Curbside Theatre: Hold Fast
a collaboration with ArkansasStaged for the Pandemic
Claire Fossey (Space Traveler) and Na’Tosha Devon (Clean Clown) in a scene from Curbside Theatre: Hold Fast. Photo credit: Laura Shatkus
Curbside Theatre: Hold Fast was Pandemic born and bred. Four theatre artists Kholoud Sawaf, Laura Shatkus, Mischa Hutchings and Michael Bell gathered through online meetings for several months to answer the question, “What do people need right now?”. What they created was a “theatre care package” —like pizza delivery but for your heart. The gist: a Space Traveler lands and has been sent to check up on the extraordinary space creatures she has spied (the audience). Little known to the Space Traveler, there is already someone inhabiting the area—a highly fastidious clown, whom the Space Traveler cannot see. The play explores themes of isolation, boundaries, self-care and community. Audience members are asked to participate in pre-show media, prop gathering and in-show participation. What happens is a truly communal event in an uncertain time.
Curbside Theatre: Hold Fast was completely community funded and toured to 30 frontyards, backyards, courtyards and driveways in NWA. The artists and audience followed the strictest COVID-19 procedures.
Devised by Kholoud Sawaf, Laura Shatkus, Mischa Hutchings, Michael Bell
with artistic contributions from: Adrienne Dawes, Na’Tosha Devon, Claire Fossey, Audrey Romero
CAST:
Space Traveler: Claire Fossey
The Clean Clown: Na’Tosha Devon
Cap/Folley Artist: Audrey Romero
Crew:
Co-direction: Kholoud Sawaf, Laura Shatkus and Mischa Hutchings
Stage Manager: Audrey Romero
Costume Designer: Kelsey Ryder
Set Designer: Kim Powers
Assistant Set Design: Chyna Mayer
Props Design: Chyna Mayer and Mischa Hutchings
Sound Design: Mischa Hutchings, Kholoud Sawaf, Laura Shatkus, Na’Tosha Devon, Claire Fossey and Audrey Romero
Choreography: Na’Tosha Devon and Claire Fossey