Introducing Mya as the scenic painter and assistant carpenter for “The Revolutionists”

Colorado State University student, Mya Coca, takes her love for painting to OpenStage’s mainstage for The Revolutionists.

Tell us about yourself! What’s your theatre background? How did you hear about OpenStage?

I am currently a senior at Colorado State University majoring in Theatre Design as well as Food Science and Nutrition. While at CSU I worked on various scenic and prop aspects for Rocky Horror, Cabaret, She Kills Monsters, Cosi Fan Tutte, These 7 Sicknesses, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, How I Learned to Drive, A Man of No Importance, and Lysistrata. Most recently, I was the assistant scenic charge artist for CSU’s production of Spring Awakening. I heard about OpenStage when I went to the Student/Educator night for their production of Cabaret. Around that time is when Sydney reached out to me and asked if I would like to be involved in The Revolutionists and I was excited to join.

What got you into scenic painting?

I have always enjoyed participating in creative/artistic activities. I liked drawing, painting, building, pottery, and other crafts. At CSU I took several set design classes and I also took a scenic painting class with Heidi Larson who is a very talented painter. I also helped build and paint several of our productions at CSU.

What is your favorite production you’ve ever worked on?

My favorite productions I’ve ever worked on were She Kills Monsters and A Man of No Importance because I really felt connected to the characters, and they were both well-written and had compelling stories. The set design was awesome for both of them as well.

How familiar were you with “The Revolutionists” prior to working on OST’s production?

I had never heard of The Revolutionists prior to working on OST’s production.

What compelled you to work on this production?

I thought it would be awesome to work on a play about women, with almost all of the production staff being women.

What about “The Revolutionists” interests you? Is there a special moment in the play that stands out to you?

I love how the author brings to light these women from history and tells their story in a fun way. The contribution of women in history has received too little attention, and this play not only shows the power of women but also shows women’s role in social change and how they fought against misogyny and racism. I really enjoyed the support and solidarity that the women expressed toward one another. Like when Marie and Marianne comforted each other after talking about their kids and husbands and when Marianne comforted and encouraged Charlotte before her trial. They truly exhibited the sentiment of Sororité. Their last words were also very impactful because they illustrated the courage they had and the sacrifices they made for their country.

What can audiences look forward to in this production of “The Revolutionists?”

They can look forward to incredible actresses that give passionate and vulnerable performances. It is a thought-provoking show that will make you laugh and potentially cry, as it has both comedic and emotional scenes. There are also vibrant and nuanced characters in this play.

What is the importance of this show today?

The women in the show mentioned that they were fighting to establish égalité for all and I think we continue to fight for this, even today. Women are still significantly underrepresented in leadership positions and still face bias, discrimination, and disrespect. Women are seen as being less capable leaders than men, which is very much not true. Meghan Markle said that “Women need a seat at the table, and in some cases, where this is not available, they need to create their own table. We need a global understanding that we cannot implement change effectively without women’s political participation.”

What project(s) are you working on next?

I will be the head scenic artist for CSUs production of Machinal and will possibly work on OpenStages production of Clue: On Stage. Machinal, which will be directed by Debbie Swann, is inspired by the real-life case of convicted and executed murderer Ruth Snyder, and it explores the conformist pressures that patriarchy imposes on women.

Come see Mya’s masterful scenic painting and the rest of the cast in “The Revolutionists” through February 11!

By Lauren Gunderson
Directed by Brenna Freestone-Gilbert
Music and Vocal Direction by Saja Butler

January 14–February 11, 2023
Playing at the Lincoln Center Magnolia Theatre

4 Badass Women. 1 Room. Don’t lose your head! A true story. Or total fiction. A play about a play. Or a raucous resurrection… that ends in a song and a scaffold. Playwright Olympe De Gouge, Spy Marianne Angelle, Assassin Charlotte Corday, and ribbon-loving Queen Marie Antoinette hang out, murder Marat, lose their heads, and try to beat back the extremist insanity of 1793 Paris. The Revolutionists is a fiery, dream-tweaked comedy about art, activism, legacy, compatriots, chosen sisters—and how to change the world.

 

CONTENT WARNING: Adult themes and language. Questions about content? Contact OpenStage at 970.484.5237.

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