Ride the Cyclone

music, book, & lyrics by Jacob Richmond

& Brooke Maxwell

The University of Texas at Austin Theatre and Dance

B. Iden Payne Theatre

Director: Jenny Lavery

Associate Designer and Programmer: Donna Bonnell Yancey

Assistant Lighting Designer: Jonathan Amezcua

Projection Designer: Sydney Sousa

Set Designer: Teresa Guererro Cardosa

Costume Designer: Katie Concannon

Photos by Thomas Allison, Courtesy of The University of Texas at Austin

Although this show is not billed as TYA in many ways it could and should be classified as such. This piece is an honest look into the dreams, experiences and expectations of modern young people. The company of Ride the Cyclone is composed of 5 High schoolers who have recently lost their lives in a tragic roller coaster accident who are tasked with competing for the chance to sing for their lives, literally and a 6th member we are introduced to as a mystery contestant Jane Doe by a living animatronic called Karnak who is somehow controlling the whole game and extravagant production. Accompanied by a full rat band that our production team chose to feature onstage.

This production was an amazing experience of collaboration and communication. We spent many hours working together to create a fluid story that highlights each technical element when it is their time to shine. Our ideas fluxed and changed and even the space which we present our story shifted to create a world that was very uniquely ours.

This show teaches us to appreciate the small moments and enjoy the time that we have on this plane. To live without regrets. I think personally I took this as an invitation to work outside of my comfort zone. Leaning into the parts of the show that I would have quickly worked through as they are not types of music or design I excel at.