Based on the Medieval traveling cycle plays, which focused on biblical moral tales and traveled from town to town via wagon, The (re)CYCLE Plays sets out to utilize the concept with an environmentally conscious theme based on such original morality play titles as The Fall, The Flud, The Expulsion from the Garden, The Sacrifice and The Last Judgment.
Focusing on peak oil consumption and food politics, the events, including short plays, dance and music, will be performed on stage areas created from reusable, recycled and sustainable materials. The electronics for the event will also be powered by bio-diesel.
The artists confirmed for the event include Confluence Theatre Company, Subjective Theatre Company, Studio 42, Adam Matta, Anne Zuerner/The Roxanne Lola Movement Machine, Athena Kokoronis and the Rude Mechanical Orchestra. The festival design is by Nicole Frankel and Robert Morris.
In addition to live performances, The (re)Cycle Plays will also host "Ye Olde Eco-Faire,” designed to raise awareness, interest and support for sustainable living. The organizations participating are the Office of Recycling Outreach & Education, LIC Community Boathouse, Go Green Expo, Transportation Alternatives Western Queens (T.A.W.Q.), Queens Botanical Garden, Sierra Club, Solar One and Interrupcion. ConEdison Solutions will be also present and will conduct a green power sign up drive. Those attending may bring their current electric bill and sign up for a wind energy package to receive free compact fluorescent bulbs.
Wingspan Arts will team up with Confluence Theatre Company to present the "Green Kids" area, which will include recycled arts and crafts projects, music by Astrograss for Kids, and special events. The (re)Cycle Plays is a free event, open to the public from 1 PM –6 PM on Sept. 15, with a rain date scheduled for Sept. 16. Socrates Sculpture Park is located on Broadway at Vernon Boulevard in Long Island City, Queens (accessible from the N/W train at Broadway). For more information visit www.recycleplays.com.
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Confluence Theatre Company develops and produces multimedia theatre pieces by combining theatre with other mediums, including music, dance and visual arts. Since July 2000 Confluence has produced Durang vs. Ives: Clash of the Playwrights, Relationship Analysis 101: Sex, Marriage & Road Kill, a punk interpretation of Rosencrantz & Guildenstern are Dead and It's About Time. The company has also helped to develop new work through its Under Construction workshop series.
