RACHEL’S WORDS IN EAST HAMPTON, LONG ISLAND, NEW YORK
Committee for Peace in Israel and Palestine, contact: tvvic@aol.com
On Sunday, October 15, 2006, the Committee for Peace in Israel and Palestine, a rather small group of activists (we number ten or so) in the area of East Hampton, on Long Island, New York, had a presentation of Rachel’s Words based on what had been put together at Riverside Church in March of that year, after a production of the play My Name is Rachel Corrie was forced from the stage at the New York Theatre Workshop. We had magnificent help and support from the people at Rachel’s Words, and the performance was a great success. We spent a considerable amount of money – about $5000 – but most of that was for ads and other publicity, which – in these parts – is very expensive.
We filled the Unitarian/Universalist meeting house, which seats somewhere in the vicinity of 130 people and had live music: two singers, a pianist. There were about eight readers, and a terrific speaker who, movingly, held it all together. We showed film clips from The Killing Zone and Rachel’s parents, as well as the video of Rachel at age ten. There was utter silence in the auditorium, and complete and eager attention from all our listeners. The choice we made to have more than a simply a reading was good; the sights and sounds deepened the effect, and engaged everyone totally. All but the readers were professionals and the lights were beautifully handled, as was the sound. Two cameras recorded the event and it was edited to be shown in area schools and churches and on our local TV station. We want to send the message out loud and clear: this is what the Palestinians have to go through each and every day of their lives – we must do something, we must tell the world the truth of Rachel’s Words.
