As we count down to the final performance of Intelligence at Arena Stage, I thought it would be nice to get to know our lovely cast a little better. I had a chance to speak with them about their passion for theatre, the relevance of this play, their relationship with their characters, and where we can see them next onstage. First up, we have Aakhu TuahNera Freeman, who plays Elaine Matthews, the CIA Deputy Chief of Counterproliferations. Please enjoy! JACQUELINE LAWTON: To begin, why did you decide to get into theater? Was there someone or a particular show that inspired you? AAKHU TUAHNERA FREEMAN: I don't recall actually making a decision to go into theatre. Nor do I recall any particular inspiration. I do know that I never wanted to be anything other than an actor. Never ever. JL: Set in 2003, INTELLIGENCE is a historical fiction that examines the lies that led to the war in Ira, the impact of the war on the Iraqi people, and what happened when the Bush Administration retaliated against two U.S. citizens when the truth of those lies were revealed. Why do you feel this play is relevant to today’s audiences? ATF: The play is relevant today because we're currently being bombarded by lies. Not only lies, but lies with impunity, lies being referred to as 'alternative facts'. I think the play reminds us of the damage done to the citizenry when people in government are allowed to lie and act on those lies. JL: Who are you playing? What, if anything, do you have in common with this character’s passions, values, intentions, or belief system? ATF: I play Elaine Matthews. The character is passionate about what she does. I'm passionate about what I do. However, that's where our similarities end. Our belief systems, politics, values, etc. are totally opposite. JL: What do you hope the audience walks away thinking about after experiencing this play? ATF: I hope people will leave thinking about what truths they can speak to resist what is currently happening in the U.S. government. JL: What’s next for you as an actor? Where can we follow your work? ATF: My next project is "Proof" (Claire) at Olney Theatre, opening in May, and "Death of a Salesman" (Jenny), opening in October at Ford's Theatre. AAKHU TUAHNERA FREEMAN (Elaine) is happy to return to Arena Stage where she previously appeared as Clara in The Great White Hope, Sue in All My Sons and Della in The Royal Family. Other credits include Rose in Fences and Mrs. Coleman in The Soul Collector (Everyman Theatre); Mrs. Breedlove in The Bluest Eye and Gerthe in Insurrection: Holding History (Theater Alliance); Cat on a Hot Tin Roof and four national tours (the Kennedy Center); Much Ado About Nothing and Richard III (Folger Theatre); Our Lady of 121st Street (Woolly Mammoth); Something You Did (Theater J); and Amen Corner (African Continuum Theatre). Her most recent performance was in Fresh Brewed: Tales from the Coffee Shop in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
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On Sunday, March 19th, I'll be delivering the keynote address at the 10th Annual Emerging Arts Leaders Symposium, which is a day-long event held each spring at American University, ahead of Arts Advocacy Day. This year, their theme, Focus Forward, is a "call to action, a rally to use our collective strength and potential to not only envision the future, but to make it so. It is our chance to ask "what's next?" and then to see it through." As the current president calls for the elimination of four independent cultural agencies — the National Endowment for the Arts, the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Institute of Museum and Library Services, and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, there is no better time than now to be discussing the role of art and culture in this country. I'll also have the opportunity to attend another performance of Intelligence, which, as it happens, was supported by the NEA. After a week away, I'm excited to see where the cast and audience is with the play. Of course, I know that many of you will not be able to see this performance, so I wanted to share the program note, production photos, and our latest promotional video with you here. Please enjoy! “But I suppose the most revolutionary act one can engage in is ... to tell the truth.” Howard Zinn, Marx in Soho: A Play on History Tell the truth. I write out of a deep frustration for the lack of strong, complex, and engaging roles for women in the American Theatre. In theatre, representation matters. The way we write women and people of color impacts how women and people of color are perceived in everyday life. When Artistic Director Molly Smith asked me to write a play for Arena Stage’s Power Play Initiative, I wanted to write about a woman whose experience had transformed our political landscape. With Intelligence, I am writing about the role of women in the CIA. At the center of the play is a woman, a covert intelligence officer, who is fighting to ensure the national security of the United States. Tell the truth. I write