CROSSING PART 3

Ten years back I directed CROSSING, a theatre play that was performed in the Beguinage church in Brussels. With the exception of 1 young woman with African roots, the actors were Roma adolescents struggling with their school careers. No one in this cast had ever tasted what theatre was like. For two years I worked on this project with an incredible ever-expanding crew of enthusiasts. In total, over 200 people helped to produce this play! CROSSING was a triptych with the youngsters' contribution as the central piece of the show. As a way of introduction, a large group of non-Roma Brussels citizens of very different ages, as well as some of their teachers were playing 'Cloustory', an apocryphal bible story 'explaining' the eternal wanderings of the gypsies. To conclude one of the teachers performed an epilogue, reflecting on his daily work with fragile young people like this group. The whole performance was lifted up by wonderful live music, performed by very talented Romanian musicians under the direction of Nicolas Hauzeur.
Part 3 is featuring the central part of the show. It is showing the youngsters that are literally shining and full of great energy. Because of the incredible eagerness to participate in the show until the last day I placed a second spectator stand right in front of the backside of the stage facing the main spectator’s area. In this area, all actors of the different parts of the play were seated plus the friends and fans of the Roma actors, usually in their great outfits.
Thanks a lot, Wilbur Lemson - Morituri to provide these visuals!