Joe Seely

Joe Seely is an Actor/Director and a fan of ballet. He acts professionally in film, television and has won awards for his work on stage as an Actor and Designer. He has many hats, multiple identities, but only one head. He was even nominated for a Lester Horton Award though he dare not deign to call himself a dancer. He often works with Asher Hartman, this foray (The Silver, the Black, the Wicked Dance) being his sixth, and has no plans to stop. He makes masks, puppets and writes in secret. He talks to everything that doesn’t talk back, audibly. He has made masks and puppets for the Center Theater Group, The Aspen Santa fé Ballet, and The Winston Salem Festival Ballet.

Productions (as Cast):

“The Dope Elf”, “Sorry Atlantis, Eden's Achin' Organ Seeks Revenge”, “Purple Electric Play”, “The Silver, the Black, the Wicked Dance”, “The All Stars of Non-Violet Communication”, “The Glass Bang”, “Gawdafful Films”, “See What Love the Father Has Given Us”

Productions (as Creative):

Purple Electric Play, See What Love the Father Has Given Us

Jasmine Orpilla, performer, composer, singer, and pre-colonial martial artist, plays Chet, a duende, a slayer of hidden folk in one of a six-part short film series about the psychological effects of white supremacy. In interviews, actions, and written text, Orpilla describes the spirit of the times where those who must avenge injustice prepare.

Writer, director, interviewer: Asher Hartman. Featuring: Jasmine Orpilla, in their own words and performing written text. Shot by: Jasmine Orpilla under the direction of Asher Hartman and lighting director Chu-Hsuan Chang. Outdoor-indoor photography by Ian Byers-Gamber. Father sculpture by Brian Getnick. Handcrafted masks by Joe Seely. Titles by Jinha Song.

→ "Gawdafful Films", Asher Hartman, Brian Getnick, Chu-Hsuan Chang, Ian Byers-Gamber, Jasmine Orpilla, Jinha Song

→ "Gawdafful Films", Paul Outlaw

→ "The Silver, the Black, the Wicked Dance", Bryatt Bryant, Chelsea Rector, Kensington Smith, Paul Outlaw, Philip Littell, Zut Lors

Four actors on a dimly lit stage in eccentric costumes, with audience members visible in the background

→ "The All Stars of Non-Violet Communication", Franc Baliton, Michael Morrissey, Patrick Kennelly

Two actors in red "circuit city" shirts sit on a wooden floor beside a floral arrangement, one reaching affectionately toward the other's shoulder, the other turning away.

→ "See What Love the Father Has Given Us", Jasmine Orpilla

Two actors in matching red "circuit city" employee shirts embrace provocatively on a red-sheeted surface in a wooden-walled stage set

→ "See What Love the Father Has Given Us", Jasmine Orpilla

Shirtless actor with long hair posed before vivid neon botanical backdrop with glowing serpent motif

→ "Purple Electric Play"

Actor in denim jacket holds coiled rope on dark stage lit by red EXIT signs

→ "The Silver, the Black, the Wicked Dance"

Rehearsal of The Silver, the Black, the Wicked Dance, 2016, Los Angeles County Museum of Art. Photo: Haruko Tanaka

→ "The Silver, the Black, the Wicked Dance", Chelsea Rector

Actor in colorful costume and black cape with flame motifs leaps dramatically on a grassy mound at night
Joe Seely as The Magician in costume Brian Getnick and Sofia Benito. Photo by Ian Byers-Gamber

→ "The Dope Elf", Brian Getnick

Three actors in an art-filled rehearsal space; one sits in an ornate chair with laptop, two others stand amid sculptural installations.
Zut Lorz, Philip Littell and Joe Seely in sets by Brian Getnick, Nic Gaby, and Joe Seely. Photo by Ian Byers-Gamber.

→ "The Dope Elf", Philip Littell, Zut Lors

Three actors wearing colorful and regal artistic robes featuring appliqué shapes.
Photo by Deanna Hubartt

→ "The Dope Elf", Jasmine Orpilla, Michael Bonnabel

An actor in a red sleeveless vest sits in folding chair in front of a dimly lit stage, masked audience seated behind him.
Photo by Deanna Hubartt

→ "The Dope Elf"

Photo by Marianne Williams.

→ "The Silver, the Black, the Wicked Dance", Chelsea Rector, Kensington Smith, Paul Outlaw, Philip Littell, Zut Lors

Photo: Ian Byers-Gamber

→ "Sorry Atlantis, Eden's Achin' Organ Seeks Revenge", Paul Outlaw

Photo: Ian Byers-Gamber

→ "Sorry Atlantis, Eden's Achin' Organ Seeks Revenge", Chelsea Rector, Michael Bonnabel, Paul Outlaw, Zut Lors

Photo: Ian Byers-Gamber

→ "Sorry Atlantis, Eden's Achin' Organ Seeks Revenge"

Photo: Ian Byers-Gamber

→ Michael Bonnabel, Paul Outlaw, Philip Littell

Photo: Ian Byers-Gamber