Distant Observer: Post-Show Discussion

  Distant Observer | Full Talkback from La MaMa on Vimeo.

On Sunday, March 18th there was a post-performance discussion with the creators of Distant Observer at La MaMa:
Takeshi Kawamura and John Jesurun.

Moderated by Dr. Frank Hentschker, Executive Director of Programs at Martin E.Segal Theatre Center,City University of NY
Guest panelist Japanese Theater Scholar and Journalist Kyoko Iwaki

Watch the full discussion here

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La MaMa presents

Distant Observer: 

Tokyo/New York Correspondence

Written and Conceived by Takeshi Kawamura and John Jesurun

Translation by Aya Ogawa

Distant Observer: Tokyo/New York Correspondence is a collaboration between Japanese playwright/director Takeshi Kawamura and American playwright/director John Jesurun. The project is conceived as a play written and directed in collaborative partnership by both artists. Written in corresponding chapters by each playwright, it combines two established artists of the same generation, both with distinct voices and significant work, in a deep creative conversation across cultures.

CAST: 

Anastasia Olowin | Kotoba Dan | Claire Buckingham | Kyle Griffiths | Samuel Im

March 16, 2018 - April 1, 2018

The Ellen Stewart Theatre 

66 East 4th Street

(between Bowery and Second Avenue)

New York, NY 10003

Tickets: $25 Adults; $20 Students/Seniors; La MaMa's 10 @ $10 tickets available for all performances, while supplies last

For Tickets & Info: CLICK HERE

Special Events for Hess Collective's LOVE TRADE

Two post-show events are planned for Hess Collective's LOVE TRADE.

Saturday, March 31 
Approaches to Embodied Performance

Writer and dramaturg Martha Steketee will lead a discussion with performer/playwright Elizabeth Hess
and award-winning filmmaker/theatre-maker Erica Fae.

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Friday, April 6 
Re-imagining Myths in a Multi-cultural World

Moderated by Saviana Stanescu, award-winning playwright; ARTivist; founder of Immigrant Artists and Scholars in New York.

With featured panelists:Marvin Carlson, Sidney E, Cohn Distinguished Professor of Theatre & Performance, Comparative Literature and Middle Eastern Studies,
The Graduate Center, CUNY;
Orietta Crispino, Performer; Playwright; Artistic Director of Theaterlab;
David Diamond, Coordinator, La MaMa Umbria International; Core Member, Theatre Without Borders;
Caridad Svich, OBIE Award-winning playwright; Founder of No Passport Theatre Alliance and Press.

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Love Trade plays The Downstairs at La MaMa for 8 performances only from March 29 - April 8, 2018.  

For tickets and info: CLICK HERE

NY Times on ‘Distant Observer’

Review: ‘Distant Observer’ Shifts Shape as Authors Take Turns

A "mesmeric, deadpan fever dream of a play...There’s a playful, volleying spirit to the whole endeavor — intriguing, endearing and odd." - Laura Collins-Hughes, The New York Times

Read the full New York Times review: HERE

____

La MaMa presents

Distant Observer: 

Tokyo/New York Correspondence

Written and Conceived by Takeshi Kawamura and John Jesurun

Translation by Aya Ogawa

Distant Observer: Tokyo/New York Correspondence is a collaboration between Japanese playwright/director Takeshi Kawamura and American playwright/director John Jesurun. The project is conceived as a play written and directed in collaborative partnership by both artists. Written in corresponding chapters by each playwright, it combines two established artists of the same generation, both with distinct voices and significant work, in a deep creative conversation across cultures.

