Stan, a middle-aged white man with a limp, bartends, and when the two women invite him to dance with them, he refuses. "Sweat - Themes" eNotes Publishing eNotes.com, Inc. I dont think you get it, but if I walk away, Im giving up more than a job, Im giving up all that time I spent standing on line waiting for one damn opportunity. Giving:540-231-8014,hkobia@vt.edu. The play was directed by Lynette Linton, and featured Clare Perkins and Martha Plimpton as the mothers and Osy Ikhile (Chris) and Parick Gibson (Jason). Directory, News This is highlighted by Brucie, who experienced a similar situation at a different mill. Everyone tries to stay positive, but as the strike goes on, they begin to get desperate. In the scenes from 2000, before the young men get into trouble, Nottage sets much of the action in a fictional bar in the characters' working-class town of Reading, Pennsylvania, where people who. [7], The play has been described as "a powerful and emotional look at identity, race, economy, and humanity. The second date is today's These are only the main characters. Though the play is brimming with these rich themes, the execution does not always succeed. Based on interviews with residents of small-town Pennsylvania, Lynn Nottage's play vividly describes the betrayal and resentments of striking female factory workers in an era of industrial decline The play was produced Off-Broadway in 2016 and on Broadway in 2017. This Study Guide consists of approximately 52pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more - Nov. 14 at 2 p.m. Filled with warm humor and tremendous heart, Sweat tells the story of a group of friends who have spent their lives sharing drinks, secrets, and laughs while working together on the factory floor. These fights over workers rights have claimed large parts of the lives of all three men, and their mothers must await their sons release, knowing their criminal record and their experience of incarceration will stay with them forever. Three best friends, Cynthia (Portia), Tracey (Mary Mara), and Jessie (Amy Pietz), pass the time at the bar joking and drinking to obliteration in order to survive the daily grind. The characters in Sweat have spent decades of their lives thanklessly laboring in Reading Pennsylvania's local steel and textile mills amid poor working conditions, disrespectful management, and union disputes. Complete your free account to access notes and highlights, close friends whove shared many adventures, (Points to the skin on the back of her hand). Lynn Nottage, originally born and raised in Brooklyn, New York produced the award-winning play, Sweat. You dont know what its been like to walk in my shoes. by Lynn Nottage. I feel that its a common problem in our society to portray immigrants as needy and that they get special treatment for their race. Source: www.asolorep.org. 2023 eNotes.com, Inc. All Rights Reserved. You'll be able to access your notes and highlights, make requests, and get updates on new titles. When the plant threatens to cut wages and lay off workers, the friends turn against each other as they struggle to stay afloat. We're friends! Both Cynthia and her loved ones feel hurt and misunderstood, further demonstrating the tendency for inequality in status to break apart relationships. She explored the effects on residents of the loss of heavy industry and the changing ethnic composition of the city. However below, subsequent to you visit this web page, it will be thus enormously easy to acquire as without diculty as download . Ive taken orders from idiots who were dangerous, or even worse, racist. Their whole lives have been on the factory line. She is on and off with her husband, Brucie, who is addicted to drugs. L ynn Nottage's Sweat is a play set in 2000 and 2008 that explores the tension in a group of friends in the midst of layoffs at a factory in Reading, Pennsylvania. Admissions Local factory workers mull around a watering hole run by one of their former colleagues, Stan (Michael O'Keefe). 1 Mar. Variety described Nottage as going into "the heart of working-class America". Jason and Chris are Tracey and Cynthias sons respectively. If there are three dates, the first date is the date of the original The play portrays a meeting between a parole officer and two ex-convicts, and three women who were childhood friends and had worked in the same factory. We are left hoping the characters will attempt to make amends as we see the effects of the conflict. The resonance and relevance is immediate, as we rehearsed throughout what has come to be called Striketober 2021. Tell me about whats been going on. Lynn Nottages Sweat is a play set in 2000 and 2008 that explores the tension in a group of friends in the midst of layoffs at a factory in Reading, Pennsylvania. Background. Portia is stiff as Cynthia, talking at the characters instead of speaking her peace. [4] The characters portrayed were associated with Trump's election campaign phrase of "the forgotten people". Stan is severely injured, and the youths are arrested, convicted, and incarcerated. Nov. 1416 at 7:30 p.m. All performances are in the Squires Studio Theatre, located in theSquires Student Centerat 290 College Avenue on the Virginia Tech campus. ", "Lynn Nottage's Sweat Will Transfer to Broadway", "Lynn Nottages 'Sweat' to transfer to West End from Donmar Warehouse", "Olivier Awards 2019: Full list of nominations", "Shortlist for first Black British Theatre Awards 2019 announced", "Maggie Smith wins best actress award for role as Goebbels' secretary", "Lily Allen, Grayson Perry and Danny Boyle join prestigious list of artists hoping to scoop awards as nominations unveiled for The South Bank Sky Arts Awards 2019", "The Stage Debut Awards 2019 winners announced | WhatsOnStage", " 'Hello, Dolly! [8][12] The production began previews on Broadway at Studio 54 on March 4, 2017, before opening on March 26. Although Cynthia breaks the rules by warning Tracey, Jessie, Chris, and Jason that a lockout is imminent, they begin to see her as a betrayer rather than a trusted member