The Recorder – At the crossroads of the political and personal

No stranger to tackling modern points by way of theater, Silverthorne Theatre Firm has introduced, together with Native Entry to Valley Arts (LAVA), the general public studying of a brand new play, “Gridlock,” a play on the crossroads of the political and the private.

The play follows two sisters, estranged for half a century over intense political disagreements, who come collectively amidst a days-long collapse of the nationwide electrical grid. This confrontation with the modern is nothing new to the group at Silverthorne, who’ve beforehand staged the unique work “White, Black & Blue,” which tackles police brutality, in addition to a stage model of “The Diary of Anne Frank.”

“We would like folks to consider what the results of sure forms of activism are, and what that does to folks. Hopefully, folks will acknowledge the methods these rifts can have an effect on the folks closest to you and search for methods to heal and to empathize earlier than issues go too far,” stated Lucinda Kidder, managing director of Silverthorne Theater Firm.

“Gridlock” is the primary play by native creator Ellen Meeropol and is loosely primarily based on the occasions and characters of her current novel, “Her Sister’s Tattoo.” As a part of the artistic technique of writing, “Gridlock” has been learn internally earlier than, leaving the upcoming public studying to characterize the following step in her path.

“We had an inside studying with volunteer actors, who learn it on Zoom and just for a restricted workplace. The thought was to get her to have the ability to hear her characters. It is a very customary course of when creating a brand new play. It’s crucial to do that for a brand new playwright, to get the suggestions that she wants,” stated Kidder.

The studying will probably be held on the LAVA Middle at 213 Foremost St. in Greenfield. The occasion is free and open to the general public, however reservations are suggested as a consequence of restricted seating, so potential attendees ought to name 413-768-7514 or electronic mail [email protected] to order a spot. The studying will probably be held on Friday, June 11 at 7:30 p.m.

In-person attendees needs to be absolutely vaccinated. The general public studying may also be live-streamed, given the very restricted area. The live-stream could be discovered on Silverthorne Theatre’s Youtube channel (bit.ly/2TSCRoW).

“We acknowledge that it is a transitional time when individuals are popping out of a COVID mentality. We’re asking our actors to put on masks once they’re not talking. We’d like folks to really feel comfy,” stated Kidder.

After the general public studying, attendees each in-person and on-line are invited to affix a stay Zoom dialogue with Meeropol, to ask questions concerning the play.