Squishy Emotional Insides

I directed a (fully staged because that’s more fun and dynamic) reading of Squishy Emotional Insides, a new play written by frequent collaborator, playwright Mehrnaz Tiv, for Breaking and Entering Collaborative’s Rooftop Readings Series in July, and The Tank’s LimeFest in August. I fell in love with this script (and Mehrnaz’ artistic collaboration) in TAG, a writer-director group run out of the Tank Theater, and knew I had to bring this dromedy about band kids applying to college after a traumatic adolescence to life.

We were covered in Staff Picks Week 56, where writer Laia Comas said “As a former band kid (alto sax), this is the representation we need. Brought to you by Mehrnaz and psycho urbanist deviser collaborator Sabina who has a particularly keen eye for creating tensions between danger and safety.” Fun fact: we rented instruments from the same music store where I rented the saxophone, cello, and bass for in elementary school. I played the saxophone in fourth grade (because I felt cool being a Girl playing a Boy Instrument), but for the most part, I was not a band kid (not enough opportunities for attention and praise) and opted for drama club instead.

📍 The Tank and Breaking and Entering Co

Director: Sabina Sethi Unni
Playwright: Mehrnaz Tiv
Sound design: Sriram Iyer
Lighting design: Lem Goldstein
Performers: Tasiya Roseborough, Maribelle Flint, Mohammad Saleem, Alex Scelso, Rozz Srabi, and George Copeland
Graphic design: Minna Lee
Producers: Breaking and Entering Co & the Maker’s Ensemble