Friday, May 8, 2015

Ensemble Diaries: Erin Cronican in "Othello"

Welcome to a new blog series where our ensemble members talk about their experiences "behind the scenes" at The Seeing Place. Write your questions in the comment section, and our incredible author will respond!

"Breaking My Neck on a Nightly Basis"
by Erin Cronican

When I was in college I did a paper on the Shakespeare tragedy, OTHELLO. In it, I talked about the play itself but also talked about modern adaptations (including the Kenneth Branaugh film) and how it related to current society. Little did I know that in 2015 I would get the chance to play one of my favorite written characters - Desdemona.

My love of Shakespeare goes back to middle school. I was in the school concert choir in 7th grade, and for one of our concerts we decided to put on a condensed version of A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM, with just the mechanicals & fairy stories punctuated with the music of Mendelssohn (music which was set to the lyrics of Shakespeare’s songs in the play.) In that performance I got to play Bottom (one of many gender-bending roles in my early years as an actor.) I was fascinated by the language and the stories, and I had a heck of a lot of fun playing an ass.

In high school I gave myself the challenge of taking 4 full years of every subject possible rather than just the required minimum - math, science, English, foreign languages, etc. This meant that, to complete my English challenge, I got to take Honors level Shakespeare from our school’s expert, Mr. Parker. In that class we must have read 10-12 of Shakespeare’s plays, and at the end of the year each of us were assigned to study one play and present it to the class, either in book report form or as a presentation I was assigned, “ALL’S WELL THAT ENDS WELL” and I opted for a mix of the two. I ended up writing a 30 page modern play adaptation which set the events of the play in current times. For my presentation, I set up each scene and assigned roles to my classmates, who read the play in front of the class.

So it comes as no surprise that I would be running a theater company that always produces plays with the intention of shining a light on modern times, exploring how the themes are relevant today. Our OTHELLO explored modern tensions between Arabs and Americans, especially Black Arabs who find themselves discriminated against both by black Christians, non-black Arabs, and Americans. As the co-director of the play, I got to influence much of the storytelling with my particular passion for equality. We opted to start the play with a beautiful pre-show ritual, where Othello gives Desdemona a traditional Muslim prayer shawl to be worn during their wedding, while Othello wore a suit similar to those worn by Christian grooms. In this brief pre-show (set to intoxicating tribal music), we wanted to show the audience what it’s like to have two very different people embrace and accept one another’s differences and blend them together to create a new life.

Desdemona and Othello, united (Photo by Justin Hoch)
I also had traditional Mehndi on my hands - the henna tattoos that Muslim women put on their hands and feet when getting married. We chose to do this so that, to detractors, I would always seem “marked” by Othello, no matter how happy we seemed. And when Othello (spoiler alert) prepares to kill Desdemona and calls it an honor killing, he says the traditional Muslim prayer for peace. (Scholars generally agree that Othello converted to Christianity after being baptized - in our telling of the story this was the case but he reverts back to his roots when Christianity fails him.) The Muslim prayer was particularly upsetting for many audience members on both sides of the issue. Some thought that this proved that all Arabs wanted to kill Christians, and some of the Muslims that saw the show were worried that this peaceful prayer would continue to be connected erroneously to violence. What was so exciting about this directorial choice is that IT GOT PEOPLE TALKING. In our “advanced” society we all know it is taboo to express racism against blacks. But for some reason racism is alive and well against Arabs and many Americans have been conditioned to think that way. Focusing on this part of the storytelling allowed our audience to experience the downfall of Othello in a whole new way, and they got to explore their own attitudes about race and religion in America.

Aside from the community impact of the play, it was pure joy to be able to perform with this talented group of actors each night. And our theater was small and intimate - just 70 seats - which means that audience members were very close to the action. So in my final scene where Othello tells Desdemona to say her last prayers, I was no more than 2 frets away from the first row of seats, so they got a palpable sense of what it was like to witness a marital spat gone horribly wrong. My co-star, Ian Moses Eaton, was terrifying. We had a carefully choreographed fight scene which involved him lurching at me, almost hunting me as his prey, when he finally grabs me and I plead for my life, he says, “It is too late” and he grabs for my throat to choke the life out of me. My servant Emilia comes in and find me barely alive, but it is indeed too late and after a few words absolving my husband, I die.

I’ve seen a number of productions where the death was highly unbelievable. Desdemona gets strangled for 2 minutes and seems to be dead, but then she somehow resurrects enough to says her 3 lines clearly right before she dies. Both I and my co-director wanted to make the death as realistic as possible, but were stumped - how can Desdemona be left for dead and still be able to talk before she dies?

