The world premiere of Emily Joy Weiner's Shared Sentences will play a 2-week run from October 26 to November 12, with an opening set for October 30. Presented by Off-Broadway's Houses on the Moon Theater Company, the drama explores the toll incarceration takes on the families and loved one of those incarcerated. Take a look inside the rehearsal room for the run below.
Shared Sentences began in 2018 through a series of interviews with people who had incarcerated loved ones: parents, siblings, partners, and friends. Houses on the Moon then facilitated an 8-week workshop with a select group of individuals, including an 84-year-old former elementary school teacher whose mentally ill husband murdered his father 50 years ago; a 25-year-old Trans man whose parents have both been incarcerated throughout his life; and a 40-year-old daughter whose father has been serving a life sentence since she was three years old. Weiner has since adapted the stories shared within the interview process and workshop into a more traditional play structure.
"There are more than 2 million people incarcerated in our country, which means there are millions of others who love them, whether they be parents, children, siblings or spouses. As a society, we hear very little about their experiences navigating our complicated criminal justice system and the isolation, stigma, and challenges they live with," shares Houses on the Moon Artistic Director Weiner. "After my own harrowing journey of having an incarcerated loved one, coming together with others who have shared this path brought me unexpected joy. This was my inspiration for writing this play. These are stories that need to be told."
The company of Shared Sentences includes Nikomeh Anderson (The Civility of Albert Cashier), Glynis Bell (The Ferryman, Angels in America), Yadira Correa (New Amsterdam), Raphael Nash Thompson (Much Ado About Nothing), David Anzuelo (A New York Christmas Wedding) and Emily Joy Weiner (Othello).
The creative team includes scenic designer Tanya Orellana, costume designer Theresa Squire, lighting designer Amina Alexander, and original music and sound design by Lindsay Jones.
For more information, visit HousesOnTheMoon.org.
David Anxuelo and Raphael Nash Thompson in rehearsal for Shared Sentences
Director Lisa Rothe with Emily Joy Weiner and Nikomeh Anderson in rehearsal for Shared Sentences
Emily Joy Weiner and Yadira De La Riva in rehearsal for Shared Sentences
Emily Joy Weiner in rehearsal for Shared Sentences
Emily Joy Weiner, Nikomeh Anderson, and Yadira De La Riva in rehearsal for Shared Sentences
Glynis Bell, David Anzuelo, Raphael Nash Thompson, and Yadira De La Riva in rehearsal for Shared Sentences
Glynis Bell, Emily Joy Weiner, David Anzuelo, and Yadira De La Riva in rehearsal for Shared Sentences
Nikomeh Anderson, Emily Joy Weiner and Yadira De La Riva in rehearsal for Shared Sentences
Nikomeh Anderson and David Anzuelo in rehearsal for Shared Sentences
Nikomeh Anderson, Glynis Bell, and Emily Joy Weiner (background) in rehearsal for Shared Sentences
