In the Solitude of Cotton Fields
Theater
In this celebrated masterpiece a Dealer stops a Client on the Piers, at the dark hour of twilight, peddling hidden merchandise which the Dealer keeps secret. The Client, in return, refuses to reveal why he has come here, at this hour, and what he truly desires from the Dealer. This encounter, at the brink of bursting into a street fight or turning into a flirt, transforms traditional dramatic dialogue into a succession of long poetic monologues, reaffirming language as the main medium of this dramatic form.
About The Event
Once one of the most vital spaces for New York's LGBTQ community, the piers 42, 45, 46 and 51 served over decades as living quarters for queer homeless youth, a casual hangout and meeting spot for LGBTQ groups of friends. It was legendary hangout, a refuge, a locale for sex, a beach, a dance floor, an art gallery—a place of thrills, of danger, of comfort, of joy. One of the most important European playwrights of the 20th century, Bernard-Marie Koltès from Paris, was attracted and inspired. His most famous play, In the Solitude of Cotton Fields, actually takes place at the Christopher Street Piers. Bring a blanket, food and drinks and listen to actors Ismail ibn Conner and Tony Torn performing Koltès on the Piers while the sun sets over the Hudson.
In this celebrated masterpiece a Dealer stops a Client on the Piers, at the dark hour of twilight, peddling hidden merchandise which the Dealer keeps secret. The Client, in return, refuses to reveal why he has come here, at this hour, and what he truly desires from the Dealer. This encounter, at the brink of bursting into a street fight or turning into a flirt, transforms traditional dramatic dialogue into a succession of long poetic monologues, reaffirming language as the main medium of this dramatic form.
About The Organizer
Down to Earth brings world-class international performance, contemporary circus, and in-situ performances—absolutely free—directly to New York City's vibrant, diverse communities. An initiative that democratizes cultural expression, the inaugural festival will take place August 31 to September 7, 2025. Conceived by The CUNY Graduate Center, The Martin E. Segal Theatre serves as the festival's producer, underwriter, and fiscal agent.
Partnering with NYC parks in Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Queens and working collaboratively with more than 10 dynamic cultural and community organizations, we will host performances and workshops across multiple urban spaces. Contemporary circus and in-situ street arts are ideal means of reaching new audiences: they represent more than performance and are a radical reimagining of public space. Dedicated to innovative expression and audience participation, these art forms stand as a powerful assertion of communal space, championing public assembly and democratizing access to our shared urban commons. Citizen expression beats at the heart of our artistic vision. Down to Earth serves as a crucible, forging connections between community organizations and CUNY Stages, affirming art's critical role in the economic, social, and mental well-being of all New Yorkers.
Down to Earth seeks to expand access to cultural expression, privilege public assembly, and combat the injustices inherent in socio-economic exclusion. Central to the festival's mission is our commitment to dismantling cultural barriers by offering free and subsidized programs for students, youth, immigrant communities, and families. By attracting a diverse public to free street arts and in-situ performances that are accessible and inviting, the festival will redress the shortcomings of an expensive system of cultural dissemination.
In opposition to NYC's current performing arts landscape, where high costs have reduced many venues to rental facilities or limited seasons, Down to Earth takes a novel approach. With the majority of work presented in public spaces, our strategy focuses on sharing resources and building coalitions with CUNY Stages, NYC parks, and The Coalition of Theaters of Color, among other organizations. We plan to unite these spaces through joint presentations in Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Queens, fostering visibility and cooperation, while focusing on access for students, families, and a variety of theater audiences.
Please Note
Bring a blanket, food and drinks and listen to actors Ismail ibn Conner and Tony Torn performing Koltès on the Piers while the sun sets over the Hudson.
Event Location
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Bring a blanket, food and drinks and listen to actors Ismail ibn Conner and Tony Torn performing Koltès on the Piers while the sun sets over the Hudson.