Forward Theater Company’s virtual presentation of The Niceties is cringeworthy. In the best way.
The content of the play does not spare well-intentioned white people of their racism, no matter how “progressive” their ideologies are. The Niceties is about what happens when confronting racism in others — or in ourselves — gets ugly.
Samantha Newcomb (Zoe) and Sarah Day (Janine) gave a brilliant performance of one of the most uncomfortable conversations between a student and her professor. After Zoe visits her professor’s office to discuss a paper about slavery’s effect on the American Revolution, she confronts her about problematic things said in and outside class.
Written by Eleanor Burgess, The Niceties references the Spring of 2016. The audience is presented with two perspectives; one of a Black student at a liberal arts college and one of a white history professor.
In order to capture a diverse range of perspectives, this production was co-directed by both Milwaukee-based artist DiMonte Henning and Forward Theatre artistic director Jen Uphoff Gray. Zoe and Janine are both two different people coming from two different schools of thought. Aside from the race of the characters, their age and experiences add to their perspectives as human beings.
While many students would never consider standing up to their professor like Zoe, today’s college students are fed up. Zoe represents the newer generation of students willing to take charge as activists.
One of the most interesting aspects of this play was that the entire production took place remotely. While the actors appeared to be facing one another on screen, both of them performed their lines in two different locations.
“I don’t think I could do this play in the way that we did if I didn’t already know Sarah,” Newcomb said during a talkback.
Newcomb and Day faced one another via Zoom, however, neither of them had a physical connection to rely on. Instead, the two actors are brought together through the magic of green screen. Film editor Kathy Wittman made sure both actors appeared to be in the same location.
The physical distance between the two actors did not take away from the tension. In real life, Day said she actually adores Newcomb but Zoe shared her discontent for Janine repeatedly throughout the play.
The virtual presentation also included an intermission between the first and second acts of the play. This time allowed the viewer a natural break. Audience members also had some time to process the events from the last act before the play continued.
While virtual presentations are relatively new to the live theater industry, the technology worked to create a theatrical presentation on screen. There were a few moments where Zoe’s feet hovered over the floor in the doorway of Janine’s office, but their conversation still felt intimate.
“It’s better to have this than to not be able to tell the story at all,” Gray said.
The Niceties is available to stream until February 7. Tickets are available at forwardtheater.com.
