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UNLEASHED is a non-season series featuring readings and other theatrical presentations off-site from our MATCH home base.  

NOW PLAYING!

THE EIGHT:REINDEER
MONOLOGUES

WRITTEN BY Jeff Goode

DIRECTED BY Trevor B. Cone

DEC 1018, 2021

Spring Street Studios, 1824 Spring Street, Studio 233

THIS EVENT HAS PASSED

RUNTIME: 80 minutes (no intermission)

FINALIST! 2022 Houston Theater Award
Best Supporting Actor: Travis Ammons

VIEW ALL THE AWARDS

Are you looking for something different for this holiday season? Well, this is the show for you: eight reindeer dishing about the real Santa. All those rumors you've heard about him and the elves? About Rudolph's little secret? About Vixen's story that was leaked to the press? All true. Yes, the reindeer finally speak up and — believe us — they do not hold back!

Dirt Dogs Theatre Co.'s first ever holiday show takes on topical issues such as unsafe work environments, abuse of power, and sexual impropriety in a gritty, dark comedy where Santa is at the very top of the naughty list.

The Story

The Reason

MALINDA L. BECKHAM, ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

The Eight: Reindeer Monologues tells stories of personal struggle using a rare form of storytelling. Historically beloved, yet fictional characters are used to deliver very real and relatable abuse-of-power situations. We all know that Rudolph, Santa, and the eight flying reindeer are not real figures, yet they are so ensconced in tradition that using them as a mechanism to tell this kind of story seems shocking and naughty. In reality, we aren’t really telling stories of an imaginary Santa, but of any number of real people who sit in a place of power and use that power in exploitative ways. In place of Santa Claus, insert real name here:__________________________________.

Rudolph was an underdog. He was “different,” which excluded him from his social group and participating in any reindeer games. His father was desperate for his son to be accepted and successful, making them both vulnerable to exploitation. Santa is a figure that holds monopolistic power since he is the sole provider of the world’s presents on Christmas morning. The amount of abuse that accumulates with that much concentrated power is staggering, and this play explores the consequences. The reindeer offer individual experiences and opinions of the same incident providing differing perspectives and attitudes, both progressive and stunting. How can two reindeer see the same situation so differently? Who is willing to ignore abuse for personal gain? Who is willing to confront it and pay the price? Workplace conditions, sexual misconduct, abuse of power, celebrity worship, judgement based on appearance and sexual preference, victim blaming and victim shaming… All of this can be found in this monologue-play told by eight flying reindeer. How brilliant and how brutal.

Happy Holidays!

View the program

The Reviews

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READ THE HOUSTON CHRONICLE REVIEW

“savage, R-rated and loaded with dark comedy… 'The Eight’ is a laugh-producing 90 minutes that goes well with heavily fortified eggnog”

READ THE HOUSTON PRESS REVIEW

“…the abuse of the powerful against the powerless, the sleazy charm masquerading as good times, the juggernaut of P.R. If you still believe in Santa Claus, The Eight will shake you.”

“Wow. Be prepared for just WOW.”

“...an unexpectantly thought-provoking show.”

“WOW! Thought provoking, funny, mind blowing! I enjoyed the hell out of it! Everyone was fantastic!”

The Reaction

The Eight Team

CAST

Todd Thigpen

Travis Ammons

Donner

CREATIVE TEAM

Aaron Joseph Herrera

Costume Design

Malinda L. Beckham

Costume Design

Mark Lewis

Lighting Design

Gary Griffin

Photography

Holly Vogt Wilkison

Dancer

CREW

Barbara Alicea-Aponte

Production Stage Manager

John Baker

Production Manager

Katrina Ellsworth

Vixen

Curtis Barber

Cupid

Jimmy Vollman

Comet

Trevor B. Cone

Director, Scenic & Sound Design

Malinda L. Beckham

Blitzen

Jeff Featherston

Dasher

Hollywood

Safety at Spring Street Studios

Please note the following safety guidelines for your visit to Spring Street Studios

  • In accordance with CDC guidelines, masks are not required, but suggested, for guests who are fully vaccinated while in the lobby areas. For those guests who are not fully vaccinated we ask that you continue to wear a mask throughout the theater and lobby areas.
  • PLEASE NOTE: Dirt Dogs Theatre will require that all patrons be masked inside the theatre.
  • Temperature checks will be conducted at the theater entrance. Any guest presenting a fever will not be permitted entry and will be offered tickets to an alternate performance or a full refund.
  • No food or drink is permitted inside the theater.
  • Hand sanitizer and disposable masks are available in the theater lobby.

These precautions are subject to change depending on the public health guidelines.

Previous UNLEASHED Events