ALT Academy Is Thrilled to Welcome Broadway Star and TONY AWARD

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

ALT Academy is thrilled to welcome Broadway star and TONY AWARD winner JESSIE MUELLER for an exclusive ALT Academy Musical Theatre Master Class workshop as well as Q & A session on July 27th! Jessie Mueller is one the most sought after Broadway performers working today! Most recently, Miss Mueller received a Tony Award nomination for playing Julie Jordan in the Broadway revival of Carousel. She created the role of Jenna in the hit Broadway musical Waitress written by Sara Bareilles and won the 2014 Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical for playing Carole King in the bio-musical Beautiful: The Carole King Musical. Her other Broadway credits include: The Mystery of Edwin Drood, Nice Work If You Can Get It, and On A Clear Day You Can See Forever (Tony Nomination). Miss Mueller will work with 8 ALT Academy students 9th grade and older on audition technique and song interpretation in this special Master Class. Focus will be on giving actors the opportunity to bring their audition and performance skills to the next level and how to better connect to their audition material. Students will break down their song material with one on one coaching in this class setting. Spots will also be available to sit in and audit this masterclass. Finally, students and those auditing the class will have the opportunity to be part of a Q & A with Miss Mueller. FACTS AT A GLANCE: WHO: ALT Academy WHAT: Musical Theatre Master Class/Q and A with Jessie Mueller WHEN: July 27th at 5:00pm - 6:30pm CST (possibly til 7pm) WHERE: Streamed over Private Facebook group. All participants will need to be able to watch through Facebook. PRICE: $50 for 8 students (9th grade and older) $10 to watch the masterclass and be a part of the Q & A session. HOW: Registration will begin Tuesday, July 21 at 10:00am by calling our ALT Box Office at 806-355-9991 or online at www.amarillolittletheatre.org.

Copy Link

Recommended publications

2013 Winners — Broadway.Com Audience Choice Awards
HOME / 2013 WINNERS / ABOUT / BUZZ / VIDEO / PAST WINNERS And the Winners Are... Winners are marked below in bold. FAVORITE NEW MUSICAL A Christmas Story: The Musical (Book by Joseph Robinette; Music and Lyrics by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul) Bring It On: The Musical (Book by Jeff Whitty; Music by Tom Kitt and Lin-Manuel Miranda; Lyrics by Amanda Green and Lin-Manuel Miranda) Kinky Boots (Book by Harvey Fierstein; Music and Lyrics by Cyndi Lauper) Matilda (Book by Dennis Kelly; Music and Lyrics by Tim Minchin) Motown: The Musical (Book by Berry Gordy Jr.) FAVORITE NEW PLAY *Breakfast at Tiffany’s byby RichardRichard GreenbergGreenberg Lucky Guy by Nora Ephron The Nance by Douglas Carter Beane The Performers by David West Read Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike by Christopher Durang FAVORITE MUSICAL REVIVAL *Annie Jekyll & Hyde The Mystery of Edwin Drood Pippin Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella FAVORITE PLAY REVIVAL Cat on a Hot Tin Roof Harvey The Heiress *Macbeth Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? FAVORITE LONG-RUNNING SHOW The Book of Mormon The Lion King Newsies The Phantom of the Opera *Wicked FAVORITE TOUR Anything Goes The Book of Mormon Les Miserables The Lion King *Wicked FAVORITE ACTOR IN A MUSICAL Bertie Carvel, Matilda Will Chase, The Mystery of Edwin Drood Santino Fontana, Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella *Billy Porter,, Kinky Boots Anthony Warlow, Annie FAVORITE ACTRESS IN A MUSICAL Annaleigh Ashford, Kinky Boots Stephanie J. Block, The Mystery of Edwin Drood Victoria Clark, Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella Patina Miller, Pippin *Laura Osnes,, Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella FAVORITE ACTOR IN A PLAY Norbert Leo Butz, Dead Accounts *Alan Cumming, Macbeth Tom Hanks, Lucky Guy Nathan Lane, The Nance Jim Parsons, Harvey FAVORITE ACTRESS IN A PLAY Jessica Chastain, The Heiress Scarlett Johansson, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof Patti LuPone, The Anarchist *Bette Midler, I’llI’ll EatEat YouYou Last:Last: AA ChatChat withwith SueSue MengersMengers Sigourney Weaver, Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike FAVORITE DIVA PERFORMANCE *Stephanie J.
