the right to
A rarely acknowledged gift, a global rarity, and a heavy burden, the First Amendment is debated frequently and passionately. To have the gift of speech, of assembly, of protest, is to have great freedom; however, with freedom comes responsibility. To be truly free, we must ensure that others are also. This season, we embraced the consequences and beautiful possibilities inherent in exercising our right.
the trial of god
by Elie Wiesel
Abingdon Theatre Complex
312 W. 36th Street, NYC
August 27-September 11, 2004
Our fourth season began with a true test of our freedom on speech, as we co-produced The UnConvention, an American Theatre Festival during the Republican National Convention in New York. We chose to present Nobel Laureate Elie Wiesel's The Trial of God during which a group of strangers come together to stage a trial after a pogrom. The Defendant, named as the one figure powerful enough to have prevented the devastation, is charged with apathy. Based on an event he witnessed during the Holocaust, Elie Wiesel's play examines what happens when freedom is abused, compassion is absent, and indifference is the most dangerous offense of all.
Featuring: Dondrie Burnham, Nat Cauldwell, Jason DeMarchi, Eric Eisenbrey, Teresa Jusino, Marsha Martinez, Shawn Shafner and Ben Trawick-Smith
where you now shall go
an original play
Common Basis Theatre
750 8th Ave, NYC
April 8-30, 2005
This collaborative effort featured a puppet protagonist on a journey to find a homeland for his displaced people. As Pup traveled from desert to forest, from the feet of the Statue of Liberty to the end of the world, each land on his journey represented a right guaranteed in the First Amendment of our constitution. Pup's myth was paralleled by each cast member's reality as they shared true stories of liberty, including experiences in Times Square protests, with jaded parents and attempts to petition. A blend of hopeful allegory, chilling realism, humor and the belief in a place where freedom isn't wasted or abused, Where You Now Shall Go explored the best and worst of being free.
Featuring: nat Cauldwell, Teresa Jusino, Marsha Martinez, Maria Schirmer, Shawn Shafner, Ben Trawick-Smith, Rachel Wahl
Ben Trawick Smith in The Trial of God
original artwork by Chris Soria
Nat Cauldwell and Dondrie Burnham in The Trial of God
original artwork by Chris Soria
