THE PIECE
This ecological drama centers around the frustrations with the inherent inequities of being a person of color in academia, told in conversation with a soundscape of nature and hyperpop. The narrative follows Janey, a Black female Animal Behavior graduate student at UC Davis, as her academic pursuit is routinely disrupted by what seems to be a malevolent and flamboyant force.
In 1890, the first successful flock of European Starlings were released in Central Park. The Starling, which was brought to eat pests and sing its beautiful song, outcompeted the native species. Its song became "disruptive," and after being named the most successful invasive species, US citizens targeted the bird with bounties, firearms, and poisons. Sound familiar?
THE ARTIST
M. D. Schaffer (They/He) is an award-winning, Non-Binary, Ashkenazi, African-American playwright, librettist, lyricist, and Theatre & Horror scholar. They evoke American history, embodying historical and scientific facts to ground narratives that explore, uplift, and empower marginalized experiences in contemporary times. Their previous productions include “A Rodeo Clown” with the Obsidian Theatre Festival & “Drapetomania: A Negro Carol” with the We Will Dream Festival. Their dramatic works have been developed in collaboration with Art House Productions, Lighthouse Ladies LLC, The Classical Theatre of Harlem, New Jersey Play Lab, Fresh Ground Pepper, The Bechdel Project, and the Obie Award-winning Harlem9 Inc.