Proscenium Theatre innovates hybrid with ‘Vagina Monologues’ performed on TikTok

Trinidad and Tobago – In an attempt to make an increased and effective use of new media in performing arts, the Proscenium Theatre Company of Trinidad and Tobago is to stage “The Vagina Monologues” in a rather unconventional manner.

The idea for this upcoming drama production to be held in Naparima Bowl September 6-8, 2024, is to include the TikTok promotion alongside the actual planned drama show. The move is part of theatre’s efforts to break what has been termed as the digital fourth wall as the local theatre society seeks to engage audiences in a new different way.

At the company’s media launch on July 23, founder and co-director Andrew Seepersad introduced the campaign titled “Share Your Story: The Vagina Monologues.” The campaign is an internet movement that encourages women to submit Their stories on TikTok both voice and share.

Staged by Cecilia Salazar, along with Mervyn de Goeas, this attempt to re-establish the concept of community theatre with the liveliness of the traditional stage drama includes Eve Ensler’s famous play.

Seepersad highlighted the significance of this hybrid approach: “This is new, this will be hybrid performance, it will be a combine of community housed theatre and community participation theatre, so it combines two forms of community involvement and theatrical events into one.”

This is Salazar’s directorial debut and she seemed quite excited about the show, which is about women from all over the world, retold through the life of Trinidadian women. The cast consist of Cecilia Salazar, Natasha Jones, Jerry Lee David, Olimall Gorden-Holder, and Renee King.

Apart from “The Vagina Monologues”, the plans of the Proscenium Theatre Company are the following one: The company will launch an Emerging Artist Programme. The purpose of this undertaking is to develop the future talent of local performers with four new actors being chosen to be mentored by the seniors, and thus gaining a wealth of experience.

Having made a comeback to the stage previously this year with a production of “Mamma Mia” after a break during the COVID-19 pandemic, Proscenium Theatre Company continues its mission to revive and innovate the local theatre industry.