Theater company to stage "Becoming Natasha" based on Malarek book (09/25/05)

Theater company to stage "Becoming Natasha" based on Malarek book

by Roxolana Woloszyn

NEW YORK - "Becoming Natasha," a collaborative multimedia production work-in-progress that draws on the international problem of human trafficking for its subject, will have its premiere as part of the Six Figures Theater Company's fifth annual Artists of Tomorrow Festival.

The piece, inspired by the book "The Natashas" by Ukrainian Canadian author and investigative journalist Victor Malarek, has been chosen by New York Magazine (September 15 issue) as one of the top three shows to see from the festival's offerings.

Two performances, slated for Friday, October 7, at 7 p.m. and Saturday, October 8, at 2 p.m., will be held at West End Theater, 263 W. 86th St. (Take the No. 1 Train to 86th Street; go half a block west between Broadway and West End). Tickets, at $15, may be reserved by calling (212) 868-4444.

In this movement-based, text driven, performance piece by Isadora Productions, every one of the six actors, in addition to the co-creators Stacey Cervellino and Anna Klein, and the director, Nancy S. Chu, was involved in the creation of the final product that is slated to be staged in 2007. Through workshops that took place on June 22-July 30, the cast worked to fill in the two skeleton scripts - 30- and 25-minute shorts.

The play follows the paths of six trafficked women, from their captures to their eventual release, escape and, in some cases, death. The story unfolds in a series of film montage and "mini-plays" as seen through the eyes of the dominant character in the scene. There is a "lead" character that the audience will be able to follow throughout the piece, making it easier for the audience to follow a cause/efffect situation.

Nina Arianda, a senior at New School University's Eugene Lang College, is the Ukrainian member of the cast.

Isadora Productions, formed in early 2003 by Ms. Klein and Ms. Cervellino, was searching for meaningful work when Ms. Cervellino attended Mr. Malarek's "The Natashas" reading at the Ukrainian Institute of America. Ms. Cervellino heard actors reading passages from "The Natashas" and the "wheels started turning," she said. Ms. Cervellino then spoke with Mr. Malarek and he was very interested in a project that, in a sense, would bring his book to life.

Before settling on making the piece, Ms. Klein, Ms. Chu and Ms. Cervellino researched the subject for about eight months, immersing themselves in books, film and people who could inform them more about this issue.

Firefly, a branch of Amnesty International and the Coalition Against Trafficking are among the sources that Isadora Productions used to gather information concerning human trafficking. Firefly has provided Isadora Productions with research and contact with NGOs, and may be able to put the group in touch with victims of human trafficking.

For Isadora Productions, which strives to highlight the common human experience, there was no question that its members wanted to be involved in raising awareness about the problem of human trafficking as soon as they began to delve into it: "The moment that you start researching the information you cannot not be a part of it," Ms. Chu said. She emphasized that people will be able to relate to "Becoming Natasha" because of the "universality of abuse and control." Both Ms. Chu and Ms. Klein feel that they now have an obligation to tell this story.

Isadora Productions consists of co-producers Ms. Cervellino and Ms. Klein; associate producer Ms. Chu and co-producer and filmmaker Susan Pavlin.

Throughout the fall of this year, Isadora Productions plans to stage the show in various locations and schools in New York City as part of its educational touring workshop.

Since the presentation of the work at the International Theater Methods Festival held in Latvia this summer, invitations have followed for collaborative work with theaters in Ukraine, Latvia, Serbia and Portugal.

A special reading from "Becoming Natasha" will be held as part of a series of events to raise awareness of human trafficking that is being sponsored by Amnesty International. The program, titled "No One Signs Up to Become a Slave," will also include a panel discussion on the topic titled "Activism in the Theater." The event, which is co-sponosred by Isadora Productions, will be held on October 10 at 8:30 p.m. at the HERE Arts Center, 145 Sixth Ave. (between Spring and Broome streets). Suggested donation: $15. For reservations, e-mail [email protected].

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Isadora Productions, a 501(c) (3) not-for-profit company, relies on the generosity of organizations and people dedicated to the production of work intended to promote diversity and change in theater. If readers would like additional information about Isadora Productions or how to make any contributions in support of "Becoming Natasha" they may e-mail the company at [email protected].

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