NEWSLETTER THOUGHTS on with PRODUCING ARTISTIC DIRECTOR Cry It out M

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THEATRE: 417 W. STATE STREET ITHACA,2-22 NY 14850 • OFFICE (607)FEBRUARY 272-0403 • WWW.KITCHENTHEATRE.ORG BY MOLLY SMITH METZLER SMITH MOLLY BY NEWSLETTER THOUGHTS ON WITH PRODUCING ARTISTIC DIRECTOR Cry it out M. BEVIN O’GARA

1 My first exposure to this play was at a summer festival two 6 From R.J. Lavine, Manager of Growth and Giving, who was years ago. I attended with my mother. After, we went to din- part of the selection of Cry It Out for this season, “When I ner and had an amazing discussion around her experience first read Cry It Out I was struck by how much I identified being a mother and how different the challenges are for with Adrienne and the rage she feels about her situation. women who choose to be mothers today. I will forever value Like Adrienne, I faced a wave of double-standards and that moment between us and hope the KTC production can upsetting discoveries in the weeks and months following spark more of these important intergenerational conversa- the birth of my first child. Our country’s attitude toward tions. new mothers is that they should stay at home, devote their time and bodies to their baby, and suppress any hopes or ambitions beyond caring for that little bundle of joy. 2 Friendship is a key element to this story. These are people who may not have ever had a reason to talk to each other Indeed, we should be free to enjoy it. But our culture does were it not for having newborns at the same time. Being a very little to support mothers in meeting those unrealistic new parent is a moment in life where the most demands are expectations; it does not account for the unique lives and being put on you when you may be least able to deal with it. the many consequential decisions individual mothers must But together, what the characters in Cry It Out gain from each make every day to do right by our children. I’m so excited other allows them to survive and ultimately appreciate the about the Kitchen’s production of Cry It Out because I think pure joy living in the moment. it’s going to spark a lot of meaningful, intergenerational conversations about motherhood and how it’s changed 3 One thing we can all identify with here in Ithaca that is true over the years.” in this play is that long wait for spring. At the top of the play, Jessie and Lina are finally able to spend time outside after 7 By the time this newsletter reaches you, word of my deci- months of being cooped up in the long dark winter with their sion not to extend my contract at the Kitchen will be out. newborns. But now, spring is getting closer. Well almost, and I want to reiterate how much I value and appreciate the things are bound to change. But what? time spent here with all of you. We have accomplished so many wonderful things together in such a short period of 4 Molly Smith Metzler, writer of Cry It Out, has spoken about time. This decision was very difficult, but like the charac- her impulse to tell the story of how parenthood can be a ters in Cry It Out, I’ve realized there comes a time where “great emotional equalizer,” making class an essential layer you have to make hard decisions and put your family first. to this play. On this she says, “New parenthood is the perfect That is what Thom and I are doing. I am so happy this is the lens through which to examine socioeconomics. People story we are telling as this news breaks. As artists we aim to talk about going back to work after you have a child like it’s share something personal in what we put out there, and in always a choice. Or they make it a feminist issue, making surprising ways this play feels deeply personal to me at this new mothers feel like they’re stuck in the 1950s if they want moment. to stay home, or they’re cold-hearted careerists if they don’t want to stay home. We make it black and white, and we’re so judgmental. But it’s a very complicated, personal, emotional, and financial thing. We don’t actually talk about it, but it’s a EXCITING NEWS TO SHARE socioeconomic issue in this country, who gets to have the KTC RECEIVES NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE ARTS GRANT luxury of choice. Many people do not get one.” This prestigious award will go to supporting the world premiere of Shape, written and directed by Kara-Lynn 5 You might be surprised to learn that Cry It Out isn’t a “chick Vaeni. Performances are set to begin June 7, 2020. play”. Metzler also says “The title leads people to expect something soft, with a lot of tears and breast milk. Which is completely inaccurate -- although there’s plenty of breast- milk. But what’s surprising is who is doing the most crying. To me, this play is about the challenges facing new parents. It troubles me when the play is marketed as a ‘chick play.’ That’s only 50 percent of who should be in that house. And it’s contrary to the play’s point: that parenthood isn’t a women’s issue.”

follow us: donor spotlight With three kids and a full-time job, making time for theatre can be a challenge. But former Director of Development of the Kitchen Teatre Maura Cody continues to prioritize the arts in her family.

