In a word: Momentous
Written by Serena Henson, Communications Coordinator 2018
If you haven’t heard yet, Repercussion Theatre, in partnership with Playwrights’ Montreal, has commissioned two playwrights to create new works that dialogue with (or even talk back to) Shakespeare. Both will be shared with the public as part of our New Play Reading Series entitled:
The company has never done anything like this. When we all met to discuss the marketing strategy of this new venture back in August, Artistic Director, Amanda Kellock, explained why she decided to take this on: “It is an incredible opportunity to support a new play from the very beginning, and to involve audiences as part of the creative process. Audiences will have a chance to not only hear these new plays for the first time but engage in dialogue with/about them as each reading will be followed by a moderated talkback.”
I was instantly intrigued. What a terrific opportunity to have the time to be sure a production reaches its full potential. I ’m grateful to be part of a second project with the company. I was hired for the summer tour of Shakespeare in the Park so this all feels like a cherry on top of what has been a wonderful summer full of lessons and eye opening experiences into the world of Theatre.
Before the public readings, each playwright will have a week of workshops and on Monday, September 10th, we began the workshop for whispers by Jeff Ho. I was lucky enough to participate a couple of times during the week, and wanted to share some of my experiences with you.
…
Friday, September 14th: the week of workshops with Jeff has come to an end but not before the room gathers in the kitchen for some celebratory tea, cookies and bagels. The energy is joyful and you can feel the anticipation of what is to come with Jeff’s work. As the chatter moves around the room and conversations merge together. I move to a nearby table. I realize that I have to write this all down while it is fresh or I fear not doing this entire experience justice.
“WOW!” I say to myself over and over as I grab my notebook. I feel joyful, light, moved, impressed, humbled and mostly, inspired. I can’t believe how much has happened in one short week.
When I arrived on Monday, the group had just begun reading through the play, whispers, for the first time. I noticed right away how believable the text was and how each actor seemed to take on their character so seamlessly. Even though they were reading from the text, I believed they were recounting their own stories, expressing their own struggles and successes though Shakespeare. When the reading was finished, everyone looked up, with soft smiles and we all clapped. Amanda points out how scary it is to share a script- especially hearing it read aloud from strangers. We all agreed and applaud him.
This was followed by a group discussion which was facilitated by three questions
- What is something you liked?
- What is an image that stood out for you?
- What is one question you have about your character/ the play?
I moved in closer ready to write down thoughts from the room —
“I loved how it captured the authenticity of being an immigrant and learning English”
“The strongest image for me is the food; food brings us together, introduces us to different cultures and gives us an additional sense (taste) to understand each other”
“love is the anchor “
“I love how Shakespeare is used as a link from past to present
“How defying the rules of language inadvertently creates poetry”
“Arriving to the same place with different experiences”
We discussed that although we all come to this table with different stories, we can all relate and understand each other. This play is a place that allows the characters to be accepted for who they truly are. Celebrated for our differences. With such positive themes uncovered from the first day, I took a group picture and left day one filled with enthusiasm for this project.
I returned to the office the following day, eager to share the day with our readers, I put out some posts on social media alongside the group photo we took. I planned to post more throughout the week in order to provide you all with more of an inside scoop. The stories and discussion that had emerged from a single reading were quite remarkable and I wanted you all to experience that as well.
And then there was a shift…
Hey Serena,
Hold off on posting anything for now. Things are changing quickly. Might be doing a new play instead. Will keep you in the loop
Amanda
The discussions must have delved even deeper. How unexpected yet so interesting I thought as I regretted not being there.
Hey Amanda,
I will be back on Friday. Sounds like things are getting very interesting!
Looking forward to seeing everyone
Serena
On Friday, Karine, Special Projects Manager and I joined the group. It was the first time the entire group was together since the big announcement.
Jeff spoke first:
“whispers is on the back burner for now. It needs more work at this point. While it amplified many feelings that we could all relate to through Shakespeare, it was in fact a whisper and right now, I need to shout. I want to thank you all for your contributions as it is through of all our work together that this new play has been born. So- I’ve written a new play entitled: A boy, his cockroach and the bard.”
Everyone was graceful and understanding – excited, even. The honesty and courage to start something new was appreciated throughout the room.
Jeff then read the play.
I don’t want to share too much from this point- but WOW! So personal yet everyone could see themselves in his work.
The conversations after the reading were even deeper and more personal than on Monday. There were tears, laughs and interpretations shared.
And now I’m sitting at a table in PWM’s kitchen, sipping tea, listening to everyone animatedly chatting. I keep thinking: It seems the more personal we are, the more others can relate. I think about how all our stories are intertwined and how empowering it is when we take the time to share and more importantly listen. A room of once strangers has been given space and time to express and shed their own barriers. How powerful is that?
It was indeed far more incredible than I ever expected from a workshop. This work is not only poetic, musical and of course, inspiring. It is necessary. A boy, his cockroach and the bard will go into rehearsals next month and will be performed during the week of October 24-28th. More details to come!
Thank you to the entire Repercussion team, the actors, dramaturgs, creatives and especially Jeff Ho for allowing me to share the space and be inspired by your art.
<<This project is made possible by the support of the Canada Council for the Arts, Cole Foundation and developed in collaboration with Playwrights Workshop Montreal>>