Breath Behind the Mask Test

About the Play

Breath Behind the mask in text over a blue surgical mask.

The University of Iowa Department of Theatre Arts has shifted its Summer Partnership in the Arts program online this year.

Breath Behind the Mask is a developmental work created by Nambi E. Kelley and Daniel Carlton based on a collaborative devising model which draws from student’s personal experiences of race, identity, and privilege. This work has also been created in response to the writing of a number of prominent literary artists including, Maya Angelou, W. E. B. Du Bois, Paul Laurence Dunbar, Ralph Ellison, and Audre Lorde. With the restrictions imposed by the current conditions of “social distancing,” we are reimagining the way theatre is created. This presentation is the culmination of four weeks of work and is shared as an unfinished work in process.

This performance contains adult language, racially charged language, mention of suicide, implied violence, depictions of sexual harassment, and discussions of police brutality.

Director's Statement

By Daniel Carlton
Director of Breath Behind the Mask

What is your new now? Not your new normal, but your new now?

This play is about masking. Pandemic masking... Panic masking... Masking under masking... Race masking, class masking. How many masks do we wear? Paul Laurence Dunbar's poem We Wear The Mask... a prompt... a guide... a tool... a map

This play is about finding yourself in others... Othering as an outdated strategy..or a coping mechanism... What does Audre Lorde teach us through her work posed in the poem We Were Never Meant To Survive and Dr. Maya Angelou's poem Alone

This play is about invisibility... the feeling of being invisible... not seen... not heard... not... included... even in broad daylight... Ralph Ellison's Invisible Man... another map

This play is about double and possibly triple consciousness... posed by Dr. Dubois... and a call for action

This play is about... protest... and images... and loneliness... and journey... and... time... and time...

This play is about
BREATH.....
NOW
MASKED
And
Unmasked

This play is both a work in progress... and the progression of collaboration... shared breath from different spaces... breaking through the limitations of boxes... writing... acting... devising... designing... divining....... breathing
Into
A Burst of Light!

Inspirational Texts

Breath Behind the Mask is a devised play. The company began with no script and worked over the course of four weeks to create a new script together through various writing sessions and improvisations. Our process began with texts chosen by our director, Daniel Carlton, and master playwright, Nambi E. Kelley, to inspire the company and jumpstart the writing process. These texts, some of which are linked to below, found their way into the final script in some way, shape, or form.

Alone by Maya Angelou

We Wear the Mask by Paul Laurence Dunbar

A Litany for Survival by Audre Lorde

The work was also inspired by W. E. B. Du Bois and Ralph Ellison.

Revolution remixed by Daniel Carlton
Based on the song “Revolution” by Nina Simone

When do sisters we become included as the face?
That represents the race
Cause i see the face of things
to come
This is my talking drum
here to tell you about destruction
Construction
Without my presence i s a deduction
All the evil will have to end
My friend
Bend
Notions
Revolution is not a separate potion
A distant ocean
clean
your brain
A cleansing rain
Communicate
A more positive state
Folks
I too am choked
But not allowed to seethe
When I too can't breathe
It’s not as simple as :
Your foot off our back
That means that I lack ?
The knack
To transcend
Your idea of my truth as Black

Black life matters
Matter in a Black woman's life
Silent responses to our strife
Mothers of fallen sons
We are not shielded against anyones guns
We fall
Without outrage
From y'all
Into
Jail cells
And from bullet shells
And you better not tells
Who stands for daughters
At the bottom of wells
When it all falls down?
Where is our revolution march on the town?

It’s more than just evolution
You know?
Know ?
Know you !
What do I have to do?
To get heard too?
Do I have to swim the ocean?
Some folks
Notions
Skin bleach as a lotion?
Notions
Hate potions?

Daily deep breaths to survive
Alive?

We're taking about a change!
Stop calling me strange

Your
Constitution
Still equates my success to prostitution
Jive?
We are all trying to stay alive
We the Queen bee keepers of the hive
Its called aggression when Black women strive

I know
They’ll
say
I’m
Taking
talking
Walking
Hate
How the hell are we supposed to communicate ?

Singinging about
Evolution?

