Julia Masli is bringing her interactive production, 'ha ha ha ha ha ha ha', to the Mandell Weiss Forum at La Jolla Playhouse. Running from July 28 through August 9, the show uses clowning and audience participation to foster spontaneous human connections.
How 'ha ha ha ha ha ha ha' transforms the Mandell Weiss Forum
The production, presented by the Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company, is part of the WOW Experience series at La Jolla Playhouse. Unlike traditional plays, this work functions as a collective experiment where the boundary between the performer and the spectator is intentionally blurred. According to the report, the show is not a scripted solo performance but a dynamic event where the audience acts as a co-creator.
The experience is designed to be highly adaptable, meaning the energy of the room dictates the flow of the evening. Julia Masli adjusts her approach based on the crowd's temperament; for instance, she may make the performance gentler for reticent audiences. As reported by the source, Masli even views a spectator falling asleep as a positive outcome, emphasizing a pihlosophy of acceptance over rigid theatrical expectations.
From the Ecole Philippe Gaulier to San Diego
Julia Masli's approach to performance is deeply rooted in her training at the Ecole Philippe Gaulier in Paris, where she both studied and taught. This background in the tradition of clowning informs her embrace of "philosophical optimism" and the idea that failure is a necessary part of the creative process. This perspective allows Masli to treat each night at the Mandell Weiss Forum as an evolving discovery rather than a rehearsed routine.
The visual identity of the show further underscores this unconventional path. Masli appears in Victorian attire, featuring a gleaming light on her head and a mannequin's leg serving as a replacement for her left arm. these surreal elements serve as a foil to the raw, human vulnerability she encourages from her audience, framing her character as a person simply trying to navigate the complexities of life.
The 'What's your problem?' prompt as a catalyst for connection
At the heart of the performance is a direct invitation for audience members to answer the question, "What's your problem?" This prompt transforms the theater into a space for real-time mutual aid. The report notes that this can lead to spontaneous acts of kindness,such as one attendee providing a painkiller for another's headache or offering a hug to someone in distress.
This participatory element emerged organically during workshops rather than through a strict plan. By rejecting a marketable title in favor of the rhythmic "ha ha ha ha ha ha ha," Masli signals a preference for fun and spontaneity over commercial ambition.. This ethos challenges the standard pressures of the theater industry, prioritizing the immediate emotional connection over a polished, sellable product.
What 'new layers' has Masli discovered since the 2024 DC premiere?
Directed by perfformance artist Kim Noble, the show first premiered in Washington D.C. in 2024. Since then, Masli has spent three years refining the work, though she admits she is still discovering "new layers" regarding how far she can push the connection between herself and the spectators. However, the source does not specify what these new layers are or how the show's structure has fundamentally shifted since its D.C. debut.
Furthermore, while the report highlights the success of the participatory model, it remains unclear how the La Jolla Playhouse manages the logistical risks of such an unpredictable format.. There is also a lack of information regarding the specific criteria for the "WOW Experience" series and whether other artists in the series utilize similar audience-centric methodologies.
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