Arena Stage’s “fake It Until You Make It” Explores Identity and Diversity
Table of Contents
- Arena Stage’s “fake It Until You Make It” Explores Identity and Diversity
- Arena Stage’s “Fake It Until You Make It”: A Deep Dive into Identity adn Diversity
- what is “Fake It Until You Make it” about?
- What makes this play unique?
- When did “Fake It Until You Make It” conclude its run?
- Who are the key people behind “Fake It Until You Make It”?
- How did the collaboration between FastHorse and Garcés come about?
- How did “Fake It Until You Make it” evolve from concept to production?
- What is the significance of the play’s setting at Arena Stage?
- How does ”Fake It Until You Make It” connect with its audience?
- What deeper themes does the play explore?
- How does the play address Latin identity?
- What is “double exclusion” and how does it relate to the play?
WASHINGTON – Arena Stage’s production of “Fake It Until You Make It,” a comedy penned by Larissa FastHorse and directed by michael John Garcés, concludes its run this Sunday, May 4. The play offers a satirical look at identity, race, and the complexities of navigating a society marked by divisions and misunderstandings. The production has garnered acclaim for its ability to blend humor with thought-provoking questions.
Garcés, in an interview, described the play as “a comedy about race, identity, and how to try to be a good person in the world.” He added,”We laugh at issues that are sometimes uncomfortable,but humor also allows us to open spaces to think differently about our realities.”
A Decade-Long Collaboration
The collaboration between FastHorse and Garcés spans over a decade, with experiance in both customary theaters and community spaces. Garcés recounted that the concept for “Fake It Until You Make it” emerged during a road trip in South Dakota. He encouraged FastHorse to explore the format of farce, suggesting she study classical examples. “He thought that his comedy style lent himself very well for it and that the American contemporary scene was also perfect for this type of satire,” Garcés saeid.
From Workshop to Arena Stage
After several workshops and revisions, the play gained momentum when Arena Stage included it in its current season. According to Garcés, this chance allowed them to refine the script to resonate beyond a local context and appeal to Washington’s diverse audience. “We were able to think about the script differently, making sure that it resonated beyond a local context and was relevant to a diverse audience such as Washington,” he said.
Humor as a Connector
The play has been well-received, with Garcés noting that one of its notable achievements has been its ability to unite diverse audiences – white, Black, Latino, and others – in laughter, even if for different reasons. “That seems fascinating to me: how humor connects people despite their differences,” he observed.
Reflecting on Racial Dynamics
beneath its comedic surface, “fake It Until You Make It” prompts a deeper reflection on racial dynamics in the United States.Garcés expressed his hope that audiences would leave the theater with a new viewpoint on what he termed “this American pathology around the race.” He emphasized that while racism exists globally, it has a unique narrative and history in the United States that requires understanding.
Highlighting Indigenous Voices
Garcés also underscored the importance of recognizing the presence of Latin American indigenous communities,such as Mayan peoples,who immigrate to the United States. He pointed out that these communities often face a “double exclusion,” both in their countries of origin and within the broader Latino community in the United States.
The Complexity of Latin Identity
Garcés stressed that Latin identity is not monolithic. “It is not the same to be Cuban than being Mexican, nor being Mexican than being Chicano.And if we add to that indigenous diversity, the panorama is even more complex,” he explained. he urged Latinos to acknowledge this diversity and strive to amplify the voices of Latin American indigenous people, who are frequently overlooked in public discourse.
An Invitation to Question
“Fake it Until You Make it” ultimately invites audiences to laugh and to question how identities and relationships are formed in a world that often seems designed to create division.
Visit arenastage.org for more information.
Arena Stage’s “Fake It Until You Make It”: A Deep Dive into Identity adn Diversity
what is “Fake It Until You Make it” about?
“Fake It Until You Make It” is a comedy play staged at Arena Stage, written by Larissa FastHorse and directed by Michael John Garcés. It explores themes of identity,race,and the complexities of navigating a divided society. The play uses humor to tackle thought-provoking questions about race and identity.
What makes this play unique?
The play’s ability to blend humor with serious topics is one of its key features. According to Garcés, it’s “a comedy about race, identity, and how to try to be a good person in the world.” This approach allows the play to address uncomfortable issues while opening spaces for audiences to consider different perspectives.
When did “Fake It Until You Make It” conclude its run?
The play’s run at Arena Stage concluded on Sunday, May 4.
Who are the key people behind “Fake It Until You Make It”?
The play was written by Larissa FastHorse and directed by Michael John Garcés.
How did the collaboration between FastHorse and Garcés come about?
the collaboration between FastHorse and Garcés has spanned over a decade.The concept for “Fake It Until You Make It” emerged during a road trip in South Dakota.
How did “Fake It Until You Make it” evolve from concept to production?
After the initial concept, the play went through several workshops and revisions. Arena Stage included the play in its current season. This opportunity allowed the creators to refine the script, ensuring it resonated with a diverse audience, especially in Washington.
What is the significance of the play’s setting at Arena Stage?
Arena Stage’s inclusion of the play allowed the creators to refine the script to resonate beyond a local context and appeal to Washington’s diverse audience.
How does ”Fake It Until You Make It” connect with its audience?
The play has been well-received for its ability to unite diverse audiences, including white, Black, and Latino audiences, among others, in laughter, even tho they may be laughing for different reasons. In Garcés’s words, “That seems captivating to me: how humor connects people despite their differences.”
What deeper themes does the play explore?
Beyond its comedic surface, “Fake It Until you Make It” prompts reflection on racial dynamics in the United States. Garcés hopes the audience will leave the theater with a new viewpoint on what he calls “this American pathology around the race.”
How does the play address Latin identity?
The play highlights the complexity of Latin identity, emphasizing that it is not monolithic. The play urges recognition of the diversity within the Latino community, including the frequently enough-overlooked voices of Latin American indigenous people.
What is “double exclusion” and how does it relate to the play?
The play discusses the “double exclusion” faced by Latin American indigenous communities, such as Mayan peoples, who immigrate to the United States. They experience exclusion both in their countries of origin and within the broader Latino community in the U.S.
To summarize, here’s a breakdown of the key themes and concepts in “Fake It Until You Make It”:
| Theme | Description | Significance |
| ———————— | ——————————————————————————————————————————————– | —————————————————————————————————————————————————————————— |
| Identity | Explores the complexities of identity, race, and the challenges of navigating a divided society. | Prompts audiences to question how identities are formed. |
| Diversity | Highlights the importance of recognizing and celebrating differences within and between communities. | Advocates for understanding and challenging societal divisions. |
| Humor as a Connector | Uses humor as a tool to unite diverse audiences,even if they find different elements within the piece funny. | Bridges divides and creates shared experiences. |
| Racial Dynamics | Encourages reflection on the unique history and narrative of racism in the United States. | Promotes a deeper understanding of racial issues and their impact on society. |
| Latin American Indigenous Voices | focuses on the often-overlooked experiences of Latin American indigenous communities, especially Mayan peoples in the United States. | Raises awareness of “double exclusion” and encourages inclusivity within the broader Latino community. |
| Collaboration | The collaborative efforts between FastHorse and Garcés is a reminder that creative projects can benefit from diverse knowledge and experience. | The value of working together as a team and making sure to listen to different people’s ideas to learn from each other and challenge each other. |
