| The Movement Theatre Company Will Present the World Premiere of Aleshea Harris's WHAT TO SEND UP WHEN IT GOES DOWN | |
| Posted by: Official_Press_Release 05:53 pm EDT 08/29/18 | |
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| The Movement Theatre Company Presents the World Premiere of Aleshea Harris’s WHAT TO SEND UP WHEN IT GOES DOWN Directed by Whitney White At the A.R.T./New York Theatres NOVEMBER 11 – DECEMBER 8, 2018 The Movement Theatre Company (David Mendizábal, Deadria Harrington, Eric Lockley, and Taylor Reynolds – Producing Artistic Leadership Team) is proud to announce the World Premiere production of WHAT TO SEND UP WHEN IT GOES DOWN by Aleshea Harris (Is God Is), directed by Whitney White (Macbeth in Stride) at the A.R.T./New York Theatres in the Jeffrey and Paula Gural Theatre (502 W 53rd Street) from November 11, 2018 - December 8, 2018. Opening night will be Monday, November 19, 2018. Playwright Aleshea Harris states “WHAT TO SEND UP WHEN IT GOES DOWN creates a space that honors the inherent value of Black people and centers our unfiltered feelings about anti-blackness. You could call it a celebratory clapback; we have fun but don't play.” The Producing Artistic Leadership Team of The Movement says, "With this piece we are thrilled to continue our commitment to creating work collaboratively that centers the narratives of people of color in a reflective and affirming space." WHAT TO SEND UP WHEN IT GOES DOWN is a community ritual created in response to the deaths of Black people as a result of racialized violence. As lines between characters and actors, observers and observed blur, a dizzying series of vignettes build to a climactic moment where performance and reality collide, highlighting the absurdity of anti-blackness in our society. Through facilitation and dialogue we must decide how to cope, resist and move forward. Complete casting will be announced at a later date. The production will feature sets by Yu-Hsuan Chen (The Homecoming Queen), costumes by Andy Jean (Scraps), lighting by Cha See (Cute Activist), and sound design by Sinan Refik Zafar (And She Would Stand Like This). The production stage manager will be Genevieve Ortiz (Seven Spots on the Sun). Nissy Aya and Melanie Greene will serve as the Community Engagement Team. The Movement Theatre Company creates an artistic social movement by developing and producing new works by artists of color. Under the leadership of David Mendizábal, Deadria Harrington, Eric Lockley, and Taylor Reynolds, our work engages a multicultural audience in a rich theatrical dialogue, enlightens communities to the important issues affecting our world, and empowers artists to celebrate the many sides of their unique voice. Founded in 2007, The Movement has established itself as an artistic staple in the Harlem community by partnering with many local businesses and creating a home for uptown artists. Past production successes include Harrison David Rivers’ And She Would Stand Like This choreographed by Kia LaBeija and Look Upon Our Lowliness, both directed by David Mendizábal, and their breakout NYTimes lauded production of Bintou by Koffi Kwahulé, translated by Chantal Bilodeau, directed by David Mendizábal. Past programming successes included the Ladder Series touring production of Hope Speaks as well as numerous Harlem Nights events, which have featured work by playwrights Dominique Morriseau, Christina Anderson, and Colman Domingo, as well as actors Danielle Brooks, Xosha Roquemore, and Joél Pérez. Follow The Movement on Facebook at "The Movement Theatre Company" and on Twitter and Instagram @TMTCHarlem. For more information: www.themovementtheatrecompany.org ARTIST BIOS: ALESHEA HARRIS [PLAYWRIGHT] works as a playwright and performer and has been presented at Soho Rep., Playfest at Orlando Shakespeare Theater, the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, the Skirball Center and REDCAT to name a few. Harris has enjoyed residencies at MacDowell Colony, Hedgebrook, Djerassi and SPACE on Ryder Farm. Her play, Is God Is garnered her a 2017 Obie Award for playwriting, won the 2016 Relentless Award, was a finalist for the 2017 Susan Smith Blackburn Prize and made The Kilroys List of “the most recommended un-and underproduced plays by trans and female authors of color” for 2017. WHITNEY WHITE [DIRECTOR] originally from Chicago, based in Brooklyn. Recent work: This Land Was Made by Tori Sampson (Vineyard Theatre), Br’er Cotton by Tearrance Chisholm (Endstation Theatre), and Othello (Trinity Rep). She has developed work with: Ars Nova, The Roundabout, New York Theatre Workshop, Juilliard, Bushwick Starr, NYU Tisch, Playwrights Realm, Page 73, Bard College, Luna Stage, Princeton University, SUNY Purchase, The Tank, The Lark, and more. Whitney is currently in residency with Ars Nova as part of their 2018 Makers Lab, where