[Show full text]
4Th of July (Virtually) at the Granoff’S 7/4/20 - 6:30Pm Broadcast Time
4th of July (virtually) at the Granoff’s 7/4/20 - 6:30pm broadcast time 1) “On My Way” from VIOLET Music by Jeanine Tesori Lyrics by Brian Crawley) Sutton Foster Pearl Sun Alexander Gemignani Jonathan Kirkland Kerstin Anderson Geena Quintos Jaime Rosenstein Nic Ryan 2) “All I Need Is The Girl” from GYPSY / “Puttin’ On The Ritz” from PUTTIN’ ON THE RITZ (film) Music by Jule Styne Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim / Music and Lyrics by Irving Berlin Alexander Gemignani 3) “What Could Be Better?” from BABY Music by David Shire Lyrics by Richard Maltby, Jr. Megan McGinnis Nic Ryan 4) “Unusual Way” from NINE Music and Lyrics by Maury Yeston Pearl Sun 5) “Cloudburst” / “Getting Married Today” from COMPANY by Jimmy Harris, Leroy Kirkland and Jon Hendricks / Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim Jessica Molaskey John Pizzarelli 6) “What You’d Call A Dream” from DIAMONDS Music and Lyrics by Craig Carnelia Kerstin Anderson 7) “I Love A Piano” from STOP! LOOK! LISTEN! Music and Lyrics by Irving Berlin Megan McGinnis featuring Tedd Firth 8) “If I Sing” from CLOSER THAN EVER Music by David Shire Lyrics by Richard Maltby, Jr. Alexander Gemignani 9) “The Ballad Of The Shape Of Things” from THE LITTLEST REVUE Music and Lyrics by Sheldon Harnick Elizabeth Stanley 10) “You’re There Too” from IN THE BEGINNING Music and Lyrics by Maury Yeston Manu Narayan 11) “On The Other Side Of The Tracks” from LITTLE ME Music by Cy Coleman. Lyrics by Carolyn Leigh Geena Quintos featuring Tedd Firth 12) “Too Many Mornings” from FOLLIES Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim Alexander Gemignani Kate Baldwin 13 )“I Happen To Like New York” from THE NEW YORKERS (film) Music and Lyrics by Cole Porter Maria Friedman 14) “Agony” from INTO THE WOODS Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim Jonathan Kirkland Alexander Gemignani 15) “New Words” from IN THE BEGINNING Music and Lyrics by Maury Yeston Maury Yeston 16) “Dreaming Of You” from DIAMOND ALICE Music and Lyrics by Alexander Gemignani Geena Quintos Pearl Sun 17) “Three Friends” from CLOSER THAN EVER Music by David Shire Lyrics by Richard Maltby, Jr.
[Show full text]
Andy Truschinski Jessie Mueller
Sara Bareilles, Pam MacKinnon, Toshiko Mori, Jessie Nelson, and Diane Paulus Honorary Co-Chairs and The Gala Committee and Jefrey R. Gural, Chairman & Susan Bernﬁeld, President and the A.R.T./New York Board of Directors Welcome You to the honoring Jessie Mueller & Andy Truschinski Joe Solway & Arup Director / Choreographer Terry Berliner Associate Director / Choreographer T.J. Newton Lyricists Music Director & Pianist Timothy Huang & Sara Wordsworth Arri Lawton Simon Lighting Designer Production Stage Manager Kirk Fitzgerald Jeromy Hunt Drums Bass Jacob Colin Cohen Andrew Franklin O'Connor Award Presenters Pam MacKinnon / Elaine Molinar / Diane Paulus Host Julie Halston April 11, 2016 / Tribeca Rooftop (2 Desbrosses Street) 6:00 PM Cocktails 7:00 PM Dinner & Program Dear Friends: in Brooklyn and Manhattan. Earlier in the month, we held a cash ﬂow loan closing ACT ONE On behalf of the Board of Directors, the at the ofce and gave testimony at a City Scene 1: Welcome Back Gala Committee, and our Honorary Co- Council hearing urging a $40 million Scene 2: Opening Remarks Chairs, Sara Bareilles, Pam MacKinnon, increase to the Department of Cultural Scene 3: Our Donors: A Love Song Toshiko Mori, Jessie Nelson, and Diane Afairs’ budget. Our honorees Jessie Scene 4: Ain’t Mishearin’: A Musical Paulus, I am thrilled to welcome you to the Mueller and Andy Truschinski have helped A.R.T./New York 2016 Spring Gala! We are us in our quest to advocate for increased Tribute to Joe Solway & Arup delighted to present gifted actors Jessie cultural funding, and their public service Scene 5: Presentation of The Kathy and Mueller and Andy Truschinski with The and dedication to ensuring that the next Howard J.
