How to go
What: “Building Bridges in Our Town”
Where: Sinclair Community College, Blair Hall Theatre, Building 2, 444 W. Third St., Dayton
When: 8 p.m. Friday, May 29, and Saturday, May 30
Cost: $8 in advance; $10 at the door.
Tickets/more info: Call (937) 512-2808 or visit www.sinclair.edu/tickets
Sinclair Community College spotlights stories about Dayton in its season finale “Building Bridges in Our Town,” slated Friday and Saturday in Blair Hall Theatre.
Based on the concept of Thornton Wilder’s “Our Town” and sponsored in part by the Dayton Power and Light Company and Sinclair’s Diversity Grant, “Building Bridges” is an original work comprised of stories written and performed by Sinclair students regarding their experiences living in the Gem City.
The play, a devised theatre project, ties in the numerous bridges leading into Dayton as a symbol of community togetherness. Devised theatre specifically allows a script to formulate from collaborative, improvisational group efforts. The performers create short monologues or scenes without knowing how the director will assemble each section until late in the rehearsal process.
“The show is nonlinear, but that’s part of its charm,” said director Gary Minyard, vice president of education and engagement at the Victoria Theatre Association. “There’s something very raw about sharing how you really feel about the city you live in. We are looking at Dayton through a past, present and future lens. We used ‘Our Town’ as our jumping off point, but in the end, this show is about the students building a bridge, a connection, between them and Dayton. It’s exhilarating to know the students have been given a voice. It’s going to be a pretty powerful experience.”
Minyard received conceptual assistance from his wife, Gina Handy Minyard, an actress/singer and founding artistic director of the Magnolia Theatre Company. They worked together to sculpt the script, which particularly emphasizes the students’ diverse thoughts on unity, collaboration and community.
“This play will contain palpable social commentary,” he said. “There will be commentary on race, gender, sexuality, student life, family and what it’s like to be from different parts of Dayton. In particular, we discuss what it is to live in the heart of innovation. However, if you’re wrapped in the blanket of nostalgia, how do find your way through because those opportunities, those corporations, are no longer here. And in turn, it can cause quite a struggle for young people. Audiences will hear a lot of frustration but also a lot of hope. They will hear truth but will also hopefully be captivated by metaphor. There is a moment in the show when the cast becomes a bridge. My hope is that in the context of all of the scenes, dialogue and poetry, the physical things we do will be an added layer to the storytelling.”
“I think this production will strike a chord because this show explains and shows different hardships we go through as a community but also as humanity in general,” said Woody Hieb, who charmingly portrayed Charlie Brown this season in Sinclair’s “A Charlie Brown Christmas.” “This production shines a light on some very deep subjects. The cast has made it very personal and some of the actors play themselves at different times. I think audiences will be able to relate in some way.”
The cast also includes Shaun Diggs, David Brandt, Sara Sadri-Lobani, Jesse MaGill, Ashlee Ferrell, Jessica Zula, Kira Miller, Austin DeVaughn and Erin Waldon.
“We are thrilled to be collaborating on this project,” said Gina Neuerer, chairwoman of Sinclair’s Theatre and Dance Department. “It is such a unique opportunity to create devised theatre, as well as showcase student talent, Dayton experiences and what makes us a community.”
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