WE WEAR THE MASK
a live digital performance
Performances: Weds., 11/18-Fri., 11/20 at 7:00 PM
Zoom link to be emailed to attendees before the performance, along with special content. Even though the performances begin on Nov. 18th, the show begins on Nov. 11th in your email inbox. Sign up in advance to gain access!
Registration for all shows will close on Tuesday, 11/17 at noon.
Please note: For a better viewing experience, we recommend using a laptop or computer when possible.
Feel free to choose your ticket price based on how much you are able to pay.
Recommended for ages 13+ due to mature themes and explicit language.
WE WEAR THE MASK is a collection of five short plays that each happens in the context of a video call. Some of the plays take place in a pandemic and others happen in the before-times. Each play seeks to uncover the things about ourselves that hide behind our social masks. This collection of work was inspired by Dr. Maya Angelou’s poem “The Mask,” which will be performed as a prologue to the production, as well as a quote from James Baldwin's The Fire Next Time. Here are short descriptions of each piece:
Camp Longview: Four friends gather on FaceTime to toast their old camp days as their beloved Camp Longview is set to close due to the pandemic. As they see each other for the first time in several years, uncovered secrets cast complicated webs that become impossible to untangle. We explore police brutality, sexuality, betrayal, and the familial ties that bind us.
Baby Reborn: Two classmates meet on FaceTime to discuss the handoff of a health class project: co-parenting a baby doll that cries and needs to be soothed at all hours of the day and night. Through negotiating the details of this exchange, Elijah and Ana learn more about one another and what it means to sacrifice for one’s family. We explore socio-economic differences, hypocrisy, responsibility, and seeing the world from a different perspective.
Runneth Over: Two friends prepare to have the study date of a lifetime with a screen star who attends their college. A little misunderstanding throws a wrench in the plans that turn the video call into a proper farce. We explore miscommunication, menstruation, and getting stuck.
Paint’N Sip: A makeup influencer turns the pandemic into a money-making opportunity by hosting weekly “Paint Yourself & Sip” classes over Zoom. There are class regulars and newbies in attendance who get to know each other as they- literally- paint their faces. The “sip” part of the class is a special highlight that turns up the figurative volume on the action until it gets nice and messy. We explore mental health, friendship, and the ridiculous faith we put in influencers to lead the way to happiness.
The Red Sweatshirt: Two friends are on a FaceTime call in their respective bedrooms after getting home from a party together. Luisa isn’t in the mood to talk, but Nell is ready to keep the party going. As Nell tries to cheer her pal up, the two friends slowly reveal how they feel about each other until it is clear that they may not be just friends. We explore grief and friendship while slowly uncovering the complexity of platonic, sexual, and romantic love. This play premiered in May to a small Grace audience on Zoom.
Written & Directed by Sabrina Jacob Washburn
Stage Managers: Lola Jakob & Uma Sundaram
Assistant Directors: Aryana Piros (The Mask & The Fire Next Time, excerpts); Cadence Plenge (Paint'N Sip & The Red Sweatshirt); Charlotte Robertson (Camp Longview & Baby Reborn)
Original Composition - "Love Takes Off the Mask": Andrew Leonard
Production Coordinator: Daryl Embry
Media Directors: Emma Seitz & Meekaya Grimes
Assistant Producer: Lola Jakob
Production Assistant: Dana Foote
Starring:
Jasmeily Almonte, Karis Braxton, Emily Cadenas, Bix Flynn, Anne Huffines, Ruby Jones, Madison Kellier, Leo Margolies, Brigitt Molina-Alvarado, Nylah Mulzac, Freddie O'Donahue, Milo O'Donahue, Niamh O'Hara, Liz Pace, Chas Phillips, Aryana Piros, Selina Piros, James Prud'homme, Charlotte Robertson, Frankie Rogerson, Gitana Savage, Mathieu Silverman, River Steinbach, Sarah Weber, and Beatrice White.