Faces of Change

Walking the proverbial mile in someone else's shoes is one of the best ways to develop a sense of empathy. Cliché as it might be, the phrase is a classic for a reason — it's so easy to get trapped in your own personal bubble and develop blinders to the diversity that exists around you.

It's not until you make an honest attempt to understand another point of view that you can begin to embrace diversity and enact change — or at least a conversation.

That's the thinking behind Asolo Repertory Theatre's documentary theater project, "Faces of Change." Entering its fourth year, the project exists to foster community dialogue, using one of the theater's mainstage productions as an anchor for its focus. This year, the mainstage production is "Disgraced," which examines what life is like for Muslims in a post-9/11 society.

The project explores a related theme: How does faith both connect and divide us in America today?"

So what exactly is documentary theater? Much like a documentary film, the approach uses interviews and fact-finding to portray a nonfiction work onstage. To put that concept into practice, Asolo Rep Education and Outreach Specialist Ria Cooper, who is directing the project, conducted dozens of interviews at various local faith organizations, condensing their transcripts into a 10,000-word script, which will then be read onstage.

The responses varied. Some participants were emotional, some divulged opinions they'd never shared — others prefaced the interview by claiming to not have much to say, only to surprise themselves with the depths of their opinions.

Five participants will read the script onstage, each delivering verbatim dialogue from up to as many as 10 different people — although no volunteer will read his or her own interview, an intentional decision that enhances the effect of the performance.

"It's really interesting to hear your own words read back to you by someone else," says participant Raymmar Tirado. "It really puts things in a different perspective. Throughout the script, I was taken with the variety of ideas. I have a pretty specific viewpoint on this topic, and to see all these differing views, and for them to each be as grounded in theirs as I am in mine, was really interesting. I like that we can have all these opposing views and still be a community."

Cooper says she hopes the project starts a conversation about faith in the community. At the very least, she hopes people will take a moment to reflect on their own worldview and consider another point of view. 

"I keep coming back to the word 'destabilize,'" she says. "The point is to take what exists, look at it and question it. I want to make everyone really comfortable — and at the same time, really uncomfortable. That's how you start a dialogue, create change and better your community. "

IF YOU GO:

Faces of Change

2 p.m. Saturday, April 16, at the Historic Asolo Theater, 5401 Bay Shore Road

Free

Call 351-8000.

Faces of Change
 

7:30 p.m. Monday, April 18, at the Fogartyville Community Media Arts Center, 525 Kumquat Court

Free

Call 351-8000.