Arts, Social Justice, and Human Rights: Foundations (THEA 4050) is a course that explores the relationship between arts and politics, and arts and community organizations. Taught by Professor Fadi Skeiker, students are encouraged to consider the transformative potential of “Theatre of the Oppressed” and applied theatre in empowering marginalized communities. This semester, students are working on a cumulative project, Two Islands, a play that explores themes of division, cultural identity, and reconciliation.

On March 25th, students in this class had the incredible opportunity to work with Jarrett Key, an artist whose unique background in both fine art and performance brought a fresh and important perspective to their creative process. Known for their powerful work in sculpture, painting, and performance, Key guided the students through a series of devised theater exercises that allowed them to break out of their comfort zones and consider new framework for their class project.

Meet Jarrett Key:

Jarrett Key (b. 1990, Seale, AL) is a multidisciplinary artist who lives and works in Brooklyn, NY. Growing up in rural Alabama, Key’s practice draws deeply from their upbringing and the oral histories of the South, while also embracing contemporary modes of expression. After graduating from Brown University in 2013, Key pursued their fine art practice in New York City, later earning an MFA in painting from the Rhode Island School of Design in 2020.

Key’s work integrates sculpture, painting, and performance to create objects that embody multiple forms within one frame. The artist’s exploration of the intersections between history, memory, and contemporary issues is evident in their work, which often addresses the lost stories and historical conditions that shape their life. Their work has been featured in major exhibitions, including their first solo show, From the Ground, Up at 1969 Gallery in 2022, and their recent 40ft mural commission for HMTX Industries in 2023.

A Journey into Land Art and Performance

The workshop began with a presentation by Key, who introduced the students to iconic examples of land art and performance art, such as Richard Long’s “A Line Made By Walking” and Antti Laitinen’s “It’s My Island”. These examples sparked new ideas in the students’ minds, encouraging them to think about how their bodies and the environments around them could serve as effectual tools in creating their own theatrical work. Key’s ability to draw connections between land art, performance, and their own practice gave the students a new perspective on how they could use their bodies and the spaces they inhabit in unforeseen and dynamic ways.

Devised Theater: A Creative Collaboration

Devised theater, which emphasizes collaboration and collective creation, was the perfect framework for Key’s exercises. The students were encouraged to think beyond traditional scripts and explore how physical movement, space, and sound could work together to tell a story. Key led the students through several interactive exercises that encouraged them to tap into their creativity and push the boundaries of their performance. This included a “Song + Dance” Excercise where students were asked to create spontaneous movements and sounds alongside with lyrics they had previously created for Two Islands.

Students also participated in an exercise called “Walking on the Grid” where they walked along a imaginary grid while experimenting with movement, timing, and space. This exercise mirrored the practices of previously discussed land and performance artists, allowing students to explore how their bodies could interact with physical spaces in new and intentional ways. This exercise challenged students to think about how structure and freedom can coexist in performance, and how they might incorporate this into their play.