“As a working mom, I need to get into a rhythm with my family. Te Arts are a way to make a day or a week special. Going to the theatre or a museum takes us out of the routine for a moment and gives us another way to connect with each other,” Maura says.

“Having worked at the Kitchen Teatre and other arts non-prof- its,” she adds, “I also know the needs. When I was the Director of Development at the Kitchen, I learned how important it was for everyone in the community to rally around the institution. One of the things I want my kids to understand is that when you believe which she had never had before. It was really special.” in something, you have to put your time, energy, and resources into it. When I feel connected to an organization’s mission, I try to give to “I believe in fostering my children’s creativity,” Maura says of them.” integrating her love of theatre with her parenting philosophy. “It’s important for young people to have opportunities to fgure out who Maura has transitioned from employee to monthly sustainer and they are amidst everything that’s happening around them. Te Arts subscriber at the Kitchen. help us do that.”

“I give to KTC monthly because I know how much For all the work you do to foster creativity in your children and to is needed. There are very few places where you can support arts institutions like the Kitchen Teatre, we thank you, Maura! actually see how your donation is being used. A dollar goes very far at the Kitchen. There’s no excess. My 15 mothers, 4 writing workshops, 2 rehearsals, donation is directly tied to the programming I experi- One live performance showcase! ence and I think that’s really cool.” Kitchen Theatre Company is partnering with Mama’s Comfort Camp to present a comedy showcase written and performed When asked what she appreciates most about the Kitchen, Maura says by local mothers. “Being in the quiet. Unlike a museum, say, where I might talk about a painting while I’m looking at it, the theatre lets me absorb the art and Join us March 31, 2020 at 7:00 p.m. on the process it on my own. I like being on my own with something and Kitchen Theatre stage and celebrate the endless letting it impact me.” stream of clifhangers and stranger-than-fction calamities that comprise motherhood. She says her children love going to the Kitchen as well. “One of the best nights of my daughter’s life was when she got to work the box MOTHERHOOD IS A JOKE ofce with Jewell. Afer her shif, Benno made her a Shirley Temple, A NIGHT OF SIDE-SPLITTING LAUGHS AT OUR STAR-STUDDED HOLIDAY PARTY GAME SHOW! It was a pleasure to see so many of you at the KTC Holiday Party this past December. This joyous evening celebrated all the things that make the Ithaca community unique. THANK YOU for making it such a special event and helping raise vital funds for the KTC! curtain calls

mikaela izquierdo (jessie) Jessie and Lina love a cup of coffee with their baby monitors to kick off the morning. What’s something that helps you get your day off on the right foot? There’s a radio in my daughter’s bedroom, and the man who does the mornings is delightful. So, Enea and I listen to Jeff Spurgeon on WQXR every morning while I drink coffee and she plays! He’s like a friend now.

What is something that’s brought you together with an unlikely friend? I’m part of a mom’s group that was created from a bunch of women who I met on an app (!!) called Peanut. It’s like Tinder, or Bumble BFF, but specifically for moms. melissa miller (lena)

Molly Smith Metzler has said parenthood is the “emotional equalizer” between people of all backgrounds. What are other things that might “equalize” people across backgrounds? Theater. Art in general. The need we all have to express ourselves in a creative and artistic way. Or the catharsis of watching/experiencing someone else’s creative expression.

Lina is quite the movie buff and loves a good reference. What’s a movie you’ve enjoyed recently? Greta Gerwig’s recent adaptation of “Little Women.” Perfection. Although, I will always hold a torch for Christian Bale’s Laurie in the 1994 movie version.

erica steinhagen (adrienne)

Jessie and Lina appear to be an unlikely duo at first but become fast friends. What is something that’s brought you together with an unlikely friend? Definitely being mom to a newborn. Those unlikely friendships mostly faded away once the babies grew into kids and we didn’t need that support in the same way.

Strong opinions only: What’s the best cheese? Manchego or a really crunchy, crystally aged cheddar. brian sgambati (mitchell) Jessie and Lina love a cup of coffee with their baby monitors to kick off the morning. What’s something to help you get your day off on the right foot? I’m right there with Jessie and Lina with the coffee. The aroma, the taste, the ritual of the morning cup. The best.

Lina is quite the movie buff and loves a good reference. What’s a movie you’ve enjoyed recently? I loved The Irishman. It had such a distinctive way of charting events that were at once history making and intensely personal.