Sing : Revolution
preaching
Teaching
Reaching

Evolution
Revolution
Destruction?
Or reconstruction
I'm still standing in fact
Get your foot off my back
I too am life that matters
Black
Sing : Revolution
Not as a hymn
But She = him

CAST of Summer Partnership in the Arts 2020
LEELA BASSUK \| Leela Leela Bassuk graduated from the University of Iowa in May with degrees in theatre arts, English, and creative writing, and a Spanish minor. She is very grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with the brilliant guest directors, creative, and design teams involved in this innovative production! She would like to thank her family for their encouragement and support during this time, and always.
MICHAEL FRANCIS \| Michael Michael Francis is an actor, musician, and visual artist. Apart from his contributions to the stage, Michael’s work spans discipline and genre, ranging from devised installations to game design. He has been praised for being full of energy, anger, and passion, and is the recipient of the coveted Robins Award for Talent. A staunch advocate of arts education, he teaches acting in his private studio and as a visiting instructor around the United States. MWDFrancis.com.
LEXI HEALEY \| Lexi Lexi Healey is a student at the University of Iowa and will be graduating in December with a major in theatre arts, as well as a minor in GWSS. You may have seen her in Seven Spots on the Sun, Iphigenia Point Blank, or We All Were Sunflowers. She wants to thank her wonderfully supportive friends and family for encouraging her, as well as this insanely talented cast and production team for inspiring her every day.
BRITNY J. HORTON \| Britny Britny J. Horton is an art-ivist from Rochester, NY. Her most recent credits include Hit the Wall and Sweat (University of Iowa), Men on Boats (Riverside Theatre), Too Heavy for Your Pocket (Pyramid Theatre), and short films Incensed and Lights On. She is currently in pre-production for her short film, 5018, for which she received a grant from the University of Iowa. In 2019, Britny won the Best Actress in a Play Award from Broadway World Des Moines.
OCTAVIUS LANIER \| Octavius Octavius Lanier is a class of 2021 MFA acting candidate at the University of Iowa. His acting credits include Three Sisters, Sweat, and Seven Spots on the Sun. Octavius can be found in two upcoming projects: an online production of Twelfth Night and a 21st century audio drama entitled Quantum Paradox: Discord – a weekly podcast. He is grateful and honored by this enlightening experience with his brilliant leaders Daniel Carlton and Nambi E. Kelley.
BRANDON TREVINO \| Brandon Brandon Trevino is a double major in theatre arts and neuropsychology going into his senior undergraduate year at the University of Iowa. He is beyond ecstatic to be a part of this wondrous process with such incredible people. Peace and love. snaps
RACHEL WADE \| Rachel Rachel Wade is a fourth-year theatre arts major from Des Moines, IA, with focuses in acting, directing, and playwriting. Her past roles include Keller in SP O’Brien’s Colic, Jaycee in Rebecca Gilman’s Twilight Bowl, and an ensemble member in Jane Austen’s Northanger Abbey. She also directed a workshop production of her play Taurus Sun/Aries Moon this past January. She is beyond grateful to be working on this project.
STEVEN ANTOINE WILLIS \| Steven/Gier Twenty-seven-year-old Steven Antoine Willis uses poetry and theatre to embark on the daunting task of articulating African American culture. Willis is a contributing writer to the BreakBeat Poets anthology, NYU’s National Council for the Teachers of English journal, and a three-time individual world poetry slam finalist. Willis is currently an MFA acting candidate at the University of Iowa where his acting credits include Lynn Nottage’s Sweat and Ike Holter’s Hit the Wall.

CAST of Summer Partnership in the Arts 2020

LEELA BASSUK | Leela

Leela Bassuk graduated from the University of Iowa in May with degrees in theatre arts, English, and creative writing, and a Spanish minor. She is very grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with the brilliant guest directors, creative, and design teams involved in this innovative production! She would like to thank her family for their encouragement and support during this time, and always.

MICHAEL FRANCIS | Michael

Michael Francis is an actor, musician, and visual artist. Apart from his contributions to the stage, Michael’s work spans discipline and genre, ranging from devised installations to game design. He has been praised for being full of energy, anger, and passion, and is the recipient of the coveted Robins Award for Talent. A staunch advocate of arts education, he teaches acting in his private studio and as a visiting instructor around the United States. MWDFrancis.com.

