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I Am an Artist
World Premiere in the Microsoft Theatre at Consolidated Works
November 7 – 21, 2003

Written and Directed by Greg Lundgren
Assistant Directed by Jeff Scott
Produced by Stacy Plum
Executive Produced by Matthew Richter

Starring Nicole Grant, John Bartley, Jed Dunkerley, Tina La Plant, Dylan Neuwirth, Christina Malecka, Igor Peev, Stephan Martinez, Jennifer Winters, Rob Zverina, Jeff Scott, Kyle Pepper and Jason Puccinelli

Artwork by Jesse Paul Miller, Jennifer McNeely, Greg Lundgren, Jason Puccinelli and Rich Lehl

I AM AN ARTIST follows the life and trial of Judy Piper, Los Angeles native, CalArts graduate, recipient of the MacArthur Fellowship, murderer and international media sensation. Twenty-four years-old and fresh out of college, she charts a course through the southwest looking for studio space to just “hole up and work for a year.” Full of ideals and constantly searching for the truth, a single act of self defense leads to a path of violent art installations, where her victims and their art are transformed into public (and highly-acclaimed) art installations. The audience becomes a classroom, curious gallery patrons and ultimately a volatile courtroom. At a running time approaching two and a half hours, it is a hard production to capture in a paragraph of text, but ultimately I AM AN ARTIST is a rejection of institutional art, of contemporary moral and legal foundations – and the theatre community itself. It stands as a reminder that today’s contemporary art world is tomorrow’s history, that ultimately the act of self-expression defies law, transcends moral code and is structured upon instinct and self-conviction. Create not for approval and applause, but because you must. Create with courage and be ready to face the consequences.