Work samples

  • Kaspar
    Kaspar

    The actor playing Kaspar speaks into different microphones, each of which has a different effect, while trying on different personalities. 

  • The Lights Went Out Because of a Problem final image
    The Lights Went Out Because of a Problem final image

    In the final moment of the opera the Lecturer becomes the trunk of a tree with leaves made of light. 

    Photo: Chris Ashworth

  • The Institute for Counterfeit Memory
    The Institute for Counterfeit Memory

    A tiny LED inside of an etched jar with a slide glued on was the "set" for this play in a box produced during the height of the pandemic.

  • The Determination of Azimuth
    The Determination of Azimuth

    The actor playing Katherine Johnson explains (through song) how to compute by hand mathematically the trigonometry involved in determining how much force to use on a rocket in order to return astronauts home. A NASA engineer stands behind her. 

Share:

Facebook Twitter Share

About Lola B.

Baltimore City   2025 Finalists  

Lola B. Pierson is  a highly collaborative artist, who was born and raised in Baltimore City. She is a playwright, writer, and director. Her work challenges theatrical form, incorporating elements of social media, performance art, visual art,  switcheroos, and boredom. Other words she has used to describe her work in bios include: presence, explore, dynamic, and representation. Her work has been featured in The New York Times, The Washington Post, and The San Francisco… more

See $2,500 Baker Artist Award Winning Portfolio
View Lola B.'s Resume
Jump to a project:

The Lights Went Out Because of a Problem

The Lights Went Out Because of a Problem is a three-act opera, which comprises found text and my original writing. It was a collective ritual about grief and what we lost, and resilience and what we gained. I wish I had some way to convey to you how emotional and touching the piece was, but I don't! 

The Lights Went Out Because of a Problem is about healing from trauma by learning to sing. It is also about goofing off, meditating, hanging out, and the pandemic.

Throughout the piece the actors learn various aspects of singing: breath, tonality, and rhythm, until at the end of the piece they are finally singing. In Act 1 the actors perform dialogue from well known plays, movies, radio programs, internet memes, and beauty product labels. The dialogue is underscored by actor breath. Act 2 is a bizarre office scene where the actors create music by playing light switches (which control lamps on stage), bells, keyboards, and other office equipment. The libretto for this act is taken from many different sources: classic literature, conversations with my friends, my own writing, trauma recovery publications, philosophy books, government notices, and many more. This act introduces pitch and rhythm. Act 3 is fully sung and the libretto is entirely my original writing. 

The piece was very weird and we rehearsed at a slow pace over the course of 3 years with many fine actors. 

  • The Lights Went Out Because of a Problem end of act 2
    The Lights Went Out Because of a Problem end of act 2

    After reciting many different letters to different groups of people The Tree (Kaya Vision) finally delivers a letter intended for the audience.

    Photo: Chris Ashworth

  • The Lights Went Out Because of a Problem final image
    The Lights Went Out Because of a Problem final image

    The final scene of the show: The Tree (Kaya Vision) bids the audience good night using a line from "Our Town."

    Photo: Chris Ashworth

  • The Lights Went Out Because of a Problem Act 3 aria
    The Lights Went Out Because of a Problem Act 3 aria

    An actor (Heather Morrison) sings an aria about the lights going out because of a problem while everyone performs a ritual on a bed of preserved moss.

    Photo: Kiirstn Pagan

  • The Lights Went Out Because of a Problem audio sample

    A brief audio sample of some of the singing from the third act of The Lights Went Out Because of a Problem

  • The Lights Went Out Because of a Problem Act 2 dialogue

    A brief recording of some of the dialogue from Act 2 underscored by light switches and office equipment.

  • The Lights Went Out Because of a Problem Act 3 ritual
    The Lights Went Out Because of a Problem Act 3 ritual
  • The Lights Went Out Because of a Problem awakening
    The Lights Went Out Because of a Problem awakening

    Act Three: 5 of the actors sing in a clump together and each wake up individually with a vocal solo.

