Episode # 271 - redevelop (death valley)
Brian Rogers and Sheila Lewandowski
Martin Denton welcomes Brian Rogers and Sheila Lewandowski , co-founders of the Chocolate Factory Theater in Long Island City, to this episode of nytheatrecast. Brian is the artistic director of the theater and creator /director/performer in their upcoming production of (re)DEVELOP (death valley). Sheila is the theater's executive director and will, also, be performing in this production.
Martin discusses with Brian and Sheila the concept of the piece because Brian's productions are usually best described as having an experimental or non-traditional form. This piece is no exception: for this production he utilizes dance in addition to video, sound and moving panels to tell its story.
Brian and Sheila talk about their trips to abandoned towns out west and about the redevelopment of their own area in Long Island City and the effect of the current economy on this. Most interesting is their discussion of how, as an ensemble, they actually create the piece and what they hope an audience will take away after viewing it.
