Well known within the Off Off Broadway community for her unconventional and experimental work, playwright Kimberly Pau brings artistic and innovative ideas to the world of theater.
As one of the founders of Ouroboros Co., a collection of artists who seek to create a new way for audiences to engage in the theater experience, Pau’s creativity and talent is evident.
“We are seeking to make work that is archetypal and makes the audience experience things in more than one conscious way,†said Pau. “We use text that is experimental and movement and music to create stage pictures and situations that are outside of naturalism so that people are forced to experience it in a different way than they usually do; so that they may be more open to the subject matter or so its more theatrical; its more engaging that way,†she continued, in referring to Ouroboros Co. and their aim.
Pau’s most recent production, “In Memory,” which ran in late May at the HERE Theater, was an opportunity for the audience to experience theater in a unique way, consciously as well as subconsciously. “In Memory” was a story of a young woman’s struggle to awake after she is trapped in a coma, was a collaborative idea among Ouroboros Co. members.
“We as a collective came up with the idea about a year ago to do a piece where we would all pick a character real or imaginary that we always wanted to work on; and then I would create a world where all those characters could exist,†explained Pau.
That world, where all the various chosen characters could exist, went on to become the mind of 27 year-old Deon as she struggled to regain consciousness. The character Deon was chosen by Pau herself and played by actress Amanda Peters. Deon was inspired by Pau’s grandmother who had recently passed away and Pau’s desire to have her character be somewhat of a reclusive poet similar to Emily Dickinson and others.
The other characters, chosen by the rest of Pau’s team included well-known historical figures such as Frédéric Chopin, Bartolomeo Vanzetti, and George Sand. Also among these characters was Russell Blackwell, a 20th century anarchist and activist involved in the Spanish Civil War who was the grandfather of In Memory Art Director, Rachel Blackwell.
The entire production process was made within four weeks. Although the process was fast, the outcome made for an entertaining night at the theater riddled with whimsical dialogue, expressive dance and beautiful music.
Robert Boston, in charge of the play’s original music and sound design also took on the role of Chopin. Throughout the play the audience was able to hear the Boston’s skillful talent as he performed as Chopin live on the piano.
“I think one of the main reasons to see [In Memory] is because of Robert Boston who is playing Chopin. He’s acting as the character Chopin and he’s also playing several Chopin pieces in the show, so the music is really beautiful and there’s a lot of really beautiful Chopin playing which I think is just incredible,†said Pau.
In addition to the various dance and movement prominent in the play, there was a section of visual excitement in which the actors performed skillfully with large red hoops. Also, aside from the flawless Chopin music that was present throughout the play, there was a interesting section in which the cast performed a song titled, “The Palindrome Song,†which was made of palindromes.
The play was innovative and artistic, however, required close attention to fully understand the details of the script. With so many aspects to the production there was something to appeal to everyone, whether was subtle humor, eloquent music, or flippant hand puppets.
“There are a lot of different elements that are brought together,†said Pau, “and I think that all of the collaborators are really wonderful and very committed to their craft and are really exciting to see.”
Photo by Miguel Drake-McLaughlin
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