The Adding Machine

The Adding Machine : A Multimedia Exploration in Seven Acts served as my thesis project for my Master of Arts from Austin Peay State University.

Written by Elmer Rice.
Directed by Robb Fladry.

Starring – Bryce Conner, Jolie Hausman, Collin Christopher, Britney Smith, Charles Young, B. Chris Hardin, Beth Warhurst, Steven Bennett, Adam Combs

Produced by Leni A. Dyer.
Set Design – David Brandon.
Costume Design – Shelley Fladry.
Lighting Design – Michael Kelley.
Sound Design & Original Music – Aaron Hutcheson.
Video Design – [ Fladry + Jones ].
State Management – Rebecca Beasley.

Documentation video shot by Alex Ewin.

The Adding Machine is a 1923 play by Elmer Rice, and is generally considered to be the first American Expressionist play. The story focuses on Mr. Zero, an accountant at a large, faceless company. After 25 years at his job, he discovers that he will be replaced by an adding machine. In anger and pain, he snaps and kills his boss. He is then tried for murder and is found guilty. He is then hanged and wakes up in an almost heaven-like setting known as “The Elysian Fields.” Mr. Zero then begins to operate an adding machine, until Lieutenant Charles, the boss of the Elysian Fields, comes to tell Zero that he is a waste of space and his soul is going to be sent back to the earth to be reused. The play ends with Zero following a very attractive girl named Hope off stage, who might not actually exist. [April 2008]