Theater Breaking Through Barriers
Nicholas Viselli – Producing Artistic Director Presents

THE OTHER PLAYS
Short Plays About Diversity And Otherness

By
DENNIS A. ALLEN, II; BEKAH BRUNSTETTER; LAMEECE ISSAQ; NEIL LaBUTE; TATIANA G. RIVERA

Featuring
ITO AGHAYERE, KIERA ALLEN, RUSSEL BARNES, SCOTT BARTON, MELANIE BOLAND
ZAZEL CHAVAH-O’GARRA, SOFIYA CHEYENNE, STEPHEN DRABICKI, JALEESA GRAHAM
AZARIAH GUNN, RYAN HADDAD, BREE KLAUSER, ANDY LUCIEN, DIPTI MEHTA
LAWRENCE MERRITT, PAMELA SABAUGH, DAVID ROSAR STEARNS

Directed by
CHRISTOPHER BURRIS, GWNN MacDONALD, ANN MARIE MORELLI
DAVID ROSAR STEARNS, PAMELA SABAUGH
Production Manager/Lighting Design: ANDRE SGUERRA
Set Design: GEOFFREY BRYANT
Costume Design: COURTNEY BUTT
Sound Design: GREOGORY KOSTROFF
Props/Set Dresser: CHARLES BOWDEN
Production Stage Manager: MICHAEL JOSEPH ORMOND
Asst. Stage Manager: LIVIA HILL
Advertising/Marketing: ABM
Press Representative: RON LASKO
General Manager: STEVE ASHER
Illustrator: PATRICK FREEMAN

Jeffrey and Paula Gural Theatre
A.R.T./New York Theatres
502 West 53rd Street (off Tenth Avenue)
www.TBTB.org
March 10-26; Opening Night -3/16/17

Theater Breaking Through Barriers provides opportunities to showcase the talents of actors sometimes overlooked, underestimated, or ignored by traditional casting agents. Celebrating the universality of feelings and desires, and downplaying the stereotypes of people with disabilities, they shine a proud spotlight on their artistic company in five thought-provoking plays, THE OTHER PLAYS. Whether it’s a clash of traditional culture norms versus the power of love (Allen’s TRADITIONAL) or interpretations of a well-intended but self-serving compliment (Rivera’s A DIFFERENCE OF BEAUTY) and unawareness/denial of racism (LaBute’s NO HARD FEELINGS), hidden emotions about being “different” are revealed while holding up our prejudices and pre-conceived notions to the light. Brunstetter’s GIRL #2 brings it all together when four diverse women compete for the same role during an audition. And Issaq’s poignant NOOR AND HADI GO TO HOGWORTS tackle the current problems of Syrian victims made worse by fear-mongering. And special mention has to be made of the “in-between the play” scenarios that are mini-one-man/woman shows that reveal triumphs over tribulations.

THE OTHER PLAYS are powerful works on their own, made more potent by actors that deal daily with diversity and otherness. Where would these amazing performers go if not for Theater Breaking Through Barriers and how would we ever get the pleasure of seeing them at work? Hopefully TBTB is living true to its name and removing obstacles based on outdated traditional standards. Meanwhile go and see THE OTHER PLAYS. It’s uplifting, inspirational and informational – all made possible by diversity.

- Laurie Lawson -