There are few times in a person's life where opportunities are presented that will change the course of who they are. For Sideswipe, Theatricks was that opportunity. Two years ago, the Rialto Square Theatre in Joliet, Illinois asked if Sideswipe would be interested in performing a 90-minute production. Sounded great, but could it be done? Could we take the same energy and excitement of a five minute Sideswipe show and spread it into 90 minutes?

None of us had ever produced a show or had any clue about costumes, lighting, set design, etc. Regardless, we accepted the task and began the rigors of planning a show. First task: what was it is going to be about!? Over the next few months we began to plan all of the performance numbers that we thought would work. The tough part was to thread it all together with a story that would appeal to a wide audience. Three months before the show, it all came together. We wanted to make a world where anything was possible and place where you could go anywhere and do anything. What could be more perfect then a dream? And who are better dreamers then kids? So we made it a story of a group of kids who aspire to be great martial artists in a dream world where everything is possible. That world became Theatricks.

This single show changed Sideswipe forever. We attempted to do something no one had ever done – a 90 minute show of extreme martial arts, and we did it. For Sideswipe it proved that there is really nothing we can't do. The show was very much a labor of love for everyone involved and without the countless hours and effort put into the show by the cast and crew, Theatricks would have stayed a dream. Thanks to everyone and also to all of the people that came to the show and made it a success. Coming up next, Theatricks: The Motion Picture... Just kidding... Maybe.

Hey Everyone,
First and foremost, I really want to thank everyone that has supported us in all of our adventures this summer. Here is a quick timeline of what happened:

• We begin the summer by shooting promo commercials for a new show on NBC called America's Got Talent at the Alex theatre.
• Sideswipe performs at E-3 in the Naruto Live show.
• "Adventures of Johnny Tao" had the first screening for the cast and crew.
• Sideswipe performed at the Music Video Producer awards (MVPA's) and presented the award for best special effects in a music video.

...All this was in one weekend!

• Sideswipe performed on America's Got Talent, Over 20 million viewers see the episode and watch Sideswipe move to the next round.
• Final Fu begins to air on MTV2 featuring Matt, Chris, and Jackson.
• Sideswipe performs at a half time show for LA Sparks.

• Due to a contractual clause, MTV sends a cease and desist letter to NBC and Sideswipe is pulled from competing in the next round of America's Got Talent.
• Matt's first book "How to Trick" is finally available.
• Sideswipe performs on the KTLA Morining show.

• AKA summer camp
• Live performances for AFLEC and Song of Cinema at the LA convention center
• We finished the summer where we started at the Alex Theatre performing with the Belly Twins in a show called "Hooray for Bollywood"

Without a doubt it was the most up and down summer I have ever experienced, and even though there was a lot of heart breaking moments, we all are very motivated to push harder and make what we do even better.

Our Fall schedule is dedicated to preparing for our first complete 90 minute show at the Rialto Square Theatre in Joliet, Illinois October 27 2006. We are calling it Theatricks. Check it out! Have a good fall!