From The city To The Hamptons, 'A Land Without Weather' Captures Life During COVID-19

What to do during a global pandemic? Former Guild Hall artist-in-residence and playwright/performer Dipti Bramhandkar offers varying viewpoints on that question in “A Land Without Weather,” which premieres in a virtual reading on Sunday, October 4 at 8 p.m.

“I’m swinging on a pendulum between pointless and purposeful,” writes Bramhandkar. “One day, I’m thinking this pandemic is a cosmic call to action and the next, I’ve got my hand in a bag of Ruffles. Anyone else feel like this?”

Specially commissioned by Josh Gladstone, artistic director of the John Drew Theater at Guild Hall, “A Land Without Weather” creatively stems from interviews with both New York City residents and members of East End communities, expanding the playwright’s recent Quarantheater series. These encounters weave together a rich fabric of diverse experiences and outlooks expressed by a talented troupe in an exciting new work.

With a running time of about an hour, “A Land Without Weather” interlaces monologues and scenes filled with nostalgia, fear, desire, humor, hope, and intimate moments of everyday life under the tyrannical hand of coronavirus. Vignettes include the patient care of a rosarian, the thoughts of a speculative new homeowner, and a senior citizen who, instead of retirement, is hopeful about her next chapter in a move to the country.

Stories were mined from individuals through Organicazión Latino-Americana (OLA) of Eastern Long Island; Ma’s House, a Shinnecock BIPOC Art Studio; the Bridgehampton Child Care & Recreation Center; Volunteers for Guild Hall, and others from the East End and New York City.

“I drew from the stories that were shared with me,” said Bramhandkar, “sometimes combining several different people into one character. It’s a work of fiction, but it’s based in real-life experiences from real people.”

Directed by multiple award winner Padraic Lillis (Artistic Director of The Farm Theater) and produced by Guild Hall’s Anthony Madonna, “A Land Without Weather” features Chris McGarry, David Anzuelo, Purva Bedi, Rajesh Bose, Nat Cassidy, Scott Hudson, Julia Knippen, Eric T. Miller, Kelley Rae O’Donnell, Rahoul Roy, Sidney Williams, Martha Wollner, and David Zayas. Josh Gladstone is the executive producer; Patrick Dawson is virtual technical director.

The event is free to the public, with suggested donations from $10 to $100. Visit guildhall.org to access the event.