Border People

Marcus David
February 2020

Border People, written and performed by Dan Hoyle, is a thought-provoking ride through a diverse gallery of compelling portraits, the common denominator is that each individual has been deeply impacted by a physical or metaphysical border imposed by the United States. In each vignette Hoyle opens a channel of communication with the unheard voices of citizens and immigrants alike, and once established this psychic connection allows these tormented souls to express their messages to the audience. The range of characters Hoyle brings to life runs the gamut of disenfranchisement, from the gay white loner living on the southern border to the Saudi emigre working toward his citizenship in Canada. Borders have a way of both corrupting the mind and reeking havoc on the human spirit.

When asked about his process Hoyle explains, “I start with a place (the Niger Delta of Nigeria, small town and rural America) or a theme and a place (Borders). I do background reading and research. Then I go there and start talking to people, hanging out with folks for a day or sometimes days at a time. There’s a lot of serendipity involved, being open to people I meet at gas stations, at bus stops, on benches, or people hanging out on the street corner, or in the corner of a room where I’m talking to someone else”

In this work of documentary theater Hoyle’s tour de force performance and uncanny ability to virtually transform before our very eyes is both remarkable and engaging. By presenting each individual’s particular plight he brings to light a myriad of timely questions that face this nation in this particularly cruel moment.

Written and performed by Dan Hoyle
Off-Broadway Premiere directed by Nicole A. Watson

January 25 – February 22, 2020
GURAL THEATRE at the A.R.T./NEW YORK THEATRES
502 West 53rd Street @ 10th Ave

NYC BOROUGH TOUR

March 3-14, 2020
March 3rd & 4th @7PM: Staten Island
Snug Harbor Cultural Center
1000 Richmond Terrace
Tickets →

 March 6th & 7th @7PM: The Bronx
The Bronx Documentary Center
614 Courtland Ave.
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March 9th @7PM: Brooklyn
Riseboro Community Room
87 Melrose St. Bushwick
Tickets →

March 13th & 14th @7PM: Queens
IBEW Local 3
158-11 Harry Van Artsdale Jr. Ave.
Tickets →