to bear witness. In theatre, we are able to explore the powerful, strange, terrifying, curious, and beautiful human experience. After 9/11 and in the two years leading up to the war in Iraq, I began to write with a deeper sense of civic duty and an increasing interest in the unfolding narrative of the United States. With Intelligence, I turn my focus to the 2003 invasion of Iraq, the lies that led to that invasion, and the act of retaliation that occurred when the truth was revealed. At the center of the play is a woman, a wife and mother, who is fighting for freedom and justice. Tell the truth. I write to have a voice and advocate for change. In theatre, we gather communities, cultivate empathy, and raise awareness around issues that impact our lives. We are at a pivotal moment in the history of this nation. With Intelligence, I’ve written a play that is as much a political thriller as it is a clarion call for citizens to remain actively involved in ensuring the principles of Democracy. At the center of the play is a woman, a citizen, who finds the courage to speak truth to power and demands that our political leaders held accountable for their actions. Never before has this message been more urgent than right now and there is no better place for this play to be seen than at Arena Stage, in the heart of the nation's capital. Intelligence TrailerIntelligence Production Photos by C. Stanley PhotographyEleven days of previews is a glorious thing. Over the course of last week, I made several radical changes to the script. I removed a scene, a plot line, and an offstage character. I also rewrote a scene, gave greater strength and agency to a character, and deleted the intermission! In doing so, I found the play that I wanted to write: a thrilling piece of historical fiction that lays bare the lies that led to the war in Iraq and the act of retaliation taken by the Bush Administration on a U.S. citizen when the truth was revealed. I couldn't have accomplished any of this without the passion, support, and generosity of everyone at Arena Stage and my entire Intelligence team. As we make our way to opening, my heart is full of love, respect, and deep appreciation for each and every of them. We're running now through April 9th and I hope you're able to attend! Under the brilliant direction of Daniella Topol, our talented cast includes Nora Achrati, Aakhu TuahNera Freeman, Ethan Hova, Lawrence Redmond, and Hannah Yelland. Our amazing production team includes Set Designer Misha Kachman, Costume Designer Ivania Stack, Lighting Designer Kathy Perkins, Sound Designer Jane Shaw, Projection Designer Jared Mezzocchi, Dialect Coach Leigh Smiley, and Stage Manager Trevor A. Riley. Click here to learn more about the play and please enjoy these gorgeous photos from our final dress rehearsal. Intelligence Final Dress Photos by Misha KachmanSeven years ago, I attended the grand re-opening of the newly renovated Arena Stage with my dear friend Shirley Serotsky. We had such fun! Near the end of our visit, we made our way to the Kogod Cradle. I remember walking down the long hallway into the theatre and being immediately struck by its beauty and character. It is a theatre that demands to be taken in fully. As I sat down in the audience, I whispered a short prayer: “Dear Lord and all the muses, please let me have a play presented here one day.” At last week’s first rehearsal of Intelligence, I stood on the stage of the Kogod Cradle and shared this sweet memory. I could hardly believe I was living this dream come true. At one point, during the design presentation, I leaned over to artistic director Molly Smith and whispered, “They’re talking about my play!” She beamed with such pride and said, “Yes, they are. You’ve worked hard for it.” Quite simply, it was thrilling to hear the designers speak about the world of the play. While the lights, projections, props, and sound were still coming together, Misha Kachman shared the stunning model of the set and Ivania Stack displayed her gorgeous costumes. While the set transforms from a living room to a boutique to a coffee shop to a detention center to a war-torn city, the costumes teach us about each of the character’s culture, class, career, and personality. We’re nearing the end of week two and we have a stumble through tomorrow morning. Yes, already! I’m going to skype in and plan to share more of our journey along the way. For now, please enjoy these costume and set renderings for the play. Costume Designs by Ivania StackSet Renderings by Misha KachmanIn just a few weeks, my new play, Intelligence, will make its world premiere at Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater. Under the direction of Daniella Topol (Round House’s Ironbound), Intelligence explores the cost of deception and the consequences of speaking truth to power. Due to popular demand, the production has been extended for one week with eight additional performances and will run February 24-April 9, 2017 in the Arlene and Robert Kogod Cradle. We found out two weeks before the start of rehearsal!
