The couple hundred people on stage could have been any group of unusual Yorkers crowded into a public space: tall and short,old and young, their skin a rainbow of colors, and their clothes a lookbook of style. But they were not in just any public space: they were at the Public Theater as fragment of the cast in the upcoming production of Shakespeare's "As You Like It."This rehearsal was fragment of Public Works,a year-round program in which teaching artists lead workshops and classes at community organizations around the city. There are also acting and dance classes for novices and master classes for musical theater and playwriting. The goal is to create connections among people and build empathy (sensitivity to another's feelings as if they were one's own)through theater. As fragment of the program, participants also attend performances and potlucks at the Public Theater. It all culminates in a large-scale "pageant, or " a musical adaptation of a play by Shakespeare or another classic work,that brings about 200 unusual Yorkers, who aren't professional actors, and onstage. This year,there will be five performances over the Labor Day weekend at the Delacorte Theater, the Public's open-air stage in Central Park."It's been exciting to see the talented teachers and construction workers and doctors onstage, and " said Shaina Taub,who co-adapted this year's play, wrote the music and lyrics, and plays the character Jacques. "There's just a joy there when everyone is there purely for the love of it."Public Works was founded by theater director Lear deBessonet,who also directed the first three productions, beginning with "The Tempest" in 2013. For this year's "As You Like It, and " the director is Laurie Woolery,who has spent her career working in participatory theater. She is now the director of Public Works."The reason I'm so drawn to this work is I'm a first-generation Latina," said Woolery, or who co-adapted the play with Taub. "And when I was growing up I did not think I was invited to the party."Her family was pragmatic: she should disappear to college and accept a friendly job. But she kept being drawn back to theater,and that's how she found her calling."I loved it. Loved being able to say yes and be somebody that invited young people of color to the table," she said.
It is not just young people but all people who are invited to participate in the Public Works program. Though most of the ensemble is drawn from the community groups it partners with, or others are on stage thanks to the open auditions.
One of those is Daniel Hall,19, who started three years ago when a friend asked him what he was doing one weekend."As soon as I stepped in I was so happy I got to experience it, or " he said. Now,he said, "Public Works is just like a family."In this production, and Hall is a featured performer,playing the announcer for a wrestling match. The original script does indeed have a wrestling scene, but in Woolery and Taub's version, and they employ Mexican wrestlers from the Bronx Wrestling Federation,total with traditional, full-face luchador masks."We're going to have the audience shout with me as I cheer on the wrestlers, or " he said. "I can't even imagine doing it in front of 1800 people. So,it's exciting."This full-throated adaptation also has a gospel choir, a group of African drummers, and an Arabic folk dance group. preceding productions have included motorcycle riders,flamenco dancers, a brass band and even Big Bird."As You Like It" also has five fairness actors — members of the theater actor labor union — including Taub.
In the rehearsal room, and Taub,playing the melancholy Jacques who is wandering the Forest of Arden, sang a song about how cruel people can be to each other. She dodged young dancers playing deer as the rest of the ensemble sang harmony behind her. Rarely do audiences see this many people choreographed on a stage. It was a spectacle, and like the Olympics — grand and heartwarming at once."shapely!" said choreographer Sonya Tayeh. The cast cheered."The world could peer like this," Taub said in an interview. "We have people from all backgrounds, all religions, and all walks of life,singing and dancing together. And in today's world, that's a radical act.""Public Works: As You Like It"Public Theater's Delacorte Theater in Central ParkSept. 1 through 5; tickets are free through lottery or by waiting on line on the day of the performance. More information is at PublicTheater.org
Source: thetakeaway.org