Othello strangles Desdemona (Photo by Justin Hoch)
That’s when we came up with an idea - maybe she doesn’t die from strangulation in particular. Maybe his strangling her sets something in motion that takes some time to complete. What if Othello, in a fit of rage, snaps her windpipe? This would immediately change things in the fight and allow Othello to step away from Desdemona, knowing that her demise is near, and it would allow me to continue to gasp for air and do everything I can to communicate when Emilia enters the room.

It was brilliant. Once the neck was snapped, I put out this pitiful squeaking sound and intermittently gurgled, which gave the audience a gruesome look at what death by strangulation might look like. It was so much fun to do that scene each night, knowing what was in store for the audience.

Desdemona in happier times... (Photo by Justin Hoch)

To see more photos from the show and to read many of the incredible reviews from both critics and audiences, visit: www.seeingplacetheater.com/shows/6-othello.html

For more information about Erin, find her on Twitter (@ErinCronican) or via her website: www.ErinCronican.com

Saturday, March 7, 2015

SPECIAL EVENT: Talkback, "Revitalizing Kips Bay Through The Arts" - March 11, 2015

Karen Lee and David Hyman of the Kips Bay Neighborhood Association join The Seeing Place as special guest speakers on Wednesday, March 11, immediately following a performance of OTHELLO by William Shakespeare.

The Kips Bay Neighborhood Association, initially formed in 1915, is a volunteer member group of local residents, renters, property owners and businesses who live or work in the Kips Bay neighborhood. Their members remain dedicated to preserving the quality of life enjoyed by the Kips Bay community. Full information about the association can be found on their website.

This talkback will be an intimate post-show discussion about the impact of the arts on local businesses and general quality of life for the neighborhood, as well as reviewing what the particular benefits would be of having a local resident professional theater company in the Kips Bay area. The Seeing Place is in the midst of a $25K Capital Campaign to grow the company and set up residency at The Clarion Theatre on East 26th Street. We are so excited to have this opportunity to speak with community leaders about working together in Kips Bay.

EVENT DETAILS

What:
OTHELLO, followed by the talkback: “Revitalizing Kips Bay Through The Arts"

When:
Wednesday, March 11, 2015 (7pm)

Where:
The Seeing Place @ The Clarion Theatre
(309 E. 26th St, just east of 2nd Ave)

Tickets:
$15 General Admission
Purchase Online: SmartTix
Purchase by phone: 212-868-4444

(Note: be sure to choose March 11 as the event date)

Running Time:
The play runs 3 hours including intermission. The talkback will start immediately following the play and will last 20-30 minutes.

Note: if you cannot attend this event but would like to see the play on another day, you may choose any date February 26-March 15 2015, Tues-Sat 7pm & Sun 2pm. Click here for full details.


About Our Speakers:

Karen Lee and David Hyman are longtime residents of Kips Bay. David was born and raised in the neighborhood, and is particularly tied to the arts as the son of the ballet dancer Ethel Winter, who lived on East 30th Street. Karen is a well-known architect with a focus on urban and environmental sustainability. As it happens, she also designs performance spaces such as the new Kitchen Theatre in Ithaca, NY.


About The Seeing Place:

Now in its 6th Season, The Seeing Place is an actor-driven company: built by actors and managed by actors to be a base for actors who want to grow & hone their craft in a creative and supportive artistic home. We are forcefully committed to four elements of theatre-making: developing actors into thriving self-producers; honoring the craft of the actor’s process through rehearsal and into performance; bringing organic, “fully lived” storytelling to our community; and making theater accessible for all New Yorkers by keeping ticket prices low and affordable.


Questions? Email outreach@seeingplacetheater.com.
For more information, please visit www.seeingplacetheater.com

Friday, March 6, 2015

SPECIAL EVENT: Talkback, "Casting Actors of Color" - March 10, 2015

Jamil Mangan, founder of Casting Actors of Color, joins The Seeing Place for the first time to be our special guest expert speaker on Tuesday, March 10 immediately following a performance of OTHELLO by William Shakespeare. 

Casting Actors of Color [CAC] is a community of Artists with diverse ethnic backgrounds formed to promote, educate, inform, and support each other in the pursuit of artistic excellence. CAC is driven by its over 20,000 social media subscribers who post castings, event information, and classes. CAC promotes diversity in the performing arts, while catering to today's and future Artists.

This talkback will be an intimate post-show discussion about exploring artistic opportunities and storytelling by casting actors of color. The Seeing Place always tries to embrace diversity across ages, genders, colors and ethnic backgrounds. We are excited to share what our efforts have been and to learn from Jamil on behalf of Casting Actors of Color what more we can all be doing to address the needs of the industry and community.

