Ferocious Monsters \\ Our Story
It all started in 1999 as a literary sparring match between two friends. Damon Wills and Rob Veliz gathered weekly at The Buckaroo Tavern in Seattle, WA to create and share ideas, stories, and poetry. Within a few months, the weekly gathering became a full-fledged creative outlet, with the duo churning out mini-scripts, strange shapes of text and bizarre images of what was to come. In completing their first short play, "From Something Comes Nothing" (originally performed at a private party New Year's Eve 2002), the two decided to work under the name Ferocious Monsters. Damon and Rob took on writing, directing, and acting in their first short, which was received well by a bewildered audience.
Capitalizing on their first success, Ferocious Monsters quickly honed their talents and began learning and experimenting with new forms of writing under the influence of Samuel Beckett, Gertrude Stein, and Ezra Pound. Their next official work was "The Obsessor", finished in the fall of 2002. A small group of burlesque performers agreed to incorporate the play as an intermission between acts at The Rendezvous Jewelbox Theater in Seattle, WA. "The Obsessor" was again received well and it was apparent that Ferocious Monsters had found their quiet niche in the Seattle theater scene by creating dark but comedic works of art to perform. What followed this act was a sort of stumble into the world of underground theater, performance art, and film.
In 2003, Ferocious Monsters began to incorporate and rotate other writers, directors, and actors in the production of new works. By 2004, two new scripts were accepted at The Edward Reed Arts Organization theater in Seattle, WA. The first, "Double Take" was accepted as part of a select group of plays for a short run in the theater's regular season. The second, "Lenore" spawned the largest of any Ferocious Monsters productions to date and served as the launching point for a benefit for The Edward Reed Arts Organization, for which Ferocious Monsters created and produced an entire evening of events. The benefit, dubbed "Nevermore: A Benefit for Edward Reed Arts Center" brought in an audience of over 100 and included local bands and DJs from Seattle and nearby Olympia. Ferocious Monsters created a fluid, interactive experience for the audience, which incorporated fire spinners, rope performers, and a raffle supported by Utilikilts, Toys in Babeland, and more. "Lenore", written and directed by Ferocious Monsters showed at midnight to a captivated audience as the pinnacle of the evening.
In 2005, while continuing to finish other scripts for the stage, Ferocious Monsters expanded their writing output into screenplays. By the Fall of 2005, "The Speaker" was complete—a full-length screenplay. Initial production began with private funding. The screenplay is registered with the WGA and is awaiting further production based on additional funding.
Since 2005, Ferocious Monsters has produced many new scripts and short-film screenplays. In 2009, Rob Veliz relocated to New York City where Ferocious Monsters aims to grow. Damon continues to churn new ideas and drive related events in Seattle, WA. Rob now resides in Brooklyn, NY with his fiance' and two cats, Peanut and Josie.
Ferocious Monsters is about promoting people and places with our unique vision. Please contact us for booking information. Send all inquiries to info@actferocious.com.
Artistic Directors
Rob Veliz \ Brooklyn, NY
Damon Wills \ Seattle, WA
Like what you see?
Tell your friends 'bout us:
