ABOUT THE STEERING COMMITTEE MEMBERS
JANICE AMAYA (they/them)
Janice Amaya is an actor, theatermaker, and organizer based in New York City. There they have been working for years with organizations such as the New Sanctuary Coalition, Performance Space New York, the Hemispheric Institute of Performance and Politics, and Pipeline Theatre Company, to name a few. They are also a founding member of The Hummm, a theater collective whose aim is to democratize the experimental. Currently they are touring and leading virtual engagements with CARTOGRAPHY, a show that combines simple storytelling with interactive video technology to recount experiences of modern-day migration from a youth perspective and empowers viewers of all ages to share their experiences of searching for home. They are extremely excited to be back at the American Repertory Theater, where they trained at the Institute for Advanced Theater Training (Class of 2016).
Hitting a Straight Lick with a Crooked Stick is a collection of stories about love and migration, gender and class, racism and sexism that reflect African American folk culture. Brought together for the first time in one volume, the book includes eight of Hurston’s lost Harlem stories, which were found in forgotten periodicals and archives. These stories challenge conceptions of Hurston as an author of rural fiction and include gems that flash with her biting, satirical humor, as well as more serious tales reflective of the cultural currents of Hurston’s world. All are timeless classics that enrich our understanding and appreciation of this exceptional writer’s voice and her contributions to America’s literary traditions.
Theater leaders lean into 2021 with plenty of programming and a measure of optimism
By Terry Byrne Globe correspondent,Updated January 14, 2021, 3:21 p.m.
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Ruibo Qian and Jon Norman Schneider, shown in a 2016 Huntington Theatre production of Tiger Style!, will reprise their roles for an audio production of the show to be broadcast on GBH and then made available in a podcast.T. Charles Erickson
Despite a year of COVID cancellations and programming pivots, leaders among Bostonâs theater community remain optimistic, if pragmatic, about what theater lovers can look forward to in the coming months. Several who spoke to the Globe said the forced break encouraged them to recommit to their missions, take care of their staffs and artists, and honestly address diversity, equity, and inclusion practices within their organizations.
Julia Bernat and Rodrigo dos Santos in Julia, a Brazilian adaption of Miss Julie, presented by ArtsEmerson. (Courtesy)
For many, the start of a new year brings renewed hope for change. This year is no different, especially with news of a vaccine signaling the beginning of the end of the pandemic. But even with a vaccine rollout, theatergoers ready to see local performers hit the stage will have to hold on a little longer.
At a recent conference for performing arts professionals, Dr. Anthony Fauci shared that we may be able to head back to theaters in the fall when the population reaches a certain level of herd immunity if all goes according to plan. But even when we gather together, Fauci said that we might be wearing masks for some time.