John Jesurun is a writer, director and multi-media artist, based in New York City.[1] His work Chang in a Void Moon is a live serial running since 1983, originally at the Pyramid Club in the East Village and now less frequently at venues worldwide. He was born 1951 in Battle Creek, Michigan.
From 1976 to 1979 Jesurun was a television content analyst for CBS. From 1979 to 1982 he was assistant producer of the Dick Cavett Show. In 1982 he began his theatrical career at the Pyramid Club with his serial drama/comedy/mystery play Chang in a Void Moon. The story revolves around the exploits of Chang, a businessman with diplomatic immunity and his many exploits. Jesurun received a Bessie Award for Chang in a Void Moon in 1985. La MaMa Experimental Theatre Club has presented episodes of Chang in a Void Moon in 1995, 1997, 2003, 2004 and 2021.[2]
Since 1982 he has written, directed and designed over 25 pieces.
Works
Year
Title
1982-83
Chang in a Void Moon episodes #1-36 Bird’s Eye View Non Chang pieces
1984
Dog’s Eye View Number Minus One Red House Chang in a Void Moon, episodes #37-42
1985
Shatterhand Massacree
1986
Deep Sleep White Water
1987
Black Maria
1988
Chang in a Void Moon, episodes #43-45
1989
Sunspot
1990
Everything that Rises Must Converge
1991
Blue Heat
1992
Iron Lung
1993
Southern Cross Point of Debarkation
1994
Slight Return Pearly Iridescent Joan D’Ark
1995
Chang in a Void Moon, episodes #46-50
1996
Faust/How I Rose
1997
After Image Chang in a Void Moon, episodes #51-53 at The Kitchen[3]
1999
Land of the Living
2000
Snow
2003
Bardo Chang in a Void Moon, episodes #54-56 at La MaMa[3]
Jesurun's presentations integrate elements of language, film, architectural space and media. His exploded narratives cover a wide range of themes and explore the relation of form to content, challenging the experience of verbal, visual and intangible perceptions. His work features integrated creation of the text, direction, set and media design.[11] Describing his process, Jesurun explains, "Usually everything happens at the same time. I write with a typewriter on one side and a sketchbook on the other side. So then the words and images and ideas happen simultaneously."[12]