Photo credit: Jeni Batten
Meet Me is site-specific interactive theatre where audience input directly contributes to plot outcome. Follow the arc of one of three characters along with their social media using the theatre’s supplied smartphone, including their text messages, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram posts, and music. The characters’ story trajectories are not fixed and can be transformed, like the attitudes of the audience; it’s a different show every time.
The #MeToo movement provoked polarizing debates in contemporary culture; social media became saturated with aggressive accusations (#cancelculture #toxicmasculinity). Society has now moved forward into a post #metoo era asking, ‘What’s next?” In a most innovative, theatrical way, Live Action Theatre Project in collaboration with Teesri Duniya Theatre creates an environment where audience members talk about these issues with each other instead of at each other, inspiring empathy on the path to reconciliation. Very limited seating; moderated talkbacks after every performance. Mature content warning—ages 18+.
MEET ME
Directed by Rosaruby Kagan
Written by Julia Ainsworth & Rosaruby Kagan
Media/digital content written by Stephanie Merulla
Text contributions by Zeshaun Saleem
Thursday, September 29 – Saturday, October 8, 2022
“Calling someone out on social media makes you vulnerable. You won’t just be toppling his life.”- Roslyn
Meet Me director and co-playwright Rosaruby Kagan is a drama therapist, psychotherapist, actor, director and theatre producer. Julia Ainsworth is a theatre artist and arts educator and the show’s co-producer and co-playwright. Set in the world of academics, actors Darragh Mondoux (Gemma), Zeshaun Saleem (Qas)and Leigh Ann Taylor (Roslyn) portray three characters of various ages and backgrounds whose perspectives clash after a night of intimacy goes wrong. They have been collaborating on the piece throughout intensive workshops and multiple drafts. An avalanche of texts, podcasts, videos and simulated social media posts on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter was written by Stephanie Merulla.
Audience members each follow one of the characters for the entire show as they walk between three locations on the McGill campus and meet up with the other two characters. “Meet Me is an opportunity to get people together who may not share the same political beliefs or ideology, to talk about the divisive theme of call-out culture and responsibility for one’s actions. I am hoping people will leave the play understanding on a visceral level why someone might make choices that they themselves wouldn’t,” said Kagan.
Enhancing this timely subject is LATP’s inventive use of technology and distinctive theatrical form. As audiences track the story arc of their character, they collectively shape the ongoing narrative via open and honest discussion. Meet Me inspires authentic lines of empathy between individuals with different viewpoints. No two shows are alike; audiences are encouraged to come back and follow a different character’s journey. “Our theatrical style is inspired by forum theatre, gaming and leading research in the field of empathy development,” said Ainsworth.
Themes in the play connect strongly with Saleem, “With an academic background in Islamic societies, I’ve been surrounded by Western feminism vs Muslim feminism debates, not to mention the rise of men’s rights that can influence vulnerable young men looking for meaning.” Said Mondoux, “I am taken with the power of a gaze, a lens and institutions; power and its implications for marginalized people has made for compelling theatre since before Shakespeare.”
Kagan and Ainsworth have been developing this project for four years. The talented artistic team is video and lighting design by Adam Walters; set and costume design by Rachel-Anne Germinario; sound design by Rob Denton; and smartphone app design by Jacob Niedzwiecki. Ahlam Gholami is the assistant director and the stage manager is Elyse Quesnel.
