(un)belonging* is a powerful new documentary theatre play that archives the voices of New York City’s Community Land Trust members. Developed through interviews, devising, and experimental storytelling, this original piece explores the pursuit of land stewardship, economic and environmental justice, and collective future-building. Join us for an unforgettable evening of performance rooted in the lived experiences of those reclaiming their place in the city.
(un)belonging* is the inaugural project of the The Street Where You Live Initiative between Columbia University School of the Arts and Incite Institute. Conceived in collaboration with their community partner, The Clemente Soto Vélez Arts and Education Center.
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About The Street Where You Live Initiative
Columbia School of the Arts, through its Theatre Program, is launching a new collaboration with Incite Institute which seeks to create art with and for the community, fostering meaningful exchanges between artistic, academic, and public spheres. This year the initiative partnered with The Clemente Soto Vélez Arts and Education Center, a Puerto Rican and Latinx cultural space rooted in the Lower East Side with deep ties to CLT's throughout the city, as the project's community partner.
The first project within this framework, (un)belonging*, is a documentary theatre piece developed in collaboration with members of New York City’s Community Land Trusts. A team of theatre students, guided by faculty, have worked closely with CLT members to devise a performance that amplifies their stories, struggles, and visions for the future. This marks the most recent initiative to bring together Columbia theatre students and faculty in a creative, collaborative process with community members and reaffirms the program’s commitment to socially engaged artmaking. By cultivating spaces of dialogue and co-creation, this collaboration aims to deepen the School of the Arts' relationship with local communities while offering students an invaluable opportunity to learn from and contribute to collective narratives of resilience and belonging.
Incite Institute is an interdisciplinary social science research institute at Columbia University. Their mission is to create knowledge for public action—to catalyze conversations that lead to more just, equitable, and democratic societies.
The Clemente Soto Vélez Cultural and Education Center is a multicultural and Puerto Rican arts and education center. As a Community Partner and site host for the (Un)belonging* project, The Clemente served as a nexus, linking creatives to New York City’s network of Community Land Trusts. This deeply mission-aligned collaboration blends community activism, arts, and theater with the history of Black and Brown land stewardship in the city. Learn more about Historias, The Clemente’s multi-year initiative re-centering Latinx narratives through exhibitions, performances, and storytelling, and explore the Activist Estates of the Lower East Side digital exhibit for historical background on the movements depicted in the play.
Showtimes
Friday, September 5, 8 PM
Saturday, September 6, 3 PM
Saturday, September 6, 8 PM
Run Time
Approx. 90 minutes (no intermission)
Featuring
Grant Aumell - Company Member
Debra Ack - Company Member
Francely Flores - Company Member
Pamela Herrera - Company Member
Adam Osman-Krinsky - Company Member
Adan Palermo Rojas - Company Member
Patricia P. - Company Member
Production Team & Crew
Creative Team - Brissa Lopez (current student), Sophia Parker (current student), Amalia Oliva Rojas ’25, and Brennan Urbi (current student)
Production Stage Manager - Miranda Soledad Tejeda ’25
Stage Manager - Meraly Morales-Tula (current student)
Company Manager - Nick Gurinsky (current student)
Scenic Build/Consultant - Aaron Treat and Alec Breck
Lighting Designer - Holly Ko
Sound Designer/Projection Designer - Jacob Robinson
Director of Video and Photography - Delia Dumont (current student)
Graphic Designer- Bernardo Garcia Valencia
Research Consultant - Adam Osman-Krinsky
Community Liaison - Monxo Lopez
Community Liaison - Libertad O. Guerra
Advising Faculty - Brian Kulick
Advising Faculty - María José Contreras Lorenzini
Production Coordinator - Corrie Beth Knott