Howdy, flock! I’m Michael Harren, a vegan pianist, composer, and performer from Brooklyn, NY, and a proud member of the Our Hen House flock. You may have heard me on the Our Hen House podcast over these last few months, talking about my artist residency at Tamerlaine Farm Animal Sanctuary, as well as my current project, a multi-media solo theater piece called The Animal Show.
The reason I’m writing, though, is to let you all know that I have just joined the Our Hen House team as Social Media Director! I am so excited to combine my love for the Hens with my love for social media in this way.
#PRIVATE#
Recently, I’ve been updating Jasmin and Mariann on the podcast each month about my work on my upcoming solo multi-media theater piece, which shares my experience with animals throughout my life and especially about some of the animals at Tamerlaine Farm. In thinking about writing this introductory post, I remembered that one of the first episodes of Our Hen House that really inspired me creatively was way back in 2012 on Episode 113. Jasmin and Mariann talked about a piece by Michel Martin called “What Enslaves Us That We Won’t Give Up?” The piece was about the author’s realization that Thomas Jefferson was also a slave owner and had nothing to do with animals, but Mariann and Jasmin made the animal connection in a way that really opened my mind to thinking differently about how I advocate for animals. In a way, hearing that conversation on the podcast was a spark that set me on my current journey with The Animal Show.
The Animal Show will be a full length multi-media solo theater piece dealing with the relationships between humans and animals. I’ll use electro-acoustic music, storytelling, video, and live performance. My paths to veganism and animal advocacy are emerging as themes within the piece, as well. I am really excited to be on a journey of creating a piece of art out of my passion for animal rights, and for the opportunity to share that passion on stage in a new way. The show will be performed at landmark New York City experimental theater Dixon Place on October 27-29. I would love to see some of you there!
I thought it would be fun to share some of my work with you all, the fantastic flock, so click this link for a free download of my song “Go.” and please do say hello on social media! I am @michaelharren on Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, and pretty much anywhere else you want to find me! I look forward to connecting with you all via the Our Hen House socials, as well.
Take care!
Michael
