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RiffRaff NYC, recently founded by Joe Staton and Dorothea Gloria, stands tall as a testament to the transformative power of immigrant experiences woven into the fabric of New York City.
With an unwavering dedication to amplifying immigrant voices and providing a stage for their narratives to flourish, RiffRaff NYC is on the brink of unveiling its latest endeavor, “Immigrants in New York.” Featuring a selection of five poignant short plays, this showcase promises to offer a poignant exploration of the trials, triumphs, and tribulations faced by immigrants navigating the labyrinthine streets of the Big Apple.
In this enlightening interview, we sit down with Joe Staton and Dorothea Gloria to delve into the genesis of RiffRaff NYC, the meticulous curation process behind the showcase, and their dynamic vision for fostering greater diversity and representation in the arts. Join us as we embark on a journey into the soul-stirring world of RiffRaff NYC, where immigrant stories take center stage, igniting conversations and fostering empathy in the hearts of audiences worldwide.
How did you start this journey?
D: My personal journey started while I was still in acting school. I was craving to be on stage, but I just didn’t have the time to do so while being in school. That’s when I decided to write my own plays, submit them to play festivals, and then take full control of the rehearsal schedule. Doing things on my own terms helped me create the theater I wanted, while also allowing me to learn other skills aside from acting, such as writing, marketing, and producing. This endeavor then blossomed into producing for various theater companies. I noticed Joe Staton doing similar things; you know, like-minded people can recognize each other right away, I believe. After a few more years of pursuing our own paths and learning along the way, we decided to meet up one day and say, “Hey! Want to create a theater company together?” And the rest is history.
J: I’ve always admired the work that Dorothea does and when she approached me I was more than ready to say yes and start working together. We met up in Central Park and just spoke about the struggles that come from being immigrant actors in New York and the theatre that we want to create. And we found out pretty quickly that we work really well as a team, and have the same cravings and the same instincts. And thus RiffRaff was born.
Let’s discuss the upcoming “Immigrants in New York” showcase. Can you tell us about the inspiration behind this event?
D: Well, both Joe and I are immigrants who decided to pursue acting in New York. When I was new here in this country, I really felt like an alien without a community. After years of living here, it was such a pleasure to meet other immigrants and also just share our stories with everyone who wanted to listen. This sharing of stories and building community was the inspiration for our upcoming showcase.
J: We had already done our first showcase back in December which was a showcase of different Shakespeare scenes, and we wanted to keep doing showcases every couple of months. I was inspired by a New Works showcase I had done years ago in England with the Guildford Fringe which was of a similar vibe, in which playwrights were asked to submit different 15-minute plays under the theme of “Class”. I wrote something for that showcase and was accepted along with a number of others, and it was one of the best experiences ever. So after our first showcase, I thought: here’s a chance to give immigrant actors the opportunity to tell their stories.
Can you share more about the selection process for the plays featured in the showcase?
D: We had a group of volunteer readers come together with us, and we took the time to read and act out each script. It was a lot of work and a lot of fun. Having to act it out gave it another dimension which helped everyone through the selection process because one can hear if the language works or not.
J: They were a great group, it took over five hours and then we all voted on which we wanted to see come to life! In the end, we chose five plays: Dream Card by Francesca Bolam, Funland by Russell Legaspi, Lady Liberty by Nicholas Bompart, Pizza From Nowhere by Cara Ronzetti, and Raw by Kevin Rios. These are all immigrant stories of being in New York, and we’re excited to show them to you.
That sounds fascinating. Now, I understand you’re also raising money for your first full-scale production of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” Can you tell us more about that?
D: Well, when we first conceived RiffRaff NYC, Joe and I spoke about our dream productions that we would most like to mount. “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” was Joe’s first answer to that question and I am so excited to help him make his vision into a reality.
J: That’s right, Dorothea asked me what show I wanted to make most, and I immediately said A Midsummer Night’s Dream. This is my favourite play and I’ve had an idea for how to do it circling in my brain for the past 10 years. It’s such a fun show and it really allows us to play. I first read it when I was 10 years old, and it was also the first Shakespeare play I did professionally, so it holds a special place in my heart. We’ve done several fundraising events for it already, and we have a campaign ongoing with Fractured Atlas. I have a great concept for the show in mind (I won’t say what it is yet!). I’m also very excited because I know which show Dorothea wants to do after Midsummer! I won’t spoil it, but it’s one of my favourites!
How can people support RiffRaff NYC and your future endeavors?
D: Well, we have a fundraising campaign for all of our shows where people can get a tax-deductible donation; just check out our website or socials for the information. We are also always in need of other resources like rehearsal spaces and performance venues around New York City that don’t cost an arm and a leg. We would also like to expand our immigrant artists community by connecting with other immigrant artists.
J: Come to our fundraisers and come to our upcoming showcase! And if you want to donate, you can do so here: https://fundraising.fracturedatlas.org/riffraff-nyc-presents-a-midsummer-night-s-dream-by-william-shakespeare/campaigns/6142
Anything else you’d like to add?
D: Yes! We like to act as a playground for artists so any ideas for workshops or shows that you would like our company to offer would be great!
J: We’re always open to collaboration, and we want to hear from you if you have an idea or if you just want to help! Come be part of the RiffRaff!
Immigrants in New York is running at the Court Square Theater in Long Island City on March 8th, 9th, and 10th. Tickets can be found at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/riffraff-nyc-presents-immigrants-in-new-york-a-showcase-of-5-short-plays-tickets-847522030207?aff=oddtdtcreator&fbclid=IwAR1QBLZoZ20e21UZ54N8zhUI61jmLLm33tqfzMIYHQoZp7O7NsIG9sFd2DE
