Michigan

Randy Wyatt examines how Aquinas College in Grand Rapids, Michigan, explored the question of mounting contemporary work in a diverse world with limited resources and within a ‘closed’ academic context through a community-based/academic hybrid production of Caryl Churchill's Love and Information.

Playwright Lisa Biggs and director Kristin Horton discuss the process of developing After/Life, a new play about the 1967 Rebellion in Detroit, Michigan with Detroit community members.

Olga Sanchez on the writing and production process of El Payaso by Emilio Rodriguez at Milagro Theatre in Portland, OR.

Playwright Pearl Cleage discusses growing up in a politically active family, the challenges faced by actors and directors of color, and the need for truth in theatre.

Playwright Donna Hoke writes about an opportunity that allowed her to develop a new play on its feet in advance of a world premiere.

Playwright Emilio Rodriguez discusses his experience working in Detroit, a city that is often overlooked, but has opportunities for emerging theatre artists. 

Jeff Chang on Detroit-based Complex Movements’ Beware of the Dandelions, a narrative, concert, visual installation, architectural piece, and convening space to distribute revolutionary ideas and activate creative ecosystems and economies of change. 

Maria Enriquez interviews Emilio Rodriguez about his play Swimming While Drowning, incorporating spoken word poetry into his work, and the idea of being “Latino enough.”

College student Kelsey May describes attending an open dress rehearsal at Opera Grand Rapids, and how the experience opened her eyes to a new art form.

We’ve found most artists we come in contact with in Detroit aren’t bound to a single discipline—printmakers curate community food-based events, and trained painters build large-scale public installations. This inherent openness to working cross-disciplinarily has helped us to expand our ideas about the work of our company and the nature of our ensemble.

The Network of Ensemble Theater discusses their upcoming move to Detroit alongside ideas of gentrification and community

Despite the uphill battle, Gary Anderson continues his work at Plowshares Theatre Company.