On October 19, we held our first FEED online interview with director Eric Ting, discussing his work on the upcoming production of We Are Proud to Present a Presentation About the Herero of Namibia, Formerly Known as Southwest Afrika, from the German Sudwestafrika, Between the Years 1884-1915. People tweeted in with questions from around the world for Eric, and the transcript of the discussion, curated by Raphael Martin, is below!
SR: We’re chatting with Eric Ting @theredcolobus about directing #weareproud by Jackie Sibblies Drury. Eric: How did you meet Jackie?
A: funnily enough, we met right after her wedding! In Chicago! For #victorygardens Ignition Festival! Actually, maybe that’s not FUNNY…
Q: And did you know it was an artistic match from the get go?
A: Yep! As soon as I realized that Jackie and I both talk in incomplete sentences.
Q: Eric, how would you summarize the differences between Chicago and New York audiences?
A: I’d say they’re each of them very smart and very unique in their perspectives. #JaredDiamond
Q: Why this play now?
A: Because it speaks authentically and immediately to complex issues of race and responsibility in America today. #toughquestions
Q: What is it about Soho Rep that you think fits this show, Eric?
A: #provocative #compelling #experimental #intimate #fierce
Q: In a modern age, where racism is still prevalent, does WAP deal more contemporary or historical racism? #weareproud
A: I’d say it uses a little known historical genocide to explode our understanding of race today.
Q: So would you say it draws on genocide in relation to The Holocaust?
A: Sort of impossible not to. If you know about the #herero genocide, you’ve heard of the connections.
Q: #weareproud is partially set in a rehearsal. What’s it like rehearsing a rehearsal?
A: #meta #metameta #itscomplicated I’m often answering questions that are actually actors starting scenes.
Q: What sort of research have you done for these two productions?
A: Extensive. that said it’s actually a big question in Jackie’s play
Q: What roles do music and dance play in #weareproud?
A:We get swept up sometimes –in the moment– and sometimes it’s dangerous. music, dance, sweep us in much the same way.
SR: Thanks to Eric Ting @theredcolobus for joining us for this interview for #weareproud! Its been a pleasure.