TICKETS ON SALE SOON
VENUE + SCHEDULE
photo credit: JO Malley Arts
Fight Back, created by David Wise, is a radical theatrical experiment with no actors. It is the Reagan Era in New York City, March 13th of 1989. You are at a meeting of the grassroots political group ACT UP (AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power), joining a passionate assembly of activists organizing to take direct humanitarian action and spur public policy to address the horror of the HIV/AIDS pandemic. What did it feel like to live through the uncertain early days of AIDS? Fight Back puts you in the shoes of the courageous LGBTQ+ and ally trailblazers who earned the world we live in today.
Everyone who attends Fight Back will relive the historically accurate minutes of the March 1989 meeting, with each ticket holder assuming the specific and predetermined role of an ACT UP member who was there. Prior to the date of “performance,” you’ll receive a Fight Back dossier by email containing a biographical profile of your selected historical persona and more instructions on how to engage onsite. You can request to be assigned a specialized role, including a meeting facilitator, a civil disobedience coordinator, an expert on HIV/AIDS treatment and even Rollerena, who famously attended these meetings on roller skates. Attendees will be asked to remain in character from the moment they arrive and there’s a bit of preparation involved, but you absolutely don’t need to be an actor to join Fight Back. What you will need to do is Act Up: vocally participate, practice acts of civil disobedience, organize upcoming protests with your fellow activists and mourn those you’ve lost.
“In ‘Fight Back,’ the audience learns to Act Up”
– The New York Times
ABOUT THE ARTISTS
David Wise is a multidisciplinary artist whose works blend performance art, immersive theater and interactive experiences that explore New York histories. Previous projects include The Atlas Pursuit, an interactive digital novel; The Central Park Papers, an adventure experience in Central Park; and Momma’s Knishes, an interactive experience performed in people’s kitchens. David’s prior work has been featured in The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, the Philadelphia Inquirer and many other media outlets. Fight Back, which received a Support for Artist grant from the New York State Council on the Arts, has been prominently featured in The New York Times, WNYC, The Daily Beast, Time Out New York and Gay City News.
FUNDING + SUPPORT
Produced by Benson Drive Productions (George Strus, CEO)
www.bensondriveprods.com
VENUE NOTES + ACCESSIBILITY
The Center
208 W 13th St,
Manhattan, NY 10011
The Center is located at 208 West 13th Street, between 7th Avenue and Greenwich Avenue, on the South side of the street. The nearest subway lines are the 1, 2, 3, A, C, E, F, M, L, and Path trains at 14th Street and 6th Avenue.
Access
We have an ADA-compliant ramp at the front of our building and ADA-compliant restrooms on our first and third floors. The venue, Room 101, is located on our first floor and requires no stairs to access.
The Space at Irondale
85 South Oxford Street in Fort Greene, Brooklyn
Directions
C train to Lafayette Avenue is just down the block (exit at South Oxford Street, church is halfway up the block on your right).
B, D, N, Q, R, 2, 3, 4, or 5 train to Atlantic Avenue/Pacific Street, walk north on Hanson place to South Oxford, turn left and the church will be on your right.
G train to Fulton Street, then walk up Lafayette avenue, make a right on South Oxford Street, and church will be on your left.
Access
Accessible via handlift to deck level only.
Content Warning
Attendees will be encouraged to sit or walk around throughout the event at their own inclination and/or step out to go to the bathroom as needed.
Appropriate Age Range
Recommended for Audience Members 15 and Older
SCHEDULE
Friday, January 8 at 7pm – The CENTER
Sunday, January 10 at 7pm – The Space at Irondale
Friday, January 15 at 7pm – The CENTER
Sunday, January 17 at 7pm – The Space at Irondale
Friday, January 22 at 7pm – The CENTER
Tickets on sale soon.
VENUE
The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center
208 W 13th St,
Manhattan, NY 10011
map
The Space at Irondale
85 South Oxford Street
Fort Greene, Brooklyn
map
Accessibility
For access + directions, click here
Run Time:
2 ½ hours, no intermission. Attendees will be encouraged to sit or walk around throughout the event at their own inclination and/or step out to go to the bathroom as needed.