[Show full text]
Broadway Bound #305, 6/15/19, 2019 Tony Awards Wrap-Up, Garrett Stack
Order Time Writer(s) Title Artist Disc Label Year Position Comment File Number Intro Track Release Date Date Played Date Played Copy 01 3:16 Alan J Lerner/Frederick Lowe Overture My Fair Lady Orchestra My Fair Lady: 2018 Broadway Cast Recording Broadway Records 2018 Opened on Broadway April 2018 starring Lauren Ambrose as Eliza, Harry Haden-Paton as CDS My Fair Lad 1 2018 6/15/19 Prof Higgens. 02 3:46 Steven Lutvak/Robt. Freedman I Don't Understand the Poor Jefferson Mays; Ensemble A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder (Original Ghostlight 2014 Opened 11/14/13 CDS Gentleman's 6 2014 6/15/19 Broadway Cast Recording) 03 1:38 Gerry Goffin/Carole King Take Good Care of My Baby Jake Epstein & Jessie Mueller Beautiful - The Carole King Musical (Original Ghostlight 2014 Opened 1/12/2014 CDS Beautiful 07 2014 9/13/14 6/15/19 Broadway Cast) 04 2:47 Carole King It's Too Late Jessie Mueller, Douglas Lyons, E. Clayton Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (Broadway Ghostlight 2014 Opened 1/12/2014 CDS Beautiful 0:08 21 2014 5/24/14 6/7/14 6/15/19 Cast) 05 3:24 Menken|Ashman|Rice|Beguelin Somebody's Got Your Back JCaomrneesl ioMuosn &ro eJ oIgshle hDaarvti,s Adam Jacobs & Aladdin Original Broadway Cast Disney 2014 Opened 3/20/2014 CDS Aladdin 15 2014 8/16/14 12/6/14 1/7/17 5/27/17 6/15/19 06 2:21 Jeanine Tesori/Lisa Kron Party Dress M“firciheanedl sC”erveris, Sydney Lucas, Beth Fun Home - Original Broadway Cast PS Classics 2015 Transfer from off-Broadway.
[Show full text]
The Female Broadway Belt Voice: the Singer’S Perspective
The Female Broadway Belt Voice: The Singer’s Perspective Christianne Roll INTRODUCTION he female music theater belt voice was heard on the musical comedy stage at the beginning of the twentieth century as a way for the unamplified female voice to be heard in its middle, more speech-like range.1 Thus, the belt sound emerged as female music Ttheater singers reworked their vocal approach in the range of C4 to C5. This “traditional” belt production, in the range of C4-C5, can be described as full, bright, brassy, speech-like, and loud.2 Traditional female belt, demonstrated Christianne Roll by singers like Ethel Merman and Patti LuPone, is typically a chest voice dominant production.3 In rock/pop inspired music theater productions since 2000, such as Hamilton (2015) and Waitress (2016), females are now required to sound like rock/pop singers and produce the belt sound to the top of the staff and beyond.4 This higher extension of the female music theater belt voice in the range of D5–F5, demonstrated by singers like Jessie Mueller and Eden Espinosa, is a significant change. Female music theater singers have had to adjust their vocal strategies to sing these higher belt notes. This high belt is typically produced by a more mix-belt approach, which can be a more chest (dominant)-mix or head (dominant)-mix.5 Whereas traditional belt is produced on open vowels such as /a/ and /æ/ with vibrato, high belt sound is narrow, produced with more closed vowels, such as /e/, and very little use of vibrato.6 With the relatively recent establishment and evolution of the belt sound, its pedagogy remains unsettled.7 However, singers continue to model the style on Broadway and in the music theater industry, and currently belting is the dominant style of singing required for females pursuing a professional career in music theater.8 To meet these industry demands, female singers need current, effective strategies to produce the belt sound.
