When Oakland theater company Ragged Wing Ensemble first started making work in 2004, they were renting space show-by-show. Eventually, they made themselves a permanent home in downtown Oakland, creating a shared arts space they called the Flight Deck. It’s now home to four resident theater companies, and hosts performances, classes, workshops, and a gallery.
The show running now at the Flight Deck brings all four resident companies together. Overnight explores ideas of gentrification and displacement, through the fantastical story of a high-rise tower that appears overnight in place of a parking lot.
Ragged Wing Ensemble’s Executive Director Anna Shneiderman came in to speak with KALW’s Jen Chien about how the play came about, and what it’s like to collaboratively produce art.
SHNEIDERMAN: We wanted the piece to not be like a 'message theater' or propaganda-style activist piece, but rather a piece that asks questions.
Overnight will be playing at The Flight Deck in downtown Oakland through April 22nd. Click here for more information.
