Diary of Whore Workshttp://www.whoreworks.com/diary-of-whore-works/en-US2012-02-17T23:24:26ZSquarespace Site Server v5.11.81 (http://www.squarespace.com/)Whore Works Concludes Sold-Out Run in New York Cityhttp://www.whoreworks.com/diary-of-whore-works/2009/3/29/whore-works-concludes-sold-out-run-in-new-york-city.htmlBryan2009-03-29T18:46:07ZAt our post-performance talk back on March 20 at Nicu's Spoon, the audience was so engaged in what was going on onstage, one member commented that they were collectively the "eighth trick." On stage from left to right, director Pat Floyd and actors Juan Michael Porter II and Bryan Webster field the probing inquiries. The cast and crew of Whore Works is really grateful to the audience and the people who came out to support us during our March 13-22, 2009 run at Nicu's Spoon theater in Manhattan. The response (and the love) were overwhelming. Folks came from as far away as Atlanta and Baltimore, and we had the bittersweet experience of having to turn people away for lack of tickets. One of the best of many memorable moments during the production was when one of the audience members told us he came to see skin, and was pleasantly surprised to get his brain massaged. That's what we're about: promoting ideas (and naked truths) about black male sexuality and identity rarely given play on stage or screen.

We're particularly indebted to Rod Risbrook, Adodi New York, Darian Aaron of the wonderful gay black blog Living Out Loud With Darian, and John Martin Green and Black Men's Exchange for letting their extensive networks know about Whore Works, and for their invaluable help in making this production a success.

For the folks who weren't able to catch Whore Works this run around, we are restaging the work May 14-30, 2009 in at the Kraine Theater in New York City and, Goddess willing, in other cities in the months to come. If you want to stay in the loop, become a "fan" on our Facebook group, join our mailing list, RSS feed our blog and stay tuned. We love you and look forward to seeing you again soon.

]]>A bit of ad copy on which I've been working...http://www.whoreworks.com/diary-of-whore-works/2009/3/20/a-bit-of-ad-copy-on-which-ive-been-working.htmlBryan2009-03-20T02:04:16ZProvocative and dark, Whore Works will open your eyes to the truth behind the games of love and lust. It could change your life.  Who knows, you might even fall in love with The Whore. Careful though; that can get expensive. After all ...isn't money Love? —Juan Michael Porter II

]]>Returning to The Foldhttp://www.whoreworks.com/diary-of-whore-works/2009/2/8/returning-to-the-fold.htmlBryan2009-02-08T01:21:43ZAfter a long vacation for some of us it is time to get back down to the 'nitty gritty' as one of my characters would say.  First on our agenda is a brilliant little fundraiser we've all planned for Monday, February 9th.  There will be all sorts of treats on display and best yet clips from the original workshop production!  It is such a blast being able to do this sort of thing what with the current financial climate we are all experiencing.  Like the weather outside things are frigid but we refuse to let that deter us.  We hope that our supporters and supporters of art with follow our charge and help rescuitate what has been described as an apocalyptic winter on Broadway.  We aren't on Broadway (yet), but with over 18 mainstage productions having closed this winter we would be foolish not to take stock of what is happening just across the street.  Luckily we have found a beautiful gem of a theatre space and with the genius that went into making the original production take place we look forward to bringing you a new take on 'Whore Works'.  Some plays go through major revisions after their initial runs; not so with Whore Works.  We switched line up of two scenes in the name of line up and added a slightly different staging bit in our two openings but aside from these frankly minor adjustments the grande play and text that is Whore Works remains the same.  For those who were able to watch the initial run, I can guarantee that the integrity and spirit of the play are intact (more than intact actually) and for new viewers I am excited to hear what you think.   So... come one, come all and see the show that is about a Whore Working.  Ciao ciao para agora.

 

-Juan Michael Porter II

]]>The Journey Continueshttp://www.whoreworks.com/diary-of-whore-works/2008/12/7/the-journey-continues.htmlBryan2008-12-07T12:09:23ZNow that we've had our inaugural work shop or whore-shop run it's on to the next bit!  Fund-raising and performing.  We are looking at a showcase and Whore work themed bash in February and then a two week performance in March.  Whatever we end up doing, I'll be sure to keep you posted.  In the meanwhile I must say thank you for the marvelous support and showing we've received thus far.  You've all made this possible and I'm happy that you all cared enough to come through.  Now keep on keeping on; the show's only just begun!

Besos

-jmp2

]]>We all play the whore at some point in our liveshttp://www.whoreworks.com/diary-of-whore-works/2008/11/7/we-all-play-the-whore-at-some-point-in-our-lives.htmlBryan2008-11-07T08:25:02Z

 

I have one of the Johns speak this line during 'Whore Works'; this along with, 'I need to stop selectively whoring myself out', represent half of the conception of this entire play.

