Out Of My Mime
Watch the Video
This show combines several movement styles into a stunning program of mime,
clowning and masks. Using contemporary and classical music--as well as the
occasional spoken word--Barker creates an evening of separate vignettes, ranging from
slapstick comedy to satire and compelling drama. "Out Of My Mime" includes
performances of "Blockhead," a mask creature inspired by the famous mask troupe
Mummenschanz, in which Barker rearranges his facial expression with the help of the
audience. There is also "Daydreamer," the story of a mild-mannered bookworm with
a penchant for fantasy and "The Bad Hair Day," a comic look at a common daily
frustration. Barker, an alumnus of the Claude Kipnis Mime Theatre in New York, and
founder of the Aurora Mime Theatre in Arizona, has performed his mime show
throughout the United States, Mexico and Shanghai since 1977 in a variety of venues
including theatres, colleges, schools, malls, parks and prisons. He has been featured in
several television commercials and publications. "Out Of My Mime" is appropriate for all
ages and can be performed in just about any space from a fully-equipped theatre to an
open room.
"Mr. Barker is the star of the evening and his animations and expressions are
unpretentious and uncomplicated. This purity allows the audience to concentrate on
the content of the action, to really feel what he is doing without the help of words.
This makes mime an art all ages can enjoy. Anyone who has seen
Mummenschanz will be glad to know that `Blockhead' is a takeoff on cube heads and
cloth to form faces and creatures. It is by far the funniest sketch . . . a wonderful
performer."
---
Princeton Spectrum
“…a rare artist able to create a magical atmosphere as well as a unique
chemistry with (the) audience.”
--- Evdokimos Tsolakidis, Artistic Director,
Theater of Changes, Athens
Greece
"He is brilliant, both in his conception and realization of his pieces---most
particularly in `Menace,' where he unsuccessfully fights off a manic persona and in
`Face It' with an almost endless variety of invisible masks."
---
Phoenix Gazette
“…a magnificent performance…superb”
---Daniel Nagrin, pioneer of Modern Dance
“…his Americanized change (of) mask brings the audience limitless suspense and
surprise.”
---Shanghai Theatre Magazine
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DODGING BULLETS
Watch the Video
In the summer of 2004 David Barker began a sabbatical with the intention
of developing a new solo show; a personal, soul-searching exploration
marking the milestone of turning 50. Nothing happened until... On July 6th
2004 at 12:15 p.m. in an upscale Boston suburb, his brother-in-law, a
successful brain surgeon, tried to kill Barker’s sister and Barker himself as
his 16 year-old niece watched. Dodging Bullets is a compelling journey through
these horrific events and is performed with visceral truth by Barker as he brings to
life 10 people in this new solo show.
Dodging Bullets is for mature audiences. The technical requirements are simple:
minimum playing area of 16' wide X 14' deep, an arm chair and a small end table.
Phoenix New Times Best of 2009
Best One-Man Show
His sabbatical leave during the summer of 2004 led to a crisis in David Barker's life. Like
many artists, Barker, a professor of theater in the Herberger College of the Arts best known for
his mime performances, turned that crisis into art. Dodging Bullets details the day that
Barker's brother-in-law opened fire on him and his sister, the gunman's wife. The bullet
intended for Barker missed him, but his sister was hit in the chest. It's a testament to Barker's
skill as a playwright and performer that he made this tragic tale — which he's preparing for a
remount, we hope very soon — both amusing and enlightening.
"Dodging Bullets is theatre as it should be: challenging and compelling."
--Michael Switzer, Emmy Award-winning Hollywood Director
"You'd be hard pressed to find another arts practitioner in the Valley (or
maybe anywhere) who knows more about the use of the instrument that is
the human body, or who has more access to physical range and control, as
well as an understanding of how perception, thought, and emotion
dovetail with the body's systems. But Barker's a human being, too. It's
fascinating to watch as he portrays his struggle to deal with the impact of
the violent, traumatic event on himself and his family. While it's probably
extra-interesting for his fellow artists and for other survivors of violence, it's
an evening that everyone can relate to, largely because of Barker's clarity
and humility as a performer and Ben Tyler's sympathetic, pinpoint
direction."
--Phoenix New Times
"A bravura performance. Barker walks a fine line between sentimentality and
generosity of spirit."
--Matthew Wiener, Artistic Director, Actors Theatre of Phoenix
"Dodging Bullets is meant to be seen by the masses. It is powerful, entertaining and
very real. It helps put life in perspective and leaves you wondering what is most
important. The acting is superb and the message is profound".
--Maureen Christensen, PhD, Family Counselor
"…stranger-than-fiction quality adds visceral entertainment value to ‘Dodging Bullets’."
--Arizona Republic
"…powerfully expresses the way in which the violent events which precipitated the play
still live in the performer’s body. (Dodging Bullets is) a significant piece of creative
work from a unique theatrical voice…"
--Phil Thompson, Head of Acting, University of California at Irvine
“Dodging Bullets is a thought provoking performance that reminds us that
domestic violence happens not to “those people” but to us. It urges us to
understand the magnitude of the impact of domestic violence and provides hope
that it can be overcome. Domestic violence happens to 1 in 4 women in our
society. Dodging Bullets makes it real in a way that a statistic can’t.
Everyone should see this play.”
--ConniePhillips, MSW, Executive Director, Sojourner Center
“…courageous …took us through Holy Thursday and Good Friday to Easter.
Love is the only thing that makes us Christian and love of those who hurt us, i.e.
forgiveness is love's ultimate expression. Grab yourself a crucifix and take a good
look: when Jesus told us to love our enemies, he wasn't kiddin'. …(this) play
touched me deeply because it was such an honest and genuine
incarnation of that love. All of us who see it are blessed!”
--Fr. Fred Lucci, OP, Director and Pastor,
All Saints Catholic Newman Center at Arizona State University
“Dodging Bullets” deals with one of the noblest themes in relationships – forgiveness.
Taken from actual gut-wrenching events in his life, David’s tour de force
effectively displays redemption’s strength of grace that we all desperately
need to receive and give.
--Pastor Dennis Templeton, Calvary Chapel Arrowhead, Glendale, Arizona
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