Using a combination of skits, testimonials and collective decision-making, one theater company applies artistic talents to inspire conversation about the problem of poverty in America.
The original production “How to End Poverty in 90 Minutes” was created by the Illinois theater company Sojourn Theatre. The company’s artistic director Michael Rohd began developing the production with professional artists and students when he taught at Northwestern University. The performance was so well received that Sojourn Theatre is working on spreading the show to different parts of the country.
University Communication studies professor Patricia Suchy reached out to Sojourn Theatre in hopes of bringing the company to Baton Rouge to work with University students. After months of brainstorming, Rohd and Suchy developed the idea of bringing “How to End Poverty in 90 Minutes” to Baton Rouge.
The University’s version, “How to End Poverty in 60 Minutes,” is a Baton Rouge-focused production that Rohd has come to direct. The show is a series of poverty-related skits and stories that aim to create a greater awareness of poverty in the Baton Rouge area.
The show has partnered with Baton Rouge organizations that fight poverty, and the proceeds of the performance will go to these groups, depending on the audience’s decisions during the show.
There are four different moments in the show when the audience will break into small groups and discuss different aspects of poverty and approaches to battling poverty.
“It is a collage of moments that continuously invites the audience into a conversation,” Rohd said.
As poverty is such a complex issue, Rohd hopes the performance will show how it affects those who are in it or around it. Businesses in areas such as health care, social services and government all intersect with poverty. It’s a topic that is not often talked about because of its serious subject matter, but Rohd said he believes it should not be overlooked. Instead of creating an event that forces an audience to do something, “How to End Poverty in 60 Minutes” wants to inspire thought in its audience.
“We try to make an event that we are curious about that allows other people to be curious with us and learn from it,” Rohd said.
The cast of “How to End Poverty in 60 Minutes” utilizes the small space of HopKins Black Box Theatre to its advantage. The closeness of the area increases the opportunity for intimate conversations during the performance.
Sarah Friday, performance studies senior and actress in the show, said she joined the production because she believes there are things that can be done to make the Baton Rouge community a better place.
“Reading through the script made me think about what I could do to raise awareness about this issue,” Friday said. “I know that those seeing it will feel the same.”
Rohd trusts that the rareness of conversing with those in attendance while watching the performances will make a memorable experience for the audience, who he calls “participants.”
“How to End Poverty in 60 Minutes” will take place at HopKins Black Box Theatre, 137 Coates Hall on the University’s campus. Performances will be Friday at 4:30 p.m. and Saturday at 7:30 p.m.
HopKins Black Box Theatre is a not-for-profit University foundation, but the suggested donation is $7. Tickets may be reserved by calling the main office of the department of communication studies at (225) 578-4172 from 9 a.m. to noon or 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Cessali Fournier rehearses for Sojourn Theatre’s “How to End Poverty in 60 Minutes” on Wednesday evening, Feb. 19, 2014 in the HopKins Black Box Theatre at 137 Coates Hall.
