Before its 22 August – 8 September season at Theatre Redfern, Manan Luthra spoke with Serhat Caradee, director of My Name Is Rachel Corrie.
Manan: What is My Name is Rachel Corrie about?
Serhat: The play is a beautiful and powerful story of American aid worker, Rachel Corrie who decides to leave her hometown in Olympia Washington and head to the Middle East to help people who are losing their homes, livelihood and suffering under military occupation.
Who was Rachel, as a professional and as a person?
Rachel decided at an early age she wanted to help people in need and suffering, she became an activist and aid worker. Rachel was brave, resilient and had a big heart, everyone felt her energy and passion.
Is there a particular personality trait she has that stands out to you?
Her very active and creative mind, coupled with her absolute conviction to help those in need.
What inspired you to direct this play?
To tell Rachel’s story so her life wasn’t lost in vain.
Have you run into any challenges during the rehearsal/production process? How did you overcome them?
I work a lot with subtextual rhythms (information under the text) and turning words (dialogue) into images. So making sure Courtney Miller who is playing Rachel Corrie was always visualising (seeing) what she was describing and talking about really pushes actors.
Who else is involved in the show?
The Producer is Courtney Miller, Paris Burrows is the Production Designer, Gillian Kayrooz is the sound designer and Jordan Wellard is co-Producer.
How have you designed the Theatre Redfern space?
No. This is our first production at the venue.
Which moment in the play is your favourite?
About three quarters way through the play, Rachel Corrie has this beautiful and direct speech to the audience where she recognises what is happening around her and what we can do (collectively) to stop it, given that her tax dollars are part of the problem.
With all that is happening in the Middle East, especially Gaza, what do you hope that audiences take from the show?
Although the play is set in 2003, the problems, misfortune, and house demolitions that she witnesses is just as prevalent now as they were back then. In fact as we have seen, it has gotten worse.
Sell My Name Is Rachel Corrie in a sentence.
Seeing the Middle East conflict through the eyes of a young American activist.
My Name Is Rachel Corrie plays from 22 August – 8 September at Theatre Redfern. Tickets start from $40, and are available here.
