New York, NY
Let Me Cook For You
An epic journey through food, fashion, and fable
Let Me Cook For You is an epic journey through food, fashion, and fable. It is an invitation to a meal that is life itself, an offering of personal history as its main ingredient, a meditation on a life in service of others and on the kindness of strangers. It is a ritual of repetition and renewal, and a multi-sensory show that asks audiences to examine the stories and objects that make up a life. It focuses on the stories we repeat, the clothes we take from one place to another (in Orietta’s case, from Milan to New York), and the foods that remind us of our childhoods. By sharing a meal, touching fabrics rich with history, and listening closely together, audiences engage with and re-enact the moments of resiliency that define our sense of self. COVID 19 Policy: Boosters are required to enter the venue. Space capacity has been restricted to 15 seats for this intimate production. Let Me Cook for You is a theatrical experience where the audience consumes food as they consume the larger-than-life story. Guests are invited to take their masks off and participate in this crucial element of the experience. In order to keep everyone safe, we will require a negative COVID test within 24 hours of the performance. You may submit your own COVID test (any kind will work, including at-home rapids); we will also offer testing on-site. Those who wish to receive a test from Theaterlab on-site must email theaterlab36@gmail.com and request a test at least 48 hours before the show and arrive 30 minutes before the curtain time. Sharing space is meant to be joyous and fulfilling, so thank you for respecting our covid testing guidelines to ensure all present can safely enjoy the show. Allergen note : The meal served is meat, dairy, wheat, gluten, eggs, and nut free. It does contain soy. The dessert served contains wheat, dairy, eggs, and nuts. Please reach out if you have any questions or concerns.
Audience Role
By sharing a meal, touching fabrics rich with history, and listening closely together, audiences engage with and re-enact the moments of resiliency that define our sense of self.
Ages: All ages
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Years on EI
About Theaterlab
Mission Theaterlab’s mission is to serve New York’s diverse communities of artists as well as the general public by presenting and developing emerging new work. Theaterlab is a women- and artist-led laboratory dedicated to researching the nature of live performance, including theater, music, and hybrid forms. We also focus on audience development as a creative project, regarding the theatrical experience as a creative public assembly and audience members as a key partner in fulfilling our mission. In addition to producing and presenting new work, Theaterlab provides affordable space for rehearsal and project development, including resident and affiliate artists programs. History Theaterlab was established in 2006 and has occupied our Midtown home since 2013. Run by Italian immigrant artist Orietta Crispino, Theaterlab has a longstanding commitment to producing and celebrating international and immigrant-led work. We run a curated rental series (Tlab Shares), a season of new works through our “Theaterlab Presents” program, and a handful of development programming including our long-running residency for collaborative artists, Hotel New Work; Mother Myths Monsters inviting collaborators as guest curators; and our signature program, Round the Block! celebrating arts, business, and culture in our Garment District home. Theaterlab’s current programming was developed by Orietta Crispino, working in concert with long-time collaborators Jolene Noelle and Lanie Zipoy. Jolene (Program Director) worked with Theaterlab from 2014 to 2022 and continues to provide consultation and support on programs and season planning. Lanie was Theaterlab’s Grant Writer and Media Manager from 2013 until her passing in 2022. Her vision, advocacy, creativity, producorial guidance, and unwavering friendship were instrumental in Theaterlab’s development. From programs such as Voices Inside, the DAMN! Film Series, Mother Myths Monsters, and countless others, Lanie’s presence and creative vision permeate our entire organization. She is profoundly missed.