By Eric Jensen and Sandy Jensen
If you haven’t heard of The Box in Salt Lake City, their Black and White Gala is introducing this re-branding to the world. The Box is quite a fitting name, as it is a small quaint space that holds about 50 seats. The stage is on the ground floor in a black box style theater located in The Gateway, a popular shopping, dining, entertainment area centered on the historic Union Pacific Depot . The Box is a cross-genre art space that has affordable rates for any artist, performer, or small scaled theater company.
Tonight, my husband Eric and I attended the Black and White Gala that introduced the public to their space and to see how artists have used it. The first entertainment of the night was a slam poetry reading from an up and coming young artist named Chelsea Guevara who’s attending the University of Utah. She read three poems, the latter of which was a first time reading called Bichito as she explains means “Kid” or “Boy” in Spanish. Her mother is from Utah and her father is from El Salvador. Guevara’s slam poetry speaks about the struggles that she and her cousin endure living as Latino-Americans, where racism and prejudice still exist. It was heart-felt and touching to listen to every beat of her words. Guevara’s poetry made it very clear there are many who live in this beautiful country who still have struggles when dealing with prejudices and racism on a daily basis.
The second entertainment of the night was Sean Baker, a young guitarist, singer/songwriter. He sang three unique pieces, my favorite was a song called “Nothing New”. Its creation was from the words his father spoke to him when he was young. Baker started playing music when he was twelve years old and song writing since he was fourteen. He has been entertaining audiences for close to twenty years. I loved the message this song communicated and thought how wonderful it is for him to apply his life’s experience into his music.
The last performance piece of the night was an excerpt from an original play written by Elise Barnett Curran called Uninhabitable. This comedy hones in on hoarding and how it affects a person’s life and the people who are around them. This was a hilarious work originally written for Salt Lake’s 24 Hour Festival. Uninhabitable starred Allison Froh, who did a tremendous job portraying the urgency that a hoarder feels keeping each and every item for an important use that they may need it for later on. Her character and expression was absolutely delightful. Both Rachel Kade and Carly Welch did an incredible job showing how crazy a hoarder’s life is and the insane number of “Things” they keep for the weirdest reasons.
The Box is a perfect little space that is simply an excellent place for performers and artists who range from all types of diverse performing styles. Check out The Box and work with their creative team Jim Martin, Curran, RJ Walker, Kultin Kirby, Bryce Kamryn, and Matt Oviatt in using their space to make art happen at an affordable price. Currently showing at The Box is The Open Syrup, A Serial Play written Curran and runs until June. You can also catch the Off Broadway Theatre’s improv troupe, Laughing Stock performing their improv comedy every Friday and Saturday at 10 PM starting January 10th. The Box more than a space. It is Salt Lake’s newest little gem.
The Box Facebook Page
The Box Black and White Gala Facebook Event
The Off Broadway Theatre and Laughing Stock Facebook Page
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