Worker-organizers performing a play about workplace protections during a rally in Washington Square Park. Photos by Make the Road.
I directed and wrote a short play for five worker-organizers to perform at a 400 person rally for Make the Road’s Excluded Workers Coalition, directing five worker-organizers across labor union LiUNA Local 79, Make the Road, the Street Vendor Project, VOCAL-NY/ the 13th Forward, DRUM (Desis Rising Up and Moving), and the Carroll Gardens Nanny Association. I used investigative theater practices and interview techniques over momos and long conversations about apprenticeship programs to write about labor protections that workers deserve, workplace solidarity, and how momos are not the only kind of Nepali food.
First, I asked a lot of questions to understand more about their lunchbreaks, the ways other workers have helped them through difficult times, and the workplace protections they would need to thrive; then I wrote up a script, we rehearsed, they gave me edits (i.e. Local 97 apprentices actually aren’t in charge of bricklaying, and you should replace that line with fireproofing or I probably would have a turkey and cheese sandwich for lunch, not PBnJ). This process - an exercise in public education, public theater, and art therapy for the worker-actors involved - was one of my favorite theater experiences!
