Mission

The Idiopathic Ridiculopathy Consortium's mission is to produce and present the classics of absurdist theatre to an international audience within the Philadelphia region.

The IRC presents rarely-produced, renowned plays from around the world that explore and illuminate human purpose - the tragedy and comedy of human experience through philosophical inquiry.

Our dedicated Consortium of artists strive to deliver an immersive, intimate experience, posing questions about human existence that resonate and ignite thought and conversation between individuals and communities.

We create theater that is intelligent, thought-provoking and humorous. Through performances that are ironic, buoyant and infectious, the work strives to displace and transform the audience's perspective, using language in combination with a sensory experience that includes all design elements to express abstract ideas that text alone struggles to convey.

Absurdist authors create a mythological, archetypal, allegorical vision aligned to the world of dreams. The focus is man's bewilderment and confusion, stemming from his anxiety in searching for answers to why we live, why we die, why injustice and suffering. An equally important theme in absurdist writing is man's attempts to communicate: through fruitless behaviors, characters seek to restore myth, ritual and security to their world.

Existentialist  themes resonate as cogently as when they were introduced by the loosely-defined group of playwrights known as Absurdist in the 1950's and 60's, as we continue to wrestle with the effects of technology on communication, spirituality, politics, morality, ethics and religion in our global community.

The IRC is the only dedicated absurdist theater group in the world, and has been entertaining sold-out audiences since its founding in 2006, receiving critical praise, a steadily growing and diverse audience of loyal supporters. The IRC and is annually ranked as one of the top theater presenters in Philadelphia's Annual FringeArts Festival, in a field of more than 150 shows.

The IRC experience is an exciting and challenging journey for seekers from all walks of life on multiple platforms: philosophical, psychological, physical and spiritual. Our dedicated group of artists invites you to explore these questions with us and share the IRC word with friends. 

Our body of work  is supported in large measure by individual donors.

History

The IRC incorporated in May 2006, with the mission of presenting classic, seldom-performed works from authors, playwrights and predecessors of the loosely-defined Theater of the Absurd, which includes playwrights include Eugene lonesco, Samuel Beckett, Harold Pinter, and Edward Albee who introduced the wod to a defining and groundbreaking theatrical form in the mid-20th century.

Existential questions can serve as a starting point for personal and social change. Posing these questions in an intimate setting, holding a mirror to ourselves, we see its relevance and importance today, influencing popular culture and modem playwrights, as we challenge ourselves as individuals, as a city, and a nation.

These stories bring to light the paradox and absurdity of life in modem times, the pathos and humor inherent when language is used to communicate our deepest questions and emotional struggles.

IRC tells these unique stories with the goal of balancing text, sound, scenic and costume design to engage the senses by exciting and igniting audiences in an intimate setting. Our aim is to intrigue and involve curious seekers who remember these classic works when they first caught the attention of audiences in the mid 2oth-century, as well as a new generation of theater enthusiasts with fresh interpretations of these important, timeless parables.

The IRC developed its audience beginning in a small cabaret theater, performing with simple stage settings and technical support while developing a seasoned ensemble of performers uniquely adept at the absurdist style.

The IRC's emphasis on the humor in the existential struggle, the non-linear, abstract nature of the form, faithfulness to the text and accessibility of the interpretation has resulted in a steadily-growing audience, including students from many disciplines,  sold-out performances, and a rapidly-growing and appreciative international audience.

Our staff and ensemble size allow for flexibility, our commitment and passion keep the process rigorous. Over 65% of operating support comes from individual donations and ticket sales. Receiving consistent praise from audience and critics over the past decade,

the IRC has grown its foundation of loyal support over the years. Now in our 10th season, the IRC has recently completed a strategic planning process that includes additional programs to engage Philadelphia's vibrant university community as well as plans to expand and diversify our board of directors.

We incorporate elements of vaudeville, clowning, dance, plus integration of the stage setting, lights and sound to immerse the audience, creating a provocative experience for curiosity seekers and students of life. The IRC's mission is to illustrate these universal questions with fresh perspective, rendering classic stories relevant for a modern audience. In our first decade, the IRC has established itself as the preeminent interpreter of absurdist work in the region.

Commitment to Diversity

The Idiopathic Ridiculopathy Consortium is committed to presenting classics of absurdist theatre; plays that contain multiple points of view, a profusion of voices, and multi-dimensional perspectives. We remain dedicated to casting mature performers and energized beginners of all experience levels and backgrounds, gender-bending and gender-swapping, and an ensemble approach to training and teamwork. The IRC remains dedicated to presenting rarely produced, renowned plays that explore and illuminate the human purpose, creating a dialogue with the audience about the relevance and impact of the human condition in our contemporary world.

The Charlotte Cushman Foundation

William Penn Foundation Matching Gifts Program