  • ASH06568-75.jpg
    ASH06568-75.jpg

    Act 1: Two actors (Molly Margulies and Alix Fenhagen) wash each other with sponges while reciting lines from Beckett's "Play"

    Photo: Chris Ashworth

  • The Lights Went Out Because of a Problem aria
    The Lights Went Out Because of a Problem aria

    The third act of the play, a moment when all of the actors perform a ritual to unpack what happened to them.

  • The Lights Went Out Because of a Problem Clue Laundry scene
    The Lights Went Out Because of a Problem "Clue Laundry" scene

    The actors fold and iron laundry while reciting a scene from the cult classic Clue.

    Photo: Chris Ashworth

    •

    • The Institute for Counterfeit Memory

    A piece made during and about the pandemic The Institute for Counterfeit Memory is a play in a box that gets sent to audience members at their homes. The piece chronicles the creation of false worlds using an mp3 player, diagrams, and small props. The audio track asks the audience to imagine what we would have happened if the pandemic hadn't, and to turn our attention to and be present with what happened instead.

    The New York Times hailed The Institute for Counterfeit Memory as "bloodless," but The Washington Post said, "The Institute for Counterfeit Memory cannily employs the devices it provides to bring you back to the feeling of being in a room with other spectators, even as it reminds you that you are alone. Its ministrations so impressed me that when I turned over the final cue card instructing me to applaud, I actually did."

    • The Institute for Counterfeit Memory set illuminated by tiny lights
      The Institute for Counterfeit Memory set illuminated by tiny lights

      The audience turns on small LED bulbs and places it inside of the set (an etched jar with a slide glued to it)

    • The Institute for Counterfeit Memory feelings diagram
      The Institute for Counterfeit Memory feelings diagram

      A small card that demonstrates the correct feeling to have while watching the play. 

    • Box contents
      Box contents
    • The open box
      The open box
    • Box contents
      Box contents
    • Diagram cards
      Diagram cards
    • Audio track
      The audio for the piece that both tells a story and guides the audience through the experience of making the play at home.
    • Box contents
      Box contents
    • Instructions diagrams
      Instructions diagrams
    • The closed box
      The closed box
    •

    • Two

    Co-written, co-directed, and co-designed. 
     

    A music video for the song “Two” from the Flock of Dimes album "Head of Roses," co-created with Cricket Arrison. The video explores nagivating a sovereign self while in relationship with others. Filmed in January of 2021 "Two" is an attempt to honor the vital importance and joy of connection at a time when we are extremely isolated. 

    • Flock of Dimes - Two [OFFICIAL VIDEO]
      Music video for the song “Two” from the Flock of Dimes album "Head of Roses."
    •

    Follow No Strangers To The Fun Places

    Written, co-directed, and designed by Lola B. Pierson.
    Premiered in May 2018. 

    Follow No Strangers To The Fun Places explores the attempts of the artists creating it to manufacture beauty and meaning. One of the directors said this description is rather "workman-like," but even though the other director (who is also the playwright) is sick, the first director wouldn't take on the simple task of writing a one-sentence description of this show.  

    Later they came up with this description: Follow No Strangers To The Fun Places is loosely inspired by the structure of Italo Calvino’s 1979 postmodern novel, If On a Winter’s Night a Traveler. However, admirers of Calvino will most likely be keenly disappointed, since the play bears little similarity to the book. Instead of focusing (like Calvino’s novel) on the act reading, The Acme Corporation’s piece deconstructs the audience’s experience of watching theatre. Follow No Strangers To the Fun Places lovingly follows two characters’ repeated—and constantly interrupted—attempts at making a piece of theatre. Through constant breaks, disruptions and disconnections, the show breaks down theatrical narrative; explores the relation of fiction to real life; and ultimately tries to answer the question of why anyone would want to make art in the first place.

    Follow No Strangers To The Fun Places was exactly 68 minutes long and was named Best Play of 2018 by Baltimore Magazine.

