Finding America, featuring images from comical designs primarily focused on his motorcycle trip across the country. the human form. The others are painter He’s done commercial work for local MELISSA KUNIGIS; photographer and creative brands MEAN FOLK and BAD LUCK painter ELVIRA TRIPP; and fiber-focused artists JACKIE SAGE LONGE and KATE LEIER. GOODS and taken portraits of myriad Burlington-area resi“We were really dents, most of them hoping that we could young. create a collective of “For a long time people — a place where it was like a fantasy,” we could all help each Schechner says of other out,” Schechner having his own studio. says. “It’s a collaboraPreviously, he would tive space, and I think set up a backdrop in that brings something his mom’s space — kind of new to the she runs the colorful table.” Eventually, the jewelry company NEST Wishbone crew wants to host events and PRETTY THINGS — in Burlington’s Karma exhibitions. Bird House. “That ele“We’re so excited vated the idea of wantabout it already,” DANIEL SCHECHNER ing to have [my own Potter adds. “And if space],” Schechner you’re excited about explains. “I think, something in February once you have something like this, it just [in Vermont], then imagine how you’ll opens up a door to let you really find feel in June.” m different creative ways of making new Contact: sadie@sevendaysvt.com work.” He and Potter are also excited about potential collaborations with INFO their new studio mates. The latest ad- Follow @wishbone_collective, dition is JACKSON TUPPER, an illustrator, @lifeintheboonies and printmaker and designer at Burton @jacquelynpotter on Instagram. Snowboards known for curvy, colorful,
NS O I T I D AU
RT OF BE PA VED O L E B A DY! COME
Many roles for many types! Ideal opportunity for seasoned veterans and newcomers alike!
Essex Memorial Hall Towers Rd, Essex Center For more information www.essexplayers.com
6h-essexcommuntiytheater012417.indd 1
1/17/18 4:20 PM
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STATE OF THE ARTS 23
Trans Scripts, Part I: The Women, written by Paul Lucas, produced by Vermont Pride Festival, Saturday, January 27, 7:30 p.m. at Chandler Center for the Arts in Randolph. $15-22. chandler-arts.org
Monday, Feb. 12 6-9pm
SEVEN DAYS
INFO
Sunday, Feb. 11 11am–4pm
01.24.18-01.31.18
In the end, 12 actors auditioned, hailing from across New England. A few had been in VPT productions before; three are performing with the company for the first time. Laston said she invites local actors of color to reach out if they are interested in future VPT productions. “Of course intersectionality is important to us,” she said. “It’s one of our goals to represent that better.” Theatergoers who see Trans Scripts Part I: The Women will have to wait a while for Part II. Lucas is just beginning the process of creating a similar show about trans men and is considering a third installment about nonbinary people. He’ll be in Randolph this Saturday to watch the show and participate in a discussion afterward with the audience. JACQUELINE LAWLER
Directed by Adam Cunningham
SEVENDAYSVT.COM
best to hire trans women to play the parts. It’s not always necessary, and it doesn’t always work, but it does add a verisimilitude to what the audience is seeing.” Given a play whose content is inextricably tied to the characters’ physical identity, how did VPT handle casting characters of color? Laston acknowledged that was a concern. While the company’s audition notice made clear that it would give priority to trans actors, it didn’t have much luck in achieving racial diversity in a predominantly white state. “Our main purpose in producing this show was to start an educational conversation about the trans experience,” Laston said. “We had permission from the playwright to produce the play, even if we could not cast any actors of color.” VPT did make an effort. “We put ads in newspapers around Vermont; we posted the auditions to interest groups on social media; we reached out to friends who do casting in Boston and New York,” said Laston. “We offered to meet actors where they were, or to give phone or video auditions.”
Presented by Essex Community Players
Saturday, Feb. 10 10am-3:30pm
WE WERE REALLY HOPING THAT WE COULD CREATE A COLLECTIVE OF PEOPLE
— A PLACE WHERE WE COULD ALL HELP EACH OTHER OUT.
The Man Who Came to Dinner