‘It’s easier to imagine the end of the world than the end of capitalism.’
This quote from philosopher Frederic Jameson is one of many reflections studied in this energetic and satirical experimental theatre work, Class Dismissed. This interactive work features a cast of students, teachers and volunteers from the audience. Some of the lighter topics include pillow fights and day drinking.
This is no ordinary classroom and the production’s moments of seriousness resonate over the lighter ones. As director and performer Daniel Irizarry states, ‘Knowledge is painfully acquired’ and that resonates on many levels. As in any classroom, pearls of wisdom shine through.
Written by Robert Lyons and imaginatively directed by Daniel Irizarry, La Mama Experimental Theatre Club presents ‘Class Dismissed’ live and in person at Ellen Stewart Theatre in New York City through Sunday, May 4. This work runs 95 minutes with one intermission and is also available to live stream. Please bring a book so you may donate it or swap it with an audience member. You can also be a consensual volunteer. Click here for more information and for tickets.
In high socks and pumpkin letterman jackets which is just a glimpse of Hayley Wallenfeldt’s vibrant costumes, these earnest, unconventional and adventurous teachers lend to Florian Stabb’s inventive sound design playing instruments and creating music including makeshift instruments like two skillets and sing a cappella ranging from dance to horn infused rhythms to Italian opera.
Hallucinating a post-capitalist manifesto, Class Dismissed also focuses on two grad students portrayed by Yaraní del Valle Piñero and Rhys Tivey satirically and at times outlandishly reporting on the state of the world. This creative experimental work can be confusing at times but an intriguing concept and some elements work better than others. As this is interactive and experimental theatre, you won’t see the same show twice and a different artist is featured at every performance. Recent live stream performers were Ji-Young Kim from South Korea’s Seoul Institute of The Arts and Naz Göktan and Efe Çetinel from Bilkent University in Turkey.
Lit-professors Pepper Binkley and Daniel Irizarry explain that they are using two different strategies for two different goals. This work recites as much poetry, prose and noir as it comments on consumerism, pleasure and the established order. You can expect the unexpected in this classroom and these teachers are willing to go to great lengths to deliver a high energy and memorable experience while the students dream about the future.
La Mama Experimental Theatre Club presents ‘Class Dismissed’ live and in person at Ellen Stewart Theatre in New York City through Sunday, May 4. Click here for more information and for tickets.