- Title: Theater company performs a classic play nude in a public park
- Date: 20th August 2018
- Summary: (SOUNDBITE) (English) SASHA SIGEL, ACTRESS, ENSEMBLE, SAYING: "In terms of becoming comfortable with the nudity, I think what it was for me was an experimentation in how vulnerable and how open I could be with both myself as a performer and myself as a human."
- Embargoed: 3rd September 2018 20:45
- Keywords: Torn Out Theater Company nude actors The Rover park outside outdoor Brooklyn
- Location: BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, UNITED STATES
- City: BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, UNITED STATES
- Country: USA
- Topics: Arts / Culture / Entertainment,Theater
- Reuters ID: LVA0028TZT8PL
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: EDIT CONTAINS NUDITY
A New York theater company has put a twist on the classic play, "The Rover," by performing the 1677 production with full nudity in a Brooklyn Park.
This is the third nude production by Torn Out Theater company and artistic director Strait said he has notice a shift in perspectives.
"It's been very interesting to see the talent and skill and engagement of the cast and crew really go up, while at the same time sort of the initial shock of the audiences start to go down," said Strait who is also directing the play.
The company is performing "The Rover," which Strait said touches on the way we treat each other based on our gender and bodies.
"We all have these bodies and we're all very uncomfortable about them, we're all very uncomfortable at everyone else's. And, you know, who wears what and what bathroom people go into and who has sex with who, we're all very nervous about it. So let's do some art and get into it," Strait said.
For actress Clara Kundin, nudity is the last thing she thinks about as acting takes over.
"I think about it, like, when I go on stage for about 30 seconds and then it's like, I have costumes and lines to do," she said. "The logistics of the park can be challenging. You know, you have to dodge sticks and stuff and sweep for glass that you wouldn't have to do at a regular theater," Kundin added.
The element of nudity attracted many of the audience members.
"I'm here for obviously the intrigue of the show itself. But that does add a little bit of a shock factor to it," said Eric Oliver.
"They were very good last year and the nudity aspect adds to the production. I mean, they only do it were it's appropriate," said Michael Taglieri.
The free production will run until August 26th in Prospect Park. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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