Barbie Dream Heist
by The Spark
Sep. 04 - Sep. 13
Follow five Barbies and one Ken as they band together to stop Clos.IT in a scheme threatening to sabotage their spring fashion show. Inspired by the animated series Life in the Dreamhouse that many Spark ensemble members grew up watching, the show uses comedy and physical storytelling to take on very real issues — the encroachment of AI on creative work, and its environmental cost — without ever losing its sense of fun.
"This is a show about friendship holding the line against forces trying to replace what people make with their hands and hearts," said Sharky Meehan, director and performer. "It just happens to be told through six plastic dolls fighting for their fashion show."
The Spark, La Fenice's youth production arm, presents its first fully devised original work — written, directed, designed, and performed entirely by local teens. Barbie Dream Heist, an hour-long original physical comedy, marks The Spark's second show and its first fully devised piece, created start to finish by Austin-area teenagers — the majority of whom identify as LGBTQIA+.
The Spark's members have spent two years training in corporeal mime, Commedia dell'Arte and mask work alongside La Fenice's adult company members. Barbie Dream Heist is the first time that training has been put entirely in young artists' own hands: from script and direction to performance and design, every creative decision in the show belongs to its teenage company.
The Barbie Dream Heist, presented by The Spark (La Fenice's youth production arm).
The Spark is La Fenice's youth production arm, training Austin-area teens in arts administration and physical theatre performance alongside La Fenice's professional company members. Barbie Dream Heist is The Spark's second production and its first fully devised original work.
La Fenice is an Austin-based physical theatre company specializing in Commedia dell'Arte and immersive, devised performance.
Barbie Dream Heist
by The Spark ensemble
The Spark
September 4–13, 2026 at 10 pm
Wednesday September 9 and Sunday September 13 at 8:30 pm.
The Butterfly Bar @ The VORTEX - 2307 Manor Road
All tickets are Pay-What-You-Can. pastasquad.org
