Madison's newest experimental theater company may be small, but it has big plans. . .

"Once Five Years Pass" has no director. Everything in the production is actor generated. The three-member cast—Tatinge Nascimento, Jeff Morrison and Drew Vidal—initially improvised every scene and then collaborated to edit, choreograph and score them. . .

The WInter Project, a new experimental theater company in Madison, makes its debut with the dreamlike, poetic Once Five Years Pass, Federico Garcia Lorca's meditation on hesitation and emotional procrastination. It is more meditation than drama and more puzzle than narrative, which makes Once Five Years Pass challenging both to stage and to watch. . .

I like the way the Winter Project recognizes how far set and costume can go in creating theatrical illusion and audience understanding. . .

There's more than one way to do theater. . .

This is a new "permanent" Madison theater ensemble that will "investigate" theater projects by plumbing dramatic texts, folk tales, songs and dances from various cultures. It is a response to the need to understand how the numerous emerging ethnic cultural strains are redefining America's character. . .

The Winter Project is also serious about outreach and education . . . This play, with a portable set, will be staged in schools, foster homes and prisons over the next six months. . .

Rich in both language and visual images, the production is often startling and always intriguing. . .

Tatinge Nascimento, Vidal and Morrison have a strong interest in movement, and the results of their many months of practice are very evident in this production. Movement is striking, powerful and strongly defined. . .

You will be mystified, surprised and delighted. . .