ART productions diaries

Barron Weyerhaeuser, Marc

I am 19 and a freshman at American University with an intended major in Interdisciplinary Studies: Communication, Legal Institutions, Economics, and Government (CLEG) and a minor in Theatre.
Art seems primarily an exploration of the dynamics and "art" of friendship, while the debate on the definition of art contributes only a secondary, albeit significant undertone. Each of the three friends, while distinctly their own personalities, exhibit tendencies of which every person is occasionally guilty: Serge wants acceptance in the social elite, Marc wants recognition and superiority, and Yvan wants serenity at the cost of discord, even if that serenity means leaving truth kept secret and problems unresolved. Each character, however, shares the common, universal desire to be respected.
Respect, I believe the play argues, is an critical element in relationships. We must respect not only our friends' hopes, dreams, and beliefs, but we must also pay the respect of truth, even in the face of friction or a fractured friendship, for truth in a friendship is the only sure way to have a true friend.
While the play contains much levity and humor, it is foremost a serious one and ends with thought-provoking uncertainty: whether or not Yvan is truly happy about his marriage is uncertain, as is the future of Marc and Serge's friendship. The painting has undoubtedly tried their friendship.
Regardless of whether or not the Antrios is truly art, it provoked discussion and enlightenment. Although the men's friendship was more harmonious before the painting caused a schism, it also brought out the men's true thoughts and feelings and, thus, begs the diagnosis of that old axiom "Ignorance is bliss."

--------
See Barron in Yasmina Reza's ART
Tuesday April 19 & Wednesday, April 20
Luna Books: 1633 P Street, NW
Happy Hour begins at 6 pm
Reading begins at 7 pm
Suggested Donation $10/Pay What You Can

ART production diaries

Jason LaGarde, Serge

This is my second production with Omaemoda, my first 'Sexual Perversity in Chicago' was a fantastic experience and I'm really excited about this one.

I'm a bit of an amateur thesbian with no real professional training, but lots of dabbling. My productions include My Fair Lady, Dracula, The Crucible, Moonchildren, Lend Me A Tenor (as Max), and Hedda Gabler.

'Art' is truly a complicated piece that while a 'play of its time', it's also a
play of any time. Where one truly questions the foundations upon which one has constructed their own self-image. I don't know that it's possible to read this script without your emotions rising in response to the conflict.

Out of all the characters, I find I identify with Marc the most, the "conservatist" of the group. I've often found myself annoyed by friends of mine who like Serge seem to get some "deeper meaning" from seemingnly non-sensical new age or modern expressionism. And also by those like Yvan, who just agree and/or pretend to "get it", not because of any insight, but simply for the desire to be accepted.

I really enjoy the story, but I do experience some frustration from it because while it raises some excellent questions about how we define ourselves as members of our society, it doesn't suggest that there might be any answers to them.

---------
See Jason in Yasmina Reza's ART
Tuesday April 19 & Wednesday, April 20
Luna Books: 1633 P Street, NW
Happy Hour begins at 6 pm
Reading begins at 7 pm
Suggested Donation $10/Pay What You Can

ART Production Diary

Joylyn R. Hopkins, director

When I first read this play, I didn't like it very much. It's a translation and I kept wondering what I was missing. The dialogue, and it's all about the dialogue, didn't jump off the page at me. But there was something about this play compelling me to read it again. I knew I had to come back to it. I asked some friends to read it aloud with me. It was like a lightening bolt. I was suddenly enthralled. I *had* to do this play.

I tease the guys during rehearsals that the play is such a commentary on men, or at least as they appear to women. Reza seems to have great insight on relationships between men.

I'm really grateful to be working with this cast. They're super talented and a lot of fun as well. It's a great format to present them in. Not every actor can pull off the staged reading. The focus, the responsibility, rests completely on them. And the energy I get from them is more valuable than I have words for.

-----------
Omaemoda Productions presents a staged reading of Yasmina Reza's ART

ART
By Yasmina Reza
Translation by Christopher Hampton

Tuesday, April 19 & Wednesday, April 20
Happy Hour, 6 pm; Reading 7 pm

Luna Books: 1633 P Street, NW

How much would you pay for a white painting?

Three friends discuss the aesthetics of a newly acquired painting and
its implications on their relationship.

Directed by Joylyn R. Hopkins; featuring Barron J. Weyerhaeuser, Jason
LaGarde, Benjamin Naramore and Laura Ochs.

Suggested donation $10/Pay what you can

For more information about Omaemoda, please visit
www.angelfire.com/dc/omaemoda

You are involved!