So, how do you become a good person?
One group of Brooklyn buddies decided one way was to start an arts organization and create a stage show called “How to be a GoodPerson.”
Ditmas Park theater company Lamplighter Productions recently unveiled its premier production — the story of Vanessa and Paul, whom are searching for meaning in an environment of overwhelming stimulation, not unlike the world of social media that we live in today — the group doesn’t want to feel boxed in by the stage, according to one of Lamplighter’s founding members.
“Although ‘How to Be a GoodPerson’ is being performed in theaters, we think of ourselves as more of an art community than a theater company,” said Paul Weintrob. “Too many artists, in New York and beyond, seem to limit themselves to one or another particular style or medium.”
Even the play is unconventional, integrating three types of scenes — how-to videos by the “GoodPerson Corporation” spokesperson, traditional dialogue scenes between Vanessa and Paul, and interactive question-and-answer segments with the audience.
The idea for the show started during chats over Google hangouts, then snowballed into more serious script-writing sessions more than six weeks ago.
With more than a little help from supporters via Kickstarter donations, the group was able to raise $8,000 to produce the show — a whole grand more than their initial goal.
“Exceeding the goal felt amazing and was so unexpected,” said Weintrob. “We are so grateful to everyone who took it upon themselves to support our vision.”
The funds allowed Lamplighter to premier the show with a three-night run in Pittsburg starting July 18, followed by a four-show stint at the Chain Theater in Long Island City from July 22.
Lamplighter Productions formed last year when director Jordan Sucher, from Ditmas Park, brought his fellow Brooklynites together.
Sasha Atlas of Sheepshead Bay and Charlie Oniszczuk of Williamsburg both went to Brooklyn Tech High School with Sucher, and Weintrob met the director at a summer arts program at Brandeis University around the same time.
“I think we’ve all been into the arts for as long as we can remember,” said Weintrob.
The other four members are Vanessa Frank, Jill Bellovin, Mida Chu, and Michael Sypa, and all hail from further afield, but were drawn into Lamplighter’s creative orbit.
After all the members moved into their current residence on Rugby Road in Ditmas Park, the players started to home in on exactly how they wanted their first show to turn out.
“Living in Brooklyn has certainly shaped this show,” said Weintrob. “We definitely modeled some aspects of the show on our experiences while living in this apartment, including modeling our set off of it.”
In addition to producing another original show in January, Lamplighter Productions wants to expand its work hosting theater and film workshops for teens and young adults at the Midwood Jewish Center.
“I am very excited about the prospect of reworking our educational plans and offering a wider variety of affordable classes to people in our communities,” Weintrob said, “but right now, our focus is on devising a new piece for January.”