she is developing Definition an original concert musical, and The Drama League as part of their Next Wave Residency where she is developing an original adaptation of Anton Chekov’s Three Sisters with music. She is an Artistic Associate at The Roundabout and was a 2050 fellow at New York Theatre Workshop. MFA Brown University / Trinity Rep. More at: www.whitney-white.com YU-HSUAN CHEN [SET DESIGNER] is a New York City based set and production designer working among theater, film, dance and exhibition. Born and raised in Taipei, Taiwan, she received her MFA in Design for Stage and Film at Tisch School of the Arts, NYU. Selected theater credits include: Dancing At Lughnasa (Everyman Theatre, MD), The Homecoming Queen (Atlantic Theater Company, NY), Agnus (Lion Theatre, NYC), Inanimate (The Flea Theater, NY), M. Butterfly & Great Expectations (Everyman Theatre, MD), The Hummm (Dixon Place, NY), Sister Son/Ji (Center for Arts and Culture- Bed Stuy, NY), The Caucasian Chalk Circle (Jack Crystal Theater, NY). Her film experiences include the set designer in feature film KANO (Taiwan) and Conspiracy (Taiwan). Selected short film credits include: Purple Days, Pregnant and Léa, Spec commercial "Music Everywhere" is shortlisted at the AICP Awards and won a prize at the Porsche Ad Awards in Ludwigsburg, Germany. Check out her website for more work: www.yuhsuanchendesign.com CHA SEE [LIGHTING DESIGNER] is from Manila, Philippines. Credits include: Babette’s Feast and Macbeth (Columbia Stages); Joe Turner’s Come and Gone and The Blueprint (NYU); An Enemy of The People (Wheelhouse); L.A. Pretty Boy (Playwrights Horizon Downtown); Billy and The Killers, Heartless Bastard (HERE Art Center); Cute Activist (Bushwick Starr/ Clubbed Thumb); Macbeth In Stride (Judson/ Joe’s Pub); Azul, Otra Vez (BRIC Arts Media); Salty (Lyra Theatre); Let’s Get Ready Together (The Tank); The Triumphant (Target Margin Theatre); The End of Mermaids (Corkscrew Festival); The Opera Is Always On The Table (Half Straddle/ New Ohio Festival); What’s Wrong With You (Stella Adler) Upcoming: The Russian and The Jew (The Tank); Nora (The Juilliard School); The Seagull (Colgate University). Cha is exhibiting her works at the PQ2019. For more: seelightingdesign.com ig: seethruuu ANDY JEAN [COSTUME DESIGNER] is a NY based Costume Designer and is thrilled to be collaborating with The Movement Theater Company. Recently he’s worked at Ars Nova, Trinity Repertory Company, Vineyard Theater, Public Theater, and PlayMakers Repertory. Latest works include: Rags Parkland, Scraps, Good Grief, Cabaret, Othello, Women of Padilla, Blood at the Root, Wig Out!, and Macbeth in Stride. Andy has an MFA in Stage Costume Design from Tisch/NYU. More at www.andyjean.com INAN REFIK ZAFAR [SOUND DESIGNER] is a New York based sound designer and composer. His recent work includes And She Would Stand Like This (The Movement), What the Constitution Means to Me (NYTW, Berkeley Rep, Clubbed Thumb), peerless (Yale Repertory Theater), Hamlet (Waterwell), Intimate Apparel (TheatreSquared), We are Proud to Present... (Yale Dramat), Detroit (TheatreSquared), Richard in 9 Poses (Clubbed Thumb), Midsummer (Tiltyard), Macbeth (d. Will Frears) and Lindsey Ferrentino’s Amy and the Orphans (Carlotta Festival of New Plays). Other regional credits include O, Fallen One (Curly Cue & Co); Blood Knot (Lounge Theatre), Woyzeck (Illyrian Players); Julius Caesar (Griot Theatre). He holds an MFA from the Yale School of Drama. SinanZafar.com GENEVIEVE ORTIZ [PRODUCTION STAGE MANAGER] Recent credits include Is God Is (Soho Rep); The Christians (Baltimore Center Stage). NYC credits include: Seven Spots on the Sun (Rattlestick / The SOL Project); Alligator (New Georges / The SOL Project); The Block (The Working Theater); Pretty Hunger (The Public Theater); The Sun Shines East (The Marjorie S. Deane Little Theater); The Golden Year (WorkShop Theater Company); The Winter’s Tale (Actors Shakespeare Company at NJCU); Oleanna starring Austin Pendleton (The Players Club); Ghost Dancer (Mint Theater); Lost on the Natchez Trace’ How I Fell in Love; Phantom Killer; Beachwood Drive; Greek Holiday; Rum & Coke; My Deah (Abingdon Theater). Additional NYC credits include: Songs of Love: A Mixtape NY Fringe Festival 2012; NYMTF's This One Girls’ Story; BRIC Arts New Black Fest Morgan Street directed by Anika Noni Rose. DAVID MENDIZÁBAL [LEAD PRODUCER] is a director, designer, and one of the Producing Artistic Leaders of The Movement Theatre Company. Directing credits include: And She Would Stand Like This, Look Upon Our Lowliness, Bintou (The Movement), On the Grounds of Belonging (Public Theatre), Tell Hector I Miss Him (Atlantic Theater Company, Drama League Nomination for Outstanding Production), The Last Days of Judas Iscariot (A.C.T.), Evensong (APAC), and Locusts Have No King (INTAR). David was a