They Told You This
Created by Emma Wiseman
Collaborators: Rowan Magee, Liz Oakley,
Jon Riddleberger, Andy Manjuck, Dorothy James, Avi Amon, Emily Zemba
Performed by a team of five with live sound in an undisclosed office location, They Told You This is an embodied study of mundane objects and spaces that nearly insist we ignore them. A puppet/a woman feels a vital essence within an abandoned office building — beyond the wall to wall carpeting, fake plants, and corporate jargon.
This project is a response to a global breakdown of connection and buildup of STUFF, and a dark ode to the trappings of corporate culture. The piece expands the idea of puppetry, offering “manipulation” as a form of unexpected connection with things we rarely consider. We have received developmental support from The Assembly Theater, the Upper Jay Arts Center, The Jim Henson Foundation, Theatre@37, The Mercury Store and the Arts Council for Wyoming County.
Image: Ben Smith / Performers: Dorothy James, Andy Manjuck, Rowan Magee, John Riddleberger