LEXI HEALEY | Lexi

Lexi Healey is a student at the University of Iowa and will be graduating in December with a major in theatre arts, as well as a minor in GWSS. You may have seen her in Seven Spots on the Sun, Iphigenia Point Blank, or We All Were Sunflowers. She wants to thank her wonderfully supportive friends and family for encouraging her, as well as this insanely talented cast and production team for inspiring her every day.

BRITNY J. HORTON | Britny

Britny J. Horton is an art-ivist from Rochester, NY. Her most recent credits include Hit the Wall and Sweat (University of Iowa), Men on Boats (Riverside Theatre), Too Heavy for Your Pocket (Pyramid Theatre), and short films Incensed and Lights On. She is currently in pre-production for her short film, 5018, for which she received a grant from the University of Iowa. In 2019, Britny won the Best Actress in a Play Award from Broadway World Des Moines.

OCTAVIUS LANIER | Octavius

Octavius Lanier is a class of 2021 MFA acting candidate at the University of Iowa. His acting credits include Three Sisters, Sweat, and Seven Spots on the Sun. Octavius can be found in two upcoming projects: an online production of Twelfth Night and a 21st century audio drama entitled Quantum Paradox: Discord – a weekly podcast. He is grateful and honored by this enlightening experience with his brilliant leaders Daniel Carlton and Nambi E. Kelley.

BRANDON TREVINO | Brandon

Brandon Trevino is a double major in theatre arts and neuropsychology going into his senior undergraduate year at the University of Iowa. He is beyond ecstatic to be a part of this wondrous process with such incredible people. Peace and love. *snaps*

RACHEL WADE | Rachel

Rachel Wade is a fourth-year theatre arts major from Des Moines, IA, with focuses in acting, directing, and playwriting. Her past roles include Keller in SP O’Brien’s Colic, Jaycee in Rebecca Gilman’s Twilight Bowl, and an ensemble member in Jane Austen’s Northanger Abbey. She also directed a workshop production of her play Taurus Sun/Aries Moon this past January. She is beyond grateful to be working on this project.

STEVEN ANTOINE WILLIS | Steven/Gier

Twenty-seven-year-old Steven Antoine Willis uses poetry and theatre to embark on the daunting task of articulating African American culture. Willis is a contributing writer to the BreakBeat Poets anthology, NYU’s National Council for the Teachers of English journal, and a three-time individual world poetry slam finalist. Willis is currently an MFA acting candidate at the University of Iowa where his acting credits include Lynn Nottage’s Sweat and Ike Holter’s Hit the Wall.

