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New plays investigate relationship of art and artists to
rise of fascism, antisemitism in Nazi Germany
Open Fist premieres ‘The Bauhaus Project’ by Tom Jacobson
Son of Semele and Victory Theatre co–premiere Jacobson’s ‘Crevasse’
Satellite events set for ArtCenter College of Design,
Skirball Cultural Center and more
LOS ANGELES (REVISED June 18, 2024) — Two new productions look at the rise of fascism and antisemitism in pre-war Germany and its effect on art, as well as at the artists who resisted, or — in some cases — contributed. Five struggling Southern California art students create a dramatic presentation on the history of the famous Bauhaus School in The Bauhaus Project by Tom Jacobson, a world premiere theatrical event presented in two binge-worthy parts (Part 1: Bauhaus Weimer and Part 2: Bauhaus Dessau and Bauhaus Berlin) by Open Fist Theatre Company from July 19 through August 25 at Atwater Village Theatre. Filmmaker and Nazi propagandist Leni Riefenstahl meets Walt Disney in the world premiere of Jacobson’s Crevasse, a co-production of Son of Semele and The Victory Theatre Center, running July 26 through August 18 at the Victory Theatre. A series of related events will take place throughout the summer at the ArtCenter College of Design, Skirball Cultural Center and more under the collective title Reflections on Art and Democracy.
“The Bauhaus Project takes place on several levels,” explains Open Fist artistic director Martha Demson, who worked closely with Jacobson to develop the piece and is directing. “The framing device is a play within a play in which modern-day art school students trace the historical narrative of the Bauhaus, a groundbreaking art school committed to ‘marrying beauty with utility’ that was closed by the Nazis in 1933. Meanwhile, the production design will emphasize the enormous influence of the Bauhaus and the exhilaration of cross-disciplinary collaboration.”
Taking on the roles of the five art students are Jack Goldwait (“Owen”), Sang Kim (“Duck”), Katarina Joy Lopez (“Ellis”), Chloe Madriaga (“Brec”) and John C. Sweet (“Kai”), each of whom, in turn, portrays multiple historic Bauhaus figures, many of whom later fled to the U.S. or died in concentration camps: architect and Bauhaus founding director Walter Gropius and his successors, architects Hannes Meyer and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe; painters Paul Klee, Wassily Kandinsky, Oskar Schlemmer and Lyonel Feininger; textile artists Gunta Stolzl, Maria Kipp and Otti Berger; furniture designer Marcel Breuer; photographer Laszlo Moholy-Nagy; graphic designer Herbert Bayer; composers Arnold Schönberg and Alma Mahler (widow of Gustav Mahler and wife of Walter Gropius); and architects Ludwig Hilberseimer and Fritz Ertl — the latter of whom would go on to design buildings at Auschwitz.
The Open Fist creative team includes scenic designer Richard Hoover, lighting designer Gavan Wyrick, composer and sound designer Tim Labor, projections designer Gabrieal Griego, costume designer Michael Mullen, prop masters Bruce Dickinson and Ina Shumaker, and assistant director Sarah Zuk. Martha Demson and Amanda Weier produce for Open Fist Theatre Company, and Nychelle Hawk is associate producer. The Bauhaus Project is made possible in part with support from the California Arts Council and the Los Angeles County Department of Arts and Culture.
Reflections on Art and Democracy is designed to raise awareness about the current rise of fascism and antisemitism in the U.S. and around the world, the power of art and design to resist them, and the confluence of visual and performative artworks to promote democracy. Events include Education as Radical Political Act, a webinar presented by ArtCenter College of Design (information and tickets at artcenter.edu); Maria Kipp (1900-1988): Handweaver Ahead of Her Time, a webinar hosted by Open Fist Theatre Company (openfist.org); and an illuminated lecture at the Skirball Cultural Center presented by theatre dybbuk [sic] (skirball.org / theatredybbuk.org).
Performances of The Bauhaus Project take place July 19 through August 25, with previews the weekend prior, on July 12, July 13 and July 14. Part I, which focuses on the school’s founding and early years in the city of Weimar, will run Fridays at 8 p.m. and Saturdays at 4 p.m., while Part 2, which looks at the school’s moves, first to Dessau, then to Berlin, in the face of increasing Nazi scrutiny, will play on Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 4 p.m.
