This Is On Record

In a world of fake news and fractious political journalism, Applied Mechanics examines how stories are told, and who gets to craft the narratives delivered to the public. Performed at Brewerytown’s Glass Factory in June 2018, THIS IS ON RECORD was a world-premiere, multimedia work of theatre about the politics of information: how media shapes our sense of identity and our beliefs about what’s possible in the world.

Following six characters in three different eras, THIS IS ON RECORD takes a hard look at the systems of privilege and prejudice that shape the narratives we inherit.  Audience members are invited to walk through time, as stories simultaneously unfold in 1968, 1988 and 2014. The intertwined lives of a writer, a balladeer, a documentarian, a radio broadcaster, an archivist, and a live-streamer simultaneously unfold, as each character struggles to capture their historical moment and speak truth to power.  Stories evolve over generations and competing truths battle it out in competing mediums. THIS IS ON RECORD asks: Who will tell the story of our time?

Cast

Alison Ormsby Alison Strayer
Thomas Choinacky Tiny
Severin Blake Dora Wilcox
Brett Robinson Ledisi Wilcox
Annie Wilson Drew Smith
Daniel Park Aaron Sung

Writing Team

MK Tuomanen, Maria Shaplin, Rebecca Wright, Lisi Stoessel, Jessica Hurley, Thomas Choinacky, Brett Robinson, Annie Wilson, Severin Blake, Daniel Park, Alison Ormsby

Creative Team

Rebecca Wright Director
Isabella Sazak & Maura Krause Associate Directors
Jessica Hurley Dramaturg
Lisi Stoessel Set Design
Maria Shaplin Lighting and Projection Design
Liz Atkinson Sound Design
Jillian Keys Costume Design
Emily Schuman  Properties Design
Robin Stamey Production Manager
Nic Labadie-Bartz Stage Manager
Sam Tower Company Administrator