Artistic Team of Summer Partnership in the Arts 2020
DANIEL CARLTON \| Director Daniel Carlton is an actor, storyteller, playwright, poet, director, and award-winning teacher/artist who has appeared on New York, national, and international stages. His work has also been presented in schools, jails, homeless shelters.... everywhere but space. Most recently: playwright/performer Check Your Invite (commission-Harlem Stage) and co-playwright with Nambi Kelley So Journey To The Truth (commission-Syracuse Stage education). Also with Nambi, director Jabari Dreams Of Freedom (New Victory Theater LabWorks), director Night Train 57 (workshop-Kennedy Center), and director While Are Still Here (Miller Theater, Columbia University). Playwright: March On (The Apollo Theater, director National Black Theater Festival).
NAMBI E. KELLEY \| Master Playwright Award-winning playwright Nambi E. Kelley recently adapted Toni Morrison’s Jazz for the stage (Marin Theatre Company, Baltimore Center Stage). Her adaptation of Richard Wright’s Native Son has been seen across the country and premiered off-Broadway in 2019 at The Duke on 42nd Street (The Acting Company; AUDELCO Award for “Best Play”). Nambi is a former playwright-in-residence at the National Black Theatre, Goodman Theatre, and New Victory Theatre. She is the winner of the Prince Prize 2019 and a Dramatists Guild Foundation Writers Alliance Grant 2018-19. www.nambikelley.com.
JAREK PASTOR \| Graduate Playwright Jarek Pastor is a multi-lingual/ethnic/national person who writes works for performance. They immigrated to Miami, FL, where they grew up, before going on to get their BA in playwriting from Columbia College Chicago. They are entering their second year as an MFA candidate at the University of Iowa's Playwrights Workshop.
JIVANI RODRIGUEZ \| Undergraduate Playwright Playwright/actor Jivani Rodriguez is a senior theatre arts major at the University of Iowa. Most recently, her play SCOUTS ran during the 2020 Ten Minute Play Festival, while this past summer she was accepted to The Orchard Project’s transformative Core Company. Jivani is on the writing team for Summer Partnership, and she's very excited to be working with artists who aren't afraid of getting vulnerable (or are, and do it anyway).
SARAH LACY HAMILTON \| Associate Director Sarah Lacy Hamilton graduated with her MFA in directing from the University of Iowa this May. Originally from South Carolina, she relocated to Dallas in 2010, where she graduated with a BFA from Southern Methodist University. Past directing credits include PALANQUIN, Sweat, Blackberry: A Burial, HIR, and Nothing But Days at UI; Dry Land at Upstart Productions; and Gruesome Playground Injuries, Julius Caesar, and True West with her Dallas company, House Party Theatre.
ERICA VANNON \| Associate Director Erica Vannon is a new play director and holds a certificate in Laban Movement Analysis and is currently seeking certification for Intimacy Direction. She uses aspects of these movement modalities to create work that is highly kinetic, physically expressive, and makes the impossible possible. Directing projects at UI: Virginia Woolf's Orlando by Sarah Ruhl, Marat's Dead by Leigh M. Marshall, and Polaris (a tragedy expansion pack) by Charles Green. MFA in directing: University of Iowa 2020.
LUKE DANIEL WHITE \| Dramaturg/Playwright Luke Daniel White recently completed his MFA in dramaturgy at the University of Iowa Playwrights Workshop. His most recent credits include Ike Holter’s Hit the Wall at the University of Iowa; Eric Marlin’s What a World! What a World! presented in Ars Nova’s ANT Fest; Shakespeare’s King Henry IV, Part 1 at Riverside Theatre; and University of Iowa 2019 Summer Partnership in the Arts workshop presentation of Sam Chanse’s Monument (4 Sisters).
COURTNEY GASTON \| Art Director Courtney Gaston is a recent graduate of the MFA design program at the University of Iowa with focuses in lighting, scenic, and media design. Her work was recently seen at the University in Hit the Wall, Sweat, and Sunday in the Park with George, and at the 2019 Prague Quadrennial performance of Media Clown. She will be joining the faculty at Wesleyan University in the fall as the Assistant Professor of the Practice in Lighting Design.
BETHANY KASPEREK \| Art Director Bethany Kasperek is about to enter her second year as an MFA student here at the University of Iowa. Bethany is a costume designer and scenic designer/painter. At Iowa, Bethany has designed the set and costumes for Bonnets (How Ladies of Good Breeding are Induced to Murder) and the set for Three Sisters. She is excited to be working on this project and can't wait for you to see it!
NICK COSO \| Video Editor/Broadcast Director Nick Coso is excited to be working on this project as a video editor/broadcast director. His previous work at Iowa includes the lighting design on Sweat, Polaris, and Laterality, as well as media design on Hit the Wall and Seven Sports on the Sun. Nick would like to thank his family and friends for their continued support.
CHELSEA JUNE \| Video Editor/Broadcast Director Chelsea June is a recent graduate from UI’s MFA design program. Chelsea has focuses in media and costume design. She is working on broadcasting and liveness solutions for theatre in the time of COVID-19, working on independent projects and a research group for USITT. Most recently she was the costume designer for the UI’s production of Hit the Wall and in the summer of 2019 she debuted her work on Media Clown at the Prague Quadrennial.
HARRY DALEY-YOUNG \| Sound Designer Harry Daley-Young is a recent graduate of the UI theatre arts program. Previously he has designed sound for many shows, including his favorites Sweat, Love Bird, and Lingering in the 2018 Iowa New Play Festival. He has also designed scenery for Magic! The Play and Blackberry in the 2019 Iowa New Play Festival. He'd like to thank his family, friends, and cats.
MADY DAVIS \| Stage Manager Mady Davis is a second-year MFA stage manager and GCTC student from the Twin Cities. Her recent University of Iowa work includes MERRILY (SM) and half of The Light in the Piazza (ASM) (thanks COVID-19). Recent stage management work regionally includes: Razia’s Shadow: A Puppet Rock Opera, Little Woman, Postmortem, and Voysey Inheritance. She would like to thank her family and friends for all the love and support over the years.
OLIVIA LESLIE \| Stage Manager Olivia Leslie is a recent graduate of the University of Iowa with a theatre arts major and a GWSS minor. Recent credits include UI: Orlando (SM), Blackberry: A Burial (SM), Found (SM), Agnes in Green (SM), Sunday in the Park with George (ASM), The Age of Innocence (ASM). Riverside Theatre: Stages (SM), Straight White Men (SM), Henry IV (ASM). Thank you to her incredibly supportive friends and family, and to this incredible team of collaborators.

