Creative Greensboro welcomes thespian and educator Julya M. Mirro for a Residency at the Hyers as she presents “Impressionism” by Michael Jacobs. The residency will include a series of events that explore various artistic endeavors both before and during the run of the theatrical experience. Performances are August 2, 3, 8-10, and 14-16 at 7:30pm, August 4 at 2pm, and August 10 at 1pm at the Stephen D. Hyers Theatre in the Greensboro Cultural Center, 200 N. Davie St. Tickets to the performances are available at www.creativegreensboro.com

About “Impressionism”

The way we feel when we see a piece of art is more often than not influenced by what the art reminds us of, and the people we associate with that memory. We see two individuals who eventually recognize the soul within each other, as a product of their own examination of self, through art and memory. The play is about finding yourself and opening up to love, but it’s also a deft opening to the question Jacobs' work poses to the audience, "Do you see yourself in the art, or the art in yourself?"

About the Residency

This residency focuses not only on the story, but explores the possibilities for arts-integration within the production. While the play examines the intersection of two people and the way they see the world, opening a discussion of what art IS, the production encourages the audience to transcend their expectations of theatre.

A creative team of almost 30 people was initiated. Within the text, several scenes come to us as memories, and for each of those scenes, a different director was hired, further pushing the idea of our memories being different from our reality, giving each director carte blanche to work with the cast to provide context to the larger story with their own concept of the scene. Additionally, each of those scenes is based on a piece of art, described specifically in the text. Local visual artists were hired to create their own idea of that piece of art, which inspires the scene, and therefore inspires the director and the memory for the character. Each piece of art further inspired a composer for each scene, who created their own soundtrack for the memory, based on their understanding of the scene/memory and its piece of art. Finally, choreographers were brought in to create movement to help set the tone and energy of the scene.

The project further explores the idea put forth in the script of "is life reality or impressionism" by utilizing the entire performance space as the gallery environment the main characters work in. Where do we draw the lines of the theatrical experience? This production seeks to prompt the audience to examine their expectations of the theatrical art form, as well as their understanding of where they see, find, and appreciate art in their own lives and within each other.

Schedule of Free Events

• Mural Painting (Friday, July 26, 7-10pm)

Come make art, and contribute to our community set piece - a large mural created by the participants of the event! We'll provide the paint and supplies, and you provide the ideas. Participants will paint a part of the wall, working together to manifest a multitude of ideas, blending into one, much like the project's concept! Come dressed to paint, and leave your mark on our set!

• First Friday Event (Friday, August 2, 5-6:30pm)

Join us for music specifically composed for our show and a tour of our gallery on First Friday, before our opening night!

• Children's Art Event (Saturday, August 3, 10am-noon)

Bring your kids for a hands-on expedition of various arts at the intersection of creativity and self-confidence! We'll have numerous arts explorations available (visual, music, performance) for kids to try out. For parents, a discussion on creative ways to involve kids in artistic endeavors!

• Gallery Tour & Talk with Artists and Collaborators (Saturday, August 3, 5-6:30pm)

Before our performance, join the visual artists who lent their talents to the gallery in a tour and confab!

• Talkback (Sunday, August 4)

Immediately following our Sunday matinee, stay to meet the cast and crew, who will answer questions, share insights about the show, and provide context for the overall project.

• Workshop for Actors (Monday, August 5, 7-9pm)

Join us for an on-your-feet workshop delving into what it means to be an actor, getting involved in performance (locally and professionally), and some advice from some of our production performers and directors.

• Sensory-Friendly Event (Friday, August 9, 6-7pm)

For folks who want to have a tension-free journey through the gallery/performance environment, we'll have a low-key, experiential, tour and encounter with the space.

• Coffee & the Future of Arts Integration (Saturday, August 10, 10-11:30am)

Bring your favorite coffee cup, your thoughts and questions about art and the future of creativity, and an open mind! We'll have an informal coffee clutch with artists from diverse disciplines, offering opinions and experiences with the arts in our homes, schools, and communities.

• Workshop for Directors (Monday, August 12, 7-9pm)

Examine key traits, practices, and opportunities for directors both locally and beyond. Performers will be present at the workshop, providing context and experience with the material discussed.

About Julya M. Mirro

Julya M. Mirro holds an MFA from Virginia Commonwealth University and BA degrees in Sociology (minor in Psychology) and Theatre (minor in English) from Virginia Wesleyan College. Her foci include acting technique (focus on Spolin and Meisner) and Black Theatre. She has been a practitioner for over 40 years, working in the field as a director, producer, educator, designer, and performer, served on numerous boards, presented at conferences, and has been published in several areas of study including the Harlem Renaissance and Shakespeare. Representative projects include: By the Way, Meet Vera Stark (actor), Conversations with Hitler (world premiere; director/producer), Seven (actor), Fat Pig (actor), Hamlet and Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead (in rep; director/producer), and The Roaring Girl (director/producer). She has extensive experience serving as managing director, artistic director, and has owned two professional theatre companies. Julya is committed to training students and providing opportunities so they may be effective and employable members of the arts community.  Her students have gone on to act on Broadway, tour, and work in film and television, as well as serving communities as directors, educators, and technicians. She is ultimately passionate about the creativity in humans, the imperative value of the arts to reflect society as a catalyst for change, and our collective responsibility to prioritize artistic endeavors and manifestations.