    • The fake Sam Shepard Play
      The fake Sam Shepard Play
      The three women smoke in unison as part of a deconstruction of Sam Shepard and Pina Bausch.
    • Follow No Strangers to the Fun Places silhouette
      Follow No Strangers to the Fun Places silhouette
      Thing 1 admires her handiwork.
    • big light box.jpg
      big light box.jpg
      Part of the set made of pages from previous versions of the script.
    • Thing 1 and Thing 2 hard at work
      Thing 1 and Thing 2 hard at work
      Thing 1 and Thing 2 program the light board
    • Xrays in Dark.jpg
      Xrays in Dark.jpg
      Light boxes made of X-Rays (part of the set)
    • The headphones sign
      The headphones sign
      When the sign is on audience members put on their headphones.
    • Empty chairs
      Empty chairs
      The view of the audience as the headphones gives them an introduction about what their experience will be.
    • Follow No Strangers to the Fun Places script
      A full script of the play.

    • Putin on Ice (that isn't the real title of this show)

    by Lola B. Pierson

    Directed by Yury Urnov
    Premiered September 2018. 

    Everything that happens on stage is a lie. This spectacle is a fantastical new portrait of Vladimir Putin. This ostentatious piece blends counterfeit ancient texts, falsified scientific data, and manipulated video evidence to create something entirely new and thrillingly strange. Putin is elevated from man to myth, stretching through time to become more deity than dictator. You are free to leave at any time. 


    • Bees attack!
      Bees attack!
      Zsa Zsa Gabor (actor Ben Kleymeyer) is attacked by bees
    • Bees attacking Zsa Zsa Gabor
      Bees attacking Zsa Zsa Gabor
    • Romeo and Juiet
      Romeo and Juiet
      The Cult of Putin performs Romeo and Juliet (annotated with secret messages from Shakespeare about Putin)
    • Putin on Ice (that isn't the real title of this show)
      Putin on Ice (that isn't the real title of this show)
    • Franz Ferdinand and his Wife Sophie
      Franz Ferdinand and his Wife Sophie
      The inception of World War I as told by table top puppets (including the truth about Putin's hand in it).
    • Putin on ice (that isn't the title of this show) script
      The script of the show.

    • Help

    A collaborative project created, directed, and produced by Lola B. Pierson and Cricket Arrison, Help premiered on Adult Swim's Live Stream on October 26, 2018. 

    Help follows a woman through terrifying scenes into everyday situations. No matter what the scenario she can only say one word: Help.
    • Help | Adult Swim Smalls
      A woman finds herself in several terrifying situations and calls for help, but none is forthcoming. As she transitions into normal life again she learns that she can only say "help."
    • The Woman Swimming
      The Woman Swimming
      A still from Help
    • The Scary Phone
      The Scary Phone
      A still from Help
    • Swamp Thing The Cat
      Swamp Thing The Cat
      Still of Swamp Thing the cat being transported.
    • Period Sponge
      Period Sponge
      The Woman rinses out her bloody period sponge.
    • Doctor's Visit
      Doctor's Visit
      The Woman visits the doctor and tries to get Help.
    •

    • Thr3e Zisters

    Lola B. Pierson's Thr3e Zisters is an amalgamation of a modern adaption of Chekhov's Three Sisters, a literal translation of the original Russian text,  dramatic criticism of Chekhov's work, and some "sick of this shit" feminist anger. The piece explores the innate conflict between performing classic texts and the changing roles of gender and performance in contemporary culture. Oh, and the sisters are zombies.

    The Austin Chronicle's Top Ten Theatre Riches of 2015: #1
    Austin Critics' Table Winner 2014/2015 "Best Production, Comedy"
    • Gesture
      Gesture
      The three sisters are taught gesture.
    • After the feast
      After the feast
      The three sisters relax after the zombie attack.
    • Irina eats
      Irina eats
    • Video of Thr3e Zisters (password protected)
      Password: Zisters15
    • Preparation
      Preparation
      The three sisters get prepared for their performance.
    • Irina rebels
      Irina rebels
      Jenny Larson as Irina turning into a Zombie.
    • Script of The Thr3e Zisters
      "Olga: To-day thou all shinest, thou-seemest extraordinarily pretty. And Masha also is-pretty. Andre would be good, only he filled-out very, this to him not goes. And I grew-old, grew-thin strongly, from-that, it-must be, that am-cross in college, on girls. There to-day, I-am free, I at-home, and by me not aches head, I feel myself younger than yesterday. To-me twenty eight years only...All well, all from God, but to-me seems, if-I-should-go-out for-husband, and whole day sat at home, then this would be better."
    • Show poster
      Show poster
      Designed by Salvage Vanguard
    • Thr3e Zisters
      Thr3e Zisters
      The three sisters, Andrei, and Vershinin pose for the audience.
    •

