AMERICA IS HARD TO SEE

Inspired by real interviews, AMERICA IS HARD TO SEE explores the haunting reality of Miracle Village — a secluded Florida community where convicted sex offenders are sent to live in exile. Set against the backdrop of sugarcane fields in the rural South, the play weaves together raw, verbatim testimony, original folk compositions, and traditional Methodist hymns. The result is a poignant and unsettling portrait of redemption, isolation, and the gray areas of justice and humanity.

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VIDEO

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GALLERY

The Cast of Life Jacket Theatre Company's production of AMERICA IS HARD TO SEE - photo by T. Charles Erickson.JPG

The Cast of Life Jacket Theatre Company's production of AMERICA IS HARD TO SEE - photo by T. Charles Erickson 2.JPG

Ken Barnett and David Spadora in Life Jacket Theatre Company's production of AMERICA IS HARD TO SEE - photo by T. Charles Erickson.JPG

Ken Barnett and Amy Gaither Hayes in Life Jacket Theatre Company's production of AMERICA IS HARD TO SEE - photo by T. Charles Erickson.JPG

REVIEWS & AWARDS

SUPPORT

This play was developed, in part, with funding from the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council’s Creative Engagement Grant (in conjunction with the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs and New York State Council), ART/New York's Nancy Quinn Fund Grant and Creative Space Grant (in conjunction with the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation), and the Drama League (in connection with the Harold and Mimi Steinberg Charitable Trust and Howard Gilman Foundation).

PRODUCTIONS

UK PREMIERE: Edinburgh Festival (August 2-26, 2019). NYC PREMIERE: HERE Arts Center (January 30-February 24, 2018). RESIDENCIES: New York University (2017), Drama League (2017), Tank (2017), Governor's Island (2017), IRT (2016), and One Company (2016).

PEOPLE

WRITER & DIRECTOR: Travis Lee Russ. COMPOSER & LYRICIST: Priscilla Holbrook. RESEARCH TEAM: Travis Lee Russ, Amelia Parenteau, Anthony Dvarskas. CAST: Ken Barnett (NYC), John Carlin, Joyce Cohen, Amy Michelle Gaither, David Spadora, Gareth Tidball, Harry Waller (Edinburgh). LIGHTING DESIGNER: Solomon Weisbard (NYC), Greg Solomon (Edinburgh). COSTUME DESIGNER: Andrea Hood. SCENIC DESIGNER: Travis Lee Russ. CASTING DIRECTOR: Dale Brown, CSA. PHOTOGRAPHER: T. Charles Erickson, Em Watson. VIDEO DESIGNER: Jeremy Kotin, Mike LoBello. KEY ART DESIGNER: Russell Warren-Fisher.