Dear Jaden,
First off, I should admit that I’m not a music person. Not that I don’t love listening to music, but just that actual music, instruments and notes, is a foreign language I don’t speak. So I was understandably nervous coming into a show where you were expecting me to help write a song. I spent the preshow wait fretting over if I even knew what chords make up a good song (I do not). Two minutes in I realized I shouldn’t have worried. You immediately made me feel included, and you have this charm and warmth that took stress completely out of the situation. The one hour timer became a fun motivation instead of an axe hanging over our heads.
From the very beginning the entire process had a great sense of play, and that is something I love deeply as an immersive theater creator. The audience was invited in, not to just watch but also participate. The silly wheel to select genre, where pop punk (my choice anyway as a die hard Fall Out Boy girl) reigned supreme. From there we got a theme and a hook and then it was off to the races.
The process of writing a song is usually done behind closed doors, so this peek into the process was fun and unique. You repeatedly mentioned that we were now part of the band, and all three of you worked to include everyone. No idea was turned down immediately, though a few were vetoed (sorry Darwin, you just didn’t belong). The give and take not only helped write the lyrics to our song, but also sparked conversation amongst the audience about resistance and fascism and the state of the word today. You fostered something real and deep with us; more than just making a song, we were making a statement.
Listening to the song at the end of the show, celebrating the line that I wrote making it in, (that “together” was really important, thank you for noticing), was a magical moment. I can’t wait to wear my new shirt (that Char handmade which is so cool) and listen to the EP when it comes out. Thank you for letting me into your world.
-Mallory
Jaden Alvaro Gines is a part of pop-punk trio “Happier Than Ever”. Their show Let’s Make an Album plays Sept 17th-25 at the Asian Arts Initiative.
Mallory Vance is a producer for Phoenix Tears Productions. Their immersive show, 94.4 Wait FM Presents the Waiting Room, plays Sept 12-27th at Studio 34.
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