Web Series Finds Comedy in Washington Heights’ Gentrification Woes

By Sameer Rao Aug 11, 2016

Actor, writer and director Chris Myers wants to shed comedic light on the gentrification pressures facing Dominican-American residents and businesses in New York City’s famed Washington Heights neighborhood—and he’s using Kickstarter to get the project off the ground.

"Who has the right to live in a neighborhood?" is the central question behind his proposed webseries, "Guap." Myers, who won an Obie Award in 2014 for his performance in "An Octoroon," fleshes out the answer through the lives of his characters—a Dominican-American man and his activist sister, his immigrant restaurant owner mother, his White transplant neighbor and the neighbor’s sister.

With one week left, his Kickstarter campaign to support the show’s pilot has already raised nearly $17,000 towards its $19,967 goal. Funds will support compensating a crew, casting (which Myers says will draw from the Washington Heights community), permits and other contingent costs for filming. Blackout for Human Rights member and #JusticeForFlint musical director Samora Abayomi Pinderhughes will compose the show’s score. 

Supporters can receive downloads of the original score, talkbacks with cast and crew, original art and invitations to a screening. Click here to learn more.