I was having brunch with a friend 2 years ago at Columbus Circle when she said this precise thing to me. Being way too literal minded for my own good, I of course queried for clarification. She responded, 'Well, I keep going out with these guys and they buy me dinner and take me out and show me a good time and so I f^ck them... but do I enjoy it? No; it just makes me feel like a whore. It's even worse when I get horny and meet up with someone just for the sex; they act all casual and comfortable and fun at first but as soon as they shoot their load it's like- 'why are you still here?' I might as well have them pay me if it's going to be so- you know? At least I would be getting something out of it. Hell, I'm sure a whore is treated better than that. I should really look into that; whoring. If I'm going to have mediocre sex, shouldn't I at least be paid for the trouble; you know?'

Of course all I could offer to that particular diatribe was a rather limp, 'Stop having sex.' Yeah right; 'Stop having sex.' Sex is like cocaine. Really really good Honduran cocaine that your brother's compadre gives you for free for the first 3 months and then starts charging you up the ying-yang like crazy once you're good and hooked. Of course you can't afford it, of course you can't just stop, of course it's never as good as the first snort, but you keep buying because- because and when you can't afford the good stuff, of course you go snorting around for the cheap crack. Regardless of where you end up getting it, you always pay for it, one way or another in the end.

This is of course a terribly cynical way to look at sex, (though an all too accurate portrayal of drug addiction) but as my dear friend said, 'We all of us play the whore at some point in our lives.' Whether it be selling ourselves short for a tepid lay to assuage our primal needs, or feeling like a piece of meat for the hot lay that treats us like death warmed over once it's done, reducing those previous sexy feelings to wretched self loathing, some one is always buying or selling, giving or taking, and it's very rarely a pleasant exchange. The birth of 'Whore Works' comes of that exchange. The Tart is obviously an enterprising young fellow, but he's also a sensitve and perceptive man who wants just as much as anyone who engages in sex to have happiness which doesn't end with an orgasm... it's just that he's more honest with himself about the possibility of finding that which is to say, that he doesn't trust it or even believe that 'it' exists.

'Why bother with sex if I'm not going to enjoy myself? It sort of feels like work after a while anyway, and if it's work, shouldn't I at least be paid? I'm just one more gaping hole for you to plug; after you're done I won't matter any more than the condom will; my very existence will be wiped from your mind along with the cum... if I'm going to take your load I'm also going to take your cash; equivalent exchange. You have needs and I fulfill them. So pony up; I want your cash...' This is the subtext of the Tart for many of his encounters, or at least this is what he repeats to himself ad nauseum to help keep it clear that what he is doing is just a job, and he does need that clarification from time to time... Sometimes the Tart forgets himself, and forgets why he's really there... the same way we all do. We're there to enjoy ourselves... it just doesn't seem to be very much fun. Does that mean we didn't pay enough for the ride?

-Juan Michael

 

]]>Too Easy to Dismiss and Judgehttp://www.whoreworks.com/diary-of-whore-works/2008/11/2/too-easy-to-dismiss-and-judge.htmlBryan2008-11-02T02:55:20Z

'Why would you want to write about a whore, especially a gay whore?' This is what my Mum asks me when I tell her about this play. To her such subject matter is taboo not only because it involves a profession of ill repute but because she is a highly conservative Christian whose values tell her that homosexuality is wrong. At this time, in this world where we stand on the cusp of electing the first half African descended man to the office of the President in the United States I think that such a piece is not only important but crucial to introduce into the canon of dialogue that is the American Theatre. Many people with whom I have spoken about this play consider it a niche piece without ever pausing to consider what it means to be a gay hooker. To be sure the obvious essentials of the trade are airapparent but somehow the more subtle facets are missed.  A sex worker establishes a rapport with a client who expresses certain needs; needs which can only be satisfied by certain people of certain talents and a willingness to perform regardless of said client's faults. Much like a doctor or a psychoanalyst it can be argued that a sex worker is a healer, a reliever of pains to many people. I have the tart speak the lines,

'And that's the thing. A bunch of busy men who can't get it from their wives or partners or mistresses or jobs; lonely men who have to pay me for what they need ...'

