Theatre News Wire

Cabinet of Curiosity will present Fields of Fire, its fourth public ritual. Guests sit at a massive round table adorned with fire and organics, and together witness a choreographed event with a sonic story and musical experience all orbiting a grand tree. The immersive event occurs outdoors in Boler Park at 7pm and 8pm each night, and ticket income is split between ArtWest, ChiBuck, and Cabinet.

The event is directed by Brandon Boler, written by Honey Crawford, and designed by Sydney Lynne Thomas in collaboration with a team of local Lawndale and Chicago artists of color: Lynne Jordan, Andre Robinson, Dasia Dobbins, Athina Sanzone, Dion Randle, Kiana Cook, Rachel Johnson, Elisabeth Seonwoo, Brandon Boler, Alexie Young, and Haman Cross. They have collectively devised a modern myth and unique experience for the community and city. Over 100 additional collaborators were invited to engage in creating the art, story, and landscape design.

Shawn Boler - whose father was Leo Roscoe Boler, a long time Lawndale resident and civic contributor (for whom the event park is posthumously named) - met with University of Chicago Professor Honey Crawford to share his life story and experience of the Lawndale community. Professor Crawford, who specializes in Afro Brazilian cultural and ritual performance, wove his story with her own experiences as a black woman in Chicago to create the text for Fields of Fire.


Cabinet's Founder and Artistic Director Frank Maugeri says, "Rarely am I this excited for an event. Cabinet's purpose is to create collaborative relationships where art makers are paid equitably and empowered to create visual events that reflect their world and history and embrace our common humanity. We are fulfilling this vision with Fields of Fire."

An audio-only adaptation of the experience will be available online and was recorded at Untold Stories Studios. This way of engaging continues the promise of Cabinet's Phonophobia Department, which is dedicated to creating robust, immersive sonic spectacles. The event is family-friendly, and tickets include the production, a coloring book, and art supplies used during the event.