Be An Audience of One

By Wes Hessel

The various venues of the dramatic arts have had to be very creative and flexible in this intra-COVID society.  One of Court Theatre’s initiatives took a concept of unique scale and adapted it to virtual performance; you could say that “Theatre for One: Here We Are” is by the person, for the person.

The person of the first part would be the single actor who interprets their character in a “microplay”, or what us old-school types would call a monologue.  That is not to say that what is portrayed is not a scene, complete with props, setting, and movement, though primarily the actor is sitting or standing, speaking to you.  The person of the second part is the audience of one – just you.  Don’t be thinking this is a one-way video which you can “Zoom” out during; the single audience member is on camera back, giving the actor the response one would get in a live venue.  There are eight different microplays, and you view four of these, randomly chosen, in a single “sitting”, with short breaks between each piece.

The origins of this one-on-one intense arrangement started in the early 2000’s as a traveling booth setup like a photo booth, only with a live person on the other side of the glass.  “Here We Are” is Theatre For One’s cyber collaboration with Court, themed for the current times of pandemic and racial strife, each vignette penned and helmed by women of color or native origins.  You will not want to miss the next chapter in cutting edge theater –  “Theatre for One: Here We Are” runs through March 14th, so choose your favorite chair for this edge of the seat (singular) work and go to Court Theatre | Classic Plays In Chicago | Season & Tickets to join in.

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