[Show full text]
Broadway Bound with Garrett Stack [email protected] Monroe, Connecticut *Playlist Is Is in Order Show/Disc, Not in Order of Play
Playlist* Only on WMNR Fine Arts Radio Broadway Bound with Garrett Stack [email protected] Monroe, Connecticut *Playlist is is in order show/disc, not in order of play. Show #: 215 Broadcast Date: September 13, 2014 Time: 16:00 - 18:00 # Selections: 27 Special Feature Time Writer(s) Title Artist Disc Label Year Position Comment File Number Intro Track Holiday Release Date Date Played Date Played Copy 3:04 Roy Turk & Fred Ahlert Mean to Me Nell Carter Ain't Misbehavin' - Original Broadway Cast (Disc RCA 1978 5/9/1978 - 2/21/1982. 1604 perf. Three 1978 Tony Awards: Best Musical; Best CDS Aint 2/5 2/2/08 2/28/09 9/13/14 The music of Featured Actress - Nell Carter; Best Direction. 4:07 Menken|Ashman|Rice|Beguelin Aladdin2) Original Broadway Cast Disney Opened 3/20/2014 CDS Aladdin 2014 9/13/14 Stephen Flaherty A Whole New World Adam Jacobs & Courtney 2014 13 1:47 Gerry Goffin/Carole King It Might as Well Rain Until JessieReed Mueller Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (Broadway Ghostlight 2014 Opened 1/12/2014 CDS Beautiful 4 2014 5/24/14 9/13/14 & Lynn Ahrans, Cast) 1:43 Carole King SoSeptember Far Away Jessie Mueller Beautiful - The Carole King Musical (Original Ghostlight 2014 Opened 1/12/2014 CDS Beautiful 2 2014 9/13/14 including selec- Broadway Cast) 1:38 Gerry Goffin/Carole King Take Good Care of My Baby Jake Epstein & Jessie Beautiful - The Carole King Musical (Original Ghostlight 2014 Opened 1/12/2014 CDS Beautiful 7 2014 9/13/14 Broadway Cast) tions from the 2:34 Stephen Sondheim Hello, Little Girl RobertMueller Westenberg;Danielle Into The Woods - Original Brodaway Cast Masterworks 1987 REMASTERD RELEASE 2011 - 11/5/1987 - 9/3/1989.
[Show full text]
September 4 at 6PM
If you would like to unsubscribe The BAVPA Beacon newsletter, please contact RON MANGUM ( [email protected]) or RUSSELL LINK at ([email protected]). This letter is a great way to keep everyone informed about what’s happening in our lives; please help us to keep it going. LATEST BAVPA ALUMNI NEWS AND UPDATES Educator, Actor and Magician CONNOR GRAHAM (2011) is a Graduate Teaching Assistant/Graduate Student at Ohio State University’s ( https://theatre.osu.edu/ ) Department of Theatre. GRACE STUMBERG (2007) performs at Liberty Hound, 1 Naval Park Cove, Buffalo August 24 at 2PM and Colter Bay, 561 Delaware Avenue, Buffalo September 4 at 6PM:https://gracestumberg.com/. Educator, Saxophonist and Composer JAMES BRANDON LEWIS (2001), performs at Internationales Jazzfestival Saalfelden in Saalfelden Am Steinernen Meer, AT August 24 and Jazz Festival Willisau with Chad Taylor & JBL in Willisau, SUI September 1:http://www.jblewis.com/. Lewis’ CD, An Unruly Manifesto ( https://jamesbrandonlewis.bandcamp.com/releases ), is available for purchase. Beyonce portrayed The Lion King’s Nala Superstar singer/actress Beyonce personal and celebrity makeup artist SIR JOHN BARNETT's (2000) Luminess Cosmetic’s Limited Edition Disney The Lion King Make Up Collection commercial:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EatnkK1hNek. GoodMorningAmerica.com article, Celebrity makeup artist Sir John gave us the ultimate Lion King-inspired makeovers: https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/style/story/celebrity-makeup-artist-sir-john-gave-us-ultimate-64372697. WashingtonPost.com article, The true story behind ‘The Lion King’:https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/2019/07/17/true-story-behind- lion-king/?fbclid=IwAR0YPPO34yen9c2CHfoPDJhLYK1a3ZaZGqA_tGjbsw51RHThy87R3Hru1_8&noredirect=on&utm_term=.7b8b2fd3a40c.
