You are cordially invited to attend the premiere screening of happyback — a short, devised film created by THE OTHER VOICE, produced in collaboration with The Hartt Theatre Division & Its Finding My Voice Storytellers Workshop Initiative at The University of Hartford.
Premiere Screening:
CREDITS:
More information on THE OTHER VOICE and happyback below:
Indescribable. Unimaginable. Senseless.
We have all used these simple words as a means to express what cannot be conveyed with language.
I want to give these qualities a voice. To seek a greater understanding of them. And more compassion because of them.
THE OTHER VOICE is comprised of Performing Artists, Directors and Designers that work collaboratively to devise wordless performance art that is ignited from the body. We generate fiercely physical theatrical events, that seek to unearth the unspoken.
happyback began development in 2024 as a classroom project in The Hartt Theater Division at The University of Hartford. I was lucky enough to collaborate with ten passionate theater students to devise material based on the idea of happiness. What would make us truly happy? Our research led us to The World Happiness Report which classified Finland as the happiest place on earth. The United States came in 23rd. The students and I began to focus our attention on what it takes to be a happy American, especially in the formative years between ages 19-23. This project morphed into a short film based on an idea planted in my brain by The Theater Department Chair, Kevin Ramsey. I have worked as an actor and director in live performance for over thirty years and never felt that I would venture into film. This medium has excited and challenged me in ways I could have never imagined. Maybe that’s all happiness is. Or not. Honestly, I’m still figuring it out…
—Joni Weisfeld (Adjunct Faculty/Artistic Director THE OTHER VOICE)