Here's more about the play: Inspired by true events, Intelligence is a fictionalized account of a covert operative who, tasked with protecting the national security of the United States post-9/11, is racing to find weapons of mass destruction in Iraq when the unthinkable happens. With the country at war, her cover is blown and she must navigate a media frenzy, the CIA's search for answers and her diplomat husband's dogged pursuit of the truth. The production features Tony Award nominee Hannah Yelland (Broadway’s Brief Encounter) as Valerie Plame, Lawrence Redmond (Arena Stage’s All the Way) as her husband Joseph Wilson, Nora Achrati (Forum Theatre’s I Call My Brothers) as Leyla Nazari, Ethan Hova (Woolly Mammoth’s Guards at the Taj) as Dr. Malik Nazari and Aakhu TuahNera Freeman (Arena Stage’s The Great White Hope) as Elaine Matthews. “What excites me most about Jacqueline Lawton’s new play and Arena’s new Power Plays initiative is that we will explore politics from 1776 to the present day,” shares Artistic Director Molly Smith. “This story of truth and lies amidst great political pressure in 2003 provides a fascinating look at what it means to be an American.” “I'm honored that Intelligence will receive a world premiere as part of the Power Plays initiative,” says Lawton. “Writing this play has forced me to process the betrayal I felt when the Bush Administration told a series of lies that led to the war in Iraq. This historical fiction is as much a political thriller as it is a clarion call for citizens to hold their leaders accountable. Never before has this message been more urgent than right now, and there is no better place for this play to be presented than at Arena Stage, in the heart of the nation's capital.” “I am thrilled to direct Intelligence, a fast-paced and emotionally-charged political drama that captures the complexity of one woman's journey to serve her country and her family in uncertain times,” adds Topol. “Arena, with its steadfast commitment to launching political plays of resonance, is the ideal theater to launch this vital and relevant new play. And I am honored to work with such an excellent cast and creative team who will create an innovative and ambitious production.” Click here to learn more about the play and here to learn more about the Power Plays Initiative. The USC School of Dramatic Arts announces its second annual Diversity and Inclusion Summit, taking place from Oct. 27-30, 2016. Consisting of a series of interactive workshops, panel discussions and performances, the summit was created to foster community through civic and conscious dialogue around issues of race, gender, culture and identity.
Organized by SDA Associate Professor Anita Dashiell-Sparks who also serves as the School’s Diversity Liaison Officer, these events are a catalyst to spark a series of conversations and strategies to cultivate and sustain an artistic, innovative and inclusive environment that reflects the evolving communities of the 21st century. The theme for 2016 is Crossroads – Embracing Race, Class and Gender in Theatre, Television and Film and will be guest facilitated by Jacqueline E. Lawton, playwright, dramaturg, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Advocate. All events are open to the entire USC community. Schedule of Events Thursday, October 27 12:00pm-1:30pm Cultural Appropriation and Cultural Capital Workshop - PED 208 This workshop facilitated by Shafiqua Sahmadi from USC Rossier School of Education will define the difference between celebration and exploitation of cultural customs and traditions. Participants will also examine the various forms of capital we collectively have from our diverse backgrounds that enable us to become allies. RSVP for this event. 1:30pm-3:00pm “Having Our Say” – Theatre for Social Change Workshop - PED 206 Jacqueline E. Lawton will facilitate a workshop exploring how art and theatre provide a creative and critical space for dealing with complex issues of diversity and inclusion. RSVP for this event. 3:00pm–5:00pm Performing Gender Workshop - PED 207 An interactive gender-based, workshop exploring the play SEVEN. One of the seven playwrights, Paula Cizmar, will discuss creative process of documentary theatre based on current events. Jacqueline E. Lawton will lead participants in a gender identity activity. RSVP for this event. Saturday, October 29 10:00am-11:30am Theatre of the Oppressed Workshop - MCC 111 Dr. Brent Blair, Boal scholar-practitioner, will facilitate a workshop in theatre of the oppressed techniques that provoke civic and community engagement surrounding issues of diversity and inclusion. RSVP for this event. 