“Red” the two-man play, and first production of the year for Modesto’s black box theater centered around the American abstract painter Mark Rothko’s artistic journey, has inspired several spin-off projects.
Prospect Theater Project on K Street is set to open this Friday, Jan. 16, starring its founding artistic director, Jack Souza as Rothko, and returning actor Noah Thompson, portraying the artist’s assistant, Ken. Molly Souza, the daughter of the theater company founders, will make her directorial debut with this project.
“I often stay away from plays about art. But you know, I think this is an exception because a lot of the observations that are made in the play are really relevant to contemporary politics,” Jack Souza said.
The story follows the duo’s working relationship during one of the most memorable chapters in Rothko’s career.
During the late 1950s, Rothko was commissioned to create the Seagrams Murals. Unsatisfied with the commercialization of his work, he ultimately decided to keep the paintings. The play follows the creative process as both characters unpack what it means to be understood as an artist.
“There’s always a difference to me between what happens in the show and what the show is about,” director Molly Souza said.
“I think there’s parts of this play that are dark and are about the ways that we feel distrustful and scared and alone and unsure, and those feelings are enduringly familiar,” she said. “I hope it makes people feel seen and together… that those feelings do not invalidate you as an artist or as a person, that really those are the things that make us human and make us one, even if we feel alone in that oneness.”
Red comes with many firsts for Souza, including the opportunity to direct her father, Jack.
“I walked into this with a lot of trust, and that trust has been honored. He’s navigated this and brought my vision to life and expanded my vision, and has been open to my vision. That’s an interesting thing, like it’s my kind of a ‘Look at me. I’m the captain now.’ moment, ‘I’m the dad’,” she said.
Other artistic elements complement the play
The show will feature original scores by Monterey-based composer David Eakin. His experience with music allows the setting to come alive in ways she couldn’t have imagined on her own, Souza said.
“He’s added this element of this, like a playful and engaging soundtrack that just deepens the story so much my actors aren’t even aware of it because they’re so in the scene,” she said.
The play has mature themes, Executive Director Sarah Aaronson said, but can still be enjoyed by high school-aged audiences who have a more mature perspective on storytelling and stagecraft.
Alongside the play, Aaronson spearheaded an art exhibit of Rothko recreations painted by local artists that audience members will be able to view and purchase.
She is one of the 10 artists to be featured in the collection. Over the pandemic, she picked up painting as a hobby and decided to emulate one of Rothko’s pieces as a way to push herself beyond her comfort zone.
Aaronson then asked other local painters to join in on the project, instructing them to pick any of Rothko’s work to emulate.
In line with the play’s theme, she recreated Rothko’s “No. 14” – a deep red piece from 1960. Several of the other pieces were also on theme with this play, though that was not a requirement. She encouraged her peers to choose pieces that spoke to them.
“Having the art shows, I feel, has amplified that we are learning about ourselves emotionally and going on this emotional journey (in the show), but we’re also inviting in the perspective of these artists in our community who have their own eccentricities and unique qualities,” Molly Souza said.
Doors will open one hour before each showing to allow the public to view the recreations, free of charge.
The artists on display are: Arron Buttram, Chella, Jordy Camps, Dominique Johnson, James Horning, Louise Bogetti, Nicole Slater, Ryan Roth Gallo, Sarah Aaronson and Henrietta Sparkman.
Beyond the play
The art show is one of several experiences offered alongside the stage play.
The theater plans to host local artists and art experts for a panel discussion on Rothko’s work and art history of the time depicted in the play on Tuesday, Jan. 20, Aaronson said. The Prospect Theater Project will update its website with more information as they solidify their speakers.
“Page 2 Stage” events function like a book club and allow the audience to dig deeper into the production’s story, Aaronson said. It is a recurring event for the theater.
Showgoers can participate in the show’s “Page 2 Stage” discussion after the matinee showing on Sunday, Jan. 25. Those interested in joining the discussion are encouraged to pick up a copy of the script at Bookish Modesto at 811 W. Roseburg Ave.
After the closing matinee show on Sunday, Feb. 1, the audience will have the chance to join in a talkback session with the show’s actor and director.
These are also recurring events for the theater. The art exhibit is the newest way to encourage audience participation outside the show.
You can sign up for the show’s extra experiences online at ProspectTheaterProject.org. The play is free for subscription members, $11 for students and $31.75 for general admission.
The performers and crew ask attendees to ensure their cell phones remain on silent and out of sight during the duration of the performances within the theater.
Vivienne Aguilar is a reporter for The Modesto Focus, a project of the Central Valley Journalism Collaborative. Contact her at vivienne@cvlocaljournalism.org.