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Social Justice Action Item: read the article Reflections on a Terrible Year and Hope for 2021 Redemption by John Casey.

1/5/2021

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​Where to read: via Advocate.com, or by following this link.
Time needed: 10 minutes.
What it's about: Actor John Casey reflects on the last year from an LGBTQIA perspective, and looks forward to what's to come this year. 

Discussion questions: 
  • Casey compares Covid-19 to the AIDS crisis in the 80's, with the term 'testing positive' being a death sentence then, and a potentially lethal phrase now. Do you see any other comparisons between the two epidemics? How are they they same, and how are they different?
  • The article asserts that how this year plays out will determine whether 2020 actually 'beat us' or not. What are your hopes for the year on a personal, community, and national level? How will you determine whether 2020 'beat you'?
  • What lessons do you hope we learned from 2020 from an equality perspective?
  • Casey ends with the quote 'A bad performance haunts the audience like a nightmare for days and days, and the memory of it is only erased by a good performance.' Do you think we have the capacity to change 2021 into a 'good performance'? Why or why not?
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Relative Theatrics’ Presents a Fun and Free Virtual Reading of: STAR WARS: A CHRISTMAS CAROL PARODY, December 17, 7pm, Facebook Live

12/9/2020

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Join Relative Theatrics for a fun and free virtual reading of Star Wars: A Christmas Carol Parody! The real story of "A Christmas Carol'' happened a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away. A parody of the timeless holiday classic told with the characters from the universe you know and love. “May the Force be with you, everyone!”

This Facebook Live production is directed by Christopher Lemieux and features: John Henry Carter, Isa Jackowich, Kayla Eisenberg, James Bowen, Parke Fech, Justen Glover, Chris Lemieux, Jared Mohr-leiva, Alex Soto, Noelia Berkes, Brik Berkes, Michael Quattrone, and Alice Sherman.

The program can be viewed live on Relative Theatrics’ Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/RelativeTheatrics

Although the programming is free, Relative Theatrics encourages making a donation at relativetheatrics.com/support.

Relative Theatrics strives to present thought-provoking theatre that examines the joining qualities of the human race. We believe that theatre is a forum with the power to illuminate the binding qualities of humanity and reinforce the ideals that as a society we have values that pose as common ground and emotions that relate us to one another. Taking artistic risk, we provide a community gathering place where thoughts can be exchanged about society, culture, and the power of creativity.

All 2020/21 Programming by Relative Theatrics is supported in part by grants from the Wyoming Arts Council, the National Endowment for the Arts, Wyoming Humanities, and the National Endowment for the Humanities.


STAR WARS: A CHRISTMAS CAROL PARODY - Fact Sheet

CAST
P30 - John Henry Carter
R’doo-B’boo/Rey - Isa Jackowich
Paddy-Mae - Kayla Eisenberg
Zota - James Bowen
Dark Lord Nader - Parke Fech
Star-Trooper Bob/T0P3R - Justen Glover
Emperor / Blabba the Blob / Lewie - Chris Lemieux
Old Man Ken / Kenenobi - Jared Mohr-leiva
Larkin / JJ-8BRAMS - Alex Soto
Princess Two Buns - Noelia Berkes
Franz Polo / Doda Flett / Pilot Joe - Brik Berkes
Danakin / Duke / Cry-Baby Ren - Michael Quattrone
Kiwi-Jon-Ginn / Captain Fanta - Alice Sherman

PRODUCTION TEAM
Director: Christopher Lemieux
Sound Effects & Stage Directions - Kendall Yoder

LOCATION
https://www.facebook.com/RelativeTheatrics

TICKET PRICES
Free
Donations can be made at RelativeTheatrics.com/support
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Social Justice Action Item: Read and watch #HonorNativeLand - A Guide and Call to Acknowledgement from the U.S. Dept. of Arts and Culture.