11:30am-1:30pm #Every 28 Hours Project - MCC 111 Join a national collaboration of multicultural theatre artists responding to our Civil Rights Movement. After a community reading of one-minute plays produced by the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Jacqueline E. Lawton and Oliver Mayer, will moderate discussion including community leaders/educators, and facilitate a creative writing workshop. RSVP for this event. 2:00pm-3:30pm Staging Diversity Panel - MCC 111 Join artistic directors Jon Lawrence Rivera (Playwright’s Arena), Anthony Abatemarco (Skylight Theatre Company), Gregg Daniel (Lower Depth Theatre Ensemble) and Khanisha Foster (Educational Outreach, Center Theatre Group) for a conversation about play selection, inclusive casting, diversifying audiences and educational/community outreach initiatives. RSVP for this event. 3:30pm-5:00pm Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Workshop - MCC 111 Jacqueline E. Lawton, playwright, dramaturg, and Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Advocate, will facilitate a workshop/discussion about how to effectively implement strategies and mission-relevant initiatives to enhance the culture of your school, organization, or business. RSVP for this event. 5:00pm-7:00pm Reading of The Hampton Years - MCC 111 USC students and alumni will present a staged reading of The Hampton Years, written by Jacqueline E. Lawton. This reading will be directed by Anita Dashiell-Sparks, Associate Professor of Theatre Practice and SDA Diversity Liaison. RSVP for this event. Sunday, October 30 10:00am-12:00pm Performing Race and Class - PED 206 Screenings of the groundbreaking series Queen Sugar and Atlanta will illuminate different perspectives about race and class through the genres of drama and comedy. A discussion with Queen Sugar’s Anthony Sparks (writer/producer) and Ayanna Floyd Davis (writer/producer, Empire, Private Practice), moderated by Anita Dashiell-Sparks, will immediately follow the screening. RSVP for this event. 12:00pm–1:00pm Identity Politics and Representation in Mass Media - PED 206 A panel discussion, moderated by David Maquiling from the USC School of Cinematic Arts, examining how multi-cultural actors, writers, producers and directors explore, define, and represent diverse identities and culture on stage and on screen. RSVP for this event. For the 2016 Phillips Collection—University of Maryland International Forum, leaders across disciplines will discuss artistic and curatorial approaches to visual narratives of migration and immigration. How can art tell stories of people on the move? What is the civic role of art and art institutions in raising awareness to promote social change? Participants will discuss the ethical and aesthetical capacities of Jacob Lawrence’s Migration Series to bridge the humanities, public policy, and social sciences and inspire societal change and well-being in the context of the 21st-century immigrant experience. International Forum Weekend in Washington is an annual program hosted by the Phillips, and this year’s programming will facilitate discussion on migration and immigration. Using Lawrence’s series as a lens for dialogue, thought leaders across disciplines will come together to explore similar patterns and themes that exist in today’s political and cultural landscape. Specifically, discussion events will investigate the broader human quest for freedom, equality, and opportunity, which fuels ongoing patterns of migration around the world. “I am encouraged that this year’s International Forum coincides with the reunion of Jacob Lawrence’s seminal masterwork The Migration Series,” said Director Dorothy Kosinski. “Especially in light of current global challenges, the themes brought up by Lawrence resonate strongly today. Art remains a powerful tool for prompting reflection and dialogue, and I look forward to the Phillips playing a part in hosting that important discussion.” The event includes two staged readings of short plays written in response to The Migration Series, panel discussions with thought leaders, and a creative response from Azar Nafisi, author of Reading Lolita in Tehran. Detailed schedule of events is listed below. SCHEDULE OF EVENTS The weekend of events will take place at the Phillips on October 22–23, 2016. Members of the Phillips Collectors Forum are invited to register to attend. Events open for public attendance are listed below and are included with museum admission unless otherwise noted. All details are subject to change. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 22 2 pm: Introduction Dorothy Kosinski, Director, The Phillips Collection Mary Ann Rankin, Senior Vice President and Provost, University of Maryland 2:15 pm: Staged Readings Following introductory remarks by Curator Elsa Smithgall, there will be dramatic readings of two 10-minute plays inspired by The Migration Serieswritten by local playwrights and commissioned by the Phillips. Featured playwrights for the afternoon include Jacqueline E. Lawton and Tearrance Chisholm. Following the readings, there will be a brief discussion between Lawton (Artistic Director and Playwright), Derek Goldman (Director), and curator Elsa Smithgall. 