Photo by Hyphen Photography
Now that winter is upon us, it can be a struggle for parents to find fun things to do with the kids indoors. With the immersive and interactive Up Close Festival, you and your kids can learn about the history of Greenwich Village from the comfort of a heated theater. Presented by New Ohio Theatre’s Theatre for Young Minds, Up Close Festival features work by a variety of artists, including Spellbound Theatre Company and Perfect City. Produced and Co-Directed by Peter Musante and Sara Morgulis, Up Close is a delightful celebration of the art of play and discovery.
Inspired by Jane Jacobs, the activist who advocated for a better sense of community in urban areas, Up Close takes audiences on a tour of Greenwich Village. Our host for the journey is Pizza Rat (Marisol Rosa-Shapiro), a tough-talking rodent who serves as guide to a few famous sites both past and present. First, we visit the garden at St. Luke’s in the Fields, a sanctuary for both birds and plantlife. Using shadow puppets, the artists track the history of this spot going back to 1609, when the Lenape people lived here. This project is led by Spellbound’s Lauren Sharpe and is co-created with Asha John, Robert Thaxton-Stevenson, and Ben Weber.
Photo by Hyphen Photography
Next we turn to 219 Thompson Street, the site of Chess Forum, a chess store that opened in 1995 and that ignited a rivalry between the already existing Village Chess Shop across the street. Experimental artists Marisa Blankier and Christopher-Rashee Stevenson tell this story, along with Perfect City members Tyler Diaz, Jahmorei Snipes, and Tiffany Zorrilla, using a giant chess board and human (children) pieces.
Photo by Hyphen Photography
Finally, we visit the fictional Society of Historic Sonic Happenings (SHSH) at the former site of Bell Laboratories. Created by Adrienne Kapstein, this was my favorite stop on the tour. The “scientists” (Rachel Confrancisco, Brit Gossett, Alec Kirazian, LaToya Lewis, and Akash Seeramreddi) have captured different soundscapes of the city whose frequencies they claim still live in the sidewalks and walls of the Village. The scientists preserve them in jars and you can actually hear some of the sounds that the labels describe (sound design by Bhurin Sead). These include construction noises, pigeons cooing, and children playing. Then the audience is split into smaller groups for the children to capture their own sounds with the help of a different scientist.
Photo by Hyphen Photography
Throughout the experience, we are encouraged to draw, play, and use our imaginations. Scattered throughout the space are different types of games that are available to use: Simon, giant Uno, chess (of course), even a classic Nintendo!
The best part of Up Close Festival, aside from giving kids (and adults!) the chance to explore and play in the name of culture, is that some of the places we explore are still here and within walking distance of the theater – so you can learn about it and then go visit! It makes for a great hands-on educational theater experience.
Up Close Festival is running through January 4, 2020 at New Ohio Theatre.