Stage Productions

by Michael Kennedy

Topic: Suicide Prevention

An original script based on interviews with 6 individuals affected by suicide. 

Described by audiences as "powerful drama", "excellent, moving and thought-provoking", "poignant, honest and important", "well executed and acted."

Running Time: 45 minutes

Supported by:  

Suicide Prevention Center of NY (https://www.preventsuicideny.org/) 

by Michael Kennedy

Topic: Addiction and Recovery

Recovering addicts share stories about the devastation of addiction and their growth in recovery. Based on interviews with 18 recovering addicts from the Capital Region. 

Described by audiences as "inspiring and powerful", "a great piece for the whole community", "moving and honest." 

Running Time: 45 minutes

by Michael Kennedy

Topic: Poverty/homelessness

Set in a single room occupancy for women in downtown Albany, SRO: Single Room Occupancy follows three residents as they struggle to avoid homelessness, keep the support they receive and work toward improving their daily lives. ​

Described by audiences as "breathtaking, realistic and  gripping", and "a compelling story with moving performances." 

Running Time: 50 minutes

Supported by:

 Breathing Lights Arts Award winner, 2016 (https://breathinglights.com/about/) 

by Michael Kennedy

Topic: Child Sex Trafficking​

A documentary theater performance based on interviews with survivors, law enforcement, child welfare workers and local media, designed to educate and motivate action about local child sex trafficking.

Described by audiences as "stunning", "important" and "eye-opening."

Running Time: 45 minutes

Supported by:

 START Children's Center (https://startchildrenscenter.org/), 

NYS Council on the Arts (https://arts.ny.gov/) 

written by Michael Kennedy and the cast

Directed by Michael Kennedy

Topic: Racism

An original documentary theater performance, based on Black history, current events, and the personal experiences of the cast.

Described by audiences as "a game changer", "an honor to witness", "intense, powerful and important."

Running Time: 75 minutes

Supported by:  

YWCA of the Greater Capital Region (https://www.ywca-gcr.org/), 

Opalka Gallery (https://opalka.sage.edu/)

Topic: Addiction and Recovery

A devised theater production created

to raise awareness and offer a sense

of community to those who love

someone with a substance use

disorder.

Running time: approx. 40 minutes

Topic: Racism

This project raises public awareness and inspires community action about America’s systemic economic oppression of Black people.

Running time: approx. 45-60 minutes 

Supported by:

  YWCA of the Greater Capital Region (https://www.ywca-gcr.org/), 

Alfred Z. Solomon Charitable Trust

Topic: Housing Insecurity

 
​This project raises awareness about the fragility of housing security in America by presenting four intersecting stories about individuals and families struggling with current or potential homelessness.

Running time: approx. 45 minutes 

Supported by:

  Joseph's House and Shelter (https://www.josephshousetroy.org/), 

NYS Council on the Arts (https://arts.ny.gov/)

Available as a supplement to scripted performances or as a full performance

Playback is a form of improvisational theater that allows audience members to share stories from their own lives and see them played back as theater, on the spot. Following a scripted theater performance, it provides the audience an opportunity to share their personal feelings and memories related to the topic.

Full performances of Playback Theater are appropriate for special events that commemorate life transitions, including birthday celebrations, goodbye parties, and memorials. Playback is also a wonderful addition to staff retreats and conferences, and an effective method for processing organizational and community challenges.

Running Time:

Supplement to scripted performances: 

30 minutes

Full performance: 90 minutes