The Anthropology of Human Survival

Everyone in New York needs to do themselves a favor and see this show. I’ve heard about David Cromer ever since he directed Our Town at this theatre but never got to see one of his productions until now. I often find it hard to sit through a production and really point out the directing as a major highlight, but Tribes is so brilliantly staged that it deserves the recognition. The theatre itself is small, yet every inch of it was filled with life…and don’t even get me started on the projections (which were used to title the sign language performed) which were displayed in different areas in relation to where the audience would naturally be focused. I don’t want to give away anything because for me, the shows I go into seeing generally blindly turn out to be some of the best pieces of work. But seriously, do yourself a favor. It’s simply wonderful theatre.

Seriously. I’ve had a shitty shitty shitty shitty couple of weeks. From internship rejections to bad luck to housing issues to family deaths to anxiety about the future to parental instability I’d be lying if I said I was happy right now. Luckily, art, in one way or another, has constantly made me feel better. I’m not talking just theatre. Music, pictures, anything creative has really given me a reason to imagine that things will get better. From reading about new Punchdrunk developments or hearing the new Azealia Banks album or even making edits to the script of the show I’m directing in November, the creative spirit is the only spirit that’s working for me right now. I’m so happy I’ve chosen to pursue the arts, because if I hadn’t, I’m not sure what would keep me running right now. 

ArtsEmerson takes the win for me this semester. Coming into this show, I had no idea what it was going to be about. All I knew is that it was created by Ex Machina, a performance group founded by Robert Lepage. Similarly to Bread and Puppet Theatre, I wrote about Lepage in my Honors Thesis last year, so I immediately got tickets to see this production. To say that this show as epic would be an understatement. The story follows a man who is commission by an Opera in Paris to create a children’s piece based on The Dryad, and the toils and self discoveries he (as well as other characters) end up finding through the process. This show brings actor and multimedia together so flawlessly…I felt as if I was watching a movie hybrid with theatre. This is a type of theatre I am definitely inspired by, especially considering the climate of today’s entertainment industry. People seem to want more out of theatre now that film can become virtually anything it wants. Luckily, we now have the technology to create landscapes on stage, but the trick is to maintain that level of theatricality that makes people go to the theatre in the first place. Robert Lepage most certainly accomplishes this. As a young director, I obviously don’t have the funds or capabilities to reach such a high standard of production, but I can only hope to continue my studies as a director with shows like this in mind. 

Wit is a play that has found its way on my list of things to read more times than I care to admit. I’ve had the play in my possession a countless amount of times, but for some reason some other play pulled me away from it. I’m so happy I didn’t read the play before seeing it in New York. This production was most touching piece of work I’ve ever seen in New York. What I loved most about it was how the story most of us are unfortunately familiar with (that being having cancer or dealing with someone who has cancer) was being told through such a unique lens. Cynthia Nixon plays a character who is a well accomplished professor and researcher who looks at her situation so analytically that often times it’s hilarious. The transformation she goes on as she begins to interact with other people and ultimately pass away is breathtaking and tragic. I found myself crying by the end of the performance because not only do you become invested in such a curious character, you can also personally relate to the issues of alienation, search for meaning, and the passing of loved ones. It’s a shame this play didn’t get nominated for more awards this season.

I’ve loved Jon Robin Baitz ever since I read Substance of Fire in high school, and it’s so wonderful to see a playwright create an amazing play that sticks to a more traditional format. It’s not a 90 minute fast paced extravaganza, nor does it try to be experimental by any means. It just tells the story as it is. Every single person I saw perform was flawless and two and a half hours later I wanted to see the show again. Other Desert Cities will definitely leave a mark on modern drama.

So fortunate to finally see a production by Actors’ Shakespeare Project. I don’t really have much to say about this production because it was just wonderful in every aspect. The aesthetic was DISGUSTINGLY beautiful, the acting was amazing, and I was so lucky to finally see this show performed live. Can’t wait to see more shows from this company.

Hooray! Unfortunately, this is the only student show that made it onto my top 10, but it definitely deserves it. Directed by my friend Nicky Maggio, this play by Mark Ravenhill was written in the 1990s during the “In-yer-face” theatre movement. Needless to say, the show was very in your face about issues of sex, violence, and overconsumption. While the play itself seems a bit much at times, it was so wonderful to see a student show be SO GOOD. Nicky primarily used the Meisner technique in rehearsals, and it clearly paid off. Everyone on stage seem completely in the moment and for the two hours it lasted, I was never tuned out. Great director, great performers, great show :)

Again, thanks to ArtsEmerson, I got to see another awesome company put their heart and soul into a performance. Universes is an awesome ensemble that writes and performs pieces that are socially relevant today. In Ameriville, they deal with those who suffered from Hurricane Katrina and the past, present, and future problems happening in New Orleans. From culture to economy, the four performers delve into all the issues we face in America with passion, fearlessness, and song. I was in an Ensemble class when I saw this, and I could only wish that our group created anything like Ameriville. It was the perfect combination of music, dance, and dialogue.

It was so great to finally see and Bread & Puppet production after researching it for a segment in my Honors Thesis last year. These guys are crazy…in the best way possible. They pride themselves on “cheap art” and they are the masters of creating political and theatrical performances with little to no supplies. They make their own puppets. The play their own instruments. They use cardboard whenever possible. While their political nature may drive some people away, I wish more people had a chance to see them while they were in Boston. Peter Schumann is just a nut job and I hope that one day I can attain the creative spirit he has.