What's Up - Your guide to what's happening in Fayetteville, AR this week!
Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/1369423
In fact, the production's cast, crew and seven-piece band are all women from Northwest Arkansas. And though most of the company's previous productions have been performed in the spacious confines of the Arkansas Air and Military Museum in south Fayetteville, Gipson says she knew that this show would require a more intimate space — yet one that could provide high ceilings for plenty of air flow. "Passion Project" will be performed in the Fayette Junction Warehouse on Cato Springs Road. "I've kind of wanted to expand what we were doing anyway, as far as spaces go," she explains. "I found this space when I was driving around, and, to be honest, I've had a crush on that building for a while because I love warehouses. We're bringing in a bunch of lighting, and we'll have our cool band, great singers and fun snacks. And, hopefully, it will be a good time." As for most arts organizations, this past year has been a difficult one for Pilot Arts financially. Supporters of the theater can help out a little by springing for the Garden Party add-on event, where food and beverages will be provided by women- owned businesses and an acoustic performance by Becky Adams will be featured. Additional financial support for the show is provided by Adventure Subaru. "I'm an unknown, still," Gipson says. "People know about Pilot Arts, but it can still feel like a risk to sponsor a new arts organization and say, 'We believe in the work you're doing.' It's such a confidence booster. Adventure Subaru believes in supporting the arts in a massive way, and they believe in the smaller guy in town. They're amazing." There's one more exciting thing about this particular production: The playwright will be present for the production. "She's actually going to sing in the finale," says Gipson. "The cast is so excited. They're going to sing backup — all the women, 18 voices, singing together." In the end, Gipson says she's so glad her original plan to offer this production as a streaming event didn't work out — because as people start to re-enter the world, they might need a little motivation. "It's a really empowering show," she says. "We're in a moment where it's easy to question the things we're doing, because it's hard to get motivated, you know? So it's fun to look at people that have really incredible stories. That's where I get inspired. I think this show is awe inspiring." www.malco.com www.malco.com www.malco.com www.malco.com www.malco.com www.malco.com 4 WHAT'S UP! MAY 9-15, 2021 Pilot Arts Continued From Page 3 FAYETTEVILLE Three Questions, Three Minutes Playwright Angela Sclafani Q: Missy said that you performed this show in New York shortly before the covid-19 lock downs started — can you talk a little bit about what it felt like to get a call from Arkansas asking permission to perform it, after over a year of live theater events being canceled or pivoting to online perfor- mances? A: We premiered "Passion Project" in New York on September 23, 2019. In early March 2020, I was writing the second volume of songs while at a residency in France. I actually had to come home early due to the develop- ing crisis and returned to the city right before New York locked down. After a few days in quarantine, it became clear that live performances wouldn't happen again for a very long time. When Missy reached out to me, it was like breath of fresh air. I was so happy to know that my songs could bring some joy and entertainment to people after such a difficult period of dark theaters and shuttered venues. Q: How did you choose which extraordinary women to include in the song cycle? A: I wanted to write songs about unknown trailblazers. There's a lot of great material about the iconic women, but we hear their stories so often that they become almost unreal to us. I wanted to tell stories about unre- membered women who were just as remarkable as the historical figures in our textbooks. Sifting through so many potential subjects made me think about the everyday people who quietly and bravely push our world forward. My selection process for volume one was based on where and when the women lived and the nature of their work. For the first volume, I wanted to have as much of a variety as possible so that many singers could find themselves in the stories. Part of why I created this song cycle was to give women new songs to sing that weren't about men or romantic love. I want to expand this to include stories about all identities that are not represented in the theater canon. My dream is to make the sheet music available in a wide range of keys so that all voice types can bring these songs to auditions and concerts. If I had the time and resources I would create endless volumes of "Passion Project." A second one is definitely in the works. Q: Missy says you're coming down to Arkansas for the production — can you say a little bit about why you decided to do that? A: I'm excited to see and hear live music again! It will be such a gift to get to witness a new group of women bring themselves to these songs. I've also been cooped up in my NYC apartment and haven't made it out of the city since we first locked down! I've never been to Arkansas so when Missy invited me it seemed like the perfect first trip.