Today we’d like to introduce you to Johanna Griesé

Hi Johanna, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?

I grew up in Long Island, and my family moved us to Florida after I graduated high school. While they remain in Florida (my parents and my brother), I moved to Brooklyn to pursue my acting career full time several years ago. I am a huge animal lover, and have one cat. In addition to being an actor, I also sing, and produce. My first play production was starring in the play “Proof,” directed by my mentor, Eugenie Bondurant. I also believe in artists helping to impact change, and am a member of SAG4ceasefire. The beach is my happy place, and my friends and family are the most important things to me. I’m an avid reader and also working on my writing.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?

Moving here was probably one of the biggest challenges. I am very close to my family, so not being a drive away is very hard for me. But I wanted to be able to really focus on acting, and it’s much easier to make a living as an artist here. But the freelancer life, though much more free, means I have to be extra careful with my budget.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?

I am currently producing and starring in a limited run of the play “My Name is Rachel Corrie,” my biggest project to date. It’s a one woman show and I am putting it on myself.

Rachel Corrie was an activist and artist from Olympia, Washington, who traveled to Palestine in the early 2000s with the International Solidarity Movement. They are a Palestinian lead organization that focuses on non violent direct action to resist the Israeli occupation. Rachel was killed by an Israeli army bulldozer in Gaza, trying to stand between it and the Nasrallah home. She was hoping to prevent the home’s destruction.

The play focuses on her life, and comes from the writings compiled by her parents, Cindy and Craig Corrie, and edited by Katharine Viner and the late Alan Rickman. Rachel was a student at Evergreen State College, who first saw another country when she went on a trip to Russia in middle school. This trip was her entry point into global struggles, and it left her, “finally awake, forever and ever.”

The play chronicles her awakening and the kindness her family instilled in her at a young age. Rachel’s writings are moving, funny, and paint a picture of a young woman who wanted to make a difference in the world.

The play will be performed at The Rat NYC, October 4th at 8pm, October 5th at 3pm, and October 11 and 12th at 8pm. Johanna Griesé produces and stars as Rachel. Michelle de la Rosa directs. Mel Ryan does light and sound. Though Rachel is no longer with us, her story is one of HOPE. That even one person can make a difference.

Johanna decided to produce this play to make her own small difference in this world, and to help audiences gain a better understanding of the plight of the Palestinian people, who welcomed Rachel with open arms. Director Michelle de la Rosa focuses on Rachel’s humanity and her growth into the activist she became. Please contact Johanna Griesé with questions.

Tickets are $37, with a portion of the proceeds going to mutual aide and the Baladi-Palestine Animal Rescue.

The Rat NYC: TheRatnyc.com, 68 Jay Street, Ste 117, Brooklyn, NY 11201

@RachelCorrieplayBK on IG (any available discounts will be here or via the producer)
[email protected]

For more information on Rachel Corrie, and the work her family continues in her name:
RACHELCORRIEFOUNDATION.ORG

Learn more about the International Solidarity Movement at:
PALSOLIDARITY.ORG

Pricing:

• 37.00

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Johannagriese.com
• Instagram: @johanna_r_griese
• Facebook: https://Facebook.com/actorjohanna
• Twitter: @johannagriese
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@JaiCatLady

Image Credits

Photos by myself and Shay Raboeva