Slab City Tickets

Slab City is a unique and fascinating community in the California desert that has captured the interest of many artists, including playwrights, actors, and directors. This off-the-grid community has become a source of inspiration for theater productions that explore themes of freedom, self-reliance, and alternative living.

The name Slab City comes from the concrete slabs left behind by the Marine Corps after they abandoned the nearby Camp Dunlap training base in the 1940s. Since then, it has become a destination for people who prefer to live outside of mainstream society. The area has no electricity, running water, or any other basic amenities, making it one of the most challenging places to live in America.

Despite the harsh conditions, the residents of Slab City have created a vibrant community that exudes creativity and individuality. The various art installations and performances scattered throughout the area testify to their ingenuity and resourcefulness.

One of the first theatrical pieces to be performed in Slab City was "The Salton Sea Circus," produced by the San Francisco-based performance company, the Hearty White Show. The play featured an eclectic cast of characters, including a crooning cow, a mad scientist, and a giant pickle. It explored themes of environmental destruction, consumerism, and cultural decay through a surreal and absurdist lens.

Another play that was set and performed in Slab City was "Gone Tomorrow," written and directed by filmmaker Rob Nilsson. The play follows the story of a group of drifters who stumble upon the community and find themselves embroiled in its peculiar lifestyle. The production used the harsh desert landscape as a backdrop and featured local residents as extras, giving a sense of authenticity to the performance.

Theater projects like these highlight the potential for performance art to engage with unconventional spaces and communities. They serve as reminders of the importance of artistic expression in remote places and the value of bringing together people of different backgrounds and perspectives.

Slab City may be an unlikely place for the arts to flourish, but its unique character and sense of freedom have inspired some truly captivating productions. Whether through plays, music performances, or other forms of artistic expression, Slab City is destined to continue influencing creative minds for years to come.