Intrepidus Theatre Lab

Tonight, the Wait is Over! Laugh, recoil, drink and cry as you bear witness to CALIGULA UNBOUND!

Tomorrow night, Witness the ripening of a man ruled by Trauma, Lust and Power.

This Friday, Witness the Evolution of a Monster!

Intrepidus Theatre Lab presents a special One Night Only Environmental Reading of CALIGULA UNBOUND, at the 12 Penny Saloon in Moosic, PA!

After surviving four years as a kept man on the isle of Capri, after learning that his entire family (with the exception of his sister) have been murdered or sent to exile to starve to death, after finally having revenge against the tyrant Tiberius Nero, only three days later Gaius Germanicus is named Emperor or Rome!

No time to process, or grieve, or fully prepare. None of that should matter. Gaius was Caligula, Rome's savior and Shining Star! He would single handedly usher in a new golden age!

Or so everyone thought.

Do yourselves a favor and kick off Spooky Season by spending some time with one of history's most frightening, polarizing and electrifying monsters!

Check out the Event Page for more Details! And Join Us...If You Dare!

In One Week, Come Witness the Evolution of One of History's Most Notorious Monsters!

“Jupiter! Look at what you and your gods have made! Every immortal has poured their blessings into my cup! They have given me this earth to devour, and I shall swallow it whole!”- Gaius Caesar Germanicus, aka Caligula

What would happen if a young, ego driven man in his mid-twenties was given all the power in the known world? CALIGULA UNBOUND dares to examine that question.

History has labeled Caligula one of the greatest monsters to ever live. If you take a closer look at his short reign as the third Emperor of Rome, some of what you learn may surprise you. Before he was emperor, Caligula was Rome’s Shining Star! The only surviving son of war hero Germanicus, the people of Rome fawned over the young man even before he claimed power over them. In fact, once he was named Emperor, the people’s love, lust and admiration for Caligula only grew stronger.

Yes, he spent years being reared on the debauchery-filled island of Capri by the late Emperor Tiberius.
Yes, he shared a “special” love with his sister Drusilla.
Yes, he never once stepped one of his little boots on an actual battlefield, or inside the Senate Forum.

None of that mattered. Caligula was Rome’s savior! ...Or so they thought.

Come witness Lab Company members Nate Howland, Kevin Costley, Natasha Bogutzki, Marcie Herman Riebe, Chris Eibach, Leba Lanton, Colleen Capponi, Brandon Michael, Lou LaLonde, Liz Stanton and Peter Riebe as they bring the first 8 months of Caligula’s reign to life in an environmental setting! But Beware! This event is for mature witnesses only!

This special One Night Only reading event will take place at The 12 Penny in Moosic on Friday, October 2nd at 8:00pm! Tickets are only $10 Cash at the Door, and the Cash Bar will be open!

Presented by Intrepidus Theatre Lab, this reading event is guaranteed to be one not to miss!

For more information, check out the CALIGULA UNBOUND environmental staged reading event on FB, or reach out to the Lab, or any Company member!

CALIGULA UNBOUND ARTIST SPOTLIGHT:
BRANDON MICHAEL

The philosophical and text heavy noir-infused production of Jean Paul Sartre’s THE FLIES was the first Intrepidus Theatre Lab production that Brandon Michael witnessed. When the Lab produced EQUUS, Brandon made his Intrepidus debut not only as a distressed ranch owner, but also as one of the mythical body painted horses. Brandon sharpened his theatrical technical skills when he joined the creative team on both BULLS and THE LARAMIE PROJECT, proving that Brandon’s craft and skills indeed expand beyond the performance space.

Although there are several very familial characters in CALIGULA UNBOUND, one character is introduced in the play that historians would agree plays potentially the most instrumental role in the reign of the young Emperor. In this special reading of the script, Brandon Michael brings to life none other than Cassius Chaerea, the roman soldier whom most believe to have lead Caligula’s eventual assassination. That event, however, is still several years away. In CALIGULA UNBOUND. Charaea is appointed Urban Prefect, the new magistrate of Rome, tasked will maintaining law and order throughout the city. Chaeara is a man who is used to being the leader, and controlling all around him, including his new wife, Naevia. How long will a man whose life is built on power, ego and order be able to maintain peace against a man whose life is built on power, ego and chaos?

Come see Brandon Michael in the Special Environmental Semi-staged Reading of CALIGULA UNBOUND on Friday, Oct 2nd, at the 12Penny Saloon in Moosic! Check the Event Page for more details.

CALIGULA UNBOUND ARTIST SPOTLIGHT:
PETER RIEBE

Intrepidus Theatre Lab has always been extremely grateful for our audiences of witnesses and supporters over the years. A prime example is Mr. Peter Riebe. The first Lab production that Peter witnessed just happened to be CALIGULA RISING. Over the years since, Peter has often asked about the status of the next chapter in the Caligula Saga. He has also continued supporting the Lab, our members and our Art.

In CALIGULA UNBOUND, Peter is stepping up to read the role of Claudius Nero, consul and uncle of Caligula, and the brother of the late Tiberius. Often considered the Imperial Court Jester, Claudius has perfected a guise of buffoonery and ignorance that has kept him alive over most of his life. He is also deeply devoted to Caligula, even honestly exclaiming “Tiberius was a nightmare. Caligula is a dream.”
Can Claudius remain loyal to Caligula even when the tide shifts and others turn against him? How long can Claudius’ ‘act’ continue? Who, in the end, will Claudius prove loyal to? Caligula, or Rome?

Come see Peter Riebe in the Special Environmental Semi-staged Reading of CALIGULA UNBOUND on Friday, Oct 2nd, at the 12Penny Saloon in Moosic! Check the Event Page for more details.

