the teaser


the reason

In the spirit of creative collaboration, BIG Theatre welcomes the development of original work from our artist collective. As our name implies, this process is often expressed through traditional theatre, such as stageplays, musicals, or improvisational workshops. But the spectrum of artistic expression is not limited to the stage. Rather, it is limitless, and the exploration of artistic possibility is fundamental to our mission of seeing the world in a bigger way.  

So here is a cartoon about balls. 

BIG Theatre actors provide the voices to the characters in this short animation.

Creator Mike Wirsch explains more below!


The Nuts (and Bolts)

Who are you?
My name is Mike Wirsch, and I have been an artistic associate of BIG Theatre Company for over a decade. I am an artist, writer, performer, and now, an animator.

Scrotwarrior? What is this?
Kane is one of the few remaining practitioners of the scrotal arts — a discipline of self-defense which employs the scrotum as a weapon. Washed-up and mostly drunk, he wastes his days away in a stupor, trying to forget the life he lost. A young orphan named Minka idolizes Kane, and she dreams — impossibly — of one day becoming a scrotwarrior herself. When raiders attack their village, Minka’s bravery inspires Kane, reminding him of the warrior he once was.

Is this a porno?
While I am not the arbiter of what is and is not considered pornographic, I feel confident in saying this would disappoint anyone in the market for a “stag film.” There is a fair bit of exposed scrotum, alcohol use, and violence, but probably not enough to receive an R rating from the Motion Picture Association. There isn’t even any profanity in the script.

Who is this for?
I typically write for myself, and then hope that other people will like it. For this project, my hope has been to make something festival-worthy. Beyond that, who knows?

Why did you make this?
I like the idea of taking a stupid premise and treating it as earnestly as possible. In this case, that has meant creating a character who uses his testicles as weapons. But the story itself is about love, loss, redemption, what it means to be a hero, who can be a hero, and the multi-faceted nature of being human.

What’s with the balls?
The idea of testicles-as-weapons appeals to me because I have the brain of a twelve year-old boy, but also because of what they represent. If testicles are the weapons, then every blow dealt by the fighter results in pain. Violence must be seriously contemplated when it hurts to give as well as receive. This means only fighting when absolutely necessary, and it provides the fighter with an intimate understanding of the damage being done. It means fighting with honor.
Beyond that, the testicles-as-weapons in this animation are the literal actualization of the machismo we see in society, when violence is carried out by men for the sake of “manliness.”


The Characters

Minka

An unbreakable spirit, Minka’s dream is to one day be a scrotwarrior like her hero, Mister Kane. She is fearless, tireless, and oblivious to social cues.

Kane

Long ago, Kane was a burgeoning practitioner of the scrotal arts, but he suffered a great loss from which he never recovered. Now he spends his days trying to forget his past and ignore his present.

Kamma

By marrying a man who vowed to never take a wife, Kamma rejected the cultural mores typical of her social class. But she always trusted her heart over the ideas of stuffy dilettantes.

Master Lao
(& Sacolytes)

A revered expert of the scrotal arts, Master Lao has dedicated his life to training his mind, body, and sack. The honorable sacolytes accompany him wherever he goes, assisting with tasks, chores, and duties around the temple.

Beef & Meat

Best friends Beef and Meat lack proper role models, which is why they spend their free time bullying Minka’s chosen hero. Their tough exteriors have developed through cynicism and experience. If you don’t like them, good. You’re not the kind of person they want liking them.

The Raiders

Driven by conquest and chaos, the raiders’ surprise attacks terrorize all they encounter. Some believe the raiders are a tool of the government, used to exercise control. The truth is, no one knows much about them, and the surrounding mystery makes them all the more frightening. The last raider attack was long ago; many villagers have become complacent.

Miss Maple

Affectionate and matronly, “Dumpling Mama” keeps villagers’ bellies full without emptying their pockets. Lucky kids like Minka might even find extra dumplings on their plate!


the Cast & Crew