What Does A Play Say About Our Roosevelt Island Community Asks A Resident After Attending Women's History Month Performance On Life Of Dr. May Edward Chin?
Image From Dave Evans
Roosevelt Island resident Dave Evans share some thoughts about attending Roosevelt Island Women's History Month performance on the life of Dr. May Edward Chin this past weekend. From Mr. Evans:
"Women's History Month - - What Does a Play Say About our Community"Here's an short excerpt from a performance of the Life of Dr. May Edward Chinn at another venue.
Image From Dave Evans
Upon reading The Roosevelt Islander Blog and The WIRE, I noticed a Women's History Month event scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, 10 and 11 March 2012, at our wonderful Roosevelt Island Main Street Theater (Owen Johnston, Executive Director). Though noticed, the announced event did not resonate until I decided to take a look at the story of Dr. May Edward Chinn.
After being amazed at the accomplishments of this strong, intelligent, talented woman who practiced in Harlem during difficult times, I surmised that the Theater would be overflowing with attendees, and I thought especially females, given her research on cancer. More specifically, the development of the Pap smear test for cervical cancer.
Well, there were ladies who witnessed the outstanding performances, but not in the numbers expected. Regardless of the number of seats filled, Main Street Theater provided an excellent setting for this two-person play about Dr. Chinn by Laurence Holder and Directed by Imani. The New York City located Richard Allen Center for Culture and Art, Shirley J. Radcliffe Executive Producer, presented this play to Roosevelt Islanders. Two beautiful, convincing, experienced and talented actresses, Kim Yancey-Moore and LaVonda Elam, brought the story to life and quite frankly, a few tears of empathy to my eyes.
But, what does this superb play say about our community? First, it reminds us of the many opportunities availed "we Islanders". Let's start with the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation (RIOC). Yes, this is but one positive example of what RIOC and its Operations staff such as Community Relations Specialist Erica Spencer-El provide us. Further, it aptly focuses on one of the many achievements of "Women", fulfilling a goal of the History Month.
I must admit that a strong woman and fine citizen, Dolores Green, Roosevelt Island Seniors Association President, was instrumental in encouraging attendance. Sadly to this writer, the Play highlighted that many of us are unaware of and/or do not take time to partake of many offerings we have right here on the Island, at no or little cost. Finally, but not exhaustive, the Play revealed during discussions with our visitors that there remain many folks in New York City who are unaware of the Island and what it has to offer. I heard that more than once and several said they would be back, especially given how surprisingly easy it is to get here.
Pictured below are some of the folks who were in attendance on Sunday and who expressed their strong appreciation to our Theater, to those who sponsored and to those who just completed a wonderful performance on stage.
Image From Dave Evans
(Left to right: Zack Stockton, RIOC/Graphic Artist; Erica Spencer-El, RIOC/Community Relations; Lavonda Elam, Actress; Dolores Green, RISA; Kim Yancey-Moore, Actress; Shirley Radcliff, Executive Producer; Jennifer Branche, Lisa Radcliff)
So, are you aware of Women's History Month, inclusive of International Women's Day? The play helped me feel the strength of Women's collective achievements and contributions worldwide. It is in this regard that we are celebrating in March. Do you have an experience to share?
3 comments :
I attended this play expecting to pay an entrance fee. Not only was the play FREE, but it was AWESOME. The actresses were superb, the story - excellent. Thank you to Erica & RIOC for bringing this play here to our island.
I was at the Saturday evening performance of this wonderful production. It is heartbreaking to see such a few attendees.
There was plenty of publicity, posters and press.
This is endemic on the Island. There are so many performances that are free or very low cost that are so poorly attended. The RIHS has done many performances, where the attendance was poor and not due to lack of publicity.
In many communities the residents woudl be clammoring for such events.
Thanks to Erica, RIOC, the MSTDA for presenting this wonderful performance.
Judith Berdy
The perception, right or wrong, is that performances on Roosevelt Island will naturally follow the Roosevelt Island Rule: if it's here, it will be the worst of its kind. It's true that many communities would clamor for such events, but it must be remembered that we are a neighborhood in New York City, where the problem is deciding which such events to attend. There is no dearth of cultural offerings beyond the tram and the subway station. We are not tied to this little island. If the island had been developed as it was supposed to, with the subway opening immediately and buildings constructed and filled around it, we would have considered ourselves a neighborhood in the city and Manhattan and Astoria/LIC residents would have considered us just another nearby neighborhood instead of some kind of weird, isolated suburb. In that case, this play might well have drawn a larger audience, from beyond our shores.
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