EVENT DETAILS

What:
OTHELLO, followed by the talkback: “CASTING ACTORS OF COLOR"

When:
Tuesday, March 10, 2015 (7pm)

Where:
The Seeing Place @ The Clarion Theatre
(309 E. 26th St, just east of 2nd Ave)

Tickets:
$15 General Admission
Purchase Online: SmartTix
Purchase by phone: 212-868-4444

(Note: be sure to choose March 10 as the event date)

Running Time:
The play runs 3 hours including intermission. The talkback will start immediately following the play and will last 20-30 minutes.

Note: if you cannot attend this event but would like to see the play on another day, you may choose any date February 26-March 15 2015, Tues-Sat 7pm & Sun 2pm. Click here for full details.


About Our Speaker:

JAMIL A.C. MANGAN

Mangan's credits include North Of The Boulevard, Master Harold and the boys, The Mountaintop (Connecticut Critic Circle Nomination), To Kill A Mockingbird, Merry Wives Of Windsor [Orlando Shakespeare Theater], A Raisin in the Sun, RUINED, Lost Boy Found In Whole Foods; AUDELCO Award winner for Best Supporting Actor in What Would Jesus Do?, August Wilson’s Woman (AUDELCO Award for ‘Outstanding Ensemble’), Romeo & Juliet [Connecticut Free Shakespeare], The Three Musketeers( as Captain Treville), The Greeks, The Bluest Eye, My Lord What A Morning, Piano Lesson,Camp Logan. TV & FILM: August Wilson: The Ground On Which I Stand, The Following. wwwJamilMangan.com


About The Seeing Place:

Now in its 6th Season, The Seeing Place is an actor-driven company: built by actors and managed by actors to be a base for actors who want to grow & hone their craft in a creative and supportive artistic home. We are forcefully committed to four elements of theatre-making: developing actors into thriving self-producers; honoring the craft of the actor’s process through rehearsal and into performance; bringing organic, “fully lived” storytelling to our community; and making theater accessible for all New Yorkers by keeping ticket prices low and affordable.



Questions? Email outreach@seeingplacetheater.com
For more information, please visit www.seeingplacetheater.com

Monday, March 2, 2015

SPECIAL EVENT: Talkback, "The Othered Americans" - March 4, 2015

We’re honored to welcome Qamrosh Khan back to The Seeing Place, where she will once again be our special guest speaker on Wednesday, March 4, 2015, immediately following a performance of OTHELLO by William Shakespeare.

This talkback will be an intimate post-show discussion about Qamrosh's personal experiences being treated as "other" as a Muslim American, confronting prejudice in everyday life. Qamrosh will lead the audience through a conversation about the way we see and treat Muslims in the U.S. and what the potential implications of this may be for all Americans.


EVENT DETAILS

What:
OTHELLO, followed by the talkback: “THE OTHERED AMERICANS"

When:
Wednesday, March 4, 2015 (7pm)

Where:
The Seeing Place @ The Clarion Theatre
(309 E. 26th St, just east of 2nd Ave)

Tickets:
$15 General Admission
Purchase Online: SmartTix
Purchase by phone: 212-868-4444

(Note: be sure to choose March 4 as the event date)

Running Time:
The play runs 3 hours including intermission. The talkback will start immediately following the play and will last 20-30 minutes.

Note: if you cannot attend this event but would like to see the play on another day, you may choose any date February 26-March 15 2015, Tues-Sat 7pm & Sun 2pm. Click here for full details.


About Our Speaker:

Qamrosh Khan is a Middle School and High School English teacher in New York City. She holds a Bachelors degree in English Literature with a concentration in creative writing, and a Masters degree in English Adolescent Education (grades 7-12). Her interests include writing short fiction & poetry, teaching, her love for the theater, and is currently working on her novel. Her goal is to provide inspiration through her writing, and build togetherness, and tolerance between people and communities around the world. She has recently created her own blog cite to inspire and address issues that people go through in everyday life at:www.thejourneyintoyourself.weebly.com

"Part of the reason I decided to take off my hijab was because of being treated differently. It's still a very sore spot for me. I wanted to practice my religion for God/modesty, but as much as this country says we are 'free' to be who we are and practice our religions, I still had to deal with the reality of people treating me differently while wearing it."



