All-Ages and Accessible “Oops! All Clowns! Shakespeare” to Fill Devil’s Food Pantry

According to Worldmetrics, 38 million Americans access food pantries each year in the U.S.; 65% are adults aged 18-64, and 20% are children under 18. are adults aged 18-64, and 20% are children under 18.

A pantry in Carrboro, on the Libba Cotten Bikeway behind The ArtsCenter (400 Roberson St.), will host a special event in August to boost donations.

During the August 1st Really, Really Free Market (RRFM), director Peaches Kawamata will bring a unique spin on Shakespeare.

The interactive Oops! All Clowns! Shakespeare is a short, family-friendly musical romp, presented by a troupe of local actors performing as their clown personas.

RRFM is a monthly event based on the gift economy. Everything is completely free and bartered. These can be goods or services. Happening on the first Saturday of every month from 2 - 4pm at Town Commons.

Bubbles Greyfinch, who heads the Devil’s Food pantry, said: “Devil's Food is dedicated to serving just the one food pantry for now. It is very challenging to keep enough food in it to serve the neighbors who check it.”

Audience members are encouraged to bring donations of non-perishable food items and toiletries to the performance at Town Commons.

With two twenty-minute showings at 2:30pm and 3:30pm at Town Commons (301 West Main St.), Kawamata is “proud to help bring attention to Devil’s Food.”

“I want to remove every barrier to loving Shakespeare. This play is short, free, and easy to understand,” she said in a press release.

Greyfinch feels that food pantries are important because they have zero barriers. She recounted a poignant encounter with an elderly lady who doesn’t speak English. She didn’t even have a bag to put the oranges Greyfinch had just stocked, instead putting them in a tied-up T-shirt.

“She probably checks the box every day because she doesn't need to get a translator, or sign a form, or show an ID, or explain why she needs something,” she said. “For the greater community, it is important for us to take on the responsibility to care for our neighbors.”

Why Shakespeare? “Shakespeare just said it better than anyone ever has. There are a lot of surprisingly prescient lines about wealth inequality in his works,” said Kawamata.

Greyfinch also noted: “There is a free art gallery we are starting (on the same bike path), and we would love you to bring zines, art supplies, and small artworks to share."

She was coy about whether or not she’ll be in Oops! All Clowns! Shakespeare. Attend one of the two shows on August 1 to find out.