FAT HAM by James Ijames at the Wilma Theatre
A round of applause for the cast, crew and whole production team of this play! Knowing the critical attention the script has recieved, the excellence of The Wilma as a producing house, and the actors as members of the Philly Theatre Community, I was not surprised to have witnessed such epic work. Don't get me wrong, I laughed, leaned in, and was shook by this piece; yet I was not unprepared to be taken on this joyous journey. What was the surprise was being with such an amazing audience.
On tuesday morning, myself and other industry attenders were amidst 150+ 7th - 11th graders. These students were with each character, taking in the story, and rooting the narrative on. They sometimes didn't get the Shakespeare references, but I didn't totally understand the usage of the fourth wall in this production. In thinking about the kind of theatre I want to be a part of, it's this: creating a space for audiences to tell JUICY to eat that candy bar!
In my traditional assumptions of educational outreach and theatre, it is seen as a sense of volunteerism that theatre host students. And as aå program, Wilmagination, is showing me how students can deeply impact a production. I recognize part of this magic was from how this theatre invited young-audiences to be here. In understanding that this may be people's first play, in understanding the attention needs of 21st Century adolescents, and in addressing that this play is for Black Queer Celebration, Wilma owned that there is mature, NSFS (not "safe" for school) content and gave expectation that these topics be respected.
These students we're only adding to the production, but to me. I could tell the actors were loving these kids, I was loving these kids -- allowing myself to emote and react honestly to this work -- without the social obligation of "being a good audience member". I am thankful to be a part of a theatre ecosystem that can be so impactful and hope to continue this work.