About The Seeing Place:

Now in its 6th Season, The Seeing Place is an actor-driven company: built by actors and managed by actors to be a base for actors who want to grow & hone their craft in a creative and supportive artistic home. We are forcefully committed to four elements of theatre-making: developing actors into thriving self-producers; honoring the craft of the actor’s process through rehearsal and into performance; bringing organic, “fully lived” storytelling to our community; and making theater accessible for all New Yorkers by keeping ticket prices low and affordable.


Questions? Email outreach@seeingplacetheater.com. For more information, please visit www.seeingplacetheater.com

SPECIAL EVENT: Talkback, "Love In Black & White" - March 12, 2015

By popular request, Lasheen Williams returns to The Seeing Place to be our special guest speaker on Thursday, March 12 immediately following a performance of OTHELLO by William Shakespeare.

This talkback will be an intimate post-show discussion about Lasheen's personal experiences with interracial relationships. Lasheen will lead the audience through a conversation about the way we still see and treat interracial couples in the U.S., long after Shakespeare wrote about it.


EVENT DETAILS

What:
OTHELLO, followed by the talkback: “LOVE IN BLACK AND WHITE"

When:
Thursday, March 12, 2015 (7pm)

Where:
The Seeing Place @ The Clarion Theatre
(309 E. 26th St, just east of 2nd Ave)

Tickets:
$15 General Admission
Purchase Online: SmartTix
Purchase by phone: 212-868-4444

(Note: be sure to choose March 12 as the event date)

Running Time:
The play runs 3 hours including intermission. The talkback will start immediately following the play and will last 20-30 minutes.

Note: if you cannot attend this event but would like to see the play on another day, you may choose any date February 26-March 15 2015, Tues-Sat 7pm & Sun 2pm. Click here for full details.


About Our Speaker:

Lasheen Williams was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY, in the East New York section. As a child, he  had limited exposure to other cultures but had the drive to branch out from his neighborhood and broaden his horizons. As an adult, in the "dating game" his preference is Caucasian females. Throughout his dating experiences and life in general, he has encountered numerous roadblocks, negativity, and profiling, but he doesn't allow them to stop him in his pursuit. He is currently in a loving long-term relationship.

"…I was messaging a few women. One white girl responded, 'What makes you think that you can date a race that will never accept you and never want you?' "



About The Seeing Place:

Now in its 6th Season, The Seeing Place is an actor-driven company: built by actors and managed by actors to be a base for actors who want to grow & hone their craft in a creative and supportive artistic home. We are forcefully committed to four elements of theatre-making: developing actors into thriving self-producers; honoring the craft of the actor’s process through rehearsal and into performance; bringing organic, “fully lived” storytelling to our community; and making theater accessible for all New Yorkers by keeping ticket prices low and affordable.


Questions? Email outreach@seeingplacetheater.com. For more information, please visit www.seeingplacetheater.com

Wednesday, February 4, 2015

OTHELLO "Behind The Scenes": Iago's Netflix Queue

As we gear up for our production of OTHELLO, opening February 26 and running through March 15, 2015, our cast and creative team have decided to have some fun with the themes, characters and plot lines of this classic play. Believe us - William Shakespeare would have wanted it this way.

Iago’s Top 15 Netflix Queue

15. The Shining

14. Cape Fear

13. The Dark Knight

12. Black Swan

11. The Good Son




10. Fight Club 

9. Chinatown

8. Seven

7. American History X

6. No Country for Old Men




5. Fatal Attraction

4. The Usual Suspects

3. Silence of the Lambs

2. Primal Fear

1. Amadeus



Bonus: Top 5 TV Shows

5. The Sopranos

4. The Following

3. House of Cards

2. The Wire

1. Breaking Bad


Come see our modern-dress production of OTHELLO at The Seeing Place Theater February 26-March 15, 2015 (click for info)

What would you add to this playlist? Leave a comment!

Monday, February 2, 2015

OTHELLO "Behind The Scenes": Desdemona's Netflix Queue

As we gear up for our production of OTHELLO, opening February 26 and running through March 15, 2015, our cast and creative team have decided to have some fun with the themes, characters and plot lines of this classic play. Believe us - William Shakespeare would have wanted it this way.


Desdemona’s Top 10 Netflix Queue


10. What’s Love Got To Do With It 

9. Far From Heaven

8. The Yellow Handkerchief

7. The Little Mermaid

6. Sleeping With The Enemy



5. Loving the Bad Man

4. Looking for Comedy in the Muslim World

3. Virtuous

2. Husbands and Wives

1. An Education



Bonus: To Be Added When Released on Netflix

Fifty Shades of Grey


Come see our modern-dress production of OTHELLO at The Seeing Place Theater February 26-March 15, 2015 (click for info)

What would you add to this playlist? Leave a comment!