Two fiercely funny women, two compelling solo comedies about female identity. Written, performed and directed by members of Los Angeles’ acclaimed IAMA Theatre Company and filmed live at L.A.’s Pico Playhouse, Anyone But Me, written and performed by Sheila Carrasco, directed by Margaux Susi; and The Oxy Complex, written and performed by Anna LaMadrid, directed by Michelle Bossy, will premiere virtually on March 21 at www.iamatheatre.com, where each will continue streaming through April 18.
Set during the 500th day of quarantine, LaMadrid’s The Oxy Complex is a dark comedy exploring love, sex, loneliness, trauma, and the hormone that affects it all — Oxytocin, also known as “the cuddle” or “love” hormone.
“I initially set out to examine the ways that technology interrupts our biology,” explains LaMadrid. “But now that quarantine has taken away all our distractions and we have all this time on our hands, how do we reckon with ourselves? Viviana is a fictional character and her story is heightened, but the show is rooted in truth, drawn from personal experience and from those of other women I know.”
A Venezuelan born, East Coast-bred actor living in Los Angeles, LaMadrid starred as sassy, gum snapping “Jamie” in the critically acclaimed IAMA production of Bess Wohl’s American Hero (“boundlessly funny” — Los Angeles Times) and is a Stage Raw Award recipient for female comedy performance for her take on “Betty 3” in Collective Rage: A Play in 5 Boops at Boston Court. Her TV credits include Vida on Starz (recurring); Love, Victor on Hulu; Bless This Mess and Grey's Anatomy on ABC; and she was selected to participate in the ABC Discovers Showcase. In 2016, she opened Put Me On Self-Tape, a self-tape and audition coaching studio in L.A.
“Strong female voices have always been at the center of IAMA,” state co-artistic directors Stefanie Black and Katie Lowes. “We knew that supporting Sheila and Anna, two undeniably powerful storytellers who are both ensemble members, was a no-brainer from the jump. Each brings her own unique theatrical expression to our virtual stage, begging the audience to stay present and look within.”
Anyone But Me and The Oxy Complex are the third and fourth in IAMA Theatre Company’s 2020-21 season of new solo work exploring identity, isolation, race and connection. The season opened with Making Friends written and performed by Tom DeTrinis, also shot live at the Pico Playhouse. Hi, Are You Single?, written and performed by IAMA’s 2020 Rhimes Unsung Voices Playwriting commission recipient Ryan J. Haddad, is currently streaming through Feb. 28, presented by Washington D.C.’s Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company in association with IAMA. Hi, Are You Single? was shot live at the Woolly Mammoth Theatre.
The creative team for Anyone But Me and The Oxy Complex includes scenic and props designer Justin Huen, lighting designer R. S. Buck, sound designer John Nobori and dialect coach Lauren Lovett-Cohen. Filming and post-production are by TAKE Creative. The stage manager is Camella Cooper and assistant stage manager is Rose Swaddling Krol. Tanny Jiraprapasuke is the COVID compliance officer. Lexi Sloan produces and Terry Li associate produces for IAMA Theatre Company.