The Wooster Group / Eric Berryman
Presented at Joe’s Pub
“A love letter to the joys and provocations of oral storytelling.” – The New York Times
A dive into the distinctive genre of Black American storytelling called Toasts. A predecessor of rap, Toasts are fantastical, bawdy epic poems about legendary street heroes such as Shine (the lone Black man on the Titanic), Signifying Monkey, and Pimpin’ Sam. Featuring Eric Berryman and drummer Jharis Yokley. Directed by Kate Valk with production design by Elizabeth LeCompte and sound design by Eric Sluyter. Based on a 1976 LP recorded by folklorist Bruce Jackson.
Please note that Joe’s Pub’s menu of food and drinks will be served throughout these fully-seated cabaret performances with a two-drink or one food item minimum per person.
Note: This performance contains sexually explicit language.
ABOUT THE ARTISTS
The Wooster Group, led by directors Elizabeth LeCompte and Kate Valk, is a company of experimental theater and media artists. Since 1975, the Group has created more than 40 theater works and 22 media pieces and has been featured in numerous museum and gallery exhibitions including three Whitney Biennials. Based at The Performing Garage in New York City, the Group was founded by Elizabeth LeCompte (2025 Venice Biennale Golden Lion recipient), Spalding Gray, Ron Vawter, Jim Clayburgh, Willem Dafoe, Kate Valk, and Peyton Smith. Among the Group’s works are two recent collaborations with Baltimore-born, Brooklyn-based actor Eric Berryman. On stage, Berryman was last seen in MEMNON at the Getty Villa/Classical Theatre of Harlem, The Ford/Hill Project at the Public Theater, and the Pulitzer-winning Primary Trust at the Roundabout (Audelco Award Winner, Best Featured Actor).
CREDITS
With
Eric Berryman* and Jharis Yokley
Directed by
Kate Valk
Created by
Eric Berryman and The Wooster Group
Production Design:
Elizabeth LeCompte
Sound Design:
Eric Sluyter
Video Design:
Irfan Brkovic, Andrew Maillet, Yudam Hyung Seok Jeon
Lighting Design:
Marika Kent
Sound Technician:
Dan Dobson
Lighting Board Operator:
Matthias Neckermann
Assistant Director:
Michaela Murphy
Technical Director:
Tavish Miller
Production Manager:
Aaron Amodt
Producer for Get Your Ass In The Water:
Monika Wunderer
Associate Producer:
Maya Davis
Based on the LP Get Your Ass in the Water and Swim Like Me: Narrative Poetry from Black Oral Tradition (Rounder Records 1976) recorded and edited by Bruce Jackson.
*Eric Berryman appears through the courtesy of Actors Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.
Thanks to the men whose verses and voices are featured on the album: Benny Richardson, Johnny Jackson, Ebbie Veasley, Marshall Phillips, Willie Davis, W.D. Alexander, J.B. Smith, Louis “Bacon and Porkchop” Houston, C.B. Kimble, Jesse “G.I. Jazz” Hendricks, David Tippen, Theo Mitchell, and Slim Wilson.
Special thanks to Bruce Jackson & Diane Christian.
Thanks also to Carrie Mae Weems, Daphne Brooks, Evan Anderson, Jerald Times, Kasaun Henry, Gary Bartz, Elizabeth Bartz, Tora Hale, Halimah Thomas, Lennie Montgomery/Xavian Brown and Cecile Winckler.
FUNDING + SUPPORT
Get Your Ass in the Water and Swim Like Me is co-commissioned by and was developed in part during a residency at Texas Performing Arts at the University of Texas at Austin.
Development of the piece was also supported by: the National Endowment for the Arts; the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature; the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, in partnership with the City Council; Antonia & David Belt; and Tom Shapiro.
Performances at Joe’s Pub are supported by the AJT Fund.
VENUE NOTES, ACCESS & DIRECTIONS
By Subway: R/W to the 8th Street, 6 to Astor Place. By Bus: M2, M3, or M8 to 8th Street and 4th Avenue; M5 or M6 to 8th Street and Broadway; M15 to 2nd Avenue and 9th Street; M101 or M102 to 8th Street and Cooper Union.
Joe’s Pub strives to make their performances, digital content, website, and facilities accessible to all people. If you have questions, need assistance, or require an accommodation not mentioned below, please call us at 212.967.7555 or email at accessibility@publictheater.org. In addition, please feel free to approach any staff member during your visit for support. We are here to help. For more accessibility information, please visit https://publictheater.org/plan-your-visit/accessibility-pages/accessibility-services.
SOCIALS
SCHEDULE + VENUE
Monday, January 12 @ 7 PM
Tuesday, January 13 @ 9:30 PM
Run time: 60 minutes
Recommended for mature audiences.
Joe’s Pub
425 Lafayette St
Manhattan, NY 10003
SCHEDULE + VENUE
Monday, January 12 @ 7 PM
Tuesday, January 13 @ 9:30 PM
Run time: 60 minutes
Recommended for mature audiences.
Joe’s Pub
425 Lafayette St
New York, NY 10003
For Access and directions, click here
