La MaMa Blogs: 2023

Thursday, March 30, 2023

6 Questions with Nela H. Kornetová

 

Photo by Orsi Varga

Nela H. Kornetová is an independent performance maker and performer based in Norway. She works with themes that the audience can relate to instinctively, aiming to create atmospheric performances that explore the borderlines of live art forms using the body, visuals, and sound. As a member and artistic leader of the independent group T.I.T.S., Kornetová initiated, created, performed, and produced Forced Beauty, an audiovisual dance performance about power structures and our fascination with violence. 

There are three performances of Forced Beauty from April 7–9 in The Downstairs. Tickets can be purchased here.

1. How would you describe your work as a choreographer?

Sensuous. Visual. Visceral. Human.

2. Who or what has inspired you?

Everything and everybody I meet and live. The world and my not understanding of it.

3. What can audiences expect or take away from the performance?

I hope you get touched. That you get to feel and think for yourself, yet with us. That you'll remember some of the images and sensations we have created for you.

4. What are your upcoming plans for the rest of the year?

I plan to survive, live well and take care of my little daughter while touring around and creating new experiences for our audience.

5. How would you Remake a World?

OH. Oh, oh. So hard. Perhaps I would rebuild it with softness, caring for and embracing our differences. And take the violent lust out of our nature.

6. What does working at La MaMa mean to you?

La MaMa is our U.S. mum. They are giving us the opportunity and freedom to play on a very new and exciting playground. So let's see if we make new friends or new scars. :-)

Photo by Jan Husták

La MaMa presents

T.I.T.S: Forced Beauty


April 7 – 9, 2023

The Downstairs
66 East 4th Street, basement level
New York, NY 10003

Friday and Saturday at 8:30PM

Sunday at 4PM

Tickets:

Adults: $30
Students/Seniors: $25
First 10 tickets are $10 (limit 2 per person)

Ticket prices are inclusive of all fees.

Two and three-show packages are available.

*Please note this production contains nudity.

Wednesday, March 22, 2023

O-Lan Jones and Emmitt Tinley talk ICELAND on WBAI


From: WBAI/Cat Radio Cafe: O-Lan Jones and Emmitt Tinley 

TWO LAMAMA MUSICAL ARTISTS' WORLD PREMIERE OF THEATER/OPERA ICELAND: A RE-CREATION MYTH

Actress/composer/sound designer/director O'Lan Jones and Irish singer/songwriter Emmett Tinley discuss the upcoming premiere of their collaboration on the score and libretto of the theater opera Iceland: A Re-Creation Myth a contemporary love story about a disillutioned architect and a traumarized mountain guide enmeshed in the mythic world of Iceland's Dark Night. With original musical selections from the work, opening at LaMaMa on March 24. Hosted by Janet Coleman and David Dozer 

Originally broadcast on Tuesday, Mar 14, 2023


Get ticket to Iceland: A Re-Creation Myth - performances begin Friday, March 24, 2023 at The Ellen Stewart Theatre @ La MaMa

Wednesday, March 8, 2023

6 Questions with Thomas Richards of HAN!

Photo by Piotr Nykowski

For 23 years, Thomas Richards was Artistic Director of the Workcenter of Jerzy Grotowski and Thomas Richards, an outstanding and unique performing arts research centre, a place of constant experimentation and innovation. In February of 2022, several ex-colleagues of the Workcenter opened the cultural association, Theatre No Theatre, dedicated to supporting the new theatre research of Thomas Richards. The Theatre No Theatre performances of Han!, performed by Hyun Ju Baek and directed by Thomas Richards, have been extended until March 12. Tickets can be purchased here.

1. How would you describe your work as a director?

I don't really have one specific approach as director. Fundamentally, I find it important to try as hard as possible to look at the actor in front of me as a human being, to see that person as an individual, a person who is also a potential creator. In some moments, as a director, I don't have set ideas before the start of the creative process. I don't think, for example: I want to do Miss Julie, I want to do Titus Andronicus. Rather, I want to uncover the deepest "burning point" for a given individual, for that specific actor as a creator. To find the theme, the series of memories, the topic, the creative impulses, that are so deeply linked to that individual that they engender a kind of undeniable "burning point" within the person. Thus, the actor might have an incredible pull, a temptation to confront that given theme. "Confront" is the right word, since coming in contact with, and creating around, such a "burning point" may be neither simple, nor easy. It can also take years. We may need to write, to enter a deeply collaborative effort, to create the story from scratch, the dramaturgy, the lines of actions, the sets, everything...starting from the individual. By creating from such a "burning point," we have the chance that the results will be founded on the most profound creative impulses of the actor. During that kind of creative process, as well, we make sure that the actors' gifts as a performer are interwoven into the acting structure, so that the final performance is truly unique. This, for example, is how we worked on Han!, which we are now presenting at La MaMa.