Artistic Team of Summer Partnership in the Arts 2020

DANIEL CARLTON | Director

Daniel Carlton is an actor, storyteller, playwright, poet, director, and award-winning teacher/artist who has appeared on New York, national, and international stages. His work has also been presented in schools, jails, homeless shelters.... everywhere but space.
Most recently: playwright/performer Check Your Invite (commission-Harlem Stage) and co-playwright with Nambi Kelley So Journey To The Truth (commission-Syracuse Stage education). Also with Nambi, director Jabari Dreams Of Freedom (New Victory Theater LabWorks), director Night Train 57 (workshop-Kennedy Center), and director While Are Still Here (Miller Theater, Columbia University). Playwright: March On (The Apollo Theater, director National Black Theater Festival).

NAMBI E. KELLEY | Master Playwright

Award-winning playwright Nambi E. Kelley recently adapted Toni Morrison’s Jazz for the stage (Marin Theatre Company, Baltimore Center Stage). Her adaptation of Richard Wright’s Native
Son has been seen across the country and premiered off-Broadway in 2019 at The Duke on 42nd Street (The Acting Company; AUDELCO Award for “Best Play”). Nambi is a former playwright-in-residence at the National Black Theatre, Goodman Theatre, and New Victory Theatre. She is the winner of the Prince Prize 2019 and a Dramatists Guild Foundation Writers Alliance Grant 2018-19. www.nambikelley.com.

JAREK PASTOR | Graduate Playwright

Jarek Pastor is a multi-lingual/ethnic/national person who writes works for performance. They immigrated to Miami, FL, where they grew up, before going on to get their BA in playwriting from Columbia College Chicago. They are entering their second year as an MFA candidate at the University of Iowa's Playwrights Workshop.

JIVANI RODRIGUEZ | Undergraduate Playwright

Playwright/actor Jivani Rodriguez is a senior theatre arts major at the University of Iowa. Most recently, her play SCOUTS ran during the 2020 Ten Minute Play Festival, while this past summer she was accepted to The Orchard Project’s transformative Core Company. Jivani is on the writing team for Summer Partnership, and she's very excited to be working with artists who aren't afraid of getting vulnerable (or are, and do it anyway).

SARAH LACY HAMILTON | Associate Director

Sarah Lacy Hamilton graduated with her MFA in directing from the University of Iowa this May. Originally from South Carolina, she relocated to Dallas in 2010, where she graduated with a BFA from Southern Methodist University. Past directing credits include PALANQUIN, Sweat, Blackberry: A Burial, HIR, and Nothing But Days at UI; Dry Land at Upstart Productions; and Gruesome Playground Injuries, Julius Caesar, and True West with her Dallas company, House Party Theatre.

ERICA VANNON | Associate Director

Erica Vannon is a new play director and holds a certificate in Laban Movement Analysis and is currently seeking certification for Intimacy Direction. She uses aspects of these movement modalities to create work that is highly kinetic, physically expressive, and makes the impossible possible. Directing projects at UI: Virginia Woolf's Orlando by Sarah Ruhl, Marat's Dead by Leigh M. Marshall, and Polaris (a tragedy expansion pack) by Charles Green. MFA in directing: University of Iowa 2020.

