Jack Cobabe - The Antipodes

The Antipodes

By Annie Baker

Directed by Jack Cobabe with Assistant Director Jax Jackman

A group of people sit around a table telling, cataloging, and theorizing stories. Their purpose is never clear: are they brainstorming ideas for a TV show? A film? A mythology?

This is a world where ghostly fables coexist with mundane discussions of snacks and sexual exploits, where the vague instruction to tell stories about "something monstrous" though "it might not be a literal monster" becomes maddeningly impossible.

Part satire, part-sacred rite, The Antipodes asks what value stories have for a world in crisis.

Baker and Cobabe both excel at finding the extraordinary in the mundane, and isn’t that what stories are all about, anyway? -SLUG Magazine

In his letter from the director, Cobabe calls the play “an exercise in empathy,” and it succeeds in critiquing the bastardization of storytelling for profit rather than for pleasure or a shared search for meaning. - SLUG Magazine

Under Jack Cobabe’s direction, the production successfully captured The Antipodes’ blend of the mundane and the surreal. The gradual transformation of the boardroom—from a pristine workspace to a chaotic mess—was effectively staged, reinforcing the play’s themes of creative unraveling. - Rhetorical Review

The Antipodes excels in its performances and thematic depth. - Rhetorical Review

Voodoo Theatre Company’s The Antipodes is an intellectually stimulating production that offers a raw, unfiltered look at the struggles of storytelling. It is a must-see for those interested in the creative process, artistic labor, and the intersection of capitalism and creativity. - Rhetorical Review

The production’s stellar performances, meticulous direction, and thought-provoking themes make it a compelling theatrical experience. - Rhetorical Review

The cast delivers performances that feel natural, with actors remaining present even when not speaking, engaging subtly with their surroundings in a way that enhances the realism of the piece. - Rhetorical Review

Voodoo Theatre Company is at its best with The Antipodes - Front Row Reviewers

Jack Cobabe (Director) and Jax Jackman (Assistant Director) made a great choice with this script and the excellent cast of actors. The vision is clear and the story has a complete line and message that was easy to engage with. It’s clear they understood the source material and did an amazing job of bringing Baker’s script to life. - Front Row Reviewers

Baker plays, which often stand out for their hyper-realistic bite, have been given very good productions in the independent Utah theatrical scene. These include a 2018 production of Baker’s The Aliens by Riot Act and her play Body Awareness by PYGmalion Theatre Company in 2022. No question, the Voodoo Theatre Company production of The Antipodes rises to these worthy benchmarks. - The Utah Review

Directed by Jack Cobabe with Jax Jackman as assistant director, the production is to be admired for Voodoo Theatre Company staying true to the integrity of the playwright’s work. And, the actors definitely relished the surrealistic tasks handed to them. - The Utah Review

Play Review: The Antipodes - SLUG MagazineBoth playwright Annie Baker and director Jack Cobabe excel at finding the extraordinary in the mundane, and isn’t that what stories are all about, anyway?

Voodoo Theatre Company’s “The Antipodes” : A Metatheatrical Look at Storytelling and the Weight of Creativity - Rhetorical ReviewVoodoo Theatre Company’s production of The Antipodes, written by Annie Baker, critiques corporate storytelling and the pressures of creativity within a writer’s room. Directed by Jack Cobabe, the play explores the themes of personal trauma, commodification of narratives, and the marginalization of voices, portraying an authentic depiction of existential struggles faced by artists.

Voodoo Theatre Company’s "The Antipodes" Brings a Fresh and Frank Look at The Perfect StoryBy Guest Reviewer Ethan Pearce, Front Row Reviewers Voodoo Theatre Company is at its best with The Antipodes, a thought-provoking and introspective look

Theater roundup: Voodoo Theatre Company’s The Antipodes, Classical Greek Theatre Festival’s The Oresteia, MadKing Productions’ ProofIt has been a busy winter for numerous indie theater companies in Salt Lake City. The Utah Review offers reviews of three productions. Voodoo Theatre Company: The Antipodes At once, the idea of setting a play around a nondescript conference table that could be in an equally nondescript workplace is ripe with surreal theatrical possibilities....

Front Row Reviewers Interviews Jack Cobabe about Voodoo Theatre Company's upcoming production of Annie Baker's "The Antipodes"Interview by Jennifer Mustoe, Front Row Reviewers with the show's director, Jack Cobabe. Front Row Reviewers (FRR): Hello Jack! Please tell us more about