AtticRep Goes to DC Fringe Festival

July 17, 2008 · Aaron Eckman grew up in San Antonio, but recently moved to Washington, DC to pursue more opportunities as a professional actor. One of his final performances in the Alamo City was with AtticRep – a professional company in residence at Trinity University.  The play was Harold Pinter’s One for the Road – a disturbing 30 minute exploration into state sponsored torture.  Eckman thought the play would resonate with audiences in the nation’s capital.  After applying to participate in the city’s fringe theatre festival, the company was accepted.

“And we tentatively said yes – let’s give this a try – and eight months later we’ve been able to push forward after a lot of work to communicate from me living in DC, the company in San Antonio, fund raisings and to the point where we’re at day one of rehearsals,” Eckman said.

Harold Pinter wrote the play back in the 1980’s responding to reports of torture being employed by the government of Turkey at the time.  As stories surface of water boarding and rendition of enemy combatants held in war on terror, the play questions the logic behind state-sponsored torture.  Aaron Eckman plays Victor, a prisoner who’s wife and son are being held and questioned.  AtticRep veteran Rick Frederick plays Nicholas, the man in charge of carrying out interrogations.

(Scene from the play)

“You do respect me I take it – I would be right in assuming that?

I don’t know you.

But you do respect me?

I don’t know you

Are you saying you don’t respect me?”

One For the Road was AtticRep’s inaugural production back in 2006.  Since then the repertory company has developed a devoted following of theatre-goers who crave work that provokes thought and discussion.  “The mission of AtticRep has always been to challenge and just to raise questions and so that’s what this work is for me.  It’s really being able to look at the idea of power and powerlessness and challenge people’s ideas of what really is right and how far can right go and when does right start becoming wrong,” said Frederick.

AtticRep has helped change the face of theatre in San Antonio in just two seasons.  When the company decided to showcase its work in the nation’s capital, the local arts community and the city of San Antonio jumped at the opportunity to help.  Felix Padron directs the city’s Office of Cultural Affairs.  He sees AtticRep’s appearance at the Capital Fringe Festival as an opportunity to show the rest of the country what San Antonio is capable of doing.

“San Antonio is being recognized as a city that is culturally rich – producing top notch productions – that we do have incredible performances taking place here.  Obviously, AtticRep is only one of many groups in town that are doing challenging work and professional work,” says Padron.

For Aaron Eckman, the journey has come full circle.  He hopes AtticRep will continue to produce work that puts San Antonio on the map.  “I love and miss San Antonio, but sometimes it’s a forgotten city.  I wish Washington, DC can take a look and say this is coming from San Antonio – they’re doing good work – they’re coming here for a reason,” says Eckman.

AtticRep will perform One for the Road at the Capital Fringe Festival next week.  But local performances are planned for Thursday, Friday and Saturday at the Attic Theatre on the campus of Trinity University.  The performance Friday and Saturday are fundraisers for the trip, but Thursday night’s performance is a benefit for local artist Chuck Ramirez, who is recovering from surgery.