SOSE in the Center Theatre Group newsletter

"Fencerow to Fencerow," one of SOSE's works-in-development, was featured in the newsletter for Center Theatre Group's New Play Production Program.   Here is the article:

 

CTG Newsletter, May, 2008

Center Theatre Group New Play Production Program Newsletter - Spring 2008

New L.A. Company Partnership

CTG and Son of Semele Ensemble (SOSE) are developing a new play with the working title, Fencerow to Fencerow based on the Michael Pollan bestseller The Omnivore's Dilemma. The piece combines both historical and fictional characters to reveal truths about the over-saturation of corn in our diets. Helmed by Matthew McCray and devised by SOSE, this new work will have its second developmental workshop this Spring at CTG. Matthew and company share their impulse for the piece.

SOSE was driven to develop "Omnivore" after reading the book The Omnivore's Dilemma by Michael Pollan, which explores many shocking realities about American agriculture. For some of our company members, Pollan's book was a "call to action" which drove us to create this play. Our creation process for "Omnivore" originated with games, discussion, and group improvisation, later growing into the creation of a text and eventually a draft. The elements found in agriculture (e.g. plant-life, corn, digestion, the food production process, etc.) were exciting to explore in physical and theatrical ways, and our adventurous style of theatre was a perfect fit for it. Also, we felt that the creation of this play was an urgent and pressing matter knowing that America's Farm Bill was up for revision in 2007. Unfortunately, as expected, the forces of agribusiness held strong to the status quo and the 2007 Farm Bill will continue to support systems of food production that damage our people and our planet. We need a change. Obesity and malnutrition are causing illness and death. Environmental damage from the over-fertilization of our land is killing the Gulf of Mexico. 75% of the grocery store is filled with products that contain corn. Where is the line and when will the forces of agribusiness no longer turn a blind eye to the damage of the industry? "Omnivore" is driven by questions like these that MUST be asked now before it is too late.