LUKE DANIEL WHITE | Dramaturg/Playwright

Luke Daniel White recently completed his MFA in dramaturgy at the University of Iowa Playwrights Workshop. His most recent credits include Ike Holter’s Hit the Wall at the University of Iowa; Eric Marlin’s What a World! What a World! presented in Ars Nova’s ANT Fest; Shakespeare’s King Henry IV, Part 1 at Riverside Theatre; and University of Iowa 2019 Summer Partnership in the Arts workshop presentation of Sam Chanse’s Monument (4 Sisters).

COURTNEY GASTON | Art Director

Courtney Gaston is a recent graduate of the MFA design program at the University of Iowa with focuses in lighting, scenic, and media design. Her work was recently seen at the University in Hit the Wall, Sweat, and Sunday in the Park with George, and at the 2019 Prague Quadrennial performance of Media Clown. She will be joining the faculty at Wesleyan University in the fall as the Assistant Professor of the Practice in Lighting Design.

BETHANY KASPEREK | Art Director

Bethany Kasperek is about to enter her second year as an MFA student here at the University of Iowa. Bethany is a costume designer and scenic designer/painter. At Iowa, Bethany has designed the set and costumes for Bonnets (How Ladies of Good Breeding are Induced to Murder) and the set for Three Sisters. She is excited to be working on this project and can't wait for you to see it!

NICK COSO | Video Editor/Broadcast Director

Nick Coso is excited to be working on this project as a video editor/broadcast director. His previous work at Iowa includes the lighting design on Sweat, Polaris, and Laterality, as well as media design on Hit the Wall and Seven Sports on the Sun. Nick would like to thank his family and friends for their continued support.

CHELSEA JUNE | Video Editor/Broadcast Director

Chelsea June is a recent graduate from UI’s MFA design program. Chelsea has focuses in media and costume design. She is working on broadcasting and liveness solutions for theatre in the time of COVID-19, working on independent projects and a research group for USITT. Most recently she was the costume designer for the UI’s production of Hit the Wall and in the summer of 2019 she debuted her work on Media Clown at the Prague Quadrennial.

HARRY DALEY-YOUNG | Sound Designer

Harry Daley-Young is a recent graduate of the UI theatre arts program. Previously he has designed sound for many shows, including his favorites Sweat, Love Bird, and Lingering in the 2018 Iowa New Play Festival. He has also designed scenery for Magic! The Play and Blackberry in the 2019 Iowa New Play Festival. He'd like to thank his family, friends, and cats.

MADY DAVIS | Stage Manager

Mady Davis is a second-year MFA stage manager and GCTC student from the Twin Cities. Her recent University of Iowa work includes MERRILY (SM) and *half of* The Light in the Piazza (ASM) (thanks COVID-19). Recent stage management work regionally includes: Razia’s Shadow: A Puppet Rock Opera, Little Woman, Postmortem, and Voysey Inheritance. She would like to thank her family and friends for all the love and support over the years.

OLIVIA LESLIE | Stage Manager

Olivia Leslie is a recent graduate of the University of Iowa with a theatre arts major and a GWSS minor. Recent credits include UI: Orlando (SM), Blackberry: A Burial (SM), Found (SM), Agnes in Green (SM), Sunday in the Park with George (ASM), The Age of Innocence (ASM). Riverside Theatre: Stages (SM), Straight White Men (SM), Henry IV (ASM). Thank you to her incredibly supportive friends and family, and to this incredible team of collaborators.

About Summer Partnership in the Arts

The Department of Theatre Arts' long tradition of presenting exciting work each summer began anew in 2018, with Summer Partnership in the Arts. Building on nearly a century of Iowa Summer Rep and twenty-five years of the academic year Partnership program, the department now offers students and audiences something new.

The purpose of the Summer Partnership program is to bring one or more guest artists to campus to work with students during a four-week residency and create a new theatrical piece. This developmental project will be presented as a small-scale production or a showing of work in process. It might follow the traditional new play development format or explore a highly experimental collaborative process.

Goals:

Provide opportunities for students to work with professionals on the development of a new work and possibly a new way of making theatre.
Maximize student impact and participation during a period when they are unencumbered by their regular class load.
Offer this paid opportunity to both graduate and undergraduate students in every field of theatre arts.
Engage the local community by offering audiences the opportunity to participate in the development of a play through pre-show and post-show discussions.

Past Summer Partnership Productions