No Child...
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Sun
Photo by Craig Schwartz
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By Ben Miles
No Child… is Nilaja Sun's awarding-winning, solo show. Written and performed by Sun, this multi-character monodrama is a theatrical account of Sun's experience as a "teaching artist." T.A. status is an actual payroll designation made by the New York City schools. Teaching artists are brought into classes to directly convey their creative skills to students. The extensive learning interaction typically culminates with a public presentation of a pertinent project.
Sun's curricular undertaking is to advise and direct selected students, at the Bronx's Malcolm X High School (a fictional institutional moniker), in producing Our Country's Good, a play about a play that is set in Australia in the late1700s. Amidst issues of English literacy, poverty, urban blight, and gang violence, Sun forges on day-by-day and little-by-little to stage the seemingly esoteric drama concerning 18th century life in a penal colony in the rugged Down-under, all the while sewing connections from the play to the present day. As students begin to comprehend the relevancy of the text to their own quotidian plights, they grow in self-expression as their self-esteem also increases. It's a familiar theme made once-again original through the power of Sun's genuine narratives and authentic performing abilities.
With lucid direction by Hal Brooks, Sun's virtuosic performing skills are indeed impressive. Characterizing a multitude of roles, Sun's versatility and instantaneous personality changes are the stuff of great acting. From the lanky, limping custodian to the demur new teacher of English to the line-up of adolescent thespians (a word that the high-schoolers regularly misinterpret as the L-word), Sun's specificity and ability to capture the idiosyncrasies of each individual she embodies is a sustaining fascination.
Ron Russell's schoolhouse sound enhancements lend contemporary cadences to the proceedings, while Mark Barton's indispensable lighting distinguishes and underscores the many character shifts.
The title, No Child…, refers to the 2002 federal law known as the No Child Left Behind act. The sentiment of the show suggests that this government mandate stresses tested subjects such as mathematics and written English at the expense of the arts and sciences. It's a quandary worthy of consideration. Still, No Child… is not so much about educational theory and policy as it is good storytelling and world-class acting.
The show continues at the Kirk Douglas Theatre, in Culver City, through April 13. Performances are Tuesday - Saturday at 8 p.m. Matinees are at 2 p.m. on Saturdays and 1 p.m. on Sundays. There is also a 6:30 p.m. performance on Sundays. The Kirk Douglas Theatre is located at 9820 Washington Boulevard. For reservations, dial (213) 628 - 2772. For more details, visit www.CenterTheatreGroup.org.
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