Z-9
a virtual journey in search of truth
We find ourselves caught between the doom of darkness and the promise of light, between conspiracy theories and clear-cut facts.
Between knowing the rules and trying to break them.
Held back by fear yet thrust forward by an insatiable desire to explore the unknown, we are navigating the disorienting distinction between reality and “virtuality.“
This is the dimension of Z-9.
Behind-the-Scenes Explorations
Episode 1
Episode 2
Project Description
Directed by Kari Margolis, with original music by Tony Brown, Z-9 is an in-process project that virtually delves into the ever-shifting perception of truth.
MB Adaptors ensemble brings its muscular, highly expressive approach to theatre to the creation of a series of 9-minute virtual episodes, each with its own aesthetic and theatrical approach.
Characters find themselves trapped in a board game with rules that can’t be followed, in haunting relationships that disappear the moment they are found, and conversations where echoes are stronger than words.
With original music and songs, each episode will stand alone but also become a part of a larger theatrical mosaic.
Z-9 Ensemble
Jonathan Beller
Jonathan Beller is a director, producer, and performer. As a core MBA member, he has contributed to the creation and performance of Pulling Strings and Headshot! He has both professional and educational Margolis Method certifications, and was Assistant Director to the Insula project. Jonathan served as the Artistic Director of Theatrikos Theatre Company of Northern Arizona where he produced and directed over 75 re-imaged classics and new works. He holds an MFA from ASU and currently teaches theatre at Metro State where Margolis Method is central to the program’s acting curriculum.
Beth Brooks
Beth Brooks is a founding member of the Margolis Brown Adaptors Company. With Margolis Brown, she helped create and performed in ten of their full-length shows which toured nationally and internationally, as well as numerous site-specific pieces since 1985. Beth was Assistant Director for company member Jonathan Beller’s, last original productions of Alienation and Men at Work at Metro State University, where he teaches Margolis Method. Jonathan and Beth were also Movement Directors for FRANKENSTEINS PLAYING WITH FIRE at The Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis.
Jarod Hanson
Jarod Hanson is a theatre artist and educator. As core ensemble, he helped develop and performed in SLEEPWALKERS, THE HUMAN SHOW, AMERICAN SAFARI, CYCLOPEDIA, PULLING STRINGS, INSULA, and HEADSHOT. He co-created Overtime: Men at Work with Jonathan Beller for MN Fringe. His short play SWEVEN was a semi-finalist KCACTF Region. He is Lead MM Faculty and received his MFA from Towson, where he was a Fellow for the Center for Intl Theatre Development and Grad Rep for ATME. Jarod has also worked with the Wilma Theater, the Acme Corporation, and Single Carrot.
Angela Kiser
Angela Kiser is the company’s Program and Communications Director, graphic designer and MM full-time faculty. As an MBA member, she is presently developing a new solo work directed by Kari Margolis and was lighting designer and core ensemble for Headshot! She has a BFA from WWU, and has presented her own performance and design work in Bellingham, Seattle, Wisconsin, New York, and Barcelona, Spain. She was a principal collaborating artist of Kuntz and Company, the co-founder of On the Precipice Productions, and co-host of the theatre performance podcast, Stage Hackers.
Eileen Noonan
Eileen Noonan is a transgender actress and writer based in Manhattan, where she recently moved after 3 amazing years training, performing and serving as assistant faculty at the Margolis Method Center in Highland Lake, NY. In that time, Eileen received her Level 1 Professional Certification in Margolis Method and assisted Kari in many live and virtual workshops and intensives at the Center, in Barcelona, and across the Midwest. Eileen is a member of the 2021 Penguin Random House Audio Narrator Mentorship Program, and is represented by Take 3 Talent agency.
Gregory G. Schott
Gregory G. Schott received his BA in Acting and Directing from UNLV where he helped develop numerous original productions. He worked with such companies as Diamond Circle Melodrama, Climb and Rainbow Company Children’s Theater. He began training with MB Adaptors in 1996 and joined the company in 2000. He has been a key contributor to MB ADAPTORS’ American Safari, Sleepwalkers, The Human Show, Cyclopedia, Pulling Strings, Tonto Blue and Headshot! He has assisted Kari at national and international residencies and faculty at Margolis Method Center. He is a member of SAG-AFTRA.