Mauser, directed by Persephone Jones
Mauser by Heiner Müller is the story of soldier’s tribunal after a political execution goes wrong. Written in the intense pressures and contradictions of the German Democratic Republic, Mauser asks questions about utopia, violence, and the individual’s identity in a collective. The text is dynamic, poetic, vicious and unlike anything most Chicago audiences have seen.
It feels unfair: it's politically radical, and, at face value, suggests that the only way to move forward as a society is to align ourselves totally with the Revolution - whatever that is - to our death. But at closer glance, it asks whether that's even a good option... is there a good option? Or are they all equally, impossibly bleak? Is violence necessary to change things? What does one recognize that many cannot and vice-versa?
It's a grim play, but one that carries tension, beauty, and a love for life. It's transformative, activated, and asks for an audience to engage with the experience of it.
With all that in mind, our goal is to raise enough money to...
1) pay our artists a stipend of $400 per person
2) fund production costs and cooking for rehearsals
3) secure spaces to rehearse and hold workshops reflective of our ideals
Our desire with this art is to manifest a process that reflects the sort of world and art we believe can heighten humynity while disentangling our collective consciousness. This includes a process of transparency about how rehearsals work; feeding our cast; and utilizing rehearsals to be respectful of people's time. We want to start rehearsals in late October and put production up in April 2020 with Pay-What-You-Want tickets.
We can't do that without your help.
To reciprocate your generosity, we will send a surprise gift for every $20+ donation to the GFM :) Thank you so much for your support.
With care,
I Live in a House with a Door
Persephone Jones (they/them): Director; co-producer
Amelia Mroczkowski (she/her): Dramaturge; co-producer
Peregrine Bermas (she/her/they/them): Graphic designer; co-produce
