BELONG is available for paid streaming through Dec. 16-20.
Have you ever felt like you didn’t belong? Whether it was in a concert hall or in a classroom, we’ve all felt alone at least once in our lives. Yet, certain groups or individuals can have this empty feeling in their own work setting. To give a voice and a place of belonging to women in theater, Renaissance Theaterworks “Theater By Women For Everyone” was founded in 1993. And almost 30 years later, they’re still providing a space and platform for women to thrive in the arts world. According to a press release, Renaissance Theaterworks is Milwaukee’s second oldest theater company dedicated to gender balance in the performing arts.
Melanie Queponds. (Picture provided by Renaissance Theaterworks)
Within just a few weeks, Renaissance Theaterworks planned, practiced and is now streaming their collection of plays “BELONGING”, written by playwrights of color.
BELONGING is a collection of three short plays that explores the question of “who belongs?” to address the attention racial justice has been getting on a national level. The plays of the collection include “THE WINGED MAN” by José Rivera, “POOF!” by Lynn Nottage and “ALL OF THE EVERYTHING” by Alayna Jacqueline.
“For me, belonging is something I think about a lot in work and personally,” said Melanie Queponds, Director of THE WINGED MAN, a play about a young Latina who falls in love with a mystical winged man.
As a Hispanic woman herself, Queponds said belonging is more than just feeling comfortable in a workplace. It’s about addressing the terrible history America has and creating real equitable change. For her, it’s an honor to tell stories that amplify women’s stories, especially BIPOC.
Marti Gobel. (Picture provided by Renaissance Theaterworks)
According to Director of POOF! Marti Gobel, we have to find spaces where we feel that we belong. Gobel said she intentionally doesn’t surround herself with certain energies to protect her space and peace.
In the play Gobel directs, the main character must find where she belongs again after suddenly losing her husband. Many of us can find ourselves in these life changing moments that makes us question our belonging. COVID-19 has been one of those moments.
The theater has had to find ways to navigate without live audiences, while managing the online world. BELONGING was done 100% virtually from different states across the country. The cast was sent equipment, including green screens to bring the full effect of the play virtually. Gobel is a “purist when it comes to the script” and didn’t believe her scene should include a green screen, so she acted without it.
“Theater artists are still working and trying to create art,” Gobel said. “It’s not just for society, it’s for us.”
Virtual live showings of the plays are no longer available, but they can be streamed.
THE WINGED MAN, POOF! and ALL OF THE EVERYTHING are available for paid streaming through Dec. 16-20. To purchase online access, click here.