 

While what these men are doing is frowned upon by polite society I think at the core of it their actions are no worse than what any other man or women would do to acquire happiness. The pursuit of happiness; the pursuit of freedom; the pursuit of pleasure; the pursuit of a blowjob. On a certain level they are all the same. It is terribly easy to judge others for the choices they make, especially when they are choices we, if given the opportunity would not make. Few people ever bother to sit down and ponder the whys and motivations of those choices. Whore Works is an open presentational dialogue which dissects and reviews the choices made by men who choose to pay for sex. It is not a flattering view, nor is it a damning glimpse; it is simply a chance to give voice to something that many too easily dismiss as low behaviour. In writing this piece I hope that all who see it will walk away with a heightened sense of self knowledge and acceptance in regards to decisions they have made in their past; 'unhappy' decisions we have all had to make at some point or another. More than this I pray that all who view this 'not so niche like play which isn't only a gay sex play' will come a way with a willingness to dispel judgement on those for whom they lack understanding. In this time where so many are too eager to cast stones at those who feel differently about music, the flavour of ice cream, or the 'correct' choice for the next President of the United States, what I feel we need is open respectful dialogue... why not start with sex?

 

A thousand kisses of Light

 

-Juan Michael

 

]]>Come Togetherhttp://www.whoreworks.com/diary-of-whore-works/2008/10/25/come-together.htmlBryan2008-10-25T05:15:22ZThe magic of the theatre is watching the numerous disparate pieces which have been worked independently of each other for so long finally meet up and coalesce into one finished form. Words being spoken aloud matched to brilliantly staged movement around a finely designed set and a balanced lighting skein equals magik.

Today the publicity materials arrived. It is so exciting to hold a postcard with your image and play title blazed across its front as you sit running lines with the actors. The air is charged and the smell of the future permeates the stage. Soon these publicity materials will be spread across the city and the town will be abuzz with the name 'Whore Works'. Meanwhile, the actors and director will continue to hone the work to perfection, I'll keep analysing the script (there is nothing left for me to do as the writer), and we'll all meet on November 11th to open Whore Works. Hope to see you there!

-Juan Michael

 

]]>Publicity Bonanzahttp://www.whoreworks.com/diary-of-whore-works/2008/10/22/publicity-bonanza.htmlBryan2008-10-22T04:59:37Z

I finished the design for the post card and business card and note card and t-shirt and yard sign and cap and pen and t-shirt and hat and- many people are wondering why I am going out on such a limb for this show considering that we're only doing a two night inital run. The answer; 'Mother always said life is like a butterfly; it's beautiful and then it's dead; you usually only get one tryat these things so make sure you try your damdest when you do.' In retrospect I'm probably grossly misinterpreting my Mother but whatever. I plan on papering the town (or at least parts of it; this is a big city) with the postcards and then attaching lollipop suckers to the business cards and handing them out at certain locales... better yet, I'll hire some of my hot friends to hand them out in sexy costumes.  The sign is to go into my office and the T-shirt, pen, and cap are really just for commerative purposes. I think that with all the work that is being put into this show someone will take note and love it and help to push it on to the next level. In the meanwhile I figure at this level I have to do as much as I possibly can to push and promote the show for myself by myself or nothing is going to happen. Here; check out the designs for the cards and other paraphanelia that I've ordered. I think the promotional materials accurately exude the fun nature of the show without weighing anyone down with the darker aspects of it all... though that image will certainly let anyone know that this is not a show for Mickey Mouse or My Little Pony minded. I think it would be funny if someone showed up expecting a pleasant thoughtless bit of fluff. Heh.

-Juan Michael

]]>The Imposition of Sexhttp://www.whoreworks.com/diary-of-whore-works/2008/10/22/the-imposition-of-sex.htmlBryan2008-10-22T03:24:22ZI tend to despise crude references to sex.  Images of scantily clad people, Janet Jackson's blinged out nipple, Britney Spears, even Marilyn Monroe; I can gladly do with out all of them.  Knowing this about myself it comes as a huge personal shock that I have written what amounts to a sex play.  To be sure, 'Whore Works' is about much more than sex, but the main conceit, that is, the catalyst, the very reason that any action takes place in the play is because of sex. It is called ''Whore Works' after all.  (Apparently I didn't get the memo on that one until a week ago).  This has created a bit of a pickle for me whenever I promote the work to people especially to my peers (most of whom are in their 50's mind you).

'What have you been doing with yourself?'  

'Oh, writing and presenting a play.'

'Ooh, I'd love to see it; what is is about?'

And that's when I suddenly become tongue tied; I don't want to say, 'black gay sex and hookers' (which is what I usually end up saying for some odd reason)  because I think I should be able to guss it up a bit; make it sound less salacious than it is.  I try to take the, 'it's artistic', angle which is usually met with, 'How do you make sex arty; wouldn't that just ruin it?'

