A disoriented theatrical experience concerning the world's most famous painter...
"Brilliant conceived, expertly executed."
"Maxwell paints a brief but impactful portrait of van Gogh through a lens we have yet to see in any previous dramatic interpretation."
"Deep. Soulful. Frightening. Funny"
"A delight - showing you Van Gogh's chaotic world with brilliant moments of humor and compassion."
"I expect to remember Stroud's van Gogh for a long, long time..."
The show...
In Exhausted Paint a frenetic Vincent Van Gogh takes the audience through a tilt-a-whirl exploration of his life, heart, and legacy.
This chaotic one-act is built around ideas of disorientation and struggle, often based on Van Gogh's extensive collected letters. These are exemplified by an ever-present wheel. The wheel holds various letters that signify specific moments throught Van Gogh's life all contributing to a final, chilling conclusion. After the initial scene, the actor will spin the wheel and perform the scene appropriate to that letter. Consequently, the play doesn’t have a set internal structure, only the introduction and finale are set. The other scenes can happen in any order.
Trailer
Creative Team
Drew Stroud
Vincent van Gogh
Drew is a New Orleans based actor who is recently obtained his MFA from the University of New Orleans. Some of his roles include: Vincent Van Gogh (Exhausted Paint), Richard III (Richard III), Mr. Blake (Mud, River, Stone), Azdak (The Caucasian Chalk Circle), and Paul (Barefoot in the Park). Additionally, Drew and his wife co-found the Springfield, Illinois based improv troupe, Capital City Improv.
@drewth-be-told
Carly Stroud
Director
Carly is a New Orleans based director with her BA in Communications and Theatre focusing on acting and directing. She is currently pursuing her MBA in Marketing through the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. Directing credits include: Literary Cannon Fodder, The Complete Works of William Shakespeare [abridged], Good n' Plenty, and Bonnie & Clyde. In addition, Carly served on the Board of Directors for Springfield Theatre Centre and was a co-founder/director/performer of Capital City Improv.
@carlykay42
R'myni Watson
Original University of New Orleans Director
R’Myni is a Director/Choreographer from Baton Rouge, LA. She is a graduate of Jackson State University and is currently pursuing her MFA in Theatre (Directing) at the University of New Orleans. Some of the productions she has directed include; Body Awareness (JSU), These Four Women (JSU), Crowning Day (International Museum of Muslims Cultures), Marie Antoinette’s Head, and Exhausted Paint (UNO). She hopes to continue to bring awareness to taboo subject matter and highlight the experiences of BIPOC and local artists in a way that shares their cultural narrative; paving the way for future generations to see people of color and community artists in this industry.
Justin Maxwell
Playwright
Justin Maxwell writes strange, funny, scary plays.
His collection of short plays, A Blinded Horse Dreams of Hippocampi and Other Plays, is available from Alligator Pear Publishing. Many of his longer plays are available here on NPX.
He is an associate professor teaching playwriting in the MFA program at the University of New Orleans.
