Zero Hour, a feature length interdisciplinary performance solo, was performed at the U-32 Stage in May of 2017, and proceed to perform at Phantom Theater in August of 2017.
Below is the transcript of Zero Hour Part 2: Manifesto.
Note: At Phantom Theater Orlando's part was performed by Kira Johnson and Aven Williams
Below is the transcript of Zero Hour Part 2: Manifesto.
Note: At Phantom Theater Orlando's part was performed by Kira Johnson and Aven Williams
Zero Hour
Part 2:
Manifesto
by Noah Witke
Performed by Noah Witke,
Zak Kline,
Orlando Grant,
And Amy Koenigbauer
Zak sits in a chair stage left. He is dressed in dark colors. He has a microphone, a loop pedal, a music stand The microphone and loop pedal are plugged into an amp. During this piece Zak will read the provided words, which he has never seen before, augmenting them with loops.
Orlando sits in a chair stage right. He is dressed in light colors. He just sits, and does not respond.
When Zak begins to read Noah enters. He carries the props: A drop cloth. A mirror. Warm water. Black paint. Electric pink paint. Glitter. A white dress. An electric razor. An old book. He sits.
[Wait for Noah to sit]
Noah shaves off his facial hair.
I am a man.
I am white.
I am gay.
[Pause]
[Pause longer]
I am white.
I am male.
I am gay.
How does this affect how I make art?
How does this affect how I exist in the world?
[Respond, so that everyone can hear you.]
I am uncomfortable talking about social issues through art.
I don’t think that I know how.
I am afraid that I will say the wrong thing.
I think that some things are worth trying to talk about.
And I am still trying to figure out how.
So I have brought in help.
Noah changes into the white dress.
A piece of writing by Lola Bennett.
Loving Sugar and Mr Bachelor The body by me
1)Burnt toast on your skin is considered sexy and one word answers are surprising
All the dolls have been placed and the tea has been poured
Quit tricky to get just right but oh so rewarding
And harlot has a new meaning
The oh so confused girl is a harlot
For dirt caked ankles and pruney toes
So much grass at her feet
So many fruit flies circling her head
And even though they are still the good women roll sugar cubes through the crack in the window sill
She is grateful and whispers stories of the muddy brook where grifters bathe
2)lights in the city are blinding if you can even call it that in the early evening
But your eyes are callused over as a native
Everything has just become milky
And as soon as you walk cold white concrete your body isn't yours
and you're determined to keep your hoodie unzipped because you will not be afraid of the body you have created
You will never be submissive to everyone else's fears
If you have this you have nothing
3)Powdered necks and sweaty bodies
Moments became waves of energy threw everyone
The beautiful feeling of independence between us all in a way that the moment is separate from each other
And for a few seconds the relief of not being a women
Noah begins to paint on himself.
I had thought that I was going to tell a story.
About a train ride that I took once.
But I changed my mind.
Because I couldn’t make it mean anything.
And because it stopped being poetic.
So I am going to present other things.
In stead.
But I want you to imagine that I told a story about race.
And that it was powerful.
And that it changed the way you see the world.
Pretend that this happened.
Think about staring at the ceiling.
Think about riding in a car at night.
Feel mournful.
Remember that all of history has lead to this moment.
This moment.
This.
And if it is a countdown, then every hour is a zero hour.
He paints the other one as well.
It is colorful.
It is beautiful.
It is enlightening.
It is about everything.
It is about you.
It is sad.
It is.
It is.
It is.
We are.
Find unity and compassion.
Find quiet and rebellion.
Speak the truth.
Let others speak the truth.
Speak.
Orlando stands.
[Sons & Daughters by The Decemberists begins to play. All lights fade away. All that is left is light that spills onto Orlando's face. Orlando mouths the words. On the second time through Zak joins in, now standing next to Orlando. On the third time Amy joins, coming from the audience to join the other two.
During the second part of the song a light rises on Noah spinning in peaceful circles.
As the song ends the audience is illuminated by bright lights.]
Please Stand.
Take out your phone.
Prepare to play a piece of music.
Maybe something that is important to you, or that you think is beautiful.
If you do not have a phone simply sing the song.
If you do not want to sing imagine the song.
Once you are doing this try to listen to everyone else's songs.
When your piece of music is finished continue to listen.
The piece is over when everybody is only listening.
[End.]