ERICA
RICE
AND BEANS
ARTIST
PERFORMER
DIRECTOR
MAKER
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Photo by Lexi Adams https://www.instagram.com/lexiadams.photography/
CHILDREN'S THEATER
Five Children Regina Angelorum Academy 2017
Five Children Regina Angelorum Academy 2017
Five Children Regina Angelorum Academy 2017
VIDEOS
It is hard to stand up for ourselves. It is especially hard in middle school. My work as a theater director is to create spaces for these young people where they are supported and heard, their experiences seen as relevant and important. From this place, they can make theater that speaks their truth, which is the bravest work of all.
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For more information about my directing work and experience, please see my directing resume here:
CRITICAL ACCLAIM
"Not like other grown ups."
-Becky, Actor, 8th Grade
"You believe that we, although we are young, are important and do have things to say."
- Elena, Actor, 8th Grade
"...Such a wonderful director... mellow the whole time!"
-Julie, Actor, 6th Grade
". . . You are the Best pruduser Ever!"
-Isabella, Actor, 1st Grade
"...Unflagging effort!..."
-4th through 8th Grade Actors
"So much cardboard..."
-The 7th and 8th Grade
Production Team
WRITING ABOUT CHILDREN'S THEATER
What do we tell children?
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When we are frightened and full of rage and those who are supposed to protect instead bear their bloody teeth at the vulnerable, when we are calling, shouting, and writing with the desperation of dreams when we scream and no sound comes out - what do we tell children?
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What do we say about the stories we have given them to understand the world, the stories that have taught the complacency and indifference that bear the blame for our current reality?
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We tell them that the stories have been wrong. We decolonize the narratives, unravel the tales woven by fear mongers, regurgitate the lies swallowed by those with an appetite for ignorance. Not quietly or with a warning glance, but out loud, clearly, listening to the questions, “but why do these stories have this stuff in them?” and taking our time to answer.
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This is the moment we are in now. It is a moment for considering our mythologies and writing new ones. We need to teach and remember the truth in myths about courage amid tyranny, intelligence and insight amid dangerous ignorance, outspoken thoughtfulness amid silencing fear, and of ferocious love that outlasts the ever-decaying artifices of hate.
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Where do we begin? Well, dear broken country, we can begin by learning from others, for this is not the first time a mother has asked these questions. But darkness itself has a power and it does not belong to men in suits. It is the power of wonder, of ferocity, of vulnerability when it is a choice that makes us wiser, it is the power of bedtime stories and the music we sing to ourselves when we walk alone at night.
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We must take up the responsibility that we as artists have to lead the charge on better stories, stories that do not reinforce the criminalizing of otherness, making villains of those we do not recognize or understand, but instead that make space for the voices of young people to look the hate in the eye and say, “we will not fight for you, but we will play so loudly, grow so gentle, and love so strong that you will have no choice but to surrender.”
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-Excerpted Reflections
Winter, 2016
KID-FESTO
I believe that perfect theater happens every time you (yes, you) have something important to say and get the people around you to turn around and listen. I know, because I listen and because I remember, that young people have vast, complicated, vivid, full, beautiful, difficult lives beyond what you are often given the time or space to share. As your director, it is my job to make the space, to take the time, and to listen to what you have to say and to figure out with you how the work we’re making can be a place where your voices and ideas are seen and heard.
I have no interest in limiting what is on the table, inventing Answers to your questions, or teaching you how to be great Actors. The last two are redundant- the questions are the important stuff and you are all already great actors- and the first thing is just stupid. I do theater because it has the potential to let all of the questions and ideas into the room and create a space where the world you imagine can have voice in a context in which it is amplified and listened to.
Awe, curiosity, delight, and respect for the lives and imaginations of young people is a necessity. The world needs the voices of young people. That is why I work with you. Because this is what I believe theater at its best can do.