Controversal monologist Mike Daisey was doing a performance of his celebrated show “Invincible Summer” last Thursday night at the American Repertory Theatre in Cambridge, when a mob of radical, mute activists disrupted his show by walking out of the theater all at once, one of them pouring water on his original, hand written notes.
Here’s Mike’s write-up on it that he sent out to his mailing list, which includes video of the surreal incident. I must say, Mike recovered from it very well, working it all back into his show. So far no group has claimed responsibility for the action.
I’m still dealing with all the ramifications, but here’s what it felt like from my end: I am performing the show to a packed house, when suddenly the lights start coming up in the house as a flood of people start walking down the aisles–they looked like a flock of birds who’d been startled, the way they all moved so quickly, and at the same moment…it was shocking, to see them surging down the aisles. The show halted as they fled, and at this moment a member of their group strode up to the table, stood looking down on me and poured water all over the outline, drenching everything in a kind of anti-baptism.
Annalee Newitz wrote about the incident for Wired, calling it “possibly the only recorded example of a Christian flash mob prank”.
For more on Mike Daisey, check out his Wikipedia profile. He’s probably most well known for his performance and later book: “21 Dog Years : Doing Time @ Amazon.com”, recounting his days working at Amazon.com in the late 90’s.
UPDATE: Both John Hodgman and Adam Gordon are reporting that this was not a group of Christians (as I had originally posted based on multiple sources, including Mike Daisey himself), but instead faculty and students from Norco High School located in Norco, CA.
Here Are A Few Related Posts You Might Enjoy:
- Mike Daisey Performs Great Men Of Genius in Berkeley
- Paper Darren by Goodwin Films & Mute Math
- Mike The Headless Chicken for President
- New Mike Monteiro Paintings On 20×200
- SXSW Interactive 2009 Sketchnotes by Mike Rohde
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This was a high school choir from norco high school in norco, ca. What’s more alarming is that he person who poured the water may be a faculty member. The high school web site is here: http://www.cnusd.k12.ca.us/norco-hs/
My son was there
One thing most people are missing. It seems to me, Mr Mike Daisey, knew before he posted on youtube, who this group were and came from. In the info area of the clip It states 87 members of a Christian group. why?
I talk to him about this in messages ,he said he had posted before he knew who they were. It does not look that way to me . The one that puts the clips on youtube, are able to pull their clips, and repost, They can remove comments and block viewers from making a comment. Which he did to me.
Day of walk out 4-19-07
Talked with Cindy L. from the school and the man the poured water David 4-20-07 acording to news papers and his site.
Youtube shows posted 4-21-07.
Why? After reading much about Mr. Daisey and his followers. I think I have the answer.
Seems as he forgave 1 and punished 86 others lets not count the other 11 adults just the 75 kids that were 14-17 years of age.
He heard there cries with their comments .
They were high school kids from s. California .there for choral competition.
To date 5-14-07 more info still shows Christian group. He said 4-21-07 is a repost .but he did not amend info even if posted on the 20th. 3:40 pm . he talked to lady ,Cindy L. from the school, in the am of the 20th .what some will do in hopes of making money .