2. What are the most important lessons you learned from working with Jerzy Grotowski?

I worked with Grotowski for 13 years. Our relation did not unfold inside of an institutional setting. I was his apprentice and he was my teacher. He was kind of like a grandfather trying to pass on a knowledge and a craft to a grandson. Inside that working situation, I needed to learn to never take anything for granted. It was not like : "Oh, my parents have paid a tuition, and my teacher is obliged to teach me." No. The continuation of my work with him was based on the quality of my efforts to improve, daily, and upon growing competence. One day, in the second year of work, I began to take him for granted. I did not like the way that he had criticized my work, and I started to not work fully as a kind of revenge. I started to make it kind of emotional blackmail: "If you don't speak to me in a tone that I find nice, I will not work 100%." He immediately shifted his attention and started to work with someone else. I understood that I was about to lose my place as his apprentice. I woke up. "The work is not about good feelings, it is about good work," I thought. I learned to not expect that the truth would be nice. Without hearing the truth, you cannot grow. I would ever grow as an actor without hearing uncomfortable truths about myself. He used to say: "The work is working the work." All of this took place inside of an ambience of extreme care and attention. I had never received such high quality attention before. He was very sick. His doctors had given him 2 years to live. He needed that I learn to lead the work as quickly as possible. I would lead the daily work, and he would come to see the work when needed. I would work with the team a full day, and after, I would go meet with him, and relay all that had taken place. He would analyze my errors and successes. Then I would go back to resolve the problems with the team the next day. He stretched the 2 years the doctors had given him to live into 13 years by just going from his apartment to the workspace and back. He almost never met anyone outside the work. He gave all for the work, and this inspired me to do so in kind. In the end, I discovered that the more I would give, the more I learned.

3. What can audiences expect or take away from the performance, Han!?

I always hesitate to tell an audience what they can take away. I feel it might limit their experience, turning an unknown into a known. An audience member is an individual; a person who has a life which I know nothing about. I like to leave the audience members free in front of our art. What does that mean? It means that we must accomplish our work to the highest possible level, and this effort will potentially free the audience to take away what they can. The art work needs to be like a tree that has born fruit. The tree is there, the fruit can be picked if so wished. What does it mean then to accomplish our work? Our dramaturgy should be worked out, completely thought-out; the dramaturgy should also be as deeply meaningful as we can muster (which means, as we create, we need to challenge ourselves, our own understanding, or lack of understanding, about our own lives); the dramaturgy needs to be understandable—we should not escape readability with claims of poetic license or with vague intellectualizations; the actors' lines of actions should be fully elaborated, with details, believable, and be readable as well; the actors' lines should be accomplished and be fully alive, each performance...

4. Can you elaborate on the concept of "han" and how it informs the work?

Han is a difficult concept to understand. The concept—coming from Korea—appeared as a creative "burning point" for the actress Hyun Ju Baek in our initial creative moments together. She had come from South Korea to do a workshop with us in Italy, and we were hunting for a "creative territory" that might work for her. Through deep and long discussions with her we discovered that the theme of "han" was key. We created the performance to try to understand that concept, and to understand how it might be related to her life experiences, and potentially to our own lives as well. I have come to understand "han" as a kind of sadness, weight, joy, burden, sacrifice, hope, the suffering caused by sacrifice, emptiness, all that which in life can create an "inner fire," a desire for change, a desire for transformation...I suppose one important point that we arrived at was a kind of discovery: it's not only the nature of one's "han" that's important, it is what one does with it. Does "han" pull you down, or does it become a fire that helps you in a process of "inner" transformation, "inner" evolution?

5. How would you Remake a World?

From my experience and observation, what I seem to discover is that one cannot remake the world without remaking oneself.