11/23/2020

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  • Where to access: at usdac.us/nativeland or by following this link.
  • Time needed: 10+ minutes
  • What it's about:  How and why to practice land acknowledgment of the traditional Indigenous inhabitants of the land on which you stand.
  • Discussion questions: 
    • What did you learn from reading the call and watching the #HonorNativeLand video? What surprised you? What challenged your thinking?
    • What is land acknowledgement? Why introduce the practice of land acknowledgement?
    • Imagine this practice widely adopted: imagine cultural venues, classrooms, conference settings, places of worship, sports stadiums, and town halls, acknowledging traditional lands. What does that world look like? How does the idea make you feel?
  • Further Action:
    • Download and read the #HonorNativeLand Guide
    • Identify the traditional inhabitants of the land you are on and develop your own land acknowledgement. https://native-land.ca provides a good starting place.
    • Print, customize, and post #HonorNativeLand art.
    • Share the #HonorNativeLand Guide and call others in your network to action.
    • Build relationships: Find out if there are active Native groups or organizations in or near your community. Learn about their
      work and see how you can support them.
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Social Justice Action Item: Read the American Theatre Magazine Article 'Developing Trans Roles for the Theatre,' by Regina Victor.

11/3/2020

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Read the American Theatre Magazine Article 'Developing Trans Roles for the Theatre,' by Regina Victor.
  • Where to read: at AmericanTheatre.org or by following this link.
  • Time needed: 10 minutes
  • What it's about: Director Regina Victor interviews 4 TGNC (Transgender and Gender Non-Conforming) performers on their most positive and challenging work experiences, when it comes to discussing gender, on and off the stage. 
  • Discussion questions: 
    • What did you learn from reading this article? What surprised you? What challenged your thinking?
    • Parker Guidry argues that the only way to get beyond 'making a statement' by having a TGNC performer in a show is to make it a more common practice. How can you begin the conversation at home that normalizes this practice? How can you begin it in your workplace? Amongst your friends? Family?
    • At the end of the article is a list of things to consider when asking a TGNC performer to work for your company. What can you add to this list? How can you implement these practices into your workplace, even if you don't work in theatre?
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Relative Theatrics’ Season 8: A New Way Forward Continues With LONELINESS WAS A PANDEMIC, By Olivia Haller, November 6-22, Streaming Virtually

10/5/2020

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Season 8: A New Way Forward continues with LONELINESS WAS A PANDEMIC by Olivia Haller, November 6-22, Streaming Virtually. This hybrid theatre/film production, directed by Amanda Alch and Jared Mohr-Leiva, and featuring Justen Glover, Isa Jackowich, Bailey Patterson, and Alex Soto, questions the consequences of technology and the necessity for humanity.

Robots have finally advanced enough to realize they can do everything better than humans - except make art. The robots have done away with all humans except for a select few artists. When one human is tasked with teaching a robot how to paint, they grapple with the question of whether such a thing is possible, and whether they would want to do it at all. Could robots ever be capable of creating art, and if so, could they also be capable of compassion? Or is the human's need for companionship more important than their handle on reality?
​
In addition to raising meaningful questions about the value of art and human connection in a technological world, the play addresses concerns surrounding surveillance and privacy. “[Directors] Amanda and Jared have highlighted these themes in a creative and engaging manner through the execution of the production,” says Relative Theatrics Founder/Producing Artistic Director, Anne Mason. “They have chosen to film the piece from a stationary camera angle that mimics the motions of a security camera, bringing the audience into the world of the play as that ever-present voyeuristic character.” Audiences view the play by streaming the production from their own devices, in their own homes.
Purchase Your Tickets Here!
Tickets:  $15

Subscribers and Individual Ticket Buyers will receive a private viewing link for at-home streaming on November 6th that can be viewed at any time through November 22nd.

Relative Theatrics strives to present thought-provoking theatre that examines the joining qualities of the human race. We believe that theatre is a forum with the power to illuminate the binding qualities of humanity and reinforce the ideals that as a society we have values that pose as common ground and emotions that relate us to one another. Taking artistic risk, we provide a community gathering place where thoughts can be exchanged about society, culture, and the power of creativity.

