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Vanessa Severo
Actor - Writer - Choreographer - Director
Rubik
World Premiere by Vanessa Severo
Directed by Rusty Sneary
Movement Directed by Vanessa Severo
Spinning Tree Theatre, 2024
Rubik is a story about Tomas and a group of young people with an array of developmental challenges standing on the cusp of the next phase of their lives. This heart-felt story follows them as they encounter love, fear, stress, excitement, change and hope, along the path to human connection.
“Vanessa Severo’s play—Spinning Tree’s first-ever commissioned work—is about a group of neurodivergent teens at a summer camp designed to help them flourish. The story follows Tomas, about to enter the ninth grade and in the midst of his parent’s contentious divorce. The version of this story that we’re used to seeing would choose to center Tomas’ mother (Caroline Petersma) and her frustration in her inability to understand her son. Here, we do get that story, and it is told with empathy, but it is undoubtedly through Tomas’ eyes that we’re seeing the world.
Tomas cannot continue a conversation after being interrupted. He does not understand metaphors or figures of speech. He has “meltdowns” in public when he’s overwhelmed. Some of these challenges are depicted with humor (the manifestations of his interpretations of idioms are a delightful running gag), most are deeply profound, but the weight of each is placed on how they affect Tomas in his interactions with the world, not the challenges they present to others in interacting with him.
The entire ensemble is truly something special, especially in their captivating movement work. Severo also serves as Movement Director and the physicality she and these young actors bring to the stage is a highlight of the entire production. There is so much humor and joy infused into this poignant short play, it’s exhilarating to watch.”
FULL KC STUDIO REVIEW