The Anthropologists Perform in the Park!

Salon Sessions
Saturday, August 30, 2008

The Anthropologists is a company of artists dedicated to the creation of investigative, socially relevant, and engaging theatrical work. They train together on a regular basis using Viewpoints and other physical theater techniques to devise organic, ensemble-based work. They are committed to researching topics from an anthropological perspective in order to break down and unleash cultural discoveries.

Starting in August, The Anthropologists started doing a series of free one-day events in various neighborhoods around New York City/Five boroughs. Inspired by SMITH Magazine’s book, Not Quite What I Was Planning, a collection of 6-word memoirs, their goal is to create a unique performance in the middle of the city. In their first round of performances, they are planning on visiting Harlem, Washington Heights and the Lower East Side.

Using storytelling and character-building techniques, a team of actors & a director go to each neighborhood, engage with community and invite people to write their own six word stories. From this text they create a six-minute play which will be created in an open rehearsal or "salon session" where community members can see the show they wrote being formed before their eyes.

The event provides a way for a community to connect with and through theatre by bringing theatre to their doorstep and providing opportunities to co-create as writers and audience members.

Now, they will be visiting St. Nicholas Park! Please see the details below and visit their website if you would like to know more.

Who: Jean Goto, Jennifer Moses, Sonja Sweeney, Allison Whittinghill, Melissa Fendell (Director)

What: A 30-minute performance transforming 6-word stories into a 6-minute play

When: collecting stories from 12pm-3pm, performance at 5pm

Where: St. Nicholas Park - the plaza at 135th Street

Cost: Free!