PicksInSix Review: Theatre for One "Here We Are"
SPOILER ALERT: ‘Theatre for One’ Is!
A letter of thanks to a civil rights crusader. The impassioned plea from an incarcerated mother. Social awareness in the midst of a pandemic argument. Just a few of the eight mini-theatrical offerings in a collection entitled “Theatre for One: Here We Are” Court Theatre’s compelling new series that places audience member eye-to-eye—and in the virtual room—with actor. One-on-one. Randomly. Live.
In a word, it’s thrilling. Rarely do you have the opportunity to watch actors create so personally. The 10-minute vignettes are smart, up-close and engaging. Like no other storytelling experience you have seen. Imagine being enthralled by Sydney Charles whose powerful interpretation of a Stacey Rose piece tears at your heart. Or the empathy-filled dialogue of Carmelita Tropicana delivered with sincerity and depth by Melissa DuPrey. Each performance in the grouping of four will leave you wanting more.
Which is one of many satisfying elements of “Theatre for One: Here We Are” created by Christine Jones who serves with Jenny Koons as artistic director for the production designed by Open Ended Group’s Marc Downie and Paul Kaiser. The Chicago premiere at Court Theatre is produced in partnership with the Experimental Performance Initiative at the University of Chicago and supported by the University of Chicago Women’s Board, Allstate, De and Paul Gray, and The Chicago Community Trust. As a result, the production is presented free of charge. Ticket availability is limited for performances through the March 14th run.
If you are fortunate enough to secure a reservation—new blocks are released on Thursday’s throughout the run—you will not know who you are going to get. That’s because performance selections, each broadcast with exceptional video, audio and lighting elements, are randomly selected for each viewer block. And when it all begins, there you will be, watching a singular performance in one virtual room, in real time, as it was meant to be: a powerful and thought-provoking theatrical experience.
The platform is simple, efficient, and very easy to navigate. Since the audience member is an integral part of the production, Court has provided video and audio technology requirements for the broadcast which will be helpful to review in advance.
Watch this intimate series of performances as if in an actual theater: turn off your cell phone, find a quiet place without any distractions and allow the actors to connect with the material even as you are allowing them to connect personally with you.
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