THE SPARROW

This past Saturday, I watched The Sparrow at the Adrienne Arsht Center, and also attended their workshop beforehand. The Sparrow received 7 Jeff Awards in Chicago, including Outstanding New Work, Production, Director, Ensemble, Original Music, Projection Design and Choreography. The production originated at The House Theater in Chicago, and is now touring the country. It was honestly one of the best shows I've ever seen. Along with that, it was also one of the most inspirational shows I've ever seen. There were 5 Southern Methodist University alumni involved in the production. The director, writers, and 3 actors, all graduated from SMU in < 2007. To see alumni actually working and getting themselves out there was an eye opener for me; after so much deception for being involved in theater, and being told it's not a "career", it gave me hope that I can be successful at SMU. If you want it and work hard enough for it, you will be rewarded. Always.


I attended the workshop beforehand. Around 50 people attended, ages 17 through 80-something. There was a plethora of performers, as well as playwrights, directors, producers, even nurses. We learned what The House Theater was all about. They are a collaborative group, working within their own ensemble members, only hiring people who they would want to work with and let them be a part of "the circle." Carolyn Defrin, who plays the lead character of Emily Book, led us through the workshop. She founded The House Theater, along with other cast members. I had a chance to work closely with the SMU alumni, along with other people who attended the workshop, and I understood what the House Theater meant when they talked about the ensemble working as a collaborative, not as individuals.


Their form of storytelling was presented through movement pieces, visuals, video footage, magic, singing, and dance (It was not a musical. I promise.) All in all, it was an incredible production, and I'm so glad to have spent my Saturday with this incredible cast. The experience was unlike any other I've had, and almost a revelation in myself. 


They close this weekend, so you can still catch it. Student Rush is $25. Here's a link:

The Sparrow Miami