What does it mean to be a 21st Century Jew?
'A dramatic reading is a unique experience for the audience because it allows them to interact with the play'
When Adiel Cohney begins his dramatic reading and discussion of his play, Pigging Out, on Wednesday, he hopes he can provide his audience with a space to laugh.
“Pigging Out provides a humorous take on struggling to meet the expectations of those around us, and facing our inner demons,” he told The AJN. “It’s a kind of coming out story for people who are “off the derech” (anywhere on a spectrum of non-belief or non-practice). No matter where in the community people find themselves, I think there are parts of the experiences that will resonate with everyone. It’s about not having answers and not being afraid to show it.”
The playwright credits his mother and grandmother with his love of acting but he also told The AJN that it was his early opportunities to express himself in Mount Scopus musicals that also helped immensely.
Cohney explains that Pigging Out is about living in a close community and, in his words “shouldering the burden of 3000+ years of Jewish existence”.
“It’s about growing up and trying to navigate the expectations of family, history, community and God. It’s about struggling with faith and identity and learning what it means to be a 21st Century Jew,” he said.
Cohney said that he believes that sometimes, as Australian Jews, we don’t fully understand just how unique our story is within the greater Jewish world. Acknowledging that there is a lot to say about this, Cohney explained that his way of doing so is on the stage, and that’s where Pigging Out and the dramatic reading comes into play (pun intended).
“It’s great to see more young Jewish artists starting to tell that story and I’m proud to have the opportunity to take my part while visiting from Israel. A dramatic reading is a unique experience for the audience because it allows them to interact with the play in its raw form, and engage in dialogue with the creator. My greatest hope is that people will come along and give me feedback,” he said.
Cohney will be presenting the dramatic reading of and discussion around Pigging Out on Wednesday night at Classic Southside. Book tickets.
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