"First Generation" skewers limitations on refugee narRATIVES

"The talented cast, tremendous musical accompaniment, and fresh staging are all boosts atop what was already one of the most innocuously challenging pieces of KC theater this year. When First Generation gets its next staging, we’ll make sure to yell it from the rooftops this time. It’s a must-see that’s worth it if you’re willing to engage."

"Imagine watching your own ideas come to life on stage—ideas that once existed only in your mind, now performed by actors under professional lights. Thanks to Spinning Tree Theatre’s one-of-a-kind program, that is the reality for young artists in the Kansas City metro area.

"Spinning Tree Theatre’s Teen Writers Fest gives teens the rare opportunity to work alongside seasoned professionals, turning their ideas into fully realized productions—regardless of experience or ability. Through this hands-on experience, young artists not only develop their craft but also gain invaluable insight into the world of theater production."

"Spinning Tree continues by adding yet another musical to its catalog where local actors excel in elevating material that’s both challenging and memorable in equal measure. The tale about what happens when people build their own emotional/intellectual bubble and get lost inside a reality of their own design was, unfortunately, painfully relevant."

“You kind of get it into your DNA a sense of what works best on stage as opposed to fiction or a movie. When a play is doing the things that a play can do best, it’s better than a movie or a novel,” (playwright mentor Frank) Higgins said. “What I thought Gabe came up with is right in the spirit of what theater can really do best."

"The program is a fantastic opportunity for young artists who would benefit from a supportive creative environment, and a fascinating watch for anyone who enjoys seeing a glimpse into the inner workings of a young person’s creative process..."

"Off-Broadway hit musical Ride the Cyclone has returned to Spinning Tree Theatre as a part of their 2023-2024 season. Written by Brooke Maxwell and Jacob Richmond, and directed by Michael Grayman-Parkhurst, the musical follows six St Cassian High School Chamber Choir members on their journey into the afterlife, who died after the front axle broke on the Cyclone."

"For any young person, sharing stories and creating art is an invaluable channel for self-exploration, but we cannot forget that there is an entire generation of young people who went through some of their most formative years during a scary, isolating global pandemic. We likely won’t know the full effect of that ordeal for many years to come, but allowing them the opportunity to express themselves creatively in a safe, supportive environment, guided by experienced mentors with professional resources, can only be a profoundly impactful experience. That’s definitely the impression given by the work presented."

"It’s almost become a Covid cliché: if a business or organization wanted to weather the pandemic, the only path was to 'pivot.' Or, in the case of Spinning Tree Theatre, to 'reimagine'—and not just find new ways to build audiences, but to broaden opportunities for the next generation.

"Two short pieces—a world premiere by a Kansas City playwright, and a Kansas City premiere from a world-famous artist—offer a glimpse of what already is, and what could be.

"The talent may be young, but the theatre they make is not; both works entertain while confronting difficult ideas..."

by Julie Denesha

KCUR.org

December 30, 2020