ACTIONS
ACTIONS is a solo performance piece (45 minutes) that explores the musicality of speech and communication, redefines fluency, and confronts what it is like to live with a stutter.
Each movement presents a different verbal or physical action (Arguing, Acting, Singing, Ordering, and Explaining) that uses percussion, theatrical monologues, personal anecdotes, and singing as a frame to draw attention to the experience of stuttering and neurodiversity.
Stuttering at Large
Alongside an estimated three million Americans, Tyler is a person who stutters.
People who stutter usually have more—and different types of—disfluencies than other people. They may repeat parts of words, stretch a sound out for a long time, or get stuck before starting a word or in the middle of saying a word.
Stuttering also may include tension and negative feelings about talking. People who stutter may try to hide their stuttering because they are worried about what others may think. They may avoid certain words or situations, like talking on the phone or ordering food at restaurant.
Stuttering can change from day to day. At times, a person who stutters may be more fluent, and at other times, they may stutter more; all stuttering is different.
***you can read more about stuttering here: American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
Artist statement
“For many years, I chose not to make music around my stutter because I didn’t understand it. I was concerned about sharing it with others because alongside harmful tropes often portrayed in media, I primarily identified as a covert stutterer: someone who purposely omits or substitutes words to avoid stuttering. I felt disconnected from the biggest constant in my world. Although the original goal of the short film series was simply to better understand my stutter, this live adaptation presents the opportunity to connect to other people who stutter across the U.S. and rebuild the narrative around stuttering.”
- Tyler Eschendal, Composer & Performer
Testimonials
“Not only does ACTIONS answer “what does it feel like to stutter,” it challenges us to think on what it means to be human.” - New Classical LA, Richard An
“It puts stuttering at the forefront of the work without shying away from it, bringing the audience along an emotional journey of introspection and catharsis by way of intimate forgiveness.” - Audience Testimonial
“The nature of stuttering and its pain within the human psyche is showcased in such an intriguing and captivating way.” - Audience Testimonial
FIRST PERFORMANCE
March 2025 - Lineage Performing Arts Center. Pasadena, CA
Credits
Tyler Eschendal, Composer & Performer
Diana Wyenn, Director
Synchromy, Producer
Joey Guthman, Lighting Designer
Giada Sun, Video Designer
Cordey Lopez, Audio Engineer
Anthony Rivera, Stage Manager
Press
