TheatreFIRST presents

PARTICIPANTS

Twelve of the world’s leading playwrights tackle a world on the brink

November 30th – December 23, 2017

TheatreFIRST shifts storytelling gears with PARTICIPANTS. This theatrical exploration delves into how we individually and communally act in times of social and political unrest. The audience, sitting in a circle, will witness twelve new works that aim to incite community discussion. These pieces, written and directed by the super-team will challenge the audience to ask: where have we been, what are we doing, and where do we go now?

By Christopher Chen, Skyler Cooper, Anthony Clarvoe, Dipika Guha, Star Finch, Aaron Loeb, Carl Lumbly, Rohina Malik, Linda McLean, Nick Hadikwa Mwaluko, Geetha Reddy, and Octavio Solis

Directed by Elizabeth Carter, Ellen Sebastian Chang, Josh Costello, Brit Frazier, Erin Gilley, Mary Guzmán, May Liang, Bridgette Loriaux, Susannah Martin, John Patrick Moore, Jessa Brie Moreno, and Ashley Smiley

The Ensemble includes Kristoffer Barrera, Ed Berkeley, Skyler Cooper, Jordan Don, Cheri Miller, Aaron Murphy, Michelle Navarette, Akash Patel, Rebecca Pingree, Marjan Safa, and Dezi Solèy

Live Oak Theater 1301 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley CA 94709

Tickets at theatrefirst.com/tickets

TheatreFIRST presents

PARTICIPANTS

Twelve of the world’s leading playwrights tackle a world on the brink

Berkeley, CA – For the second production of the 17-18 season, TheatreFIRST shifts storytelling gears with PARTICIPANTS. Earlier this year, twelve of the world’s leading playwrights were commissioned to respond to a world on the brink of disaster. What has unfolded is a theatrical exploration into how we individually and communally act in times of social and political unrest. Woven together into an experience like none other, the audience will witness these twelve new works that aim to incite community discussion and challenge the audience to ask: where have we been, what are we doing, and where do we go now? 

PARTICIPANTS includes the commissioned new works TAKE THE TICKET by Star Finch (Bondage) and directed by Brit Frazier, FOREST by Christopher Chen (Obie Award winner) and directed by May Liang, SHOW OF HANDS by Anthony Clarvoe (Show And Tell, Pick Up Axe) and directed by Erin Gilley, SCENES FROM MY TERRIFIC DEATH by Dipika Guha (television’s American Gods) and directed by Susannah Martin, A SURE CURE LURE STORY by Aaron Loeb (Ideation, Abraham Lincoln’s Big Gay Dance Party) and directed by Elizabeth Carter, EVE AND STEVEN by Carl Lumbly (star of stage and screen) and directed by Josh Costello, SHAKE IT by Rohina Malik (Yasmina’s Necklace, The Mecca Tales) and directed by Bridgette Loriaux, GODFORSAKEN by Linda McLean (Any Given Day, Strangers Babies) and directed by John Patrick Moore, A HOLE IN THE SHAPE OF A PLAY by Geetha Reddy (HeLa, Safe House) and directed by Jessa Brie Moreno, BREAKAWAY by Octavio Solis (Lydia, Se Llama Christina) and directed by Ellen Sebastian Chang, 37 by Nick Hadikwa Mwaluko (Waafrika 123) and directed by Ashley Smiley and DOING THE DANCE by Skyler Cooper (Hero Mars) and directed by Mary Guzmán. The Ensemble includes Kristoffer Barrera, Ed Berkeley, Skyler Cooper,Jordan Don, Cheri Miller, Aaron Murphy, Michelle Navarette, Akash Patel, Rebecca Pingree, Marjan Safa, and Dezi Solèy. TheatreFIRST will reimagine the Live Oak Theater for this event, creating a 50-seat arena where the line observer and performer are bound to blur.

Participants runs November 30th– December 23rd, 2017. Opening Night is December 3rd at 7:00pm. Tickets are $15-$25 and available at www.theatrefirst.com.

TheatreFIRST seeks to revolutionize the intersection of audience, artist and activism. Now an all in-house development company, our staff, board, artists, creative and production teams are built to lift the marginalized stories we are dedicated to amplifying. Making theatre a place where social justice happens means breaking down perceived barriers so that we might all explore an equitable world.

At A Glance:

TheatreFIRST presents Participants

By Christopher Chen, Skyler Cooper, Anthony Clarvoe, Dipika Guha, Star Finch, Aaron Loeb, Carl Lumbly, Rohina Malik, Linda McLean, Nick Hadikwa Mwaluko, Geetha Reddy, and Octavio Solis

Directed by Elizabeth Carter, Ellen Sebastian Chang, Josh Costello, Brit Frazier, Erin Gilley, Mary Guzmán, May Liang, Bridgette Loriaux, Susannah Martin, John Patrick Moore, Jessa Brie Moreno, and Ashley Smiley

Live Oak Theater

1301 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley CA 94709

Previews: November 30th at 8pm and December 2nd at8pm

Opening/Press Night: Sunday, December 3rd at 7pm

Closing:  December 23rd at 8pm

Runs Thursday – Saturdays, 8pm, Sundays, 2pm (after 12/3)

Tickets:

Previews: $15

Opening Night: $35 general, $30 student/senior

Run: $25 general, $20 student/senior

Tickets and further info available through website: theatrefirst.com and at the door.

Please contact boxoffice@theatrefirst.com for all accessibility needs.

Press Inquiries, including opening night tickets, interviews with creative team and any other questions, please contact: Christina Chan at christinachan@theatrefirst.com

TheatreFIRST presents PARTICIPANTS

By Christopher Chen, Skyler Cooper, Anthony Clarvoe, Dipika Guha, Star Finch, Aaron Loeb, Carl Lumbly, Rohina Malik, Linda McLean, Nick Hadikwa Mwaluko, Geetha Reddy, and Octavio Solis

Directed by Elizabeth Carter, Ellen Sebastian Chang, Josh Costello, Brit Frazier, Erin Gilley, Mary Guzmán, May Liang, Bridgette Loriaux, Susannah Martin, John Patrick Moore, Jessa Brie Moreno, and Ashley Smiley

The Ensemble includes Kristoffer Barrera, Ed Berkeley, Skyler Cooper, Jordan Don, Cheri Miller, Aaron Murphy, Michelle Navarette, Akash Patel, Rebecca Pingree, Marjan Safa, and Dezi Solèy

Live Oak Theater

1301 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley CA 94709

Previews: November 30th at 8pm and December 2nd at 8pm

Opening/Press Night: Sunday, December 3rd at 7pm

Closing: December 23rd at 8pm

Runs Thursday – Saturdays, 8pm, Sundays, 2pm (after 12/3)

Tickets:

Previews: $15

Opening Night: $35 general, $30 student/senior

Run: $25 general, $20 student/senior

Tickets and further info available through website: www.theatrefirst.com and at the door.

Please contact boxoffice@theatrefirst.com for all accessibility needs.

Press Inquiries, including opening night tickets, interviews with creative team and any other questions, please contact: Christina Chan at christinachan@theatrefirst.com