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I'd been writing for several years prior to my involvement in "The Grimm Experience," so it was nifty that the writer was king. The irony that we were, in effect, destroying classic literature so we could present their great ideas in a more pure, possibly current manner was one of the things that always made me smile. Especially as there was so much respect paid to us as the writers; something that isn't usually ponied up in the world of writing for theatrical type stuff (movies, t.v., stage). This is a roundabout way of saying it was an excellent time and I'm a bit jealous of any writer who gets to do something like this for the first time.
Dean Cameron
Playwright
I'm a big fan of the GRIMM series, both as a participant and as
an audience member. Most of us, I'm sure, first came across the
Grimm brothers in those grand Disney animated films: like Snow
White and Cinderella. And for most of us, that's where it ends.
What GRIMM does is unearth the Grimm tales in all their grimy,
gruesome glory. Forget the Disney versions-- these stories are
truly weird.
Producer George Larkin clearly loves the Grimm brothers, but
has no interest in just trotting out museum versions of old folk-tales.
Rather, I suspect, he knows that folk-tales live and mutate by
the telling and the re-telling. In re-telling these stories we
rediscover them, and give them new life.
As a playwright, GRIMM was a wonderful process. It was a great
pleasure to work with a producer who is also a playwright, and
keenly understands the process of developing new work. The cast
was fearless and would try anything, and my collaboration with
director Larry Biederman was deeply rewarding. I'm proud of the
show we created-- it's dark and scary and magic and funny, all
at the same time. Sort of like the Grimms.
Bryan Davidson
LA Weekly Nominee
One Act Writing
Grimm has done a wonderful job of introducing students from our
afterschool program to live theater. GRIMM was so much fun! Our
students loved it. Grimm has served students who normally wouldn't
have the opportunity to see theater. Our student population consists
of primarily impoverished Latino youth, 90% of whom are on the
Federal free lunch program. It was such a great opportunity for
the kids to see colorful stories come to life right in their own
neighborhood. George also sent bilingual people into the mainly
Latino Rampart neighborhood to invite and get the families and
children to show up for the family friendly matinees. Free shows!
And then the kids would tell more kids and they would tell more
kids, so every week we would get them coming back and bringing
their friends. We had them hanging from the rafters. Seeing in
most cases their first live theatre! Which otherwise they may
never have seen.
Joe Hernandez-Kolski
Los Angeles Center for Education Research
LACER STARS Afterschool Program
As director of a piece in "Grimm!" and "Grimm,
Too!” and the sole director of "KidGrimm!” I
am continually impressed with the producing talents of George
Larkin. Not only does he provide opportunities for established
and budding writers and directors, he takes a casting and rehearsal
process that could be chaotic, and turns it into a well oiled,
ensemble endeavor. Having the writer and director work together
presents an opportunity for both creative talents to not only
hone their skills, but understand more about the work of the other.
Also, George produces one show within each run that is strictly
for children, with free admission for children in need. Watching
the faces of these kids as they take in what is sometimes their
very first theatre experience is overwhelming and awe inspiring.
They also have the opportunity to ask questions of the cast afterward,
and their insightful queries prove that they have truly gained
something from the show. George Larkin has a sincere desire to
inspire and develop creativity, talent, and the love of theatre
in others.
Denise Barnard
LA Weekly Nominee
One Act Direction
"Infinite Cinderella" from "Grimm, Too!"
What George Larkin has created is not simply a collection of Grimm
adaptations, but an invigorating theatrical playground, where
the lyrical meets the gruff, the unexpected meets the unspoken,
and nothing is as ever as simple as it seems.
Joshua Rebell
Playwright
An especially intelligent feature of GRIMM is its development
process. All submissions go through several public readings, with
varying casts, which allow playwrights and directors alike to
sharply scrutinize how the play works before an audience. It helps
all work effectively move towards making the best show possible!
Flint Esquerra
Director
Goose Girl
The play’s writer received a Backstage West honorable mention
Garland
As an aspiring but fledgling writer, I truly appreciated the opportunity
to adapt a story for the stage, rather than start from scratch.
Of course the boundaries were very wide--many many stories to
choose from and generous latitude as to style. Plenty of room
for creativity.
Ruth Silveira
LA Weekly Nominee
One Act Writing
The first Grimm! was a superlative experience in terms of examining
old beliefs and biases, and holding them up to the light of
day. It's helped my writing immensely.
Michael Farkash
Playwright, screenwriter, journalist
George Larkin didn't just produce one festival -- he produced
NINE PLAYS. However short those plays, each play has the same
distinct requirements of any full-length work. With patience and
good humor, he superbly negotiates the dynamic aesthetics of each
play, keeping each of them true to their unique vision while weaving
a unifying through-line throughout the evening. His approach reveals
his priority--to express the ongoing relevance of the Grimm Tales
while showing their versatility, universality, and theatricality.
It's one of the best director-playwright collaborations I've experienced
and that our piece was doubly recognized in the theater community
is a professional bonus to an already stimulating artistic experience.
Larry Biederman
LA Weekly Nominee
One Act Direction
George gave me the freedom to pick my own director for The Goose
Girl, but made the suggestion that L. Flint Esquerra might be
an appropriate choice. Flint proved a brilliant collaborator and
the experience of working with him was, for me, pure magic. George
also had the idea of casting one of the female characters (the
Queen) with a male actor in drag. This was an inspired thought,
lending just the right note of silliness to the proceedings, and
proved duly hysterical on stage.
Wayne Peter Liebman
Backstage West honorable mention Garland
Best playwriting
The sort of work George Larkin is doing is what all theater renegades
should be doing. Exposing locals to a vibrant local talent, providing
a forum for experimentation, getting in audiences - this is the
function of new theater.
Scott Stein
Playwright
George -- I wanted to take a moment to thank you for including
me in this year's Grimm Festival. TRÈS GRIMM was très
amusement. I had a blast!
For a first time writer, this was a chance to work with a fun-loving,
creative crowd that was willing to throw it all in and see what
brewed. The director that I chose and the cast that we were able
to assemble took my work and really brought it to life (which
is the best part of live theatre) and I was able to be as much
or as little a part of that process as I wanted.
I think that for a "virgin", it's a little nerve-wracking
to let go of your little play and have someone else run with
it. The process of TRÈS GRIMM was critical to helping
a writer have trust in the director and cast and have some involvement
in the development of the piece.
Please keep me in mind if you plan any other such collective
festivals. I'd love to try my hand at it a few more times!
Robert Hensley
Playwright
I have worked with George Larkin many times over the years and
for good reason. He provides an excellent creative environment
for all in involved that is both challenging and rewarding.
And most importantly, he proves that you can work hard and
have fun at the same time. Très Grimm was an absolute
blast! This is a bunch of folks who put the show first and
not themselves. Always encouraging each other and being there
for one another. And not in a mushy hand holding circle kind
of way. More like a "Sure you can wear my pants!" kind
of way. Even during the middle of the run, where the energy
is usually low, I never heard those dreaded words "Man,
I really don't wanna go on." I would work with any of
them again in a heartbeat and hope to do so in the near future.
Thanks George for a great time.
Tyler Tanner
Actor in Grimm, Too! and Très Grimm!
First time playwright in Très Grimm!
As a relatively inexperienced director, the Grimm series gave
me a unique opportunity to practice my craft. The developmental
process was rewarding and enriching. The whole process gave me
the opportunity to stretch as an artist in a supportive, open
environment. George Larkin was a helpful, attentive, creative
producer who was easy to work with. The Grimm tales are rich with
possibility and infinitely worthy of further exploration.
Sam Toffler
Director
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