6. What does working at La MaMa mean to you?

I grew up in Manhattan. My mother, Barbara Davenport Richards, was a dancer, actress, dramaturg, and writer. She danced on Broadway in The King and I with Yul Brynner. My father, Lloyd Richards, was the head of actors training at NYU, then at Hunter College before he became Dean of the Yale School of Drama. He was the first Black American to direct on Broadway. I grew up inside Manhattan's theatre world. Before transferring to Italy to work with Grotowski in my early 20s, I performed at La Mama in Goat Man, directed by John Vaccaro. In all honesty, I think my performance was not so great. I remember going to Phebe's, the pub on the corner, after each performance and sitting there, bathed in a kind of negativity, consumed by self-criticism, since I knew that I had not been so good. It was around that time that my father—seeing my state—said to me: you only have the right to beat yourself up for 5 minutes after a performance; after 5 minutes, you must simply move on. Great advice! I have a vague memory of Ellen Stewart coming to see the performance. I remember her telling me afterwards (she knew that I had done workshops with Grotowski) that I should find a way to work with Grotowski full time. That's exactly what I did. I needed craft and I knew I would get that with him if he accepted to work with me full time. Coming back to La MaMa after all these years is simply wonderful. I left the city in my early 20s; I have spent the entirety of my professional life abroad; I have directed and acted all over the world; we have just now founded our new theatre, Theatre No Theatre in January of 2022; what a great moment for a homecoming with the presentations of Han!. These presentations mark the first time a performance I have directed is presented in NYC, my hometown! We are also happy for the glowing reviews to date and for the extension of the run!

Photo by Leonardo Linares

La MaMa presents

Han!

Extended until March 12, 2023

The Downstairs
66 East 4th Street, basement level
New York, NY 10003

Thursday at 8PM
Friday at 8PM
Saturday at 3PM
Sunday at 3PM
Tickets:
Adults: $30
Students/Seniors: $25
First 10 tickets are $10 (limit 2 per person)
Ticket prices are inclusive of all fees.
Use the code HAN5 for $5 off tickets!

Wednesday, February 1, 2023

6 Questions with Tarish "Jeghetto" Pipkins of THE HIP HOPERA OF 5P1N0K10



Tarish Pipkins a.k.a. Jeghetto is puppetry infused with Hip Hop culture. He has been building his puppets out of recycled and found materials for about 20 years. He has worked with Missy Elliott, Pharrell Williams, Alec Baldwin, and others. Jeghetto travels the country performing his unique style of puppet theater and facilitates puppet workshops and performances online. Learn all about him at jeghetto.com. Jeghetto will be performing four performances of The Hip Hopera of 5P1N0K10 from March 23–26, which will be the first full performance in the newly-renovated 74 East 4th StreetTickets can be purchased here, and puppet packages (for those who'd like to see two or three upcoming puppet shows at a discounted rate) can be purchased here

Jeghetto will also be performing in and facilitating La MaMa Kids: Puppet Self Portrait on Saturday, March 25 at 12PM. Watch him get lost in his imagination as he performs with his unique puppets made out of recycled materials. This production gives you a glimpse of his process with visual projections, spoken word, and hip hop beats.

1. How would you describe your work as a puppetry artist?

I would describe my work as “making something from nothing.” I use mostly found and recycled materials to create my work. I like to call my puppets “moving sculptures”.

2. Who or what has inspired you?

Life itself inspires my work. It could be a past experience, watching a documentary, or a conversation with a stranger. 

3. What should audiences expect from the performance?

I like for audience members to leave my show with questions about themselves and the world around them. 

4. What are your upcoming plans for 2023?

My upcoming plans for 2023 is to stay on the current path of creativity and discovery that I’m on. I can’t imagine being in a better place in my life artistically. I foresee a great future in puppetry.

5. How would you Remake a World?

I believe the world has an over abundance of resources for everyone. I would make energy and resources available so that humans wouldn’t have to pay to live. Poverty and famine is intentional. A control mechanism to keep the evil that runs our world in power. I would establish a system of true justice where everyone is equally held accountable for their actions.

6. What does working at La MaMa mean to you?

Working at La Mama means everything. To be able to perform in such a historic venue is very motivating. I’m standing on the shoulders of giants. 

March 23 –26, 2023

The Club
74 East 4th Street
New York, NY 10003

Thursday at 7:30PM
Friday at 7:30PM
Saturday at 7:30PM
Sunday at 12PM

Tickets:

Adults: $30
Students/Seniors: $25
First 10 tickets are $10 (limit 2 per person)
Ticket prices are inclusive of all fees.


