UNDER CONSTRUCTION
An International Theatre Exchange between Theatre of the Oppressed New York City (TONYC) and Milk Crate Theatre.
Photography: Heidrun Lohr
The Team:
MCT Artistic Director – Cristabel Sved
TONYC Executive Director and facilitator – Katy Rubin
Co-Jokers – Katy Rubin and Georgina Wood
Project Manager – Margot Politis
Production Manager – Gigi Gregory
Social Worker – Tara Maurici
Volunteer – Jo Franklin
Cast – Veronica Flynn, Owen Gill, Vashti Hughes, John McDonnell, Graeme Rhodes, Pauline Trenerry
As artistic director of Milk Crate Theatre, Katy Rubin – Executive Director of Theatre of The Oppressed New York City (TONYC) and I developed together an exciting International Theatre Exchange, hosted by Milk Crate Theatre. The first half of this brilliant meeting of peer organisations, was the creation of a new Forum Theatre work, titled ‘Under Construction’. Created by the Milk Crate Theatre Ensemble Artists, and facilitated by TONYC’s Executive Director Katy Rubin, ‘Under Construction’ was informed by a process of collaboration and investigation, utilising TONYC’s signature style of creating accessible and informative Forum Theatre work. ‘Under Construction’ was performed at the Wayside Chapel and the Newtown Neighbourhood Centre.
The second week of this exchange comprised Theatre of the Oppressed Joker Training: a hands-on intensive on Forum Theatre and Ethical Facilitation. The week culminated in a Q&A and was presented for artists, practitioners, community partners and the general public. Hosted by Jonathan Bollen, the panel included Katy Rubin, Cristabel Sved, Paula Abood, Caterina Guiliano, Georgina Wood and Chris Barry.