For more than 125 years\, the staff of Willard Psych iatric Center in Ovid\, previously known as the Willard Asylum for the Ins ane\, cared for people with long-term mental illness. When it closed in 19 95\, workers discovered hundreds of suitcases belonging to former patients that appeared untouched since their arrival at the center. Dating as far back as 1869\, each suitcase was a time capsule to be discovered and explo red.
\nJoin us for a special evening featuring the photography of Jo n Crispin\, the artist who captured the history on film\, and the local pr emiere of the musical based on the suitcases\, The Willard Suitcases by Ju lianne Wick Davis\, performed by Iocal Issue Box Theatre.
\nAbout the photographer\, Jon Crispin:
\nJon Crispin has bee n a full-time\, self-employed photographer since 1974\, dividing his time between regular freelance assignments and longer-term photo documentary pr ojects. His regular clients include national publications\, colleges and u niversities\, and non-profit organizations. His documentary projects inclu de exhibitions and publications on 19th-century New York State insane asyl ums\; 19th and early 20th-century New York State prisons\; the living cond itions of rural New York State residents\; New York State agriculture\; co unty fairground architecture in New York State\; the architecture of Syrac use\, New York\; food and nutrition programs for the needy\, and the Erie Canal.
\nMany of these projects were funded by The New York State Co uncil on the Arts and the New York State Museum. He has exhibited his phot ographs extensively in museums and galleries. Jon has photographed over 30 0 plywood panels from the Fulton Street viewing area at the New York City World Trade Center site and over 100 panels from Liberty Island overlookin g the same location. His documentation of suitcases left behind by patient s at the Willard Asylum in Willard\, NY\, can be viewed at www.willardsuit cases.com.
\nAbout the musical and author\, Julianne Wick Da vis:
\nIn Julianne Wick Davis&rsquo\;s moving and original musical\, the titular suitcases &ndash\; some full of many objects and som e empty &ndash\; all contain memories\, tales\, and facets of identity. Th e musical is replete with songs\, stories\, history\, and humanity. And\, like the act of packing a suitcase\, the creation of The Willard Suitcases involved making decisions and setting a destination.
\nFor writer/c omposer Julianne Wick Davis\, the entire project began with a single image taken by photographer Jon Crispin. &ldquo\;I came across one of the photo graphs\, and I was immediately intrigued by the items. That&rsquo\;s what drew me in. And then learning the history of it\, the reason that this sui tcase existed\, and why it was being photographed.&rdquo\; As Davis learne d more\, she felt the pull of the objects: &ldquo\;I immediately started t o think of songs&hellip\; and as I saw more and more of the suitcases\, ev ery single one of them [prompted me to say] &lsquo\;I would love to write a song about this.&rsquo\;&rdquo\; Her curiosity coalesced around the ques tions that would become the heart of the musical\, questions of why people chose to include what they did in their suitcase\, who packed the luggage \, and what the cases&rsquo\; owners knew about their destination.
\nAbout Issue Box Theatre:
\nIssue Box Theatre is an organization committed to making theatre that grows out of the communitie s it serves. Whether the community is one of location or identity\, such a s the LGBTQ+ community\, disability community\, or victims of dehumanizing crimes. Issue Box Theatre works with community partners who provide resou rces that address specific issues.
\nOur programs and workshops use theatrical elements like storytelling and improv to catalyze open discussi on. We write and develop original work and devise performances from existi ng scripts. We're not just putting on a show to entertain\; social justice is at the forefront of what we do &ndash\; and we&rsquo\;re doing it to m ake a difference.
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