Politics Is Theater: Extreme Exchange

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WITH THE 2008 presidential primary elections and caucuses set to get underway soon, Patrick Bussink, a producer and writer with local co-operative theater group Extreme Exchange, is busy preparing for the presidential debate that he and his colleagues have planned for Nov. 12 in the District.

None of the contenders currently competing for 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. have announced they intend to participate in it, but some of them — Republican, Democrat and otherwise — will feature in "Adopt-a-Candidate," Extreme Exchange's new "theater forum," a combination drama and dialogue.

Founded by University of Maryland grad Benjamin Fishman in the run-up to, and in response to, the 2004 Republican Convention, Extreme Exchange is a theater group with a revolving door of amateur and professional actors and writers who meet regularly and sketch "X-Plays" designed to spark political debate.

"The whole focus of a performance is the discussion with the audience afterward," Bussink said, who became a regular participant after attending one of the group's earlier productions. "It's not so much about giving a polished performance."

For "Adopt-a-Candidate," six teams of artists were each assigned a particular presidential campaign to cover and given just three weeks to prepare the script and stage presentation.

The candidates represented will have their positions parsed and parried by the dramatists in six short, 10-minute plays. "We like to encourage both sides of an argument," Bussink says. However, that's not especially easy when one side isn't well represented within the collective.

Bussink admitted broaching conservative positions has proved challenging.

"Because most artists tend to be liberal, it's tough tackling both sides of a debate without undercutting right-leaning arguments — but that's the challenge we present to our artists," he said.

But like Capital Steps, D.C.'s most recognized political theater group, Extreme Exchange also aims to entertain. "They're great because they make it humorous ... and their political satire is neither didactic nor hit-you-over-the-head serious, which I admire," Bussink said.

He said Extreme Exchange will likely tackle social and political issues specific to D.C. in future productions and that it will continue to encourage budding bards' involvement in its evolving forum.

» Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company, Melton Rehearsal Hall, 641 D St. NW; Mon., 7:30 p.m., pay what you can; 202-393-3939. (Archives-Navy Memorial, Gallery Place-Chinatown)

Written by Express contributor Johnathan Rickman
Photos courtesy Extreme Exchange