An Oak Tree

Let’s talk about trust.

There’s a lot of it in the room tonight, trust. Can you feel it? Are you aware of it?  The trust from an audience  that expects that the time  and money they’ve  committed to an evening of entertainment will pay off and be worth their while. The trust from the performers that everyone in the building will adhere to the standards of the theatre, refrain from talking, silence their cell phones, and respect the work and preparation that has gone into the production. The trust from the producers that the cast and crew will carry out their assigned duties with professionalism, diligence, and devotion. Trust – it’s the foundation upon which cultures are built.

Now do us a favor: go back and read that last paragraph again. And each time you come upon the word “trust,” replace it with the word “risk.” Because here in the theatre, the two go hand-in-hand.

An Oak Tree is a different kind of play. It is not an abstract piece of performance art; it is not an example of “long-form” improvisation; it is not “experimental theatre.” It is a play. This information may either relieve or annoy you! In preparation for this performance, we can tell you this: there is an actor in this room right now who will discover and unravel the narrative of An Oak Tree at the very same instant that you in the audience will. Only they will do it in front of you, onstage, performing in a play whose story is a complete, absolute mystery to them. They will experience the first read-through, the rehearsal process, the opening night performance straight through to the curtain call, right here for this one performance only. They will exhibit so much trust, and put so much at risk, that, frankly, it boggles the mind. And because they are actors, they will share that experience with you. And because you love the theatre, you will share that experience with them.

It’s risky, but we trust that you’ll be mesmerized by the experience.

JK and A-MP
February, 2023