3pm: Panel Discussion Visual Narratives of Migration/Immigration: Participants will use their artistic and curatorial approaches to consider visual narratives of migration and immigration, including broader discussion of what it means to be human, as well as the civic role of art and art institutions in raising awareness to promote social change. Moderator: Vesela Sretenovic, Senior Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art, The Phillips Collection Participating Panelists: Allan deSouza, Associate Professor, University of California, Berkeley Sara Raza, Guggenheim UBS MAP Curator, Middle East and North Africa Stefan Falke, New York-based German artist whose photographs featuring artists on both sides of the Mexico-America border are currently on view at the DC Goethe Institut Pedro Lasch, Professor of Art, Theory, Visual Studies, Duke University Daniel Schwarz, LA-based artist whose digital media works examining the contested US-Mexico border is currently on view at the DC Goethe Institut 4:30 pm: Panel Discussion Connecting Art, Societal Wellness, and Cultural Diplomacy: Participants will discuss the ethical and aesthetical capacities of Jacob Lawrence’s Migration Series to bridge the humanities, public policy, and social sciences and inspire societal change and well-being in the context of the 21st-century immigrant experience. Moderator: Steve Clemons, Washington Editor-at-Large for The Atlantic and Editor of Atlantic Live Participating Panelists: Rachel Goldberg, Head of K-12 Initiatives, The Phillips Collection Julie Greene, Professor of History, University of Maryland Center for Global Migration Studies Ambassador Hamdullah Mohib, Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan Shibley Telhani, Anwar Sadat Professor for Peace and Development, University of Maryland, and Senior Fellow of the Saban Center for Middle East Policy, The Brookings Institution Hoyt Yee, Deputy Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs, US Department of State 5 pm: Creative Response by Azar Nafisi Azar Nafisi is the critically acclaimed author of Reading Lolita in Tehran and a fellow at Johns Hopkins University’s School of Advanced International Studies. Her book is a New York Times bestseller and has been published in 32 languages. Admission is free for the Saturday afternoon of events listed above, but reservations are recommended: www.phillipscollection.org/events SUNDAY, OCTOBER 23 4 pm: Sunday Concert featuring Rahim AlHaj Rahim AlHaj makes his Phillips Music debut in a concert playing the oud, one of the oldest of all string instruments. Born in Baghdad, AlHaj was eventually forced to leave Iraq because of his activism against Saddam Hussein’s regime. ABOUT THE PHILLIPS COLLECTION The Phillips Collection, America’s first museum of Modern art, is one of the world’s most distinguished collections of Impressionist and Modern American and European art. Stressing the continuity between art of the past and present, it offers a strikingly original and experimental approach to Modern art by combining works of different nationalities and periods in displays that change frequently. The setting is similarly unconventional, featuring small rooms, a domestic scale, and a personal atmosphere. Artists represented in the collection include Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Vincent van Gogh, Edgar Degas, Henri Matisse, Pierre Bonnard, Paul Cézanne, Pablo Picasso, Paul Klee, Claude Monet, Honoré Daumier, Georgia O’Keeffe, Arthur Dove, Mark Rothko, Milton Avery, Jacob Lawrence, and Richard Diebenkorn, among others. The permanent collection has grown to include more than 1,000 photographs, many by American photographers Berenice Abbott, Esther Bubley, and Bruce Davidson, and works by contemporary artists such as Anselm Kiefer, Wolfgang Laib, Whitfield Lovell, and Leo Villareal. The Phillips Collection regularly organizes acclaimed special exhibitions, many of which travel internationally. The Phillips also produces award-winning education programs for K–12 teachers and students, as well as for adults. The University of Maryland Center for Art and Knowledge at The Phillips Collection is the museum’s nexus for academic work, scholarly exchange, and interdisciplinary collaborations. Since 1941, the museum has hosted Sunday Concerts in its wood-paneled Music Room. The Phillips Collection is a private, non-government museum, supported primarily by donations. ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND The University of Maryland is the state's flagship university and one of the nation's preeminent public research universities. A global leader in research, entrepreneurship and innovation, the university is home to more than 37,000 students, 9,000 faculty and staff, and 250 academic programs. Its faculty includes three Nobel laureates, three Pulitzer Prize winners, 47 members of the national academies and scores of Fulbright scholars. The institution has a $1.8 billion operating budget and secures $550 million annually in external research funding. For more information about the University of Maryland, visit www.umd.edu. For the past two years, I've been working with The Phillips Collection to bring you a festival of short plays entitled, On Stage with The Migration Series. Serving as Artistic Director, and with the generous support of Elaine Reuben, The Phillips Collection commissioned five 10-minute plays to be presented in conjunction with their upcoming exhibition: People on the Move: Beauty and Struggle in Jacob Lawrence’s Migration Series. At long last, I'm honored and delighted to share this news with you! This fall, the 60-panel masterwork The Migration Series by renowned African American 20th-century artist Jacob Lawrence will be on display at The Phillips Collection in People on the Move: Beauty and Struggle in Jacob Lawrence’s Migration Series. A powerful visual epic, The Migration Series (1940–41) documents the historic movement of millions of African Americans from the rural South to the urban North more than a century ago. Reuniting 30 panels owned by the Phillips with 30 panels on loan from the Museum of Modern Art, Lawrence’s complete series will be on display beginning October 8, 2016. This exhibition builds on the museum’s rich and meaningful history with the artist and his work over the course of decades in exhibitions and internationally recognized educational initiatives. “Since the time Duncan Phillips first acquired the odd-numbered panels of Lawrence’s series in 1942, The Migration Series has remained a cornerstone of our permanent collection and a force in our educational work with international communities,” said Director Dorothy Kosinski. “While Jacob Lawrence’s masterpiece was created more than 70 years ago, it continues to resound powerfully with the global plight of migrants today. I look forward to the Phillips continuing its leadership role in using The Migration Series to stimulate dialogue and reflection on global challenges in the 21st century.” “In panel 61 of The Migration Series, Lawrence leaves us with the message, ‘And the migrants keep coming,’” said curator Elsa Smithgall. “During a time when record numbers of migrants are uprooting themselves in search of a better life, Lawrence’s timeless tale and its universal themes of struggle and freedom continue to strike a chord not only in our American experience but also in the international experience of migration around the world.” In addition to the reunion exhibition, there will be several special events and programs throughout the fall inspired by Lawrence’s masterwork and to commemorate the artist’s legacy. The Phillips will also welcome and facilitate community participation through a variety of forums—including visual art, theater, dance, music, and discussion events. Alongside the exhibition in October, plays commissioned by the Phillips and inspired by Lawrence’s Migration Series will be debuted and read on October 20th and November 3rd. This will include five 10-minute plays written by five local playwrights: Norman Allen, Tearrance Chisholm, Annalisa Dias, Jacqueline E. Lawton, and Laura Shamas. The production team for each play includes Lawton as Artistic Director, Otis Cortez Ramsey-Zöe as Dramaturg, and Derek Goldman as Director. In the coming weeks, The Phillips Collection will announce additional community events, performances, and programs planned in association with the exhibition. Check back here for more information. Click here for the full press release. Jacob Lawrence, The Migration Series, Panel no. 1: During World War I there was a great migration north by southern African Americans., between 1940 and 1941, Casein tempera on hardboard 12 x 18 in. The Phillips Collection, Washington, DC Acquired 1942 © Estate of Gwendolyn Knight Lawrence/Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York. This weekend, I'm excited to share my new play, ARDEO, a one act play inspired by research and personal narratives of health practitioners and patients at UNC-CH’s North Carolina’s Jaycee Burn Center. This play explores how patients and doctors communicate with each other; how health practitioners communicate with the public; and how theatre artists can be of service to patients, doctors and the larger public. From the perspective of scientists and medical providers, the involvement of the dramatic arts represents a unique opportunity to appreciate the meaning of one’s work and to gain new insights and perspectives regarding its relevance. Narrative medicine not only