West Siders tell their own story in “West Side on the South Side”

The West Side Theater Project launches its first production this week in the true spirit of community theater. West Side on the South Side is a collaboratively written play that features neighborhood residents acting alongside professionals.

The play was inspired by the Cornerstone Theater Company from Los Angeles, which combines professional and community collaborators. Last year, Becky Dale, Al Justiniano, Ben Krywosz, Harry Waters Jr., and a few others came together to talk about how stories of the West Side of St. Paul could be broadly shared. They brainstormed, and early in 2009 they convened local residents who recounted history and anecdotes. These “story circles” included conversation, questions to help trigger memories, writing exercises, and theater games. Producers and performers indicated that the process was as important as the final piece. Dale, who also helped create the original score, says that many rich stories came to light through the gatherings. “We knew we’d barely scratched the surface!”

Playwright Justiniano says that the story is about how neighbors can come together and rediscover the importance of being a part of a neighborhood. “Two forces were at work here. The challenge was developing a show in a community where you don’t have control over all the parameters. We could have had a show based on vignettes—but we wanted a central element running through.”

Read the full article: West Siders tell their own story in “West Side on the South Side” | Twin Cities Daily Planet | Minneapolis – St. Paul. By By Betsy Mowry