[Show full text]
BRIEF CHRONICLE Artistic Director the Official Newsmagazine of Writers’ Theatre Kathryn M
ISSUE thIrty september 2010 1 SHE LOVES ME: On Stage Table of ConTenTs “When a day brings petty aggravations Dear Friends ................................................................................................ 3 and my poor frayed nerves are all askeW, on Stage: She Loves Me ............................................................................................. 4 i forget these The Perfection of Bock and Harnick ....................................... 6 From Hungary to Hanks ................................................................. 10 unimportant matters Why Here, Why Now .......................................................................... 12 A Minister's Wife Heads to New York ................................ 14 baCksTage: 2010 WordPlay Gala ......................................................................... 17 pouring out A Streetcar Named Desire Opening Night ......................... 20 Go In Depth with Writers' Theatre ......................................... 22 my hopes and dreams Sponsor Salute ...................................................................................... 24 From Page to Stage ............................................................................ 26 Introducing The Making Of... Series ...................................... 28 Performance Calendar ..................................................................... 29 to you.” - georg, she loves me 2 SHE LOVES ME: On Stage SHE Loves ME: On Stage 1 Michael Halberstam THE BRIEF CHRONICLE Artistic Director the official
[Show full text]
SWEENEY TODD: the Demon Barber of Fleet Street a Musical Thriller
MUSICAL THEATRE LIZA GENNARO, ASSOCIATE DEAN AND CHAIR MUSICAL THEATRE LIZA GENNARO, ASSOCIATE DEAN AND DIRECTOR SWEENEY TODD: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street A Musical Thriller Music and Lyrics by Book by STEPHEN SONDHEIM HUGH WHEELER From an Adaptation by CHRISTOPHER BOND Originally directed on Broadway by HAROLD PRINCE Orchestrations by Jonathan Tunick Originally produced on Broadway by Richard Barr, Charles Woodward, Robert Fryer, Mary Lea Johnson, Martin Richards in association with Dean and Judy Manos Ted Pappas, Director and Choreographer David Loud, Music Director Friday, November 8, 2019 | 7:30 PM Saturday, November 9, 2019 | 7:30 PM Sunday, November 10, 2019 | 2:30 PM Neidorff-Karpati Hall SWEENEY TODD: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street A Musical Thriller Music and Lyrics by Book by STEPHEN SONDHEIM HUGH WHEELER From an Adaptation by CHRISTOPHER BOND Originally Directed on Broadway by HAROLD PRINCE Orchestrations by Jonathan Tunick Originally Produced on Broadway by Richard Barr, Charles Woodward, Robert Fryer, Mary Lea Johnson, Martin Richards in association with Dean and Judy Manos Ted Pappas, Director and Choreographer David Loud, Music Director James Noone, Scenic Advisor Martha Bromelmeier, Costume Designer Shawn Kaufman, Lighting Designer Loryn Pretorius, Hair and Makeup Designer Paul Huntley, Wig Designer Scott Stauffer, Sound Designer Megan Garner, Props Coordinator Shannon Marie Sullivan, Dialect Coach Ruth E. Kramer,* Production Stage Manager Tinc Productions, Production Management There will be one 15-minute intermission. The videotaping or other video or audio recording of this production is strictly prohibited. *The Stage Manager appears through the courtesy of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.
[Show full text]
Virtual Live Auction 5 Pm on Sunday, September 20
Virtual Live Auction 5 pm on Sunday, September 20 Auctioneer: Nick Nicholson Host: Bryan Batt 1. Join Seth Rudetsky and James Wesley as a Special Guest on Stars in the House Your name will be added to the roster of entertainment luminaries when you join Seth Rudetsky and James Wesley as a special guest on an episode of Stars in the House. Created in response to the coronavirus pandemic, Stars in the House brings together music, community and education. Benefiting The Actors Fund, the daily livestream features remote performances from stars in their homes, conversing with Rudetsky and Wesley in between songs. The incredible 800 guests so far have included everyone from Annette Benning to Jon Hamm to Phillipa Soo. Don’t miss the opportunity to join for an episode and make your smashing debut as a special guest on Stars in the House. Opening bid: $500 2. Virtual Meeting with the Legendary Bernadette Peters There are few leading ladies as notably creative and compassionate as Bernadette Peters. The two-time Tony Award winner made her Broadway debut in 1967’s The Girl in the Freudian Slip. In the decades since, she’s created some of musical theater’s most memorable roles including Dot in Sunday in the Park with George and The Witch in Into the Woods. She’s a member of the Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS Board of Trustees who has created memorable performances in stunning Broadway revivals, notably Annie Get Your Gun, Gypsy, Follies and, most recently, Hello Dolly!. Today, you can win a virtual meet-and-greet with this legend.
