We sat down this month with Spiral Q apprentice Claris Park to ask some “q”uestions and get some answers. Claris is a junior at the University of Pennsylvania studying theater arts, and began her apprenticeship with the Q in October 2014. On campus, Claris is the co-music director of Disney Acappella, and is gearing up to chair “The Philly Matinee”, a new performance/theater peer review group. She believes that “collective liberation” is the only way to go, and hopes to make whatever contribution she can towards improving our communities. Please read on for more about Claris:
How does Spiral Q connect to your values or the work you are doing in the world?
I love theater and the way theater can spread messages and inspire. However, Spiral Q takes it a step further and focuses on creating a community and advancing equality and justice throughout community that has furthered my understanding and thinking. Since joining Spiral Q, my life has been on this trajectory full of puppets and theater focusing on political issues. In fact, I am part of an ensemble the Penn Theater Arts Department has put together for the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Eventually, we decided to focus on social justice issues that were important to us. We ended up with a piece that discussed Mike Brown and Ferguson, Rodney King, the Stonewall Protests, and other important movements throughout the past 50 years or so, and we are using puppets in the piece. I don’t know what it is, but Spiral Q has been the catalyst for a very exciting chapter in my theater work.
What was your first experience with Spiral Q?
On my first day at Spiral Q, I was in the office for all of 30 minutes when Tracy and Jennifer whisked me out into the green van. Within an hour of starting at Spiral Q, I was taking notes at a principal’s meeting for the SPARQ program. My experience at Spiral Q has been a whirlwind of filling many different shoes on short notice ever since.
Who has been your greatest teacher or hero?
My parents have always been both. It’s difficult for me to pick one over the other because they are both so different and yet compliment one another so perfectly in raising me and my brother. My parents have always supported me and challenged me to think broadly, even when that ends up in me completely disagreeing with them. They have always managed to create something out of nothing, and watching them support, correct, comfort, lift, and keep each other humble throughout the past twenty years has been extremely inspirational. Also, even though they will deny it, they are the cutest.
What is your favorite piece of political art?
Although some may not agree that this is art, I really love stand up comedy, and my favorite politics-fueled stand up comedian is Jon Stewart. “The Daily Show” is one of my favorite shows and is great in its own right, but his stand up is amazing. Not only is he an excellent performer, but his bits are infused with energy, in-depth understanding, and fiery sincerity from beginning to end.