CAST: 

Anastasia Olowin | Kotoba Dan | Claire Buckingham | Kyle Griffiths | Samuel Im

March 16, 2018 - April 1, 2018

The Ellen Stewart Theatre 

66 East 4th Street

(between Bowery and Second Avenue)

New York, NY 10003

Tickets: $25 Adults; $20 Students/Seniors; La MaMa's 10 @ $10 tickets available for all performances, while supplies last

For Tickets & Info: CLICK HERE

First Look: Distant Observer: Tokyo/New York Correspondence

All photos by Theo Cote

_____

La MaMa presents

Distant Observer: 

Tokyo/New York Correspondence

Written and Conceived by Takeshi Kawamura and John Jesurun
Translation by Aya Ogawa

Distant Observer: Tokyo/New York Correspondence is a collaboration between Japanese playwright/director Takeshi Kawamura and American playwright/director John Jesurun. The project is conceived as a play written and directed in collaborative partnership by both artists. Written in corresponding chapters by each playwright, it combines two established artists of the same generation, both with distinct voices and significant work, in a deep creative conversation across cultures.

CAST: 
Anastasia Olowin | Kotoba Dan | Claire Buckingham | Kyle Griffiths | Samuel Im

March 16, 2018 - April 1, 2018

The Ellen Stewart Theatre 
66 East 4th Street
(between Bowery and Second Avenue)
New York, NY 10003

Tickets: $25 Adults; $20 Students/Seniors; La MaMa's 10 @ $10 tickets available for all performances, while supplies last

For Tickets & Info: CLICK HERE

6 Questions: Anastasia Olowin

We continue our 6 Questions series with the cast of John Jesurun & Takeshi Kawamura's Distant Observer:Tokyo/New York Correspondence. Actress Anastasia Olowin took time our from rehearsals to answer our 6 Questions.  You can read them below and get your tickets to Distant Observer which plays The Ellen Stewart Theatre at La MaMa from March 16 - April 1, 2018.

1. Who do you play in Distant Observer? 
 Let's just say I work at the embassy and appreciate a good sandwich.

 2. What made you want to be a part of this project? 
 I've admired John’s work for a long time as a theater maker here in New York. When I learned that he and Kawamura were collaborating it sounded like such a fascinating project from two great minds that I just couldn’t pass up.

 3. What is your favorite part of (or favorite line from) the show? 
 "Stop yelling, we are in Starbucks.”

 4. What is the last good book you read (or film or theater piece or museum exhibit you saw etc)? 
 I was lucky enough to snag an advance copy of Leah Franqui's excellent debut novel "America for Beginners". It's a heartfelt, moving, and amusing story of human connection - the kind of book you get swept up in and can't put down.

 5. Who inspires you? 
 My creative partner and co-producer Victoria Frings. She’s one of the hardest working and most supportive people I know, and is committed to investigating bold, poignant - and often hilarious - storytelling. Our company, To-By-For Productions, is dedicated to telling female-centric stories and exploring how form enhances understanding.

 6. What does working at La MaMa mean to you? 
 I studied at NYU’s Experimental Theatre Wing, so LaMaMa has been an important part of my theatrical upbringing. It’s a real pleasure to have the opportunity to perform here.

_____

La MaMa presents

Distant Observer: 

Tokyo/New York Correspondence

Written and Conceived by Takeshi Kawamura and John Jesurun
Translation by Aya Ogawa

Distant Observer: Tokyo/New York Correspondence is a collaboration between Japanese playwright/director Takeshi Kawamura and American playwright/director John Jesurun. The project is conceived as a play written and directed in collaborative partnership by both artists. Written in corresponding chapters by each playwright, it combines two established artists of the same generation, both with distinct voices and significant work, in a deep creative conversation across cultures.

CAST: 
Anastasia Olowin | Kotoba Dan | Claire Buckingham | Kyle Griffiths | Samuel Im

March 16, 2018 - April 1, 2018

The Ellen Stewart Theatre 
66 East 4th Street
(between Bowery and Second Avenue)
New York, NY 10003

Tickets: $25 Adults; $20 Students/Seniors; La MaMa's 10 @ $10 tickets available for all performances, while supplies last

For Tickets & Info: CLICK HERE