serves the public health sector and works to improve the effectiveness of care, but it also offers as a healing tool for patients in recovery. My interest in narrative medicine began as I watched my mother recover from multiple back surgeries. She worked for many years as a nurse and was injured by a patient. Her entire world was changed by this injury and she is now incapacitated. As I watched her health care team attend to the needs of her body, I longed for them to address her psychological health: how this injury would shift who she is in the world. This aspect of caring for the whole person is something that I see happening at the Burn Center. My hope is that ARDEO encourages other health care practitioners to do the same. If you're in the area, I hope you can join us! About the ReadingARDEO by Jacqueline E. Lawton Directed by Kathryn Hunter-Williams Dramaturgy by Jules Odendahl-James Lighting Design and Consultation by David Navalinsky Featuring Nikyla Boxley, Tre Dukes, Mariah Guillmette, Devin Kessler, Mekhai Lee, and Hassiem Muhammad Click here to read more about the play and process. Details: Saturday, May 14th at 7:00pm to 8:30pm Reading and post show discussion at UNC-SA (Catawba Theater) Sunday, May 15th at 3:00pm to 4:30pm. Reading and post show discussion at UNC-CH (Kenan Theatre) Reservations are not required. This project is sponsored by a grant from the Kenan Creative Collaboratory and the support of the UNC Department of Dramatic Art. Click here to learn more. Rehearsal photos by Christine RuckerAs part of the kick-off event for the 2016 Kennedy Center (KC) American College Theater Festival, a special preview of the EVERY 28 HOURS PLAYS will be performed and livestreamed as part of KC’s Millennium Stage Series. The preview consists of an excerpt of the collection with more than 30 one-minute plays inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement, with participation by theater makers and institutions across the nation and showcases the creative outcome of a community outreach residency in Ferguson and St. Louis County, Missouri in the fall of 2015. Playwrights for this preview feature alumni of the Michael Kanin Playwriting Awards Program (Kirsten Greenidge, Ike Holter, Dominique Morisseau, Jerome A. Parker, Aurin Squire) and Kennedy Center Playwriting Guest Artists (Migdalia Cruz, Kristoffer Diaz, Idris Goodwin, Neil LaBute, Jacqueline E. Lawton, Lisa Loomer, Aaron Posner, Robert Schenkkan, Anu Yadav, and many others, including Colman Domingo, Psalmayene 24, David Henry Hwang, Tarell Alvin MacCraney, Universes, Keith Josef Adkins, Stew, Josh Wilder, and Lynn Nottage). These artists, along with other local, theater making luminaries. give their voices to stories of pain and perseverance in the face of death, rage in the heart of protest, and hope for a future that values black and other marginalized lives. The EVERY 28 HOURS PLAYS continues this important human and civil rights conversation in a political season where the evolution of our policies, practices and mind-sets are at stake. This event aims to serve as an important reminder of how theater arts can meld with activism and enact real change. To have these plays, followed by a conversation led by Thembi Duncan of Young Playwrights’ Theater, presented in front of students making their entry into the field of the performing arts and in the nation’s capital is one important goal for the producers and artistic collaborators involved in the project. The culminating effect of The Every 28 Hours Plays as already performed in St. Louis, San Francisco and Providence, R.I., is a relentless one. Once the plays start rolling out they do not quit - with a new play, idea, tone and view-point taking hold every minute and building on one another; even Nikole Salter’s haunting finale piece doesn’t shake off easily. By the plays’ end an audience has been taken through a rollercoaster of emotions that raises consciousness and correctly hones in on the gravity of this issue.
An acting company of 30 will present the work, drawn from leading actors from the professional DC theater community, including Tonya Beckman, Frank Britton, J.J. Johnson, Joy Jones, Christopher Lane, Jeff Kirkman, Manu Kumasi, Fatima Quander, and Justin Weaks, as well as students and alumni from Howard University, University of Maryland, Catholic University of America. Click here to read the full press release and learn more. Watch online with us APRIL 12 at 6pm (EST). RSVP via our facebook event and the livestream can be viewed here. |
My BlogI'm a playwright, dramaturg, and teaching artist. It is here where you'll find my queries and musings on life, theater and the world. My posts advocate for diversity, inclusion, and equity in the American Theatre and updates on my own work. Please enjoy!
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