PROVINCETOWN — Since 1968, the Fine Arts Work Center here has welcomed artists and writers to its prestigious winter fellowship and hosted summer workshops led by an impressive faculty. Likewise, the Wellfleet Harbor Actors Theater has put on world-class productions and gained a national reputation for excellence since 1985.
Now, these two pre-eminent cultural organizations have announced a groundbreaking artistic partnership, called WHAT the FAWC.
This year, in its first summer, the collaboration will begin by commissioning a series of experimental theater pieces “combining spoken-word poetry, live painting, and tons of nudity,” said Sharon Polli, the work center’s executive director.
“We’re kicking ‘mixed media’ up a notch,” said Christopher Ostrom, WHAT’s artistic director, “though I’m not sure why.”
The playwrights and performers have not yet been announced. But last week, the Independent got a sneak peek of the transformed Julie Harris Stage, which has been decorated with beach trash collected by current FAWC fellows Elizabeth Flood and S. Emsaki. Performers will be scantily clad in costumes made from Irish potato skins donated by Jay Critchley.
Can’t find a babysitter? Not to worry. As an extension of WHAT for Kids! the new partners have announced the launch of “Little FAWCers,” a series of PG-rated versions of the season’s theater pieces. More information can be found at whatthefawc.org.