[Show full text]
[email protected] SHULER H
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CASTING UPDATE January 29, 2013 Contact: Katherine E. Johnson (212) 875-5718; [email protected] SHULER HENSLEY, JASON DANIELEY, JESSIE MUELLER, KATE BURTON, and JOHN CULLUM TO JOIN CAST OF THE NEW YORK PHILHARMONIC’S PRESENTATION OF RODGERS & HAMMERSTEIN’S CAROUSEL February 27–March 2 Previously Announced Cast Includes KELLI O’HARA, NATHAN GUNN, and STEPHANIE BLYTHE Conducted by ROB FISHER Directed by JOHN RANDO Choreographed by WARREN CARLYLE Production To Be Nationally Telecast on Live From Lincoln Center The New York Philharmonic has announced several additions to the cast of its production of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Carousel, February 27–March 2, 2013: Shuler Hensley will portray Jigger Craigin, Jason Danieley will portray Enoch Snow (replacing the previously announced Alexander Gemignani, who has withdrawn due to scheduling conflicts), Jessie Mueller will portray Carrie Pipperidge, Kate Burton will portray Mrs. Mullin, and John Cullum will portray Starkeeper/Dr. Seldon. As previously announced, Carousel will star Kelli O’Hara as Julie Jordan, Nathan Gunn as Billy Bigelow, and Stephanie Blythe as Nettie Fowler. The production will be directed by John Rando, conducted by Rob Fisher, and choreographed by Warren Carlyle. The production’s cast and creative team have earned a combined total of 16 Tony Awards and 32 Tony nominations. The New York Philharmonic’s production of Carousel will be telecast nationally on Live From Lincoln Center, hosted by Audra McDonald, on PBS stations Friday, April 26, 2013, at 9:00 p.m. (check local listings). Carousel is based on Hungarian playwright Ferenc Molnár’s 1909 play, Liliom, but transfers the story from Europe to the Maine coastline.
[Show full text]
Theatrical Outfit Digital Playbill
AND DIGITALPLAYBILL PRESENT FIRES IN CROWNTHE HEIGHTS, MIRROR: BROOKLYN AND OTHER IDENTITIES CONCEIVED, WRITTEN AND ORIGINALLY PERFORMED BY ANNA DEAVERE SMITH LIVE STREAMING • JUNE 11 – 27, 2021 SPONSORED BY 9 PERFORMANCES ONLY KEEP THE CONVERSATION GOING ONLINE WITH THE HASHTAG # toFIRES AND NOTE FROM MATT & GRETCHEN FRIENDS, Welcome to the final production of the 2020/2021 Season at Theatrical Outfit. To conclude our year, we are honored to present Anna Deavere Smith’s masterpiece of documentary theatre, Fires in the Mirror: Crown Heights, Brooklyn and Other Identities. This play was written as a direct response to the Crown Heights Riots that erupted after the deaths of an African American child and an Orthodox Jewish student in summer, 1991. The unexpected intensity of the violence revealed deep racial and class tension between two communities that had historically been successful neighbors. Anna Deavere Smith saw an opportunity for a theatre piece that could respond to the immediacy of these events and explore the deeper context behind the riots. She conducted interviews with an extraordinary range of subjects, digging into the political realities of the moment, asking questions about the way that oppressed groups are pitted against each other, battling systems that misunderstand and mistreat them, and even questioning the nature of identity itself. She spoke to members of Hasidic and Black communities on the front lines of the riots, and to political, academic, and cultural figures, and then distilled those interviews into 29 detailed monologues that explore the conflict from multiple perspectives. Rather than focusing on a binary opposition between two communities, Fires in the Mirror explores complex and nuanced networks of opinion and response, like fragments of a shattered mirror.
[Show full text]