    • The Determination of Azimuth

    "Determination of Azimuth" is a math-space operetta that tells the story of Katherine Johnson, one of the true, but hidden heroes of the Space Age. Katherine was a human computer who rose above the limitations of color and gender to become one of the most trusted mathematicians in the space program and an essential part of the Apollo 11 mission to the moon. Directed by Lola B. Pierson with music originally by Andrew Bernstein as part of the BROS Six Pack in 2015. Remounted at Arena Players in 2018 with music by Zack Branch. Written by NASA employee Heather Graham and Eric Church. 
    • The Determination of Azimuth
      The Determination of Azimuth
    • Space dance
      Space dance
      Using minimalist music and abstract geture the human computers act out one of the mathematical principles used in Katherine Johnson's work, "All Moments Are Zero Math."
    • Katherine Johnson solves equations
      Katherine Johnson solves equations
      Surrounded by a whirlwind of activity including projections and puppetry Katherine uses Newton's 3rd law (equal and opposite reactions) to calculate space travel.
    • Meeting
      Meeting
      The white male engineers exclude Katherine Johnson, who is responsible for much of the math used on the mission, from a meeting.
    • Katherine Johnson teaches other computers
      Katherine Johnson teaches other computers
    • Song about orbit
      Song about orbit
    •

    • Kaspar

    Winner of Baltimore City Paper's Best of Baltimore "Best Use of Video In a Play"
    Baltimore City Paper's Top Ten Stage Productions 2014

    Directed with portions of the video production by Lola B. Pierson, the Acme Corporation's Kaspar was a contemporary version of Peter Handke's play from 1967. Using video, internet, and the audience members' own cell phones the show explored the idea that language and society simultaneously make us more connected, but less ourselves. Using over 60 local Baltimore artists the show parodied various shows and genres using the text of the original play. Included amongst them were Law & Order, exercise videos, the Eastern Motors commercial that plays on 92Q, movie trailers, soft core pornography, and unboxing videos.
    • Kaspar speaks
      Kaspar speaks
      Sophie Hinderberger as Kaspar speaks with a different effect on each microphone
    • Kaspar and Other Kaspars
      Kaspar and Other Kaspars
      Kaspar's identity splits into Other Kaspars.
    • Kaspar's final moment
      Kaspar's final moment
      "Already with my first sentence I was trapped."
    • Kaspar on Facebook
      Kaspar on Facebook
      Kaspar learns about Facebook.
    • Video part 3 of 3
    • Video part 2 of 3
    • "KASPAR": directed by Lola Pierson, written by Peter Handke, (Part 1)
    • Show poster
      Show poster
      Designed by Jennifer Strunge
    •

    • Office Ladies

    Written and directed by Lola B Pierson, Office Ladies featured music composed and performed by Alex Scally. The show explores obsession, ants, the atomic bomb, and how we use art to construct meaning for ourselves.
    • Foumi's Ant Dance
      Foumi's Ant Dance
      Sophie Hinderberger as Foumi dances about ants.
    • Self
      Self
      Jenna Rossman as Self talks to Rosie (Deirdre MacAllister) about holidays.
    • Midori makes it rain
      Midori makes it rain
      Caitlin Weaver as Midori sprinkles the lower level with rain made out of punched paper holes.
    • Script of Office Ladies
      "ROSIE: Hey, how is your ant infestation? FOUMI:Oh, you know what? I finally just decided to let them in the house. I mean if they want it that badly then as far as I’m concerned they can just come on in. It was easier than fighting them. ROSIE: I know exactly what you mean. We’re planning Christmas with my husband’s family right now and it’s just a complete nightmare."
    • Show Poster
      Show Poster
      Designed by Jennifer Strunge
    • All six ladies
      All six ladies
      Each of the ladies working at her desk.
    •