NEW YORK CITY: Christine Jones (creator and artistic director) and Mara Isaacs (producer), have announced a new round of Theatre for One, productions of of virtual micro-plays that bring together one actor and one audience member at a time.
The first virtual experience, called Theatre for One: Here We Are, will feature micro-plays all written and directed by Black, indigenous, and women of color (BIPOC) in observance of the 100th anniversary of the ratification of the 19th Amendment. The series will launch on Aug. 20 through Brookfield Place’s #BFPLatHome initiative and will be held each subsequent Thursday through Sept. 24. The project is a commission by Arts Brookfield, with additional support from Thomas M. Neff.
“American theatre is facing both a historic crisis and a historic opportunity: the COVID-19 crisis and the opportunity to fundamentally address white supremacy in our culture,” said co-artistic directors Christine Jones and Jenny Koons in a joint statement. “A spectrum of responses is essential to create lasting change in the fight against systemic racism. The Black Lives Matter and We See You White American Theater movements, and all of the theatre artists fighting racism in our community, inspire us. Here We Are is our vision of American theatre: one where a vibrant chorus of the most innovative and eloquent artists are centered to share their voices. Theatre for One is made by many. We are committed to creating intimate exchanges in equitable digital and physical spaces.”
The playwrights for the Here We Are project include Jaclyn Backhaus, Lydia R. Diamond, Lynn Nottage, Stacey Rose, Nikkole Salter, DeLanna Studi, Regina Taylor, and Carmelita Tropicana. The directors include Tiffany Nichole Greene; Lilly Award winner Candis C. Jones, Rebecca Martinez, Taylor Reynolds, and Tamilla Woodard. In addition to Jones and Koons, the creative team for the production includes OpenEndedGroup’s Marc Downie and Paul Kaiser (platform programming and design), Hahnji Jang (costume design), Stacey Derosier (lighting design), Bryan Hunt (production supervision), and Cherie B. Tay (stage management). Theatre for One is produced by Octopus Theatricals (Mara Isaacs, executive/creative producer).
“We couldn’t be happier to be collaborating with Theatre for One once again,” said Elysa Marden, vice president of Arts Brookfield for Brookfield Properties, in a statement. “Arts Brookfield is committed to providing the public with the very best in free arts programming, and Here We Are highlights how theatre can adapt through a pandemic to continue to connect with its audience in an immersive and meaningful way safely.”