Thank God my family is not going to be out here for the show.  Lord, that would be wonderful; having to explain what it means to give a handjob with your- you understand where I'm going with that one.  Ultimately what reconciles the entire piece for me is the journey that takes place as 'Whore Works' progresses.  It is not a Christ like edification piece by any means; I do not feel that such a thing would be honest in the portrayal of a whore (sorry Mary Magdalene).  Rather this is a human work replete with lies, jealously, fights, death, of course sex, and just as much de-evolution as there is evolution (and there is a lot of evolution) all the way up to the explosive end.  Working with the creative team and watching the work come to life has further highlighted for me that though this is literally a play about a black gay hooker and his relationship with his customers it holds many parallels to what takes place in real life for all people regardless of their station or persuasion.  Fathers, sons, peers, tyrants, mothers, subordinates, lovers, enemies- really this is a sexless play that just happens to have a lot sex in it; as you will soon see in watching- the sexual action serves more as a foil for what is brewing underneath.  And now I'm excited.  I can't wait for the premiere!

-Juan Michael Porter II

]]>The Magik of Collaboration AKA The Bane of All Writershttp://www.whoreworks.com/diary-of-whore-works/2008/10/20/the-magik-of-collaboration-aka-the-bane-of-all-writers.htmlBryan2008-10-20T05:36:19ZI shall weigh in on this matter very heavy-handedly; all writers are control freaks.  We are; we sit locked up in our minds all day long with the only release coming once a pen and fresh pad of paper, laptop, type writer, or what have you, have been placed before us.  This is especially true for former actors turned writers.  We fancy ourselves New Gods and go to town with perverse delight.  This is why most writers are banned from rehearsals once the production has gotten under way.  This is especially true for me (excepting that I'm also acting in this production... what an awful mistake that was on the Casting Director's part.)  True to form, I am a tyrant and I consider myself a New God eager to flex his muscles.  Luckily my Director is Pat Floyd, AKA: She Who Suffers No Fools.  The tone was set at day one during our first production meeting.  We had just finished the first read through.  I was certainly pleased.  The 'voice' of 'Whore Works' as I envisioned it was clear and strong, which is to say, completely loopy and unfocused.  Being violently opposed to the current fad of plot heavy dramatic storytelling I initially constructed a loose series of vignettes which had nothing in common save the theme of sex and prostitution.  There was to be no plot; there was to be no over-arching dramatic through line; most of all there was to be no resolution.  This was to be a multimedia extravaganza along the lines of Stephen Sondheim's Company (minus the sort of resolution in 'Being Alive'.  I know; I'm presumptuous).  I considered it my ode to relationships as I've experienced them here in NYC.  Though I'm sure such a concept could have worked, having met Pat, I no longer care to entertain that approach.  Sitting down with Pat was a revelation; as soon as we'd finished the first read through she sat up and said, 'Baby, there is a love story here that you aren't telling.'  Being a snarky New God, I came back with, 'Of course there's a love story; but that's not the narrative I want to tell.'  And then Pat tilted her head, cocked her shoulder, looked me in the eye, and said, 'Well too bad, cause that's what you did.  I want you to arrange these stories; put them in an order and bring them back so that there is a some sort of natural flow to it all.  See you on Thursday.'  This was on a Monday.  People who know me refer to me as a 'Crazy Bitch', but even I know not to challenge a woman like Pat Floyd.  She's the sort of woman whom one obeys when she tells one to do something.

In hindsight, I realize that even though I purposefully waited until the last minute before I arranged the stories (try 15 minutes before the following production meeting) from the moment Pat told me to do it, I had been carefully weighing and creating an order in mind.  It's a funny thing that the order I presented is essentially the only thing which has remained the same about this play.  There have been re-writes, reconfigurations, character assassinations, power plays, and plenty of yelling (usually on my part... I am a former actor turned writer after all) and though some of it has been gray hair inducing, I don't think that I've ever enjoyed life more.  The freshness that our actor Bryan Webster brings to each of the six 'Johns' has been startling and scary; seeing him work I frequently babble, 'Did I really write that?'.  Having worked with my fair share of actors (cattle I like to call them) I never thought I would come to a point where I was actually asking the performer, 'Do you think this is correct; should I change this?  What about...' but there you have it; I find myself taking cues from him.  Writers (especially actors turned writers) write stage directions as a not so sly attempt to wrest control from the Director.  You see, we are a naturally un-trusting lot and think that no one can ever appreciate or understand our babies (oy, Freudian slip much?) as much as we do.  Without our tender guiding hand all the nuances will be lost and ultimately the work will suffer.  (It is with this fallacy that each theatrical writer arms himself  or herself as he or she begins work on a new property.)  Thank Mary, Buddha, Vishnu, or whomever that Pat cut my 'guiding' hand off the day we started work and showed me what only a true director can; just as a true actor reveals new insights into a writer's work a true director opens up the scope of things and unearths here to now previously undiscovered gems.  I'm very happy with the results.  I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.

-Juan Michael Porter II

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