INVOICE FOR EMOTIONAL LABOR is made possible through major funding support from the Rhode Island Council for the Humanities, an independent state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities. The Council seeds, supports, and strengthens public history, cultural heritage, civic education, and community engagement by and for all Rhode Islanders.
ABOUT THE PRODUCTION
Invoice for Emotional Labor is a multi-discipline performance answering the asked and not so obvious unasked questions about race and racism from the perspective of poet and 2018 McColl Johnson finalist and RISCA Playwright fellow Christopher Johnson.
Inspired by John Leguizamo's "Latin History for Morons," playwright Christopher Johnson solo performance provides the audience members insight into his experiences being an artist educator and black person in America using story, narrative and poetry. Covering racial etiquette, historic facts not taught in school, cultural differences i.e. why they are important, defunct unacceptable cultural practices, unconscious bias, why Webster's definition of racism is obsolete, the blurred lines of cultural appropriation and cultural exchange etc, the playwright answers questions frequently asked on social media, in periodicals, op-eds and general conversation.
ABOUT CHRISTOPHER JOHNSON:
An internationally known Poetry Slam champion, Christopher is known for his constant evolving style that without complaint, combines the experience discord of his past, the wisdom of now and the hope of the future to give voice to a universal message of human spark that connects us all. Using the intricate combination of academia, hip hop, traditional storytelling, theater, and just plain old common sense, Christopher provides a soulful, uplifting experience guaranteed to move his audience through several states of equilibrium, challenging the listener to remain in an emotional stagnant state. He organizes spoken word events, gives workshops on writing, performing, and public speaking, as well as growth and empowerment for youth and adults through words. He has been an active community member of Brown University's student spoken word/poetry organization Word! since since 2006. In 2010, Christopher was commissioned by Providence's Department of Art Culture and Tourism to write the poem Providence Divine to commemorate the city's 375th birthday, and by Brown University in 2012 in celebration of the the inauguration of the university's 19th president.
Christopher's previous work with the Wilbury Group includes Invisible UpSouth, New and Dangerous Ideas, and as a performer in Decameron, Providence.
Inspired by John Leguizamo's "Latin History for Morons," playwright Christopher Johnson solo performance provides the audience members insight into his experiences being an artist educator and black person in America using story, narrative and poetry. Covering racial etiquette, historic facts not taught in school, cultural differences i.e. why they are important, defunct unacceptable cultural practices, unconscious bias, why Webster's definition of racism is obsolete, the blurred lines of cultural appropriation and cultural exchange etc, the playwright answers questions frequently asked on social media, in periodicals, op-eds and general conversation.
ABOUT CHRISTOPHER JOHNSON:
An internationally known Poetry Slam champion, Christopher is known for his constant evolving style that without complaint, combines the experience discord of his past, the wisdom of now and the hope of the future to give voice to a universal message of human spark that connects us all. Using the intricate combination of academia, hip hop, traditional storytelling, theater, and just plain old common sense, Christopher provides a soulful, uplifting experience guaranteed to move his audience through several states of equilibrium, challenging the listener to remain in an emotional stagnant state. He organizes spoken word events, gives workshops on writing, performing, and public speaking, as well as growth and empowerment for youth and adults through words. He has been an active community member of Brown University's student spoken word/poetry organization Word! since since 2006. In 2010, Christopher was commissioned by Providence's Department of Art Culture and Tourism to write the poem Providence Divine to commemorate the city's 375th birthday, and by Brown University in 2012 in celebration of the the inauguration of the university's 19th president.
Christopher's previous work with the Wilbury Group includes Invisible UpSouth, New and Dangerous Ideas, and as a performer in Decameron, Providence.
PRODUCTION PHOTOS by Oliver 'Syde-Sho' Arrias:
CAST |
CREATIVE TEAM |
Christopher Johnson
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Invoice for Emotional Labor
Written by Christopher Johnson Produced by The Wilbury Theatre Group in collaboration with Community College of Rhode Island, and with support from Rhode Island Council for the Humanities Filmed and Edited by Oliver 'Syde-Sho' Arrias Technical Direction by Max Ponticelli Production Assistance by Jourdan Miller Production Management by Annalee Cavallaro Press / media inquiries: Niki Healy, niki@thewilburygroup.org |
ABOUT
An award-winning*, not-for-profit professional theatre company, the Wilbury Theatre Group engages our community in thought-provoking conversation through new works, reimagined classics and adventurous playmaking. We are idealistic, ambitious, and stubborn in our resolve to create theatre that entertains, enlightens, and inspires.
*WINNER of the 2018 National Theatre Company Grant from the American Theatre Wing (The Tony Awards).
*WINNER of the 2018 National Theatre Company Grant from the American Theatre Wing (The Tony Awards).