Audience members can choose to view the entire Bauhaus Project over the course of two evenings (any Friday and any Saturday at 8 p.m.); two matinees (any Saturday and any Sunday at 4 p.m.); or on a single Saturday, at 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. (The history is sequential, so it is not advised to view the parts out of order.)
Atwater Village Theatre is located at 3269 Casitas Ave in Los Angeles, CA 90039. A combination ticket to both Parts 1 and 2 is $50, while admission to a single part is $35. Students receive a $5 discount, and preview performances are Pay-What-You-Can. A three-play package (Bauhaus Part 1, Bauhaus Part 2, Crevasse) is available for $75.
For more information and to purchase tickets, call (323) 882–6912 or go to www.openfist.org.
Details for Calendar Listings
‘The Bauhaus Project’
WHAT:
Open Fist Theatre Company premieres The Bauhaus Project by Tom Jacobson, a world premiere theatrical event presented in two binge-worthy parts (Part 1: Bauhaus Weimer and Part 2: Bauhaus Dessau and Bauhaus Berlin) highlighting the rise of fascism and antisemitism in Germany and its effect on the arts. In this provocative play-within-a-play, five Southern California art students re-enact the history of the famous Bauhaus School, using their respective disciplines of environmental design, music, fine art, graphic design and theater to recreate the dramatic history in real time. Each of the students portrays multiple historic Bauhaus figures, many of whom later fled to the U.S. or died in concentration camps, including architect and Bauhaus founding director Walter Gropius and his successors, architects Hannes Meyer and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe; painters Paul Klee, Wassily Kandinsky, Oskar Schlemmer and Lyonel Feininger; textile artists Gunta Stolzl, Maria Kipp and Otti Berger; furniture designer Marcel Breuer; photographer Laszlo Moholy–Nagy; graphic designer Herbert Bayer; composers Arnold Schönberg and Alma Mahler; and architects Ludwig Hilberseimer and Fritz Ertl — the latter of whom would go on to design buildings at Auschwitz. Part I, which focuses on the school’s founding and early years in the city of Weimar, will run Fridays at 8 p.m. and Saturdays at 4 p.m., while Part 2, which looks at the school’s moves, first to Dessau, then to Berlin, in the face of increasing Nazi scrutiny, will play on Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 4 p.m. Audience members can choose to view the entire Bauhaus Project over the course of two evenings (any Friday and any Saturday at 8 p.m.); two matinees (any Saturday and any Sunday at 4 p.m.); or on a single Saturday, at 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. (The history is sequential, so it is not advised to view the parts out of order.)
WHO:
• Written by Tom Jacobson
• Directed by Martha Demson
• Starring Jack Goldwait, Sang Kim, Katarina Joy Lopez, Chloe Madriaga, John C. Sweet
• Presented by Open Fist Theatre Company, Martha Demson, artistic director
WHEN:
Previews: July 12, July 13, July 14
Performances: July 19 through August 25
• Fridays at 8 p.m. Part 1 (Bauhaus Weimar): July 12 (preview), July 19 (opening night), July 26, Aug. 2, Aug. 9, Aug. 16, Aug. 23
• Saturdays at 4 p.m.: Part 1 (Bauhaus Weimar): July 13 (preview), July 20, July 27, Aug. 3, Aug. 10, Aug. 17, Aug. 24
• Saturdays at 8 p.m.: Part 2 (Bauhaus Dessau & Bauhaus Berlin): July 13 (preview), July 20 (opening night), July 27, Aug. 3, Aug. 10, Aug. 17, Aug. 24
• Sundays at 4 p.m.: Part 2 (Bauhaus Dessau & Bauhaus Berlin) July 14 (preview), July 21, July 28, Aug. 4, Aug. 11, Aug. 18, Aug. 25
* Audience members can choose to view the entire Bauhaus Project over the course of two evenings (any Friday and any Saturday at 8 p.m.); two matinees (any Saturday and any Sunday at 4 p.m.); or on a single Saturday, at 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. (The history is sequential, so it is not advised to view the parts out of order.)
WHERE:
Atwater Village Theatre
3269 Casitas Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90039
• FREE parking in the ATX (Atwater Crossing) lot one block south of the theater.
TICKETS:
• Part 1 and Part 2 (combination ticket): $50
• Part 1 or Part 2 (individual ticket): $35
• Students receive $5 off either price
• Previews: Pay What You Can
HOW:
www.openfist.org
(323) 882-6912
The Bauhaus Project is made possible in part with support from the California Arts Council
and the Los Angeles County Department of Arts and Culture.
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