But let's talk about good.
My theatre company has put up another show! Can you believe it!? I really almost can't, except that it's happening already. I've directed and produced another original production: Between. Which, is an interesting title for many reasons, now that I really (have time to) think about it. We opened last weekend (it was fantastic), and we have another (final) weekend coming up. The show is joyous and full of play and imagination; but also doesn't shy away from real things in life. I always hope to strike a delicate balance between beauty and terror, to use Rilke's words, because that is what I find life to actually be. Somewhere either in beauty or terror, or someway moving or traveling between (see what I did there). It's actually a prequel to our first show, which was my senior thesis in college (we were not then officially The 5th Wall yet); The Wells of Fancy Dry. Both shows center around a little girl and her father, and some other...interesting...characters in her life. I have loved watching this show unfurl, and I can't wait to see how it grows and evolves this coming weekend.
You see, we do what is called intimate immersive theatre: theatre that is all around you, and in small groups. There is no formal 'seating' where the audience "sits", and no 'stage' where the actors "act". I usually call it part art-installation, part-interactive theatre. Though honestly, I shy away from the term "interactive" because for so may people that is a huge turn-off and the baggage of the term gives the wrong impression about what our company does. We endeavor to create theatre that is accessible to everyone. I love having people who have never been to the theatre, or who do not consider themselves "theatre-goers" in the audience (I love all the theatre peeps too, don't worry), because they don't know necessarily what the "rules" of theatre are. And here at The 5th Wall, we are not rule-followers, certainly not in the traditional theatre sense. It follows my true heart in that we carve our own path, and we create stories and characters and worlds that are platforms for experiences for the audience. Because part of our mission statement is about creating together: a safe space for both actor and audience to create stories and play. Just as most of our work is devised (ensemble-created), our end product is completed by the audience. Every singular performance is unique because of who is there. Every night, my cast faces the ultimate challenge of an actor and an ensemble: to perform a show with a character with whom they've never worked with; and often, never met: the audience. It creates some pretty spectacular once-in-a-lifetime experiences, for everyone involved. This is where our company name comes from. Some of you may be familiar with the theatre term "the fourth wall"; for those of you who are not: this refers to the invisible "wall" between the audience watching and the actors acting- sometimes in Shakespeare for instance, a character will 'break the fourth wall' and speak directly to the audience). With our company, we (almost/usually) altogether throw out this concept, and instead, draw a "fifth wall": one that separates us (the actors and the audience) from the rest of the world: from cronos time, from reality and all of it's negativity and self-doubt, from age definitions, from troubles big and small. While you are in one of our shows, we hope you are able to relax and feel safe to create art with us, and a singular performance is a special experience shared by those who were there.
It's a huge risk. Every production is a risk. Every single show is a risk. Every productions that I have directed (and so far, I have directed all of them for our company), at some point (usually towards the end when its getting really hard, and anxiety crunch-time is crushing me) I vow to never do this again. Whether it is theatre dramatics or just post-show amnesia, I always find myself back at it sooner rather than later...and the cycle continues. We take huge risks. It is a huge risk to throw your artwork into the hands of other theatre artists. Ensemble. And then a whole other risk to then throw that artwork into the hands of people--our audiences--whom I believe to also be artists; and I don't care at all what anyone says to the contrary. We were all children once, and all children play without any self-judgement. And that is true art: complete freedom to create.
And if you're still unsure about "interactive theatre" just know that we've had many interactive-theatre avoiders and (yes!) introverts come to our shows and truly enjoy our work. Seriously I am not making this up. Our greatest goal is to be an invitation to play- however much you want to give (or not) is perfect. This is what I always tell my actors. Come as you are, you are perfect.
Everyone has in them, somewhere- even if hidden- the potential for play. And if you've forgotten or misplaced it, let this space unlock that part of you. We were all children once. And children know how to create freely.
So, if you're in the Boston/North-Shore area, you should come check us out. You can buy tickets on our website: the5thwall.org. I hope to sell-out this weekend. And all profits go directly into the company for making more art, and paying for rentals etc. I do not (yet...) take any money from this, but we hope to slowly start paying our actors as well as other collaborators (some collaborators we can pay; a humble sum yes, but pay nonetheless). So tell your friends. Bring your kids. We want everyone. Come as you are, you are perfect.
and also here's the title logo and poster that I designed. I wear many hats in this company.
