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FAQ's
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Why do we do this?
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What began as a play that was written as part of a solo performance-writing workshop has evolved into a journey that “Both Sides Of the Family’s” conceiver and writers have embraced. Each of us has a personal journey to share as a result of our experiences in interfaith marriages and families.
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What have we found through our performances over the past three years?
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We have discovered that people identify with the characters and their experiences. They tend to have found something in themselves during our performances, and many express this during the post-play discussions that usually occur. The play is less about “us,” as writers/actors, rather more about enabling an audience member to find something that stimulates dialogue, even what have occasionally been quite emotional expressions.
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Is there an “ideal” community that this play, or your other soon to be written plays, are suited for?
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There is an economy of scale. Realistically, a community that can attract 100 or more people to one of our performances would be “ideal.” However; some communities may be too small. We have inquiries from communities as large as New York/Long Island, to medium sized Jewish communities like Pittsburgh and Cincinnati. We have been approached by smaller communities including Memphis and Tucson. The “ideal” community would be one that can draw together two or more collaborative organizations that have an interest in creating a unique, fresh and stimulating interfaith program. Or, one that has the reach and size to do it on their own.
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What about JCC’s, Jewish Federations, and other organizations?
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It depends on the community. Some communities have active Jewish Federations and JCC’s with interfaith committees and programming. Others have a smaller focus or priority on the interfaith area. I’m not making value judgments, however; I am being realistic. If a community is interested, the driving force behind bringing in a play/experience like “Both Sides of the Family” is going to be at least one individual who is passionate about creating interfaith. This person may be from an area synagogue, Family Service Association, school, or entity other than the local Federations.
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What about non-Jewish organizations?
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We have received grants to perform the play in churches that are interested in interfaith. These venues include a Catholic Church, and Unitarian Church. The experience was quite interesting and revelatory for their audiences. Interestingly, there were Jewish attendees in both cases. We’re happy to perform the play for anyone interested in creating greater understanding and dialogue.
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Does a “one shot” performance really help advance interfaith understanding?
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It does, if “Both Sides of the Family” is part of a continuum of interfaith outreach and related programming. If it is viewed as a panacea for a community that has little interfaith outreach and programming, it will likely be a entertaining experience but not one that advances any substantive communal reach. We like to be realistic about expectations.
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