12/15/2021
We can’t believe it’s over, but we finally closed out ‘Hamletmachine’ this past Sunday, our very first full scale production as a collective. 🎉 It has been a completely incredible experience, one of learning, growth, and passion, and it doesn’t stop here. We will continue to evolve and continue to create; it is our nature.
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We have so many incredible people that need to be thanked that made this production happen.
Thank you…
Curbside Productions, LLC and all those who call the colab home, for granting us the time, patience, expertise, and space to put on the show of our dreams. Without your support, this would have been in no way possible.
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Corey R. Benson for holding our hands through this process, for helping us start this organization, for filling in the gaps we didn’t even know were there, and for the many many hours you’ve dedicated to us and this show. You’ve been an incredible resource and we are lucky to have your support.
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Emily Iseli, Agustina Borré, Madeline Larson, New Minowa Players, and all in the cast and crew who chipped in financial resources when they were scarce. This has been an incredibly challenging time to put on a production given the “panorama” that has put a halt on everything, especially the arts. We are so grateful to be surrounded by those who support us, those who believe in our vision, and those who love us dearly.
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Mikki Swifte for building our puppet theatre and shower, and for donating your labor. Those set pieces were hugely important to the way we envisioned this piece, and we are so grateful for your expertise and the time you dedicated to building them.
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Joe Holbrook for donating your time and creating our projections. They looked incredible and mattered a great deal to us, and we could not have done them without you.
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Claire Loveall, Agustina Victoria Borré, Tyanna Gross, and Madeline Larson for being so much more than members of our cast. You all took on very challenging roles, both as actors and individuals, dedicating countless hours to every aspect of this production. You are all incredible actors and loyal family. Watching you grow and develop has been nothing short of an honor, and we can’t wait to see what the future holds for all of you as individuals and as members of our collective. You make us who we are, and we are so proud to call you family.
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Adrien Wittlieff for the devotion, heart, and soul you put into this production, for the 36 hour days, and for all that you bring to our organization. You are an incredible artist and we are so lucky to have you as a founding director of this collective.
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I would thank the director, but it feels a little indulgent to thank myself since I’m the one that primarily runs the social media here. I would rather take this time to express how meaningful it has been to work with such an incredible group of artists who have granted me space, patience, and love throughout the entirety of this very challenging production. It means a great deal to me personally to be surrounded by those who believe in me and want to make my artistic visions a reality. I, in no way, could have pulled this production together without the help of all of these incredible artists, and I appreciate every individual’s unique contribution to this show.
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Finally, we would like to thank the audience. Thank you for taking time out of your busy lives to come share space with us. Thank you for taking a risk on something new and experimental. It was absolutely amazing to get to talk to so many of you after the performances and hear such kind and loving words of affirmation. We feel so supported by the communities around us, and for that we are very grateful.
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There is a great deal of grief that comes with closing a show, especially one as important as this has been to all of us. But we know that this is just the beginning, the birth of our potential, our first baby steps out into the world. We will continue to present challenging works. We will continue to bring vulnerability, q***rness, and activism to the main stage. It is what we do. It is our nature.
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We will keep you posted on all things Magpie Menagerie in the months to come as we figure out the answer to the question “what are you doing next?” We don’t know exactly what it will be yet, but we promise it won’t disappoint.
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With love and so much gratitude,
Jenna