of their inner circle due to her position of authority over them. Reading, Pennsylvania is an industrial town with an emphasis on blue collar jobs. Free shipping for many products! (including. Jason Teacher Editions with classroom activities for all 1699 titles we cover. Lead the Pack", How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Sweat_(play)&oldid=1127802853, Short description is different from Wikidata, Wikipedia introduction cleanup from May 2022, Articles covered by WikiProject Wikify from May 2022, All articles covered by WikiProject Wikify, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 16 December 2022, at 19:00. This section contains 1,616 words (approx. The. The second date is today's Before this, her inspiration came from her family. Definitions and examples of 136 literary terms and devices. Tempted by the opportunity to finally work at the factory, where he will receive higher wages than at the bar, Oscar crosses the picket line. THEMEGUIDE KNOW BEFORE THE SHOW o Playwright Lynn Nottage was born in Brooklyn in 1964 and was educated at Brown University and the Yale School of Drama. Faculty & Staff Im on your side, Cynthia tells them, but Tracey challenges her: Then act like it, she says. Jessie, another worker at the factory, is not so happy with how her life has turned out and has some problems with alcohol abuse. Nottage has said that she was particularly influenced by a New York Times article reporting on the city specifically, and by the Occupy Wall Street movement more generally. 100% plagiarism free, Orders: 7 Nottage addresses the theme of social status, specifically in how the characters' lives and relationships are shaped based on job position, socio-economic class, and education. Not us. A lot of wrong things can be said under the influence, and I believe most of their arguments all began with the abuse of alcohol. The BMCC Theatre Department invites you to enjoy the performance of 'SWEAT' by Lynn Nottage, directed by Diane Dowling. 2023 . TRACEY: [] I know the floor as good as Cynthia. Tracey and Jessie view Cynthia as a traitor. Get professional help and free up your time for more important things. [4] The play was produced off-Broadway in 2016, and on-Broadway in 2017. Youve always been cool. Beyond that, however, Mara doesn't project the character's humanity, which leads a character meant to propel the story to instead fall flat. Oscar asks Tracey about job openings on the floor, and Tracey says he must have heard wrong because Olsteads is not hiring and you have to know someone to get in anyway. To cover up how hurt he is, Jason mocks Chris and tells him hell never succeed in such a low-paying career before asking, But seriously, man, why didn't you tell me? Despite Jasons tough exterior, its clear that hes genuinely upset by Chriss attempts to leave their shared lot in life behind and pursue higher education. He used to work at the plant but he was injured from a factory accident. A Critical Companion to Lynn Nottage places this renowned, award-winning playwright's contribution to American theatre in scholarly context. Thrash rock music from the early millennium sets the mood and evokes tension. [4] It also suggested that the play was reminiscent of the "working-class naturalism" of Clifford Odets, a playwright of the 1930s. The bartender in the play is Stan. I do. discover the notice Sweat Tcg Edition English Edition that you are looking for. Nottage chose the Rust Belt town of Reading, Pennsylvania, because at the time of the plays composition, Reading was the poorest town of its size in the United States. date the date you are citing the material. Accessibility They're like having in-class notes for every discussion!, This is absolutely THE best teacher resource I have ever purchased. To combat this constant strain and underappreciation, the members of Readings working-class community depend upon tight-knit relationships with one another as a means of stress relief, support, and fulfillment. The management/worker division begins to separate the friends, and racial tensions separate them further. You'll also get updates on new titles we publish and the ability to save highlights and notes. Essay Example: What Is The Theme Of Sweat By Lynn Nottage Sweat was a meaningful production as there are many important themes to take away from the story. . . As coming from a Hispanic background and having family members come from Costa Rica to America, scenes centered around Oscar were important to me. Sweat dissects the insidiousness of privilege and entitlement, reminding audiences that there's always someone on a lower plane to blame for your troubles, and there will always be someone who stands to profit from your loss. o Nottage, Lynn. The play is centered on the working class of Reading, Pennsylvania. First and only job. He finds out through his Latino network that the plant is hiring, which the owners have hidden from the other workers. The kind but stalwart officer (Kevin T. Carroll) hopes a reunion between the two will help heal their wounds. Students Not wanting to give up what theyve worked for, the floor workers vote against the deal and end up getting shut out. "My students can't get enough of your charts and their results have gone through the roof." [1] It won the 2017 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. During the play Cynthia applies for a managing job at the plant which causes some problems. There are other minor characters in the plot of the play. PDFs of modern translations of every Shakespeare play and poem. Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play, "Pulitzer Prize winner on 'Sweat,' her Broadway play about Trump's America: 'Being poor is one of the hardest jobs in the world', "Who are these Trump voters? Nottage addresses the theme of social status, specifically in how the characters lives and relationships are shaped based on job position, socio-economic class, and education. Detailed explanations, analysis, and citation info for every important quote on LitCharts. Link to iframe content: https://www.youtube.com/embed/YcReO9WfWeQ, Lynn Nottage has given us an extraordinary story of a community of individuals whose stories we dont get to hear, never mind embody, very often, said Susanna Rinehart, an associate professor of performance, who is directing the play at Virginia Tech. Found a perfect sample but need a unique one? CYNTHIA: More money. She doesnt really believe a floor worker will get the promotion, but when Cynthia talks about applying, Tracey decides to as well. Cynthia gets the promotion, and Tracey wonders if its just because Cynthia is Black. The acting is superlative. Management's physical, intellectual, and emotional removal from workers on the factory floor allows them to ultimately outsource their jobs to Mexico (because they have so little connection to the labor that goes into these jobs, or to the human beings working them). Synopsis for SWEAT: SWEAT is a 2015 play by American playwright Lynn Nottage. 'Sweat' explores themes of race, gender, ethnicity, class, and labor relations in a deeply human way November 1, 2021 The cast of "Sweat," pictured from left: Elizabeth Crishock, Ariana Pea, and Joseph Steele (front row); Misheck Mzumara, Ashlynn Brooks, Luke Dangel, and Mark Logan (leaning on the bar); Genaro Mejia and Alex Cruz (behind the bar). Pietz portrays Jessie as a lonely woman hiding in a glass of alcohol. The creative elements of the production fare better, with Christopher Barreca's set taking audiences to the neighborhood bar so one can almost smell the stale beer on the floor. Word Count: 508. Im cool with everyone. JASON: [] But seriously, man, why didnt you tell me? Their fathers and grandfathers, spouses, and everyone else in this small Pennsylvania town have grown up working on the plant floor, including Tracey and Cynthia's respective sons, Jason and Chris. The Pulitzer Prize-winning drama by American playwright Lynn Nottage focuses on race, class, prejudice and friendship. The union, there to protect the workers, has become overwhelmed and impotent. Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave, The Circuit: Stories from the Life of a Migrant Child, Fabulation, or The Re-Education of Undine. They are getting out of jail after a conflict they were both involved in. Sweat, Lynn Nottage's play about discrimination at the workplace and the effect of economic downturns, returns to Philadelphia, courtesy of the Old Academy Players. "Sweat," Lynn Nottage's 2017 Pulitzer Prize-winning drama set in a faltering factory town in Pennsylvania, magnificently answers the call for more far-ranging American playwriting. Refine any search. She has created exactly the ensemble piece she set out to create empathetic, searching, searing, honest, and full of humanity and I found exactly the same qualities in this cast as we have worked together. Chris finds Cynthia living in a small, rundown, messy apartment . I hope that they will ask really tough conversations, not just of themselves but of the legislators and the people who are in power, she said. Overall, I believe that this production was truly eye-opening and although many problems are discussed, the awareness raised about racial tension was the most significant. Find related themes, quotes, symbols, characters, and more. Working with this diverse cast of student actors to climb inside this story has been a gift. I also hope that they will understand the power of art and be more willing to engage with storytelling.. By showing how people, Instant downloads of all 1699 LitChart PDFs Sweat. CYNTHIA: I didnt expect you to understand, babe. When Chris reveals that hell be leaving Olsteads to study teaching at Albright College, Jason is blindsidedhed hoped to work alongside his best friend for the foreseeable future and to eventually retire and open a business together. Liberal Arts and Human Sciences Building,200 Stanger Street, Blacksburg, VA 24061, Phone: 540-231-6779, Fax: 540-231-7157,news.liberalarts@vt.edu Divisions surface when the African American Cynthia is promoted from the shop floor to supervisor over the head of her white oldest friend, Tracey. Im not prejudice, but thats how things are going these days. They are released in 2008. They also work at the plant, although Chris talks about going to college. publication online or last modification online. Race was never the main theme in, Sweat by Lynn Nottage, but it helped move the story along and added greatly to some of the characters development. Ultimately, Sweat shows the interpersonal costs of raising ones station: when desperate people strive for more out of life, fellow desperate peopleeven, and especially, dear friendswill often respond with resentment rather than support. If there are two dates, the date of publication and appearance Tickets will be available at the door in the Squires Student Center beginning one hour prior to the performance. Although much of the . 30 December 2016. [9] The Wall Street Journal review suggested the play "explained" Trump's win. She witnessed these strong spoken women growing up, and wanted to do the same herself. Ruined. Due to a lot of anger and resentment throughout the production, there were various racial slurs that stuck out to me because of our current problem of racism in society today. Her friend Cynthia is a black woman who also loves to hang out with her friends at the bar and is a hardworking woman in the factory. Download the entire Sweat study guide as a printable PDF! Characters such as Jessie use alcohol to cope with their problems to the point of being out of control, which was an important symbol specifically used by Jessica Hightower, Scenic and Properties designer of Sweat. Saturday-Sunday February 25 & 26 at 2pm . I cant think of any recent play that tells us so much, and so vividly, about the state of the union. Lynn Nottage's Sweat was published in 2015 and won the Pulitzer Prize for drama in 2017. Cmon. The play takes place in a small town in Pennsylvania where there is one main line of work everyone goes into. 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