“The breaking of gentrification, the breaking of cultural ties — it’s a lot of what is happening in Harlem for us right now. That’s what so many people talked about — just losing the thread of the community, of a kind of cultural identity.”
Writer/performers Ilana Becker and Emilyn Kowaleski are bringing two very different investigative theater works to Ars Nova’s ANT Fest, a series that highlights emerging artists throughout the month of June.
“The whole thing about a tech is that the designers are all trapped at tables… So, in a way, the degree to which an audience member is trapped in a seat is very much the way the designers are trapped at their stations.”
Performance artist Aisha Cousins, along with musician Greg Tate, created “Brer Rabbit the Opera” as a response to the shifting demographics in her Brooklyn neighborhood.
Playwright James Nokise — a former gang member — is making his U.S. debut with “So So Gangsta,” a blend of theatrical lecture and stand-up comedy, as part of the New Zealand Performance Festival at La MaMa in NYC.
In 2009, the Civilians interviewed Kelly Shibari as part of the research for the new musical “Pretty Filthy.” Extended Play recently caught up with Shibari to see how the industry has changed since. Post contains NSFW images.
“I grew up in New York, I love gray. But then I moved to California and fell in love with blue.”
“If you’re in a city and want to know who’s going to be aware of what’s going on criminally, going to a pawn shop or a boxing gym or a tattoo parlor can be productive.”
Playwright KJ Sanchez gained acclaim documenting the experiences of Marines returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. Next, she turns her investigative lens on a different kind of trauma survivor: NFL players.
Playwright Jason Grote on “BASETRACK Live,” a multimedia theater piece born from photojournalism that news outlets wouldn’t touch.
“I kept it very close to their own words. There was something sacred about it. I didn’t want to mess with the power they have.”
The Playwright-in-Residence at the Public discusses getting past the small talk in his podcast and his plays.
Copyright © Extended Play 2014
