Cornerstone Theater - Bri Pattillo

“Any theater that has a result in mind is not having a conversation.” – Michael John Garcés, Artistic Director

- Wow, I have to say this spoke to me very deeply. I think we are often goal or outcome oriented. It is easy to forget that theater can just be seen, or spark a conversation, or create a space. It doesn’t have to be the end goal but the beginning of the road.

“Our plays celebrate many voices, and are staged in theaters and in parking lots, in factories, schools and subway stations. We strive to include people who have not been on stage or even seen theater. We’ve taken up residence in small towns and urban neighborhoods, collaborating with locals from start to finish to tell their unique stories through theater.”

- What is it like trying to engage with people who aren’t used to participating in art and theatre?

“Fellowship” was a performance from 2016 where the audience becomes the performer and the action they perform is making sandwiches for hungry people in LA. I remember hearing about this performance when it was running and was really sad I wasn’t able to see it before it closed. I would be interested in hearing Michael elaborate on how this engagement of the audience is still performance/performative.

What are they working on next?!

How do they keep it all up and running? How do they find funding? How do they get everyone paid? How many people even get paid? What are their operations like?

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Arts and Community Engagement 2018

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