Actor Alvon Reed, cast member, “The Secret Sharer.”
Truth, duty and compassion are explored in world premiere from DNAWORKS
In “The Secret Sharer,” a dynamic world premiere performance by the DNAWORKS theater organization, nothing stays behind closed doors. Inspired by Polish British novelist Joseph Conrad’s short story of the same name, the production takes audiences aboard a ship where a young captain bonds with a fugitive swimmer whom he stows away in his cabin. As violence and discrimination emerge, the captain must press the boundaries between duty, compassion and self-discovery.
A tale of two men finding intimacy in challenging circumstances, Conrad’s story is often cited as an early queer text. DNAWORKS co-founder Daniel Banks was deeply moved by the story and spurred to bring it to the stage.
“DNAWORKS is excited to be premiering ‘The Secret Sharer’ in Boston, where I grew up and the seed of the project was planted — I first read the novella in my senior year of high school,” said Banks. “We look forward to sharing the intimacy and gentleness of this work and holding a resilient and healing space for queer audiences and those who love and support us.”
The audience is incorporated into the performance in several ways. It physically creates the perimeter of the boat, which brings attendees on to the ship and into the story. Additionally, the DNAWORKS model of a “storycircle,” an optional time for audience members to share their stories, has been woven into this production in a unique way.
“This time Daniel wanted to try something different and insert the ‘storycircles’ in the actual production, where we invite the audience to engage and they’re able to tell stories,” said Kwesi Johnson, one of the performers. In that way, every performance is a unique experience with audience contributions that can’t be recreated.
DNAWORKS was most recently at ArtsEmerson in 2023 with the work “The Real James Bond…Was Dominican,” spearheaded by DNAWORKS ensemble member Christopher Rivas. The organization combines powerful performances centering diverse voices with social justice action and community building. Dialogue is a crucial element of that, as represented in the audience participation in this production.
“The Secret Sharer,” presented by ArtsEmerson, runs at the Emerson Paramount Center April 24 through May 3.
Tickets start at $27.50. Johnson will be joined on stage by Alvon Reed, Kenneth Norris and Daniel Banks.
The themes of self-reflection and reconciling with a larger, more judgmental world strike a chord in a world where everything is catalogued, compared and reacted to online.
“I hope audiences take away that our shared humanity connects us, regardless of race, religion or socioeconomic status,” said performer Reed. “I want them to recognize that, despite our differences, our stories and our presence in the world are meaningful and valid.”
ON THE WEB
Learn more at artsemerson.org/events/the-secret-sharer