LONELINESS WAS A PANDEMIC is supported in part by grants from the Wyoming Arts Council, the National Endowment for the Arts, Wyoming Humanities, and the National Endowment for the Humanities.
About the Playwright: Olivia Haller
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​Olivia Haller is a writer and dramaturg currently based in the DC Metro area. Her stage plays have been presented at or developed with Convergence Theatre (2018 Women's Voices Theater Festival), 2cents Theatre Group (2020 INK Fest), NextStop Theatre Company, Spooky Action Theatre, Theater Alliance, Keegan Theatre, Rorschach Theatre, Nu Sass Productions, and the Inkubator New Works Development Laboratory. Olivia was a finalist in the 19-20 Tennessee Williams Literary Festival One-Act Play Contest. She has completed a residency at the Vermont Studio Center, and attended the Midwest Dramatists Conference and the Kenyon Playwrights' Conference. She is currently a member of the Dramatists Guild and the Playwrights' Center. Olivia holds a BFA in Theatre Arts from Boston University and is a candidate for UCLA's Professional Program in Writing for Television (drama).
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SUPPLIANTS by Euripides - September 24, 7pm - Zoom Livestream

9/18/2020

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Suppliants by Euripides; Directed by Noelia Berkes; Discussion led by Dr. Laura De Lozier; Featuring Cheri Vanden Heuvel, Francesca Mintowt-Czyz, Peter Parolin, Justen Glover, and Bailey Patterson.

Coming to our virtual stage, Relative Theatrics presents a rarely-performed and thought provoking play by Euripides. Suppliants is a tragedy about war and the dead, existential dread, dignity, faith, and resilience. It is based on a time before the Trojan War, when the Thebans defeated the Athenians, and would not allow them to retrieve their dead and bury them for several days. The mothers of the Argive generals who perished (joined by Adrastus, King of Argos) plead with Theseus, King of Athens, to let them retrieve and bury their dead sons. In response to this just plea, Theseus sends a message to Creon, king of Thebes. Soon, a Theban messenger arrives, bringing a message to Theseus: he is to drive Adrastus and the mothers away, or else the Theban army will attack. 

Presented in conjunction with Reading Greek Tragedy Online, a weekly series of scene readings and discussions presented by the Center for Hellenic Studies, the Kosmos Society, and Out of Chaos. https://chs.harvard.edu/CHS/article/display/7081

Translation and performance permission granted by Cecelia Luschnig.

Relative Theatrics strives to present thought-provoking theatre that examines the joining qualities of the human race. We believe that theatre is a forum with the power to illuminate the binding qualities of humanity and reinforce the ideals that as a society we have values that pose as common ground and emotions that relate us to one another. Taking artistic risk, we provide a community gathering place where thoughts can be exchanged about society, culture, and the power of creativity.

The reading will take place at 7p MDT on Thursday, September 24th. Register for the reading via Zoom at  https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUrf-msqDwrHtM8HfhIBpX8NyIZG65DzXZX.  Following the reading, we invite viewers to join us via video chat for a discussion led by Dr. Laura De Lozier. The performance and discussion will not be livestreamed.

A video of the reading will be viewable on the Relative Theatrics YouTube Channel the following week.

Tickets:  We are encouraging a $10 donation to Relative Theatrics.

Wine, Cheese, and Theatre all from the comfort and safety of your own home? Yes, please!
Relative Theatrics is pairing up with Chalk N' Cheese, "Pairings at CnC" to bring you select Wine and Cheese pairings suited to our upcoming Virtual Play Reading. Pick up your pairing today and enjoy the full experience while tuning in online. Chalk n’ Cheese will donate 10% of all Virtual Reading Wine/Cheese Pairing Sales to Relative Theatrics! What a delectable way to support your local theatre!

Productions in our virtual programming are supported in part by grants from the Wyoming Humanities, The National Endowment for the Humanities, The Wyoming Arts Council, and the National Endowment for the Arts.
​
Click to read the Suppliants Dramaturgy Packet
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Social Justice Action Item: listen to the First, But Last? podcast episode featuring Sara Burlingame

9/8/2020

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​Where to listen: via Apple Podcasts or the Think Wyoming website, or by following this link - https://www.thinkwy.org/first-but-last/sara-burlingame

Time needed: 25 minutes

What it's about: host Emy diGrappa interviews Sara Burlingame, who is the Executive Director of Wyoming Equality, and also represents Wyoming House District 44 in the Wyoming legislature.

Discussion questions:

Burlingame talks about being an organizer and activist from a young age. She says that she realized that she wants her activism 'to be dialogue driven.' Do you agree? Is dialogue the most effective way towards social change?

Burlingame discusses that the verbiage surrounding women's suffrage in Wyoming can be problematic, because the state only granted white women the right to vote. How does this shape your feelings about suffrage and Wyoming calling itself the equality state?

diGrappa and Burlingame discuss both the Bechdel test and the 'Jackalope test.' What do you think of these? Will they influence how you view movies, committees, policy making, etc. in the future? Why or why not?