participant in the Leadership U: One-on-One program, funded by The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation and administered by Theatre Communications Group, where he served as the Artistic Associate at the Atlantic Theater Company. He is a Founding Member and Artistic Producer of The Sol Project, a member of the Latinx Theatre Commons Steering Committee, Rattlestick Literary Team, and Wingspace. Alumnus of The Drama League, Lincoln Center Director's Lab, LAByrinth Intensive Ensemble, NALAC Leadership Institute, and artEquity. BFA NYU/Tisch. www.davidmendizabal.com DEADRIA HARRINGTON [LEAD PRODUCER] is a New York City based creative producer, artist and member of the Producing Artistic Leadership Team of The Movement Theatre Company. With The Movement she has developed numerous new works by emerging artists of color, most recently And She Would Stand Like This by Harrison David Rivers, directed by David Mendizábal and choreography by Kia LaBeija. Select producing credits include: The Architecture of Becoming (WP Theater), At Buffalo (NYMF, UB Buffalo Creative Arts Initiative, CAP21), Alligator (New Georges). Harrington was a Time Warner Foundation Fellow of the 2012-2014 Producers Lab at Women’s Project Theater, a Next Generation Leader of Color at the 2014 Latinx Theatre Commons National Convening and is currently the Producing and Management Associate at New Georges. ERIC LOCKLEY [LEAD PRODUCER] is an award-winning actor, writer, comedian, producer, and is a founder and Producing Artistic Leader of The Movement Theatre Company and OBIE award-winning, Harlem9. With his organizations Eric has produced critically acclaimed productions and festivals, published anthologies of new plays and created initiatives that highlight the complexity and diversity of people of color. Spearheading video content for The Movement, Eric has ensured increased visibility, brand consistency and audience development. Lockley has performed in works by prestigious contemporary playwrights Tarell Alvin McCraney, Marcus Gardley and Idris Goodwin. Recent screen credits include First Reformed, starring Ethan Hawke, and a role in Season 2 of Luke Cage on Netflix. His inspirational short film, The Jump, is available to watch on Amazon.com. With a passion for #blackboyjoy, Eric regularly creates comedic content for his social media platforms and he is featured weekly at The People’s Improv Theater (The PIT), performing musical improv with his team Elevator Talk. Stay connected and learn more: iamericlockley.com TAYLOR REYNOLDS [LEAD PRODUCER] is a New York-based director from Chicago and one of the Producing Artistic Leaders of The Movement Theatre Company in Harlem. She has worked as a director, assistant, and collaborator with companies including Clubbed Thumb, Radical Evolution, Ally Theatre Company, The Atlantic Acting School, Single Carrot Theatre, NY Madness, JAG Productions, The United Solo Festival, and The 24 Hour Plays. Selected directing credits: PLANO by Will Arbery, ALLOND(R)A by Gina Femia, Think Before You Holla (creator/deviser), An Informal Presentation…(Or, BURN) by Pascale Smith, FOOD by Rhonda Marie Khan, The Body Unbound (co-devised with Deadria Harrington), Accidental Burlesque by Gina Femia (developed through the Audrey Residency at New Georges). She is a member of NY Madness and the Lincoln Center Theater Directors Lab, a New Georges Affiliated Artist, and a 2017-2018 Clubbed Thumb Directing Fellow. BFA, Carnegie Mellon University. iamtaylorreynolds.com NISSY AYA [COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PRODUCER] is a Black girl from the Bronx. She and all her younger selves tell stories and tall tales. They lead workshops, too. As a facilitator and cultural worker, we believe in the transformative nature of storytelling and view theatre as a tool to create social change by empowering disenfranchised communities to unapologetically portray their whole selves on stage. Our work reflects those notions. MELANIE GREENE [COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PRODUCER] 2017 Bessie Award Recipient for Outstanding Performance with Skeleton Architecture, is a movement artist swirling on the edge of impossible, swimming in the sea of the minority. She has presented work around New York City and has received generous support from New York Live Arts Fresh Tracks, Gibney Dance boo-koo and Work-Up, Actors Fund Summer Push Grant, and Dancing While Black Fellowship. Greene is a contributing writer for The Dance Enthusiast and Dance Magazine, co-host of The Dance Union Podcast, a 2018 Bogliasco Fellow, and 2018/20 Movement Research Artist in Residence. As a southern belle turned Brooklynite, Greene holds a special place for buttery biscuits, country ham, and collard greens. Stay tuned: www.methodsofperception.com |
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