Generation Rise Preview Screens on June 17th
Six NYC Teens Share Their Real-Life Stories of 2020 in a new filmed virtual theater work created in partnership with Urban Word NYC and commissioned by New Victory Theater / New 42
We are excited to partner with Urban Word NYC for a preview presentation of our latest Undesirable Elements work, Generation Rise, commissioned by New Victory Theater/New 42 on Thursday, June 17 at 6:30pm.
This filmed virtual theater work shares real-life stories of six Black and POC teenagers —bridging reflections on their early lives growing up in New York City with discussions of the significance of the year 2020-2021 —growing up during a global pandemic and renewed calls for racial justice.
We worked with young performers/storytellers to speak to the hardships and hopes of our shape-shifting, tumultuous present. Throughout the creative process, the youth—some of whom were performing in a theatrical work for the first time—collaborated with Sara Zatz and Kirya Traber, who together co-created Generation NYZ, and who compiled one-on-one interviews and collective conversations with performers into a dynamic script.
Fostering a deep sense of community among participants is fundamental to the Undesirable Elements process—a particular challenge for remote theater-making. For this work, participants developed community agreements to nurture a sense of trust, sharing intimate stories and perspectives online—and having their words woven together into a single work. Cast members contributed to the editing and revision process, and had final approval over their respective parts of the script.
During their time making Generation Rise, the six teens also participated in Urban Word NYC’s poetry workshop, Generation Phoenix: Tales of Transformation (led by Darian Dauchan, award-winning poet, actor, and Loop Station Vice Champion of the American Beatbox Championships). This provided a space and opportunity to process, share, and explore personal experience in order to find community through the power of poetic storytelling and creative resilience.
The screening is hosted by Darian Dauchan. There will be a Q&A following the screening with the cast and creative team. The film is appropriate for ages 11 and up.
Register to attend here: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_eiPF6s9JQ7-gjxPa8N1xqw
The film will remain available for one week after the event. Register here to view the film, available after the preview screening on Thursday.