A Positive Performance on AIDS

A Positive Performance on AIDS

Set in a non-traditional venue called the Firehouse Performing Arts Center in the Fairhaven Historical District, I saw a performance of Positive on Friday (2/7) night and was touched by the stories of our locals. This performance was written by the company of the production, under the guidance of Pam Kuntz, a director of the performance. Don’t arrive expecting to see a traditional play, because that’s not what the producers, Kuntz and Company, have planned for you.

Throughout the performance, secrets concerning HIV and AIDS conditions of the local actors and dancers are unraveled in a beautifully artistic way. Nearly everything that is portrayed on the stage is derived from personal experiences of the actors. Though, none of it is directly attributed to any specific individual by name. This makes for a heartfelt and sympathetic tone throughout the night.

The performance is structured not using one fluid story line, but rather a pattern of themes portrayed through contemporary dances set to appropriate lighting. These two things made the play most unique: the structure and the lighting. The creator, Pam Kuntz, along with many of the cast members, wrote out this performance including their personal struggles. The performance was patterned as follows: a short bit of dialogue between two characters, a dance scene displaying the partners, and then a reprise showing all of the patients waiting in a hospital-like scene to hear news about their conditions. This reprise was most powerful to me because of the lighting, which was designed by Mark Kuntz.

The lack of a proper set design and minimal props meant that the lighting and sound were crucial, and it was spot on. This is what gave you cues as to where the characters were or what they were doing. During the reprise in the hospital, the lighting shone onto the characters from below. It was interrogative, harsh, and stale, pale lighting. It cast a sickly glow onto the AIDS patients, pulling a strong sense of sympathy from the audience. 

The Firehouse allows for an up-close interaction with the performers

There was also a painting projected by light that was painted by Keith Haring which was utilized very well. During a scene change, the actors would line up on the floor preparing for the dance scene and to brighten them up, this painting, paired with a cold and eerie whooshing sound, would appear. It wouldn’t be projected all at once. It showed up from stage front to stage rear in synchronization with the whooshing sound. It was a minor detail I found to be a real display of skill by the lighting designer in partnership with the sound director, Angela Kiser.

Kiser picked out great sound samples for all of the scenes. The sound effects all magnified the drama of the action. The songs were very reminiscent of an era. There were clips from artists such as The Andrews Sisters and the Bee Gees, taking the audience from decade to decade with the same issues in the characters lives still present, no matter the time. The actors dancing fit right in to all of the song’s time in history. This was really powerful in changing the setting. The only downfall were some of the lengthy dance scenes that seemed to drag on a bit longer than necessary. The contemporary dancing was stunning to watch, but one only needs to see so much of a square dance scene before it has become too much. 

Firehouse Performing Arts Center

The writing, lighting, sound, and dancing were all so strong in this unique performance. Not to mention how quaint and warm the venue is with it’s fireplace and wooden flooring. It’s not your typical play. Go in with an open mind, excited to see something fresh and you won’t be disappointed. The performance runs from February 6-9 and 13-16 at 7:30pm at the Firehouse Performing Arts Center in the Fairhaven Historical District. Tickets can be purchased for $15, $12 for students and seniors, at Village Books, only a few blocks away.