CALIGULA UNBOUND ARTIST SPOTLIGHT:
LIZ STANTON

Although CALIGULA UNBOUND is Liz Stanton’s performance debut, she has been an instrumental artist behind the scenes since 2024. As Stage Manager Extraordiaire, Liz brought calm to the storm of BULLS, especially during the move to Actors Circle after a literal storm took out the bridge to the Olde Brick Theatre. Last summer, Liz was instrumental in coordinating the largest Intrepidus company ever during THE LARAMIE PROJECT. Liz showed off her acting chops in the Actors Circle production of Clive Barker’s SUBTLE BODIES, bringing life and laughs to one of the crazies little girls, who may just really believe she is a frog.

In CALIGULA UNBOUND, Liz plays Naevia, the new, naive bride of new Urban Prefect Cassius Charaea. Charaea has made sure to keep Naevia on a very short leash, even giving her lists of chores and expectations. However, poor Naevia has caught the eyes of the incubus Caligula. Before she knows it, Naevia gets swept up in games both beneath the sheets, and inside the Imperial court. How could she say no to Rome’s Shining Star, especially when he not only treats her better than her husband, but is also the Emperor?

Come see Liz Stanton in the Special Environmental Semi-staged Reading of CALIGULA UNBOUND on Friday, Oct 2nd, at the 12Penny Saloon in Moosic! Check the Event Page for more details.

CALIGULA UNBOUND ARTIST SPOTLIGHT:
CHRIS EIBACH

Chris Eibach joined Intrepidus Theatre Lab for the staged reading of BULLS in 2024. In the reading, Chris played Theseus with strength, intensity and charisma. He then agreed to step in to the company of Justin John Costello’s production of Clive Barker’s SUBTLE BODIES at Actors Circle in 2025, in which he played a manifestation of lust, fear, and power. There are certain artists who have a magnetism. They demand attention by their presence alone, and command the performance space. Chris Eibach is one of those artists.

In CALIGULA UNBOUND, Chris plays Naevius Sutorius Macro, the Praetorian Prefect to Caligula. Macro has known Caligula and Drusilla through their father, Germanicus. While Macro was separated from his wife Ennia for the years he was stationed at Capri under the orders of Tiberius, his bonds and relationships with both Caligula and Drusilla grew stronger. Macro even made it possible for Caligula to confront the dying Tiberius alone, and covered up the prince’s murder of the emperor. Now, Macro has not only reunited with Ennia, but must balance his position as Prefect with his relations with the Germanici. He is a man with his own sound mind, body and constitution; a true Roman. Is there a limit to mixing business with pleasure? How far will he allow Caligula’s ego to rage before attempting the curb the young Emperor? Pleasures of the flesh are one thing, but what happens when the Prefect’s relations with Caligula’s true love Drusilla become deeper?

Come see Chris Eibach in the Special Environmental Semi-staged Reading of CALIGULA UNBOUND on Friday, Oct 2nd, at the 12Penny Saloon in Moosic! Check the Event Page for more details.

When the Stranger Comes character focus: The Bacchae

Several people have recently asked me if When The Stranger Comes is sinply The Bacchae, or a completely new drama. The answer to that inquiry is that the play is a little bit of both.

When I decided to tackle the project, I always knew I wanted to honor the Euripidean tragedy. However, I would not limit myself to a simple mere retelling of the drama. Thus, certain fundamental changes, omissions and additions have been made to the overall plot, dramatic action and characters.

While remaining true to the structure of the greek tragedy, I have added additional episodes and Stasimon sequences, expanding the drama into two acts. I have also made specific changes that affect the thematic focus of the drama. An example of this is the Parados. In The Bacchae, this opening sequence is when Dionysus reveals himself to the audience, setting up the dramatic action of the play. In When The Stranger Comes, the god's speech is omitted entirely, he makes no appearance, and the Parados becomes the first structured ritual sequence of the production: The Rite of Desecration, orchestrated by Pentheus.

Another notable change [among many] directly relates to the Bacchae, aka the cult of Dionysus, in Euripdes' tragedy, the cult is solely made up of women, both followers of the god, as well as those he has seduced and possessed. This fact is made clear in the Parados, as explained by Dionysus; paving the way for the play to heavily explore gender roles and gender politics.

Taking into consideration both historical and modern references, i have made the decision that the Bacchae be composed of both women and men. This choice shifts the representation of the cult away from gender and ancient political crises in Thebes, and becomes a hallucinatory myth about the human psyche.

Euripdes' The Bacchae is notable for being one of the earliest [in fact the earliest recorded] Greek Tragedies in which the "chorus", in its case the Bacchae, don't only serve as a liaison between audience and drama, but plays a part in the dramatic action of the play. In When The Stranger Comes, i have expanded upon this concept. The Dionysian cult are as much individual characters as they are a collective. Thus, while their are moments in which they speak in unison (in both English and Greek), there are many moments in which an individual cult member voices his or her own dialogue, again illustrating their individual character traits.

Perhaps most striking, the Bacchae in When The Stranger Comes have their own dramatic arc through the manuscript; one that, in fact, differs greatly from the classic Greek tragedy. The cult of Dionysus has a profound effect not only on the characters within the play, but also on the themes and forward momentum of the play itself.

If you are interested in auditioning to be a member of the Bacchae in When The Stranger Comes, reach out to the lab or directo Justin John Costello r, and a preliminary audition packet will be sent to you. Not only are the roles challenging, but they are paramount and memorable ones in a production that returns Intrepudus to its roots in ways witnesses will never forget.

So take a chance. Join the dance.

Peace.
-JJMC