Precious: Performance Project -- "A Warning for the King"
Massachusetts International Festival of the Arts (MIFA) and American International College were so, so wise to provide space that enabled the inspiring Performance Project to present its most recent piece, "A Warning for the King." This evening, at 7:00 pm, the run concludes at AIC's Griswold Theater (corner of State and Homer Streets in Springfield).
The Performance Project encourages those recently incarcerated to express themselves through theater (inclusive of acting, script writing, staging and all other live stage elements). It's an undeniably valuable, essential mission. Moreover, the work's quality demonstrates the best possibilities associated with artistic promise. The production, itself, is multi-dimensional and oftentimes sterling.
The focal point of "A Warning" is a king, adorned with crown and cloak. He happens to be a white man. After some time, he sits and examines rocks......which are symbolic? worthless? vital? You be the judge.
Other than the king, this cast is comprised of people of color who, through dialogue, verse, rap, monologue, poetry express themselves so beautifully. Certainly, the talent level varies. It's my pleasure to report that some of these amateur actors have vast potential and not one seems out of place on stage.
Credit, then, to directors Lesley Farlow and Julie Lichtenberg who have been developing this evening (along with Elsa Menendez, Billy Spivey and others) since last spring. The actors (Clive Brown, Richard Carden, Court Dorsey, James Hall, Paris Holmes, and Frances Smith) are poised, articulate, and spirited. The performers, reflecting upon their own lives, have collectively scripted "A Warning for the King."
Towards the end of the presentation, one of the actors begins a lengthy exposition with "Anger is a black god. " He concludes with "Yes, anger is a black god - a god that is black like me." This is riveting.
The Performance Project (based in western Massachusetts) combines acting, music, words, mime and production with enhanced lighting and sound to great advantage. The work is vivid, persuasive, and affecting.
The suggested donation is $10 and tickets are available at the door.
The Performance Project encourages those recently incarcerated to express themselves through theater (inclusive of acting, script writing, staging and all other live stage elements). It's an undeniably valuable, essential mission. Moreover, the work's quality demonstrates the best possibilities associated with artistic promise. The production, itself, is multi-dimensional and oftentimes sterling.
The focal point of "A Warning" is a king, adorned with crown and cloak. He happens to be a white man. After some time, he sits and examines rocks......which are symbolic? worthless? vital? You be the judge.
Other than the king, this cast is comprised of people of color who, through dialogue, verse, rap, monologue, poetry express themselves so beautifully. Certainly, the talent level varies. It's my pleasure to report that some of these amateur actors have vast potential and not one seems out of place on stage.
Credit, then, to directors Lesley Farlow and Julie Lichtenberg who have been developing this evening (along with Elsa Menendez, Billy Spivey and others) since last spring. The actors (Clive Brown, Richard Carden, Court Dorsey, James Hall, Paris Holmes, and Frances Smith) are poised, articulate, and spirited. The performers, reflecting upon their own lives, have collectively scripted "A Warning for the King."
Towards the end of the presentation, one of the actors begins a lengthy exposition with "Anger is a black god. " He concludes with "Yes, anger is a black god - a god that is black like me." This is riveting.
The Performance Project (based in western Massachusetts) combines acting, music, words, mime and production with enhanced lighting and sound to great advantage. The work is vivid, persuasive, and affecting.
The suggested donation is $10 and tickets are available at the door.
posted by Fred Sokol at 7:40 AM
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