Review: Dora's Gently Used Dreams Store by The Vortex
by Michael Meigs
CTXLT publishes its criteria: our focus is live narrative theatre. You might be able to argue that Morgan McKenzie Kauffman's Dora's Gently Used Dreams Store, presented in the intimate space of the Vortex's "pony shed," didn't strictly meet that definition. It was equal parts solo description and experience.
Katie Green's Twin Alchemy group presented similar short, intense, participatory experiences in Austin from 2014 to 2019. In this performance form, the playwright/producer imagines a place and a presenter, then entices a small audience not only to suspend belief but also, however tentatively, resurrect it within the immediacy of the situation. Director Faith Sanders and performer Allanah Maarteen accomplished that challenging task.
Remy Joslin imaginatively draped the pony shed with fabrics, doll pieces, fairy lights, and an impressive miscellany of objects that turned the shed into a mystic store evoking the interior of some fabulous principal tent in the caravanserai of some far desert. Maarteen as Dora materialied through the curtain at the back of the structure. With perky energy she discussed the stuff of dreams—specifically, how they've been created and commercialied with great skill by corporations such as Disney. Not seeing any access to that sort of wholesaling, Dora searched out her own niche. She operates what you might call a thrift shop of dreams; a number of them were displayed on a table outside, vials with QR tags and brief descriptions of the dreams held inside.
With a dozen or so attentive souls in two rows on either side of a carpeted center aisle, Maarten moved purposefully about, relating dreams of her own, hearing one of them echoed back verbatim in a different voice from hidden speakers. As she enticed us into this world, her voice and rhythm had something of the mountebank, not quite a tout or huckster, but still someone plainly bent on ingratiating herself with us. She was within arm's reach throughout; when not pacing or slinking through the small space, she would pick up a small stool and settle briefly in the center of the assembly. From time to time, her taps on a brass gong hung on the back wall sent a resonant, shivering sound through the air, multiplying the sensations that seduced us into her fantastical world.
Dora invited to join her collection. Or, rather, she requested our dreams. A small wooden tray was labeled FORGOTTEN DREAMS. It held a huddle of corked containers. She asked us all to blindfold ourselves with the simple black masks we'd been furnished. With the visuals reduced, we stared into neutral blackness and heeded her instructions. She asked for those willing to share a dream to raise a hand. Quiet breathing, a long pause; someone—who?—did so. Maarten selected a volunteer with a tap on the shoulder and invited that person to unmask and settle on the stool in the center. Gently, Doran teased that dream out with questions: Where are you? What is the story of your dream? How are you feeling in your dream? Do you have anything to add?
In sequence, three participants were called to the stool. Staring into the black, we others silently attended their descriptions, somewhat like priests in a confessional. For example, the second volunteer related each quiet, simple sentence first in Spanish and then in English, telling of walking a beach, suffering from sores, heading into the salt water for a cure. The intimacy was moving, even a bit frightening. I suspect that everyone in that room was divided between their personal, private dream and the imagined experience being shared. A low sound of chimes was heard each time Doran capped the vial with the captured dream.
As the one-hour experience concluded, Dora invited us to peruse the bottled dreams displayed outside, scan the QR code, and pay whatever might be required. Not necessarily money.
Dora's imaginary, imaginative tent has folded and has taken a route away from the Vortex. But Dora's pitch, her emotion, and all those dreams leave vivid memories behind.
EXTRA
Click HERE to view the two-page program for Dora's Gently Used Dreams Shop
Dora's Gently Used Dreams Store
by Morgan McKenzie Kauffman
The Vortex
November 13 - November 23, 2025
November 13-23, 2025 – 2 weeks only
Thursday, 11/13 - 7 pm
Friday, 11/14 - 7 pm and 9 pm
Saturday, 11/15 - 7 pm and 9 pm (ASL-interpreted)
Sunday, 11/16 - 6 pm
Thursday, 11/20 - 7 pm
Friday, 11/21 - 7 pm and 9 pm
Saturday, 11/22 - 7 pm and 9 pm
Sunday, 11/23 - 6 pm
In the Pony Shed in the Butterfly Garden @The VORTEX,
2307 Manor Rd. Austin, TX 78722
Six Square-Austin’s Black Cultural District.
Bus route. Bike Racks. Limited Free Parking.
The Butterfly Bar@The VORTEX opens at 5pm: hand-crafted cocktails, wine, and beer.
Patrizi’s@The VORTEX opens at 5pm: delicious homemade Italian food.
Tickets: $39/$29/$15 General Admission
LIMITED SEATING
$39 Benefactor
$29 Supporter
$15 Discount/Child/Artist/Student/Senior
www.vortexrep.org or 512-478-5282
Advance Reservations Recommended. Limited seating.
Blue Star Theatre: Discounts for Military, Veterans, and their families.
Radical Rush Free Tickets: Limited free tickets for each performance in the spirit of sustainability, accessibility, and the gift economy. Radical Rush tickets released one hour in advance-in-person only.
