The NY-based EPIC Theatre Ensemble will be offering free performances of two of its original plays, NOTHING ABOUT US and DEFAULT, throughout the California Bay Area on August 22, 23, and 24.
Confirmed public performances:
- Oakland, CA
Studio-FAB – 120 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza 94612
RSVP here
Share the Facebook invite with your friends- Saturday, August 24 – 12pm
- Saturday, August 24 – 2pm
NOTHING ABOUT US (30 minutes)
“Nothing about us without us is for us.”
NOTHING ABOUT US is a rigorous, passionate and hilarious exploration of educational segregation researched, written, and performed by those most affected and least consulted: NYC Public High School students. What does separate but equal mean to us today? Transformation, empathy, and youth voice drive the conversation in this thirty-minute touring play by Epic NEXT.
This piece was commissioned by New York Appleseed.
DEFAULT (30 minutes)
“The master’s tools will never dismantle the master’s house.” – Audre Lorde
What difference does it make to students if their school’s curriculum reflects the history, experiences and knowledge of their communities and families? DEFAULT is a funny and moving original play created by the youth researchers/writers/artists of Epic NEXT that examines the impact that Ethnic Studies courses and Culturally Relevant Pedagogy have on students, teachers, administrators, and families.
This piece was commissioned by Teachers College, Columbia University.
About EPIC Theatre Ensemble
EPIC’s mission is to create bold work with and for diverse communities that promotes vital discourse and social change.
EPIC accomplishes this mission by:
- Inspiring students to be creative and engaged citizens
- Presenting compelling topics that transform the way people think
- Collaborating with artists, students and thought leaders to produce plays about key issues
About the “EPIC Next” Program
NOTHING ABOUT US and DEFAULT were both created through the EPIC Next program, a youth development program designed to develop young thinkers, actors, and leaders.
EPIC Next pairs professional artists with selected students from partner schools beginning in a summer lab and extending throughout the school year. Each EPIC ensemble artist mentors 2 to 3 students a year in the theatre-making process as well as in leadership development, civic engagement, and college readiness. As the culmination of their work in the summer intensive, students integrate the ideas and concepts explored in the program to create a full-length theatre piece.
Contact
Jim Wallert
jim@epictheatreensemble.org