Sunset Park Community Theatre Troupe To Tackle Social Justice Issues At St. Michael’s Parish

A new community theatre troupe is coming to Sunset Park and it aims to give voice to social and political issues of importance to our residents, while also bridging communication gaps between neighbors and neighbors, and neighbors and elected officials.

Organized by the DUMBO-based arts group Theatre of the Oppressed NYC (TONYC) with support from Councilmember Carlos Menchaca, the Sunset Park Community Theatre Troupe will meet on Tuesdays from 5-7pm at St. Michael’s Parish (345 43rd Street, 2nd Floor), beginning next Tuesday, April 12 through June 14. Around 20 people are sought, and all ages and experience levels are welcome.

“We started last fall, collaborating with another local group, Atlas: DIY, which addresses immigration status with youth. They made a play. Now, [Menchaca] has given us funds to have a troupe of people of all ages and areas of Sunset Park to address issues happening in Sunset Park,” explained TONYC founding member John Leo.

Asked why he felt the project deserved a $18,000 allocation for Fiscal Year 2016, Menchaca said “We need every opportunity for young people to voice concerns through [non-violent], creative mediums. Theatre is perfect for that and TONYC has a history of bringing differing voices out. The skills they learn here allow people to see action. When they act their voice, they are empowered to change things in real life.”

This community troupe’s end goal is also to put together an interactive play in mid-June.

But according to Leo, who also works with Clowns Without Borders and the Big Apple Circus’ clown care hospital program, the biggest part of the project is the journey.

“You can expect fun! People think “theatre of the oppressed” sounds like a bunch of complaining and scary people. But we approach it with games and up-on-your-feet theater exercises that make people forget they’re talking about oppression,” he said. “It’s a way to feel solidarity with a group around issues versus just getting together and talking.

“You can expect to learn something you didn’t know about your neighbors, and come together around serious things,” he added. “You act out what is actually happening in your community, as opposed to just what you think is happening. Stepping into one another’s shoes.”

The Sunset Park troupe of TONYC will also practice in a bilingual atmosphere, co-facilitated by Leo and playwright Raquel Almazan, who co-founded the Paloma project, doing a play based on prison interviews.

What do you think? What issues would you bring up? Will you participate in this program?