Black Starr Collaborative returns to make its mark on the Philadelphia Fringe Festival with the world premiere of Bryan S. Clark's Tattooed Lady, Black Starr's latest production since Things Best Swept (under the rug) in 2002. Directed by Philadelphia's own Steven Wright, Tattooed Lady runs August 31 through September 14 at the Society Hill Playhouse.

Tattooed Lady tells a lurid tale synonymous with Black Starr's mission to expose the dark side of the human condition. Written by Artistic Director Bryan S. Clark, Tattooed Lady eavesdrops on the trivial conversations of two young couples - seemingly innocent small talk provides the momentum for a multimedia journey into a wife's sordid past and a husband's desperate need to know the unspeakable truth.

Through the use of unique projections and innovative sound design, Tattooed Lady hands audiences a genuine multimedia experience on top of an anomalous slice-of-life story - a perfect alliance with Black Starr's signature style.

Black Starr believes strongly in the use of body, music, and visual aesthetics to enhance the theatrical experience. "We're doing what we do best," says Clark, "combining music, video and rhythmic language to weave a story that speaks to Generation X."

Breathing life into Tattooed Lady's characters is an all-star cast of Philadelphia actors, both established and up-and-coming performers in the local theatre community. Leading the talented group is Director Steven Wright, a Philadelphia actor, director and teacher. Previous credits include: Zoo Story, PVT. Wars (BCKSEET Productions); Riding the Bull, Catty Corner (Azuka Theatre); Falling Moon (Julie Harris Theatre Co.); The Frog Prince (New London Barn Play House, NH.); and Sincerity Forever, New World Order, Dead Man's Finger, and Blood (Warehouse Theatre, NH).

The production's namesake, Natasha Lee Martin, makes her Black Starr debut as Lydia. Natasha has been a professional actress for more than twelve years nationwide, in film, television and stage. Regional credits include Barksdale Theater, Theatre Exile, Eternal Spiral Project, Brick Playhouse, Mum Puppettheatre and the Adrienne Theatre. Her television credits include The Simple Life III (FOX Television), Trading Spaces (TLC) Voiceover; Audio Series While Reason Sleeps (Lion's Den Studios) and The Bible (Hosanna Books on Tape). Natasha studied at the Actor's Studio New School Program in New York City and holds an M.F.A. in Acting Pedagogy.

Gregory G DeCandia plays the persistent Mark. Greg is the Founder and Producing Artistic Director of BCKSEET Productions. He holds a BFA in Acting from Emerson College. Acting credits include Mark/Roger US in the 1st National Tour of RENT, Othello in Othello (Guate), Jesus in Jesus Christ Superstar (Guate), Raleigh in The Last Train to Nibroc (Boston), Riff Raff in The Rocky Horror Show (NH), Puck in A Midsummer Night's Dream (NH; NHTA Best Actor Award), and Pink in Pink Floyd's The Wall (NH). As a playwright, Greg completed his first work Hung on a Blonde Ponytail: An Act of Rock, a production also present in this festival.

Amanda Schoonover joins the Tattooed Lady cast as Lucy. Amanda received acclaim for Theatre Exile's Killer Joe, for which she received a Barrymore award for Supporting Actress and Ensemble as Dottie Smith. She has worked with many theaters in Philadelphia including People's Light, Bristol Riverside, Brat Productions and the Lantern Theatre. Recent credits include Theatre Exile's Hearts & Soles and Lantern Theatre's QED. Amanda first exploded onto the Philadelphia scene when she co-produced and performed in 4.48 Psychosis with Theater Catalyst.

Rounding out the cast is Nathaniel Robertson, who has enjoyed success in the local scene performing in past Fringe performances of I Wonder, Bra's and Beaters, and Fringe spin-off Masque of the Red Death. Nathaniel has also worked with Flashpointers in Feed the Hype, Drive Angry and their recent production of U.S. Drag; with Azuka Theatre Collective in their One Act Festival at last year's Fringe, Simpatico Theatre Project's Angels Fall, and Philadelphia Theatre Workshop's Valhalla. Nathaniel is a graduate of Temple University.

Playwright Bryan S. Clark currently serves as the Artistic Director of Black Starr Collaborative and as Managing Director for Theatre Exile. Tattooed Lady will be Bryan's third world premiere in the past year, starting with last year's An Act of Faith for The Academy Theatre in Bordentown, NJ. Bryan came back onto the Philadelphia scene with Romance, during the 2007 Spark Showcase Festival. Bryan has also been active as a director and actor in the Greater Philadelphia area and served three years as a nominator and judge for the Barrymore Awards Association. Bryan is a graduate of Temple University.

SHOWTIMES AND TICKETS
Tattooed Lady runs August 31 - September 14, 2007 at Society Hill Playhouse's Red Room, 507 S. 8th St., Philadelphia, PA 19147. Please refer to fact sheet for a complete break down of performance times. Tickets are $15and may be purchased by calling the box office of the Society Hill Playhouse 215-923-0210 or through the Philadelphia Fringe Box Office at 215-413-1318 (after 8/17)

ABOUT BLACK STARR COLLABORATIVE
Black Starr Collaborative was founded in 2002 as a joint effort to produce Things Best Swept (under the rug), three original one-act plays. Since then, Black Starr has been producing at least one work a year, either original works, published material, or both. Black Starr is committed to collaborating with either individual artists or existing theatre companies so that both companies may gain from a shared experience. Black Starr produces pieces that provoke thought, discussion, and offer a fresh view of the darker side of life. Like a dancing skeleton, Black Starr Collaborative "may be scary, but it'll make you laugh."

Black Starr Collaborative 3650 Miller St. Philadelphia, PA 19134 267-968-5882 www.myspace.com/blackstarrco