also Cate's interview with Leyla about her role as Community Engagement person:
C: How did your perceptions of the job change over the last week?
L: I realized en route to the airport that I didn’t know what I was doing—kind of funny—I had no expectations.
C: Why did you choose Community Engagement?
L: I have experience and I enjoy doing—I’m open to almost anything.
C: What connected to the show wouldn’t you do?
L: Costumes and lighting—I would have no idea.
C: Is there any one community member you’re proudest of?
L: I’m most excited about Sherri’s role, as we saw her perform her poem, ”Fall of the Freaks,” on the street. And now she’s Bottles.
We had our first music rehearsal with the Americans and Becky. The sounds of voices singing “smoke, beer, piss” melodically filled the lofters of the sunny open space loft. I loved the juxtaposition of the harsh details of the environment of the American Hotel with the melodic harmonies produced within the group. I loved the mix of the gritty American hotel and the airy almost church like quality of the music. Becky, as musical director, did a fabulous job trying out different parts and variations of the lines from the play. For example, we sang “layer upon layer upon layer of conversation” from the script and then layered our voices harmonically. Tom, Dick (and Harry, as I renamed Danyol) gave examples of stories from the real American Hotel, like for example that you can’t microwave without unplugging other appliances or else everything gets short circuited. I also got to improvise the video scene with Tom where he will play a guitar soundtrack to Myrine making scrambled eggs in the microwave. It was fun bonding with the a few of the other actors and hearing the real life stories of the people living on Traction Ave. It also was fun to recreate “hanging out on a Friday afternoon...just chilling and eating eggs... Judy Cohen
