No Ordinary Theater: California Conceptual Artists Turn a Grand Rapids Apartment Into a Stage
On September 26, 27, and 28, in a loft in Grand Rapids, MI, Sean and Isabel presented the first full production of their play, Performance Art in Front of an Audience Ought to be Entertaining. Katherine Marty, a poet and dancer, began curating exhibitions and events in her spacious downtown loft in 2008 under the name "Lightbox." The residential nature of the space made it an ideal situation for this particular piece, as the entire one-act play takes place in Carl Andre's apartment. The openness of the architecture made it possible for audience members to view the play from anywhere;
beside, in front, behind, or in the way of the actors playing the roles.
The play is based on an historical re-enactment of the last argument between artists Carl Andre and Ana Mendieta on the eve of Mendieta's death. More than simply portraying this conversation, our play becomes a conversation between the jaded cynicisms of the established art world and the hopeful energy of a younger generation. While the dialogue is heavily researched, the play follows its own path - departing from the necessity to recreate history. Their argument reaches a crescendo (in narrative terms, the climax) and at this point the play ends. (The play is not allowed to reach the next stage of the narrative structure, the fall.)
For each performance Sean and Isabel are present as the directors occasionally interrupting the play and making adjustments to the set, providing the actors with historical information about the artists, and forcing a repetition of some key moments in the play. The project is difficult to categorize as either contemporary performance art or theater, and should exists as both.
To perform the complex roles of the minimalist sculptor, Carl Andre, and the Cuban-born performance artist Ana Mendieta, Sean and Isabel approached Grand Rapids Civic Theater veterans Greg Rogers and Lisa Catrett.
Rogers, a local stage, film, TV, and voice actor, has appeared in over sixty local theater productions, recently starring in "Noises Off" at Circle Theatre, "The Lieutenant of Inishmore" and "Well" at Actors' Theatre, and "A Wonderful Life" at the Civic Theatre.
Lisa Catrett, an accomplished actress and professional dancer, has been involved with The Musical Theater for over fifteen years. She has appeared in numerous Civic Theater productions as well as performances at Red Barn Theater in Saugatuck and the North Shore Music Theater.
