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Many Voices, One Topic: The collaborators talk about immigration

A few weeks ago, we asked our production team to describe their relationship to immigration. Here's what they wrote:

"Relationship to Immigration: A friend and ally." - Caitlin Bartow 

"It has been great to finally know (and see) a picture of my great-grandfather because of Ancestry.com and the work done for Perfect Union." - Jeremy Black 

"Third generation European. Name changed to 'Breslin' from 'O'Breaslain' upon entrance through Ellis Island. Long family history of Italian seamstresses who worked hard to get by when coming to America." - Andrew Breslin

Devised Theatre: A Non-Traditional Approach to Playmaking

What makes something a play?

We're all more or less familiar with the traditional model: It has a strong narrative; a basically linear plot structure; and realistic, relatable characters who speak compelling, recognizable dialogue. Sometimes the plot structure varies (multiple points of view, flashbacks, etc.). Sometimes the characters are abstract rather than realistic. Sometimes the tone of the dialogue is heightened or lowered, elaborate or extremely simple. Sometimes there are musical numbers and dancing. But really, they're all variations on the same basic idea - that plays are dramatized stories that happen live on stage.

One Cast Member's Story

The following is a true story written by one of our cast members, Ahn T. Vuong. She told this story at our auditions, and our director found it so touching that she decided to include it in the production. I'm reprinting it here with Ahn's permission.

                                               *                                    *                                      *

I was sure that my dad and I were closer than this.

When I was a little girl, my family and I were still residing in Vietnam. I was sure my dad and I were closer than this. He used to take me on motorcycle rides to no specific destination. "It's the journey that you should count," he'd always say. So we went anywhere and everywhere, but mostly to quiet places. We'd often visit the harbor nearby. I remember we would just sit by the river and watch boats arrive and depart. Like my dad, I found peace in doing such simple things. Then afterward we would eat banh tam, a spaghetti dish with coconut milk, fish sauce, and meatballs at one of many food cars on the sidewalk of the street.

Immigration Definitions and Statistics

We hear a lot of talk about immigration in the news, in political speeches and debates, and perhaps even in our daily conversations. These discussions often involve the use of language that has specific meaning for those who deal with the realities of U.S. immigration policies and processes firsthand: the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration, immigration lawyers and advocates, social workers, and law enforcement, to name a few. Here, you'll find a list of some of the most pertinent terms, definitions, and statistics.

Naturalization: The conferring, by any means, of citizenship upon a person after birth.

• 710,544 Petitions for naturalization were filed in 2010.
• Approximately 82% (619,913 petitions) were granted.
• Approximately 8% (56,990 petitions) were denied.

Welcome!

PERFECT UNION is part of a series of collaboratively created theatre pieces and events devised by members of the Stony Brook University community to explore the complex issue of U.S. immigration. We use a multidisciplinary approach - encompassing dialogue, movement, dance, music, media, and visual arts - to investigate and complicate our understanding of immigration and its relationship to our national identity, from historical trends to current policy and beyond. This blog is intended to enrich the shared experience of our collaborators and our community. It is a place to explore the issues we're grappling with in the piece and to examine the process(es) involved in creating the production itself. It will include background information; personal reflections, impressions, and stories; interviews, news items; and more. Check back weekly for new posts!