Words of Walter: Jay Españo Does Movement for 'At The Flash'

Jay Españo Does Movement for 'At The Flash,' Runs Through Dec. 16
By Walter Ang
Dec. 6, 2012
Broadwayworld.com
http://chicago.broadwayworld.com/article/Jay-Espao-Does-Movement-for-AT-THE-FLASH-Runs-Thru-1216-20121206#ixzz2ENjIzCna

Jay Españo

CHICAGO — Former Tanghalang Pilipino actor Jay Españo has taken assistant director and movement coordinator responsibilities in the recently opened "At the Flash," a one-actor, five-character play that condenses LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer) history from the 1960s to the 2000s.

Written by Sean Chandler and David Leeper, this comedy features a closeted man in the 1960s, a black drag queen in the 1970s, a club kid in the 1980s, a budding lesbian activist in the 1990s, and a family man/entrepreneur in the 2000s as they relate their stories in the gay club The Flash.

For its world premiere, presented by Pride Films and Plays (PFP), co-playwright Leeper stars under the direction of David Zak, PFP's executive director.

Leeper's acting credits include roles in David Mamet's "Oleanna" and Lanford Wilson's "Fifth of July."

Españo collaborated with the Leeper and Zak to create distinct physical silhouettes, mannerisms, and behavior for each of the five characters. Españo received his yoga teaching certification in Singapore and has a graduate certificate in Laban Movement Analysis from Columbia College, Chicago.

Españo's recent acting credits include portraying King Mongkut in two productions of "The King and I," for The Drama Group (Chicago, Illinois) and The Peoria Center for Performing Arts (Pheonix, Arizona). He directed his play "The Tales of Three Marias," about three Filipina domestic helpers who have moved to Singapore, for its US premiere presented by Alab Entablado at The Den in Chicago in September.

"At the Flash" won PFP's Great Gay Play and Musical Contest earlier this year. Since it was founded in 2010, PFP has become an international center for the development of fresh works for the stage and screen using stories with GLBTQ characters or themes as a cultural bridge for understanding.

Portions from ticket sales support Center on Halsted's programs that support the LGBTQ community, which include free rapid HIV testing, group therapy, vocational training, and senior and youth programs.

At The Flash" runs until Dec. 16, 2012 at Hoover-Leppen Theatre, Center on Halsted, 3656 N. Halsted St., Chicago. Ticket prices start at $21.