With a small cast of 10 people, and a total of four performances, When Claudia Sees God took audience members to church from Nov. 15-17.
The show took place in the Regina Peruggi room; a makeshift thrust stage created the performance space on the South side of the room. The wings were separated by red curtains and colored cellophane lined the North facing windows, creating a stained glass effect.
Playwright Emma Rey Dias and Director and Choreographer Chloe Selavka, both seniors at MMC, created this work in completion of THTR 399, an independent study under the guidance of theatre arts Professor Emily Clark.
The Playwright and Director’s Note included in the program stated: “This play is for anyone who has ever felt isolated because of the Church. This is for anyone who ever prayed to God not to make them gay.”
The work was a depiction of the religious hate and isolation that has stemmed from the Catholic church, and ran about 100 minutes with no intermission. It utilized numerous drag and dance performances, the breaking of the fourth wall, and pre-recorded audio bytes, immersing the audience. Characters fulfilled humorous stereotypes, dance and drag numbers used popular “gay anthems”, such as Lady Gaga’s Bloody Mary and pre-show music consisted of instrumental organ remakes to similar pop music. The show included mentions of domestic violence, murder, religious trauma, and homophobic language.
The play was created in association with Drag Story Hour NYC, and while tickets were free, donations were highly encouraged, raising money at ticket sign up, before and during the performances, as well as through a venmo link provided in the program. Donations were rewarded at sign up with incentives: a shoutout in the program for $5, a signed program for $10, access to a behind the scenes vlog for $15, becoming a saint on set for $25, a VIP seat for $30 and a walk-on role in scene 2 for $50. Audience members were also encouraged to hand performers dollar bills during dance or drag numbers. With a 60 person audience cap on each performance, a total of over $1,000 was raised.
Drag Story Hour NYC produces storytelling and creative arts programs for children and teens, presented by local drag artists. To learn more about the cause visit dshnyc.org or follow on Instagram @dragstoryhournyc.
When Claudia Sees God was also promoted on Instagram @whenclaudiaseesgod.
