Embrace Incubation and Process in Our 2024/25 Season

24/25 Season of Radical Care

Join the Davis Performing Arts Center at Georgetown University for our 2024-25 Season of Radical Care. This year, we focus on incubation, creative pedagogy, and artistic process, highlighting works in progress rather than full productions. With an emphasis on the student experience, we return to the roots of performing arts through collaborative workshops, intimate readings, and launching our new Performing Arts Colloquium. Following financial austerity and the lingering impact of the pandemic on artists, we embrace a year of introspection, planning, and radical community care, allowing ourselves to grow our own systems of support and healing. Let’s nurture our creativity and care for one another as we envision a bright, equitable future in the performing arts.

To Tell a Story About the Earth

TO TELL A STORY ABOUT THE EARTH
By Miranda Rose Hall
Co-Directed by Caitlin Nasema Cassidy and Geoff Kanick
Dramaturgy by Robert Duffley
Performed by the students of TPST 1903
Faculty Host, Professor Maya E. Roth

Fri Oct 25- 7:30pm

Saturday Oct 26- 2:00pm

Sunday Oct 27- 2:00pm

Devine Studio Theatre. Tickets available here.

After a disastrous first production, a fledgling theater company has decided to call it quits. But when the local librarian requests a new performance for Earth Day, the young artists have a decision to make, and questions abound: what’s the deal with this weird fish? Who built the room we’re standing in? Isn’t there supposed to be a storm tonight? Part scripted play, part guided introduction to devising methods, part environmental investigation, and part fill in the blank, To Tell a Story About the Earth prompts ensembles everywhere to create and share an original show about the natural world close to home.

This workshop showing is presented by the Georgetown Theater & Performance Studies program in the Department of Performing Arts. To Tell a Story About the Earth has been commissioned by Concord Theatricals and is being developed by LubDub Theatre Co.

TO TELL A STORY ABOUT THE EARTH

By MIRANDA ROSE HALL

Commissioned by CONCORD THEATRICALS

Developed by LUBDUB THEATRE CO 

Workshop hosted by the Theatre & Performance Studies Program 

in the Georgetown University Department of Performing Arts

CREATIVE TEAM

Co-Directors: Caitlin Nasema Cassidy & Geoff Kanick

Dramaturg: Robert Duffley

Faculty Host: Prof. Maya E. Roth

Stage Management Associate: Gabriela Martinez

Dramaturgy Associates: Anna Kummelstedt & Julia Toloczko

Producing Associate: Alex Wang

ENSEMBLE

The Librarian: Nelly Amairany Hernández Valdez

Taylor: Winnie Ho

Jo: Daisy Casemore

Sam: Heran Zhang

CJ: Tai Remus Elliot

Riley: Martin Neisuler

Stage Directions: Gabriela Martinez

DEVISING CHORUS

Anna Kummelstedt

Gabriela Martinez

Julia Toloczko

Davis Performing Arts Center FAQ for Students and Patrons

Q: What is the “Season of Radical Care”? 

A: The Season of Radical Care is our theme for the 2024/25 academic year at the Davis Performing Arts Center. Creative processes from across disciplines ask us to connect with how we care for ourselves, each other, and the world. In this spirit, our season emphasizes giving our community members time to care for each other and themselves, building and strengthening cooperative and anti-hierarchical practices in our artistic and scholarly work. 

Q: Why was this approach chosen for the 2024-25 season? 

A: We are recovering from significant staff and faculty attrition and have just been granted opportunities to hire. We are working with the University to ensure we are sufficiently staffed to return to full production and support. The University and the College of Arts & Sciences administration are grateful for the tireless work that staff and faculty have given the program and the students. This season allows the Department of Performing Arts to center the creative process while we regroup, reflect, and innovate our practices to ensure the sustainability and excellence of our programs.

Q: What will replace regular productions this season? 

A: Instead of full productions, we will focus on developing and showing works in progress, collaborative workshops, and intimate readings. This year, we will host a guest artist residency with NY-based LubDub Theatre (founded by alums) tied to environmental storytelling with students, a theatrical ensemble workshop, and incubating two thesis scripts. This approach emphasizes the creative process, focusing on student growth in collaboration with guest artists and faculty and fundamental aspects of performing arts.

Q: How will this season impact students’ academic progress? 

A: Students will meet their degree requirements through alternative experiential learning opportunities in creative praxis. Innovations in performance pedagogy will ensure that students receive valuable educational experiences within and outside the Davis Performing Arts Center.

Q: How will the Davis Performing Arts Center support student theater engagement? 

A: We will host workshops that engage students and community members across performing arts disciplines. We will also organize field trips to off-campus theaters, including professional, academic, and experimental performances in the DMV area. The Community Engagement and Development Manager (Stanley Bahorek) will coordinate these field trips which will be open to majors, minors, and the broader Georgetown community.

Q: Will the Gonda and Devine Theatres be available for use this season? 

A: The Gonda and Devine theaters will not be used for full productions this season. Instead, they will be used as workshop and classroom spaces for intimate readings, guest artist workshops, and faculty research-creation with students. Instructors will schedule these spaces for two-week periods through the Operations and Events Manager (Clarielle Marsh), ensuring that the spaces are used equitably.

Q: Can students reserve the Gonda or Devine Theatres? 

No, students cannot reserve the Gonda or Devine Theatres independently. These spaces are only available for student use with an instructor present.

Q: Can co-curricular theater clubs use the Davis Performing Arts Center spaces this season? 

A: Theater clubs will not be approved to use the Davis Performing Arts Center spaces this season. Clubs will be informed about the Season of Radical Care and encouraged to honor this regeneration period Just as TPST is taking a break from full productions to respect diminished resources and rebuilding, so will clubs.

Q: How can students and patrons stay informed and involved? 

Stay updated through our official communications, including emails, newsletters, and social media channels. Engage with our workshops, readings, and field trips to support and participate in our evolving artistic community.

Follow us on Instagram: @georgetown_dpa

Sign up for Performing Arts Community Newsletters here.

Q: What message does this season send to our community and the University? 

A: This season highlights our need for additional support and resources from the University and demonstrates our commitment to innovative teaching methods and the well-being of our students and community.

Q: How will this period benefit the Davis Performing Arts Center in the long run? 

A: By taking this time to regroup and reflect, we aim to emerge stronger, more flexible, and better equipped to achieve our mission of collaboration, interdisciplinary work, supporting research, and providing a unique element of the liberal arts education at Georgetown.