Eight young artists explore ‘How to Be a GoodPerson’
Production to Run in Long Island City from July 22-25
Lamplighter Productions, a group of four Brooklyn kids and some out-of-town friends, exceeded its goal on a Kickstarter campaign to fund its social awareness mission via theater. After working out of a Ditmas Park space and performing at the Maker Theater in Pittsburgh from July 16-18, the group will bring its production, titled “How to Be a GoodPerson,” to the Chain Theatre in Long Island City from July 22-25.
Aiming to raise $7,000, Lamplighter Productions received $8,004 from 125 backers to help produce the show, which the artists describe as a “radically inclusive theater piece about a world where Facebook likes and systematic racism receive equal attention.” The collaboration is by Brooklynites Paul Weintrob, Jordan Sucher, Sasha Atlas and Charlie Oniszczuk, as well as Michael Sypa (Queens), Vanessa Frank (Pennsylvania), Jill Bellovin (Long Island) and Mida Chu (China).
“How to Be a GoodPerson” tells the story of Vanessa and Paul, two people searching for meaning in an environment of overwhelming stimulation. Vignettes of the two characters’ lives are juxtaposed with instructional videos, led by Kelly, the eccentric GoodPerson spokeswoman. The series of how-to style interludes offers eerily simple prescriptions for leading a successful life. Topics include how to look attractive, how to act socially conscious and how to be a good person.