CCRI Players tackle America’s social climate with devised theater production
CCRI Players tackle America’s social climate with devised theater production
March 16, 2021
Beginning Thursday, the Community College of Rhode Island Players take a deep, personal
dive into our nation’s social climate with the production of Unity Poem: The Past, Present, and Future, an original devised theater performance written entirely by students with inspiration
from BIPOC (black, Indigenous and people of color) poets.
Co-produced by Adjunct Professor Kira Hawkridge and guest artists Daria-Lyric Montaquila
and Ronald Lewis – a CCRI alum – Unity Poem breaks new ground this week as The Players’ first devised theater production, allowing
the students to weave their own personal experiences and unique perspectives into
the storyline.
Also referred to as “collective creation,” devised theater is a method of theater-making
in which the script originates from collaborative, improvisatory work by the ensemble.
In her role as the Founding Artistic Director of Providence’s OUT LOUD Theatre, Hawkridge
is well-versed in the concept of devised theater and, according to CCRI Theatre Program
Coordinator Ted Clement, laid the foundation for working with The Players on a corresponding
piece prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.
As part of Hawkridge’s ensemble cast at OUT LOUD, Lewis and Montaquila bring added
experience to the table in helping The Players draft this original, first-of-its-kind
production. In addition to its role as a benchmark performance for CCRI, Unity Poem also doubles as a relevant, opportune peek at the current pall racial inequality
and social injustice have cast on society in recent months. The Players reflect their
thoughts, opinions, and feelings on the state of identity, race, and culture in America
today, exploring where they came from, where they are now, and where they’re going.
Unity Poem premiers virtually on Thursday, March 18 at 7:30 pm via streaming platform ShowTix4U
and continues with performances Friday at 7:30 and Saturday at 2 and 7:30 pm with
a Sunday 2 pm matinee.
“The concept of this production is to give personal meaning to the experiences of
individuals in today's current social climate, while drawing from their own pasts
and looking toward a brighter future,” Montaquila said. “By incorporating BIPOC poetry
and excerpts written by the ensemble, Unity Poem gives a lens into what it means to be an American both historically and presently,
and the encompassing sameness and stark differences of what individuals experience
in our society.”
“Devised theater, to me, means being able to create something unique in the room with
your ensemble members that would be completely different if even one ensemble member
were to change,” she continued. “Devised pieces are extremely personal because they
are given shape and life by the actors creating and performing them. No two devised
pieces will ever look the same because the circumstance, the setting, the ensemble,
and their personal histories will be different, lending itself to an entirely new
experience.”
The cast includes CCRI students Francesca Binder (Providence), Dinorah Best (Providence),
Nicholas Griffin (Charlestown), Abbey Pezza (Saunderstown), Lia Pinto (East Providence),
Nyah Price (Providence), Damari Recillas (Cranston), Herlyn Rodriguez (Cranston),
Jacob Scott (Middletown), and Ednilson Tavares (Pawtucket), all of whom contributed
their own personal experiences to the script with inspiration from specific works
of art. In co-producing the performance, Montaquila said one of the poems that inspired
her and others in the cast was Let America Be America Again by Langston Hughes, written in 1935. The poem speaks on the “American dream” that
never existed for lower-class Americans and the freedom and equality that every immigrant
hoped for, but never received – a reflection on the experiences of African Americans
and other economically disadvantaged and minority groups that is still relevant today.
Scott, performing for just the second time as a member of The Players, calls the production
“fun, effective, and inspirational.” Best, a newcomer to the concept of devised theater,
reflected on the “vulnerability and trust that each person brought to the process,”
a sentiment Montaquila echoes while noting, “we all became pretty close during the
process because of the honest nature of the show.”
“As a woman of color, it is important to me that my people and our experiences be
represented in art,” said Montaquila, an activist and board member of The Womxn Project.
“Being a community organizer, I have seen how uncommon it is for marginalized communities’
experiences to be explored and valued, especially in a way that wasn’t retraumatizing
or victimizing. To be able to share the personal stories of our own students, many
of whom are BIPOC, is truly a gift, because actors are so often seen as caricatures
instead of real people.”
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On Thursday, May 15, 2025, the Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) celebrated a milestone achievement: its 60th Commencement Ceremony. Held at the Amica Mutual Pavilion, the event marked the culmination of CCRI’s year-long diamond anniversary celebration and was a stirring tribute to six decades of transformation, opportunity, and achievement for Rhode Islanders.
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Brendan Murphy, former Smithfield, RI, resident and one of the most prolific scorers in the history of the Community College of Rhode Island’s men’s basketball program, was honored recently as the college’s Athletic Alumni Award recipient at the state’s 2024–25 Scholar-Athlete Awards ceremony hosted by House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi.
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Ten student-athletes from the Community College of Rhode Island were honored last week for their athletic and academic achievements as part of the annual Scholar-Athlete Awards held in House Chamber of the Rhode Island State House. The Legislative Awards are designed to provide public recognition for student-athletes from CCRI, Rhode Island College, and the University of Rhode Island for significant achievements in their academic and athletic pursuits. The honorees have also demonstrated exemplary citizenship and community service.
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The Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) and Rhode Island College (RIC) are proud to announce the launch of a new, fully online Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN-to-BSN) program. This innovative partnership offers CCRI nursing graduates a seamless, affordable, and flexible pathway to earn their BSN while delivering the academic rigor and clinical relevance that Rhode Island’s healthcare system demands.
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April 29, 2025
The Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) has partnered with United Way of Rhode Island to establish a 211 satellite office on CCRI’s Warwick campus, expanding access to essential community resources for students. This collaboration underscores CCRI’s ongoing commitment to removing barriers to student success and ensuring students have the support they need to thrive both in and out of the classroom.
CCRI Launches Free Ophthalmic Technician Training Program
April 23, 2025
Warwick, R.I. – The Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) is proud to announce the launch of a new Ophthalmic Technician training program through its Division of Workforce Partnerships. This 120-hour program, beginning in May 2025, is free of charge and designed to prepare participants for immediate employment in a fast-growing healthcare field.
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April 23, 2025
The Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) Foundation has appointed four new members to its Board of Trustees. We are honored to welcome these four distinguished leaders to the CCRI Foundation,” said Rosemary Costigan, Ph.D, RN, Interim President of CCRI. “Their diverse backgrounds, deep ties to the community, and shared dedication will support us in advancing the college’s mission of access, equity and opportunity.
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April 17, 2025
The Community College of Rhode Island and Rhode Island Energy are teaming up to offer a free exploratory program designed to give participants a window into the growing utilities industry.
Introduction to Utilities – free to anyone who meets eligibility requirements through funding from Rhode Island Energy – is a seven-hour introductory course that provides participants with foundational skills and knowledge to explore career pathways within the utilities sector, specifically with Rhode Island Energy.
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April 10, 2025
Warwick, RI – The Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) proudly announces that four distinguished faculty members have been recognized with the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development (NISOD) Excellence Awards. The recipients, honored for their exceptional dedication to student success and academic excellence
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April 10, 2025
Warwick, RI – The Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) is proud to announce that it has been designated a Military Friendly® School for the fourth consecutive year, achieving Gold status for the first time during the 2025–2026 academic year. This prestigious recognition underscores CCRI's unwavering commitment to supporting military service members, veterans, and their families.