Tuesday, January 24, 2023

Remembering Everett Quinton

We at La MaMa are heartbroken to learn that award-winning actor, director, designer, playwright, and downtown legend Everett Quinton has sadly passed away at the age of 71. He was a member of The Ridiculous Theatrical Company and the romantic partner and collaborator of the group’s founder and artistic director Charles Ludlam. When Ludlam died of AIDS, Quinton took over as the company’s artistic director from 1987–1997. He continued to work in theatre and frequently appeared in La MaMa productions, such as Now the Cats With Jewelled Claws (2011) and The Etiquette of Death (2012). In the past decade, he directed many Ridiculous theater revivals, including Conquest of the Universe or When Queens Collide at La MaMa in 2017. Quinton pushed the limits of camp performance and has undoubtedly left his mark on generations of queer theatre artists. 

Photo by Theo Cote of Everett Quinton in the 2017 revival of Charles Ludlam’s Conquest of the Universe or When Queens Collide at La MaMa

Everett Quinton and Charles Ludlam attending the Obies in 1985

Photo by Ves Pitts of Chris Tanner and Everett Quinton in The Etiquette of Death (2012) at La MaMa

Dan Fishback and Everett Quinton at La MaMa’s 51st Gala in 2013

Photo by Anita and Steve Shev of Philip Campanaro, Charles Ludlam, Black-Eyed Susan, Everett Quinton and Ethyl Eichelberger in The Artificial Jungle (1986) by The Ridiculous Theatrical Company

Wednesday, January 18, 2023

6 Questions with Timothy White Eagle of THE INDIGO ROOM


Interview with Timothy White Eagle, the co-creator, lead performer, and production designer of The Indigo Room, an immersive ritualistic theater and installation work that moves from a vibrant chaotic carnival into the belly of the whale.

Interview by Allison Hsu and Rachel McCauley
Camera by Harsh Alurkar/Pundit
Edit by Theo Cote

Timothy White Eagle is a mixed race visual and performance artist trained in traditional ritual and embodiment practice. Mediums include photography, performance and installed space. Recipient of WAA/Advancing Indigenous Performance award in 2019, Seattle City Artist award in 2020 and 2022 Timothy toured as an artistic director with Taylor Mac on his Pulitzer Prize finalist “A 24 Decade History…”.

Thursday, January 5, 2023

Harvey Fierstein Donates $250K Matching Grant to La MaMa


 Harvey Fierstein Donates $250K Matching Grant to La MaMa

The donation will help complete the renovation and restoration of the historic theatre, where the four-time Tony winner got his start.

BY LOGAN CULWELL-BLOCK
JANUARY 04, 2023

Read the article in Playbill.

Harvey Fierstein has donated a $250,000 matching grant to La MaMa Experimental Theatre Club's capital campaign, with funds going to help complete the renovation and restoration of the company's building in NYC's East Village.

The four-time Tony-winning actor and writer, who got his start at the landmark Off-Off-Broadway institution, is encouraging the public to make their own donations so his matching grant can be used in full.

"[La MaMa founder] Ellen Stewart, La MaMa, called us her babies and tended to us in the nurseries that were her theatres," says Fierstein in a statement. "Every artist needs a safe place to develop, to experiment, to engage other artists, to seek the feedback of audiences, and to grow. I, and thousands of other artists, found that place to be La MaMa ETC. Please join in this effort to modernize and strengthen the nursery for the generations of theatre artists and audiences to come. There’s no better way to support the arts than by supporting the arts."

Fierstein, currently represented on Broadway with Funny Girl (for which he penned a new book), made his La MaMa acting debut in Andy Warhol's Pork, later appearing in Robert Patrick's The Haunted Host. He would go on to debut much of his early work as a playwright at the Off-Off-Broadway theatre, including the three one-act plays that would later collectively become Torch Song Trilogy; the work earned Fierstein his first two Tony Awards (Best Actor in a Play and Best Play) when it transferred to Broadway in 1982.

"Harvey is a revolutionary artist who breaks boundaries using his heart and his mind to speak truth through his work," shares La MaMa Artistic Director Mia Yoo. "He paved the way for so many other artists who came after him, helping to shape La MaMa's legacy. We are deeply grateful for his gift which will help ensure that artists of all identities can continue to pursue their creative dreams at La MaMa."

Among the improvements planned for the historic building are ADA accessibility on all floors, an enlarged lobby, dedicated community space, an outdoor terrace, and a building-wide data network.

To donate to the campaign, visit lamama.org.