Triangle Fire Theatrical Performance
In accordance with the 100th anniversary of the tragic fire at the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory on March 25, 1911,泭The Triangle Fire Project, a泭multimedia theatrical collaboration examines the rippling impact of this historical event on the labor and immigration reforms that followed. The collaborative efforts of faculty and students from the Departments of Communication, Education, English, History, Library Science, Sociology, and Theatre have converged to create this original piece of social theatre.泭The Triangle Fire Project泭opens Thursday, April 7 and has a modified run through April 17 in the Black Box Theatre of 91勛圖厙s Performing Arts Center, 1 South Ave., Garden City, NY.泭
The innovative cast of 12 utilizes music, sound, projections, and text, to explore the controversial issues surrounding laborers: international, domestic, past, and present. Associate Professor Margaret (Maggie) Lally is directing泭The Triangle Fire Project泭with scenic design by Assistant Professor Sarah Martin.
The idea for泭The Triangle Fire Project泭began about a year ago when Associate Professors Robert Linne and Maggie Lally shared a conversation and he asked if Professor Lally would be interested in developing something for the Centennial of the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire. As a member of The Collaboration Project, a collective of faculty, staff, administrators, and students who create awareness of social justice issues, Lally offered to initiate the development of a devised theatrical piece with contributions from members of the Adelphi community. Linne and Associate Professor Deborah Little offered transcripts of interviews their students did with family members of survivors or the deceased, in addition to泭interviews with current labor reformers from Long Island.泭Visiting Assistant Professor Orion Duckstein of the Dance Department did movement work with the ensemble to get the actors more comfortable with using physicality to create moments for the piece.
Both Professors Maggie Lally and Sarah Martin are passionate about the creation of theatre for social change and saw this event as an opportunity to share a new kind of creative process with a group of actors and designers.泭Lally and Martin previously collaborated on泭Street Scene泭硃紳餃泭Topdog/Underdog泭and are working on this project as partners mentoring an ensemble of student actors and designers in the creation of a new work. Since January, Lally and Martin have researched current labor issues and the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire in order to use the story as a springboard to discuss current labor issues. As a result of additional research done by the ensemble, they found that many of the 146 workers who died were mostly women their age or younger, including Clara Lemlich, one of the many labor泭activists of that time. Maggie Lally stated, There is nothing more rewarding than seeing young artists use their talents to make a difference in the world around them. Their passion for the material and creativity in telling the story [is something] that is not to be missed.泭The ensemble has performed moments from the play for the Adelphi and HBO premieres of泭a new documentary,泭TRIANGLE:泭 Remembering the Fire泭and they recently performed a piece as part of the official festivities commemorating the Centennial of the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire at the Great Hall at Cooper Union on March 25, 2011.
Individual tickets for泭The Triangle Fire Project泭are on sale now and will be available at the door for $15 or $10 depending on seating. Discounts are available for students and seniors citizens. Learn more about the泭泭2010-2011 season or call the AU PAC Box Office at 516.877.4000.泭
For further information, please contact:
Todd Wilson
Strategic Communications Director泭
p 516.237.8634
e twilson@adelphi.edu