THE theater company, Voices of the Marianas, is getting ready for its next production and looking for submissions, according to its media release.
The first production entitled “In Transit” was about people from different cultures in Saipan telling their stories when they were stuck at the airport because of a typhoon. The show was sold out each night and received standing ovation.
“I think people enjoy hearing other peoples stories because it helps reduce the stereotype we have of each other and instead lets us see the ways in which we are similar,” said Barbara Sher, the producer and director.
“In Transit” was formed from a variety of monologues that were written locally and then woven together to form a story. The format of the next show will also be determined by the submissions.
“There is no theme yet. We are just wanting to get stories that people in the CNMI want to tell about their lives, their thoughts, their concerns, their feelings, their significant turning point moments, really anything. We want to hear from people from different cultures and from mixed cultures so everyone’s voice is heard,” Sher said.
When all the pieces are submitted, the ones that fit together will made into a play so each piece should be about two pages long or less.
“Don’t worry if you think you’re writing isn’t good enough,” Sher said. “I’m happy to work with anyone to make their piece theater-ready.  People who write have the option of performing their piece or having someone else perform it.”
The show will be produced in the fall.
There will be a meeting for anyone interested in finding out more information on Tuesday, May 1, at 6:30 p.m. at American Memorial Park Museum. You can also e-mail marianasvoices@yahoo.com.