INTERVIEW: ‘AWAKE’ asks for self-reflection on divisive issues
Photo: Luka Kain and Ana Roshelle Diaz star in AWAKE, a new play from K. Lorrel Manning. Photo courtesy of Edward T. Morris / Provided by Everyman Agency with permission.
The new play AWAKE, which is receiving its world premiere from The Barrow Group in New York City, features a diverse cast of actors portraying characters steeped in conversations about polarizing issues. To say it has been influenced by the modern era would be an understatement.
Some of the issues debated on The Barrow Group Mainstage Theatre include race relations, homophobia, gun violence, free speech, police brutality and immigration policies. Rather than being divisive, the show’s writer-director, K. Lorrel Manning, tries to decrease the tension surrounding these topics and essentially unify the characters on stage (and by extension, the audience).
Manning’s theatrical credits include an adaptation of Henrik Ibsen’s An Enemy of the People, The Unrepeatable Moment and a revival of John Patrick Shanley’s Danny and the Deep Blue Sea.
AWAKE, featuring a cast of 12 who perform monologues and small scenes, is both written and directed by Manning. It continues performances through Feb. 8.
Recently Hollywood Soapbox exchanged emails with Manning about the new show. Questions and answers have been slightly edited for style.
What inspired this play’s development?
In early 2017, I found myself in a deep depression about the state of the country and the divisiveness that seemed to arise out of nowhere. In reality, it was always there. The presidential election simply exposed it and brought it to the surface. Social media became a war zone. I discovered that various friends, co-workers and even family members had radically different views from my own on many issues that were polarizing the country.
So, instead of retreating into my bubble, I decided to listen and try my best to understand ‘the other side.’ In my research, I discovered that these issues aren’t black and white; there’s a lot of gray in between. The gray area can be a scary place because there we just might hear a bit of truth from the opposing side and, possibly, find a common ground.
So, I started writing. In many of these pieces, I attempt to explore the gray; in others, I simply attempt to give voice to those suffering in silence.
How did you select the topics that would be presented on stage?
Writing is a very spiritual process for me. If there was an issue that I felt passionate about, it would soon find its way to the page through some character that was lurking around in my head. Ha!
I wrote 15 pieces in all for this show. My dramaturge, Christine Cirker, and I chose nine for the world premiere. The subjects covered include: racism (from various angles), gun violence, police brutality, free speech, homophobia and immigration, to name a few.
My hope is that all 15 pieces will be published together, and future productions can pick and choose the pieces they want to present.
What do you like about the monologue format? Are there any restrictions?
I often find monologues much easier to write than plays. That’s one of the first writing exercises that I give my writing students. The only challenges I find are creating a character and story that is worthy of taking the stage for 5-10 minutes or longer.
Do you believe these theatrical conversations will help ease some of the divisiveness in the United States?
Yes, I’m a firm believer in the idea that art, especially theatre, when done well, can heal, or at least challenge us to view the world differently, encourage self-reflection and/or inspire a call to action. I have often left the theatre inspired and encouraged to step out [of] my own comfort zone and take a different approach to problems in my own life. I want to do the same for people that come to see my plays.
What do you hope the audience members learn from the play? Do you hope they leave as ‘awake’ citizens and residents?
AWAKE is not meant to offer solutions but to inspire self-reflection, much-needed conversation and, hopefully, a call to action. There is such a rush to judge, label and criticize each other these days, and it is slowly killing us. AWAKE is my contribution, as an artist, to stop it, or at least, slow it down.
By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com
AWAKE, written and directed by K. Lorrel Manning, is now playing The Barrow Group Mainstage Theatre on West 36th Street in New York City. Click here for more information and tickets.
