So I just got word that one of the second street businesses is looking forward to our play on Saturday. I’m a bit freaked out.

I don’t do audience participation pieces. I don’t do improv. I’m amazed by them. I like to watch some of them. The ones where they don’t single out the most uncomfortable person in the audience and make them the butt of every joke in the show.

But I’m doing a somewhat political comedy about cats on Saturday. From 1:00 to 2:30 in the second street district. It starts outside Austin Java. Moves to the Lofty Dog at 1:30, and then to the City Hall Amphitheater at 2:00.

Yes, we reserved the City Hall.

I’m writing this in collaboration, and that provides some inoculation, but I’m also producing this thing. And I’m a bit freaked out. I know more or less what makes people enjoy themselves with scripted theater. I know the beats you have to hit. I know how much set and costume and light people expect for their money.

But we’re throwing all that to the wind. All volunteer. Lots of chaos. Something like 7 total actors with actual scripted lines. Inviting the public to participate. Frightening.

There’s a potential for rioting here.

I mean I hope not. But the public at large can be somewhat frightening.

I have a lot of respect for people who live outside the black box right now. I don’t know how you deal with the idea that what you’re about to put out there could be very, very un-entertaining.

But it’ll be great, right?

Oh yeah, there’s free parking in the city hall parking garage ’till five.