Waiting for Lefty

Waiting for Lefty was performed at Melissa’s alma mater, Catawba College in Salisbury, NC. Combining Bertolt Brecht’s Epic Theatre and Augusto Boal’s Theatre of the Oppressed, Melissa worked with her technical team to unofficially set the show in 2008, during the recession. Melissa kept all original dialogue but cast a gender bent and diverse cast to represent America’s struggling middle class. Epic Theatre was accomplished through each actor wearing a piece of red clothing, actors speaking out to the audience, and creating a set design of an arena stage to look like a modern school gymnasium. Theatre of the Oppressed was achieved by leading a talk back with the audience after every performance, and re-directing scenes of oppression with audience participation.

*All following photos are by Sean Meyers photography