This is a relatively unknown fact but beloved and renowned late actor Alan Rickman was a co-editor and director to My Name Is Rachel Corrie, a powerful play based on the diaries and emails of activist Rachel Corrie, who was killed by an Israeli soldier when she was aged 23.
In a story that remains unfortunately relevant now as it did back in its 2005 world premiere, the play will have its Brooklyn premiere this October with Johanna Griesé starring in the role and Michelle de la Rosa as director.
“I’m just beginning to learn from what I expect to be an intense tutelage in the ability of people to organize against all odds, and to resist against all odds.” – RACHEL CORRIE
Rachel Corrie was an activist and artist from Olympia, Washington, who traveled to Palestine in the early 2000s with the International Solidarity Movement, a Palestinian lead organization that focuses on non violent direct action to resist the Israeli occupation. Rachel was killed by an Israeli army bulldozer in Gaza, trying to stand between it and the Nasrallah home. She was hoping to prevent the home’s destruction.
The play focuses on her life, and comes from the writings compiled by her parents, Cindy and Craig Corrie, and edited by Katharine Viner and the late Alan Rickman. Rachel was a student at Evergreen State College, who first saw another country when she went on a trip to Russia in middle school. This trip was her entry point into global struggles, and it left her, “finally awake, forever and ever.” It is from this experience that the play chronicles her awakening and the kindness her family instilled in her at a young age. Rachel’s writings are moving, funny, and paint a picture of a young woman who wanted to make a difference in the world.
My Name is Rachel Corrie will be performed at The Rat NYC, October 4th at 8pm, October 5th at 3pm, and October 11 and 12th at 8pm. Johanna Griesé produces and stars as Rachel. Michelle de la Rosa directs. Mel Ryan does light and sound.
Johanna decided to produce this play to make her own small difference in this world, and to help audiences gain a better understanding of the plight of the Palestinian people, who welcomed Rachel with open arms. Director Michelle de la Rosa focuses on Rachel’s humanity and her growth into the activist she became.
Tickets are $37 and can be bought here, with a portion of the proceeds going to mutual aide and the Baladi-Palestine Animal Rescue.
WHEN
October 4th at 8pm
October 5th at 3pm
October 11 and 12th at 8pm
WHERE
The Rat NYC
68 Jay Street, Ste 117
Brooklyn, NY 11201
TICKET LINK
https://www.theratnyc.com/event-details/my-name-is-rachel-corrie-2024-10-04-20-00
RELEVANT INFO
* @RachelCorrieplayBK on IG (any available discounts will be here or via the producer)
JohannaGriese@gmail.com
* For more information on Rachel Corrie, and the work her family continues in her name: RACHELCORRIEFOUNDATION.ORG
* Learn more about the International Solidarity Movement at: PALSOLIDARITY.ORG
