West Siders tell their own story in "West Side on the South Side"

The West Side Theater Project launches its first production this week in the true spirit of community theater. West Side on the South Side is a collaboratively written play that features neighborhood residents acting alongside professionals.

The play was inspired by the Cornerstone Theater Company from Los Angeles, which combines professional and community collaborators. Last year, Becky Dale, Al Justiniano, Ben Krywosz, Harry Waters Jr., and a few others came together to talk about how stories of the West Side of St. Paul could be broadly shared. They brainstormed, and early in 2009 they convened local residents who recounted history and anecdotes. These "story circles" included conversation, questions to help trigger memories, writing exercises, and theater games. Producers and performers indicated that the process was as important as the final piece. Dale, who also helped create the original score, says that many rich stories came to light through the gatherings. "We knew we'd barely scratched the surface!"

Playwright Justiniano says that the story is about how neighbors can come together and rediscover the importance of being a part of a neighborhood. "Two forces were at work here. The challenge was developing a show in a community where you don't have control over all the parameters. We could have had a show based on vignettes—but we wanted a central element running through."

The plot involves a young Hmong woman soldier who returns home to reconcile with her mother. Other characters include Lui, the neighborhood crazy; and April, Summer, and Autumn, three ladies who have lived the history of the West Side. Most of the play takes place on the #68 bus as it drives down Robert Street. Approximately 25 West Side residents of all ages participate as actors.

"The challenge was that, in regular theater, you have a script, then you recruit the actors. For this show, it often depended on who was available," says Justiniano. "We tried to include as many cultures as possible, but we had to work with who showed up."

This isn't a play for someone who wants a glossy production with flawless acting. It's a piece that is designed to share the spirit of a community that possesses a strong identity and a sense of place.

West Side on the South Side previews on September 24 and continues on September 25 and 26 at 7:30 p.m. and September 27 at 2:00 p.m. at the Wellstone Center for Community Building, 179 E. Robie Street in St. Paul. Tickets may be purchased in advance for $10 at brownpapertickets.com or by calling 1-800-838-3006. Remaining tickets will be sold at the door on a pay-what-you-are-able basis with a suggested donation of $10.

Betsy Mowry (godog_go@hotmail.com) works for COMPAS (in arts education) and ArtsWork. She is a mosaic artist, a Parks Commissioner, and a dog lover.

Betsy Mowry

Betsy Mowry (betsy.mowry@hotmail.com) is a mosaic artist and an arts education associate at COMPAS.