“Devising Gender” World Premiere by CTC’s Theatre Arts Training Senior Company
An inside look at “Devising Gender” with Cat Hammond, Children’s Theatre Company’s teaching artist.
S CTC’s Theatre Arts Training’s Senior Company recently created a new work entitled Devising Gender, an ensemble-devised work around themes of gender and sexuality. Drawing on contemporary and historical queer art movements, the ensemble engages with questions of identity, visibility and community in queer spaces to create a timely, authentic and one-of-a-kind performance. The production premiered November 16–19, 2017.
We interviewed Cat Hammond, LGBTQ Community Liaison and teaching artist at CTC, and co-lead on this production (together with teaching artist Jay Eisenberg) to give us a look at the process they and the ensemble embarked on to create this work.
Talk to us about the writing process for “Devising Gender”.
Cat Hammond: We really set out to explore how fully democratic and participatory a devising process can be. Rather than going into rehearsals with predetermined ideas about how the finished piece should look, we crafted this piece from the ground up as a collective effort. I can truly say that each and every performer onstage had a part in shaping the play on a fundamental level and I’m really happy about that.
What was the most difficult aspect to portray in the show?
CH: This play is centered around a community space that queer characters have created for themselves. Most of the play’s characters are drawn to this space because it offers them safety and support that they don’t find in the outside world. We had a lot of conversations about how to portray this community and its struggles honestly, without disproportionately emphasizing the challenges that queer folks do sometimes deal with.
Why do you think the topic of this show needs to be talked about in our community?
CH: It’s less safe and not easy to live in this world if you’re transgender. If you’re queer. If you don’t live in your gender the way society expects you to. Sharing stories and conversation is one of the most powerful things we can do to change that ugly reality.
What thoughts do you want the audience to leave with?
CH: I want the audience to leave with questions about what it looks like to truly lift up gender diversity in the communities we build and the stories we tell onstage.
What is your favorite moment in the show?
CH: It’s hard to choose! I think my favorite is the scene where we see all the characters onstage together for the first time. That moment emerged from a rehearsal where we asked the cast members to perform a bunch of different small scenes simultaneously, and they did it with such beautiful staging and coordination as an ensemble.
Ensemble
Ginger Bishop | Margaux
Léanne Fahie |Milo
Alyx Goetteman | Veronica
Zeke Harvey-Carlson | Astrid
Rowan Hoffman-Dachelet | Nicki
James Jones | Joel/Joela
Art Kaiser | Jude
Claude Mazullo | Henry
Allie McCarthy | Wren
Heaven Mountain | Caset
Talia Saklad | Luci
Matthew Clockworks | Elliott
Rachel Weintzweig | Parker
Want to get involved? Learn more about the programs we offer through Children’s Theatre Company’s Theatre Arts Training!
This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.
