About me: According to the 2000 Census, America is ethnically, racially, and linguistically more diverse than ever before. Today, one in nine people living here is an immigrant seeking the promise of freedom and economic opportunity. Contentious and controversial issues surrounding immigration and its reform demand immediate attention. The Statue of Liberty states: “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breath free” – who are these people? Who deserves liberty? What constitutes being American? Ignorance breeds intolerance. RTC believes education through creative communication will nurture compassion, understanding and acceptance.
JIGSAW NATION is a performance piece crafted from interviews of Americans from across the country. RTC identifies and travels to an area of the country that has been significantly inhabited by documented/undocumented immigrants. Prior to arriving in each city, extensive research is conducted on local issues affecting the area, and meetings are scheduled in advance with town leaders, community activists and residents. Upon arrival, the beginning of our week is spent conducting interviews, editing and rehearsing text with professional local actors, culminating in two performances at the end of the week. The premise of each interview is to understand what “American” means to each individual. The first act, JIGSAW NATION-National Response, comprises of a 45 minute compilation of interviews from all over the country; this does not change from city to city. The second act is 20 minutes created specific to the hosting community (I.e. JIGSAW NATION-Louisville).
Each performance is followed by an audience talk-back that will include the production team, scholars, and community leaders. Post-show discussions are where our ultimate goal of communication is achieved – audience members are invited to share their stories with one another; audiences have ranged from a border patrol officer to a concentration camp survivor, common people with uncommon stories. In a post-show discussion one audience member said, "I learned more about the people I live with in the last 80 minutes than I've learned in the past 5 years." Another member of our audience stated: “A truly unique and intriguing idea. A reflection of theater as ‘art’ and ‘art’ as the common voice of us all.”
We have successfully completed this project at South Coast Repertory in Costa Mesa, California, the Playwrights Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota, The New York International Fringe Festival and Ellis Island in New York City
Who I'd like to meet: People who are interested in sharing their personal stories and opinions that answers the question: What does "American" mean to you?
Jigsaw Nation-The Relentless Theatre Company's Friend Space (Top 3)
Jigsaw Nation-The Relentless Theatre Company has 418 friends.