Burlingame ends with a James Baldwin quote: 'We can disagree and still love each other, unless your disagreement is rooted in my oppression.' Does this quote resonate with you? Why or why not?
How do you feel this podcast relates to And The Wind Howls, and the issues that are brought up in it?
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Zoom Instructions - RT Virtual Programming

8/24/2020

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​TO JOIN THE PROGRAM
  • Login to your email provider on your computer.
  • Open email from Relative Theatrics.
OR
  • Login to your facebook account on your computer.
  • Go to the Relative Theatrics Event that you wish to attend.
  • Click on the Zoom Link provided by Relative Theatrics.
  • A pop-up window will show up.
  • Click Allow on the pop-up window to allow your computer to run the Zoom meeting.
  • You will be placed in a waiting room (you don’t need to do anything at this point!).
  • When the host lets you in, you will be “allowed” into the room.
  • A pop up window will show up.
  • Click Use Computer Audio.
  • At this point, you will be able to hear/see everyone, but they will not be able to hear/see you.
  • If you look on the bottom left hand corner of your Zoom window, you will see 2 buttons: a microphone icon and a video icon, both with a red line through them.
    • For you to be heard, click the microphone icon. The red line will disappear on that icon, and you will be “unmuted.” 
    • For you to be seen, click on the video icon. The red line will disappear on that icon, and your camera will turn on, allowing your video to appear.
  • In order to see all video participants equally on your screen, look to the top right corner of your Zoom window, and click the button titled Gallery View. 
    • If you are already in Gallery View, you will be given the option to select “Speaker View.” If this is the case, do not select “Speaker View” - you are already all set up to see the program in the format in which it is intended to be viewed!
  • One more task and you’ll be good to go! Next to the video icon in the bottom left corner there is an upward pointing arrow. 
    • Click on it and select Video Settings.
  • A pop-up window will show up.
  • In the Meetings: section, click on the box next to Hide Non-Video Participants.
  • Voila! You have successfully joined the Zoom meeting for our virtual programming.

DURING THE PROGRAM
  • Relative Theatrics will admit you into a special “Breakout Room” in order to view and participate in the program.
  • A pop-up window will show up saying, “The host is inviting you to join Breakout Room: Performance Space.”
  • Click Join Breakout Room.
  • Another pop-up window will show up while Zoom moves you to the new Breakout Room (You don’t need to do anything at this point!).
  • If you look on the bottom left hand corner of your Zoom window, you will see 2 buttons: a microphone icon and a video icon. These control your microphone and your camera.
    • If there is not already a red line through them, please click on them in order to turn off your video and microphone.
    • You will know they are turned off when the red line appears through each icon.
  • At the bottom center of your Zoom window, there is a speech bubble icon. This icon is connected to the Chat function of the Zoom Meeting Room.
    • Click on the icon in order to view the chat box. It will pop up to the right of the Zoom participant videos that you are viewing.
    • Interact with your fellow viewers by posting responses to the program in the chat box, i.e. “LOL” for something funny, “Whoa!” for something surprising, “Awe” for something heartwarming, etc.

AFTER THE PROGRAM
  • Feel free to turn on your video at this point by clicking on the video icon in the bottom left hand corner of your Zoom window.
  • To catch our discussion proctor’s attention, you can visually raise your hand if your video is on OR you can use the “Raise Hand” function on Zoom.
    • Along the bottom of the Zoom Window, click on the Participants icon (it looks like the outline of two bodies).
    • A window will appear to the right of your Zoom window, above the chat box.
    • At the bottom of the window, there is a Raise Hand icon that looks like a hand. Click on this icon to raise your virtual hand for our discussion proctor to call on you.
  • If/When you would like to ask questions or share comments, “unmute” yourself by clicking on the microphone icon in the bottom left hand corner of your Zoom window.
  • You can also ask questions or share comments by posting them in the chat box.
  • When you are ready to leave, click the red button in the lower right hand corner of your Zoom screen, titled Leave.
  • One final pop up meeting will come up giving you the option to “Leave Room” or “Leave Meeting.” Click Leave Meeting to successfully leave the Zoom call. ​
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Relative Theatrics kicks off Season 8: A NEW WAY FORWARD with the World Premiere of AND THE WIND HOWLS, by Leean Kim Torske

8/18/2020

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Relative Theatrics kicks off their 8th Season: A NEW WAY FORWARD with a hybrid theatre/film production of AND THE WIND HOWLS by Leann Kim Torske, September 4th-13th, 2020, virtually. The development team for this contemporary Wyoming play includes Anne Mason, Jared Mohr-Leiva, Lea Bergman, and Kat Tyler. This World Premiere is commissioned by Relative Theatrics and The Wyoming Arts Council.

