Theatre Askew - New York City's Premiere Producer of Queer Theatre

Tim Cusack
Co-Artistic Director

Tim is an actor/director/dancer/writer living in New York City. In 1990, upon graduating from New York University with a BFA in Drama, he helped found RAKKA-THAMM!!! Theater Company with four fellow alumni. In 1992, he became the managing director of the company, and in 1993, he assumed the duties of artistic director. As a director for the company, he presented productions of Shepard’s Seduced, Euripides’ The Bacchae (in a site-specific production on the Christopher Street pier), Stoppard’s Rosencranz and Guildenstern..., and Wilde’s Salome, as well as plays by David Greenspan and Julie Bovasso. In 1993, he played the lead role in the short film “My Polish Waiter,” directed by Terracino, which played in such prestigious international festivals as the Sundance Film Festival and New Directors/New Films at the Museum of Modern Art. It was later distributed by Strand Releasing on its video compilation Boys in Love.

In 1997, he began an association with Todo con Nada that continued for several years. At Nada he appeared in Uncle Alton and five productions for Ian Hill: Mac Wellman’s Harm’s Way; 10 Nights in a Bar-Room; and Egyptology, Café Amerique, and Miss Universal Happiness in the Richard Foreman festival. In 1999 he directed, designed, and acted in What Did He See? for the ForemanFest, and in 2000, he curated its Ridicufest, which included his site-specific production of Charles Ludlam’s Der Ring Gott Farblonjet, as well as productions of plays by Jack Smith, Ethyl Eichelberger, Ronald Tavel and Charles Busch. In tandem with the festival he also organized a symposium at NYU that explored the legacy of the Ridiculous aesthetic. His solo show Stunt Man, created in collaboration with Rachel Kranz and Sarah Lambert originally workshopped in the Piano Store at Nada, as well as subsequently playing there as part of the second New York International Fringe Festival. It has also been presented at St. Mary’s College in Maryland and at New York Theatre Workshop.

In 2004, he co-founded Theatre Askew with Jason Jacobs. For Askew he has appeared as Tim Jackson-Smith in Bald Diva! (notable performance citations by Theater Mania and nytheatre.com); Ariel in The Tempest; and “1” in i google myself. Also for Askew he conceived, co-adapted, co-directed, choreographed, and appeared as Caligula in the six-part serial adaptation I, Claudius Live. For his work on the latter show, Next magazine named him a “Future Legend.” Next year he will be directing the New York premiere of William M. Hoffman’s Cornbury: The Queen’s Governor, as well as creating an original dance theater piece Andy&Allen@Max’s, both for Askew. He also directed two segments, “The Bed” and “Camera Obscura,” in the OBIE-winning site-specific performances East and WestVillage Fragments for Peculiar Works Project. For his work with both companies he was named a 2007 “Person of the Year” by nytheatre.com. He most recently appeared in Alphabet City V for Metropolitan Playhouse, for which he interviewed and performed Peter Cramer, co-founder and curator of Le Petit Versailles community garden and performance space on East Second St.

As a dancer he appeared with En Garde Arts in Jonathan Larson and Jeffrey Jones’ J.P. Morgan Saves the Nation (choreography by Doug Elkins). He currently dances for Alexandra Beller/Dances and will be appearing with that company at Abrons Arts Center in May 2009 in what comes after happy. He is the editor of the 1999-2000 Dramatists Sourcebook for Theatre Communications Group, the co-author of a research guide to the gay rights movement published by Facts on File, and contributes a monthly column to Stage Directions magazine on the challenges facing small, independent theatre producers. For several years as a volunteer member of Heritage of Pride, he assisted with preparations for the annual gay pride celebration in New York City.

Jason Jacobs
Co-Artistic Director

Jason is a New York-based theatre director who creates imaginative, thought-provoking, and moving productions recognized for their powerful impact on audiences. He has been identified as a 2007 Person of the Year by NYTheatre.com for his outstanding contributions to the cultural landscape.

Jason’s work probes a broad field of interests with a strong emphasis on adaptations of classics and historic material. He co-created Bald Diva!, a queer twist on Eugene Ionesco’s The Bald Soprano, blending the Theatre of the Absurd style with contemporary gay theatre to create a potent theatrical cocktail. In Burlington Vermont, he initiated an adaptation of Chekhov’s Uncle Vanya to address the specific concerns of the rural Vermont community. With his colleagues at Askew he is currently devising That’s Not It, a multi-layered piece based on The Seagull. He also directs bold interpretations of classic texts, such The Tempest, As You Like It, and The Cherry Orchard. Jason creates new work with dynamic solo performers and exciting new playwrights, such as Kathryn Blume (The Boycott), Jason Schafer (i google myself) Jeremy Lawrence (Lavender Songs), David Koteles (Bald Diva!), and Joanna Parson (work-in-progress). He loves opera and directed Center for Contemporary Opera’s premiere production of Mario and the Magician.

A strong commitment to teaching has taken Jason to Williamstown Theatre Festival, Long Island University/CW Post Campus, Gettysburg College, Bay Shore High School, and Beacon High School in New York City. He is currently on the directing team at NYU’s Department of Dramatic Writing and a Teaching Artist for Roundabout Theatre Company. Jason is a co-founder of The Theatre Askew Youth Performance Experience, which empowers lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning youth in the NYC area to develop their unique theatrical voices.

Born and raised in Culver City, California, Jason received his undergraduate degree from Yale and his MFA from Columbia, under the tutelage of Anne Bogart, Robert Woodruff, Brian Kulick, Tina Landau, and Andre Serban. Additionally, he has been spotted on stage over the years in a range of roles the Grasshopper in James and the Giant Peach, his own solo piece Poor Sport, and the enigmatic meterosexual “Tom the Assistant” in Polly Frost’s episodic series Sex Scenes.

What does it mean to create “queer theatre” in New York in the 21st century?

We believe a radical new approach to the representation of “queerness” is called for — one that embraces a spectrum of relationships and identities. We propose a definition of queerness that serves as a metaphor for ALL those who stand outside of, challenge, or reject mainstream, consumerist models. This is the community for whom we make our work— gay and straight.

Since 2004, our productions have straddled many contradictions and had it both ways: popular and alternative; gay and straight; pleasing and provoking. We search for the connections between queer experience and the “straight” or “mainstream” population. We draw from our rich theatrical and literary heritage to inspire exciting new work. We are commited to creating theatrical events that confront our cultural and political concerns and that have social impact and spiritual consequence. Finally, alongside our productions, we are committed to educating and developing future generations of artists and audiences.

In 2007, NYTheatre.com recognized us as "People of the Year." Every year, NYTheater.com recognizes individuals and companies who have made important contributions to the NYC theatre landscape, calling attention to the valuable and worthy work of prolific, active, excellent artists in the indie theater community, especially new and emerging artists. For 2007, we were recognized for "consistently spotlight(ing) important social issues without ever sacrificing entertainment value." Read more