ANNA BELLA EMMA
Text by Lisa D'Amour. Music by Chris Sidorfsky.
Produced by Puffy Shirt Productions.
ANNA BELLA EEMA was first produced in Austin, Texas, in May 2001 by Refraction Arts Project amd Physical Plant Theater, Steve Moore and Ron Berry.
ANNA BELLA EEMA was subsequently produced at HERE Arts Center in New York City, September 2003, by New Georges Theatre Company, Susan Bernfield, Artistic Director.
DIRECTOR'S NOTE:
My dear audience,
Thank you for taking time out of your weekend to witness Anna Bella Eema. This show is so meaninful to me and to everyone involved. This is easily the most difficult show I’ve ever directed, but in this challenge lies a potential so great that it was impossible not to devote myself to it. This show can only really thrive with a team that invents the deepest parts of their hearts and souls into it. I’m fortunate enough to have had exactly that. This ensemble has been living with me in this trailer park world filled with monsters, books, animals, and mouths since the end of August 2023. This production pushes the envelope of what you expect from theatre; and I really hope that you will feel immersed in this world as well for the next couple of hours.
“Have the wild things no moral or legal rights? What right has man to inflict such long and fearful agony on a fellow creature, simply because that creature does not speak his language?”
As I read, re-read, listen, and dream about this show, this one line moves me more than the others. I think it is important to reflect on this question, especially in the current state of our world. I think of all who speak a different language from me: the bears and the wolves, yes, but also those of different gender, race, culture, religion, wealth, weight, education… We are not there yet, but my hope is that someday we can look at fellow beings with empathy and compassion, even if we don’t always understand them. We are all the wild things. We all have a little bird soul fluttering around our chest, the heart and passion of a wolf, and but one earth to share with one another. This show has supernatural elements, but at its heart is a deeply honest tale of a mother and a daughter affected by circumstances out of their control.
This text is honest and timely. May you hear exactly what you need to hear at this moment in your life. I think many will see themselves reflected in Irene and Anna Bella, and I think we all have so much to learn from their little mud girl. As you sit back and enjoy this show, let Anna Bella Eema teach you what it means to be free and bestow you with the courage you need to face your truest, most honest self- despite how scary that is, despite what the rest of the world might think of you. Find your truth. Find your strength.
All my love,
Sarah
Produced by Puffy Shirt Productions.
ANNA BELLA EEMA was first produced in Austin, Texas, in May 2001 by Refraction Arts Project amd Physical Plant Theater, Steve Moore and Ron Berry.
ANNA BELLA EEMA was subsequently produced at HERE Arts Center in New York City, September 2003, by New Georges Theatre Company, Susan Bernfield, Artistic Director.
DIRECTOR'S NOTE:
My dear audience,
Thank you for taking time out of your weekend to witness Anna Bella Eema. This show is so meaninful to me and to everyone involved. This is easily the most difficult show I’ve ever directed, but in this challenge lies a potential so great that it was impossible not to devote myself to it. This show can only really thrive with a team that invents the deepest parts of their hearts and souls into it. I’m fortunate enough to have had exactly that. This ensemble has been living with me in this trailer park world filled with monsters, books, animals, and mouths since the end of August 2023. This production pushes the envelope of what you expect from theatre; and I really hope that you will feel immersed in this world as well for the next couple of hours.
“Have the wild things no moral or legal rights? What right has man to inflict such long and fearful agony on a fellow creature, simply because that creature does not speak his language?”
As I read, re-read, listen, and dream about this show, this one line moves me more than the others. I think it is important to reflect on this question, especially in the current state of our world. I think of all who speak a different language from me: the bears and the wolves, yes, but also those of different gender, race, culture, religion, wealth, weight, education… We are not there yet, but my hope is that someday we can look at fellow beings with empathy and compassion, even if we don’t always understand them. We are all the wild things. We all have a little bird soul fluttering around our chest, the heart and passion of a wolf, and but one earth to share with one another. This show has supernatural elements, but at its heart is a deeply honest tale of a mother and a daughter affected by circumstances out of their control.
This text is honest and timely. May you hear exactly what you need to hear at this moment in your life. I think many will see themselves reflected in Irene and Anna Bella, and I think we all have so much to learn from their little mud girl. As you sit back and enjoy this show, let Anna Bella Eema teach you what it means to be free and bestow you with the courage you need to face your truest, most honest self- despite how scary that is, despite what the rest of the world might think of you. Find your truth. Find your strength.
All my love,
Sarah
CREATIVES
Sarah Gorden
Director
Sarah is a Nutley based producer, director, and actor. Directing: Tin Cat Shoes (Nutley Little Theatre, Perry Award for Best Sound Design), Sunset Limited (13th St Theatre), First Date on the Brain, That Word, Convention (Drawing Cats Productions), A Brief Encounter (NYC Short Play Festival), The Armando Project (Nutley Little Theatre), Dolores, Painting Seventeen (Sette LaVerghetta). Acting: Sit With Fear (LA Shorts International Film Festival), Wailing (IndieX Film Festival, Best Acting Ensemble), Until We Finally Meet (MegaFlix Film Awards, Best Short Film), Wonder of the World, Streetcar Named Desire (Sette LaVerghetta), Newsies (The Ritz Theatre). Sarah is founder, Drawing Cats Productions and co-founder, Slashstorm Productions. Sarah has BA in theatre from Marywood University and a graduate certification in Theatre for Diversity, Inclusion and Social Change from Montclair State University. IG: @sarahphrased_scripts
Marc Russo
Music Director
Music Director
A man, a myth, a mystery - Marc's pure love of music and his generosity of spirit makes him our superhero. Previous musical director for "Mr. Burns: A Post-Electric Play" at Studio Playhouse in Montclair.
Miranda Madrazo
Stage Manager
Stage Manager
Miranda is an actor, singer, director, and now stage manager based in northern New Jersey. She is honored to be working on this production of “Anna Bella Eema” alongside this wonderful cast and creative team in the dynamic space offered at Prototype237. This is Miranda’s first production with Puffy Shirt Productions. Previously, Miranda performed in “Othello” with Teaneck New Theatre, “The Great Gatsby: A Live Radio Play” at WHATCo, and is a former artistic director of the Livingston Theatre Company at Rutgers University. Next, she will be in “The Christmas Caper” at Hackensack Performing Arts Center!
Mak Koran
Sound Design
Sound Design
Mak (they/them) is a Perry Award winning sound designer for their work on "Tin Cat Shoes" at the Nutley Little Theatre. Mak is also a director, playwright and poet based out of Colorado and this is their third show sound designing for a production across the country. They are so ecstatic to be able to work with Sarah Gorden again, whose directorial visions cultivate such a fantastic playspace for any designer. Mak welcomes you to immerse yourself into the world that has been created. Find and contact Mak on their instagram: @mix.makk
Rodney Vargas
Photography
Photography
Born and raised in Paterson New Jersey, he started his study of Karate at a young age and eventually opened a dojo and various karate clubs. Member of the Garden State Games Karate Hall of Fame, Rodney has won numerous state championships in the USA-NKFNJ. He is also woodworker, drum maker, and wood artist. Percussion and performing the music of Puerto Rican Bomba is another passion. Favorite Bomba drumming performances include: New Orleans Jazz Fest, Madison Square Garden (half time show), and on stage at Alvin Ailey, NYC. Impassioned by photography, he is always looking to learn something new that will add to his developing style. IG: @rodney_v_360
Amelie Vasquez
Production Assistant
Production Assistant
Amelie is so grateful to be a part of this production, and thrilled to have seen it grow so much. Special thanks to all of the cast and crew. She is so excited to see the show.