Jen (Kat Tyler) returns to her small Wyoming hometown after an eye-opening first year of college. She wants a different life than her family had, but she’s decided that Wyoming might not be so bad after all. Her best friend Amber (Lea Bergman) can’t wait to leave. The one thing they agree on is that their small town has never felt so small. Inspired by Wyoming’s history of trailblazing women, Jen buckles down to create social progress, change local politics, or if nothing else, show her mom (Anne Mason) that a rough-talking, hard-working Wyoming woman can shift the way the wind is blowing.

AND THE WIND HOWLS will be filmed using a point-of-view shot where the audience experiences the story through one perspective at a time. Point of view shots are a creative form of filming to maintain the visual intimacy for the audience that they would otherwise experience when viewing a live Relative Theatrics performance in the Gryphon Theatre.
 
Individual Tickets and Season Passes can be purchased online at: Relativetheatrics.com/annual-campaign

Relative Theatrics strives to present thought-provoking theatre that examines the joining qualities of the human race. We believe that theatre is a forum with the power to illuminate the binding qualities of humanity and reinforce the ideals that as a society we have values that pose as common ground and emotions that relate us to one another. Taking artistic risk, we provide a community gathering place where thoughts can be exchanged about society, culture, and the power of creativity.

Discussions of the performance will include a chat-back with the actors, director, and playwright that will be scheduled at a later date. The play contains adult themes and language.

Tickets:  $15
​

*SUBSCRIBERS WILL RECEIVE A PRIVATE VIEWING LINK FOR AT-HOME STREAMING on September 4th!  The link can be used anytime from September 4-13.
AND THE WIND HOWLS is supported in part by grants from the Wyoming Arts Council, the National Endowment for the Arts, Wyoming Humanities, and the National Endowment for the Humanities.

AND THE WIND HOWLS - Fact Sheet

CAST
Jen - Kat Tyler
Amber - Lea Bergman
Traci - Anne Mason

PRODUCTION TEAM
Playwright - Leean Kim Torske
Directors - Anne Mason and Jared Mohr-Leiva
Stage Manager - Alex Soto
Set Dressing - Kendall Yoder
Costumes - Isa Jakowich
Lights - Justen Glover
Props - Kendall Yoder
Sound - John Wilhelm
Dramaturgy - Bailey Patterson
Social Justice Outreach and Engagement - Jaye Cooney
Film Supervisor - Kendall Yoder
Film Assistance - Nid Collins

LOCATION
Private Viewing Link will be sent to ticket holders.  

TICKET PRICES
$15

MEDIA CONTACTS
Melissa Ross - communications@relativetheatrics.com
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Bipoc Action Item: Read the article When Black People Are In Pain, White People Just Join Book Clubs, by Tre Johnson

8/3/2020

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Action item: Read the article When Black People Are In Pain, White People Just Join Book Clubs, by Tre Johnson
  • Where to read: The Washington Post, via this link.
  • Time needed: 10 minutes
  • What it's about: Writer Tre Johnson speaks to the inaction of white people during times of crisis, how they talk in circles around race, but don't do anything to truly help or enact real change. 
  • Discussion questions: 
    • How did reading the title of this article feel? Did it give you a specific lens when reading the rest of the article? Why?
    • Johnson argues that even his liberal, "woke" friends are living in a world of signalship and optical allyship. If you identify as a liberal, "woke" person, do you agree? Why or why not?
      • If you said you do agree, what are you going to do to change this? If you said you don't agree, why not? Name specific examples of how your words have led to actions. 
    • Johnson writes, "The right acknowledgment of black justice, humanity, freedom and happiness won’t be found in your book clubs, protest signs, chalk talks or organizational statements." Do you agree or disagree? Why?
    • How do you feel after reading this article? Called to action? Angry? Sad? Apathetic? Why are you feeling this way? Discuss. 
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