Thank you to all of the artists who participated in the 2010 Retreat! They are:
THE ALTER-EGO OF AN ARAB-AMERICAN ASSIMILATIONIST
Playwright Betty Shamieh's new solo piece confronts racism and explores transformation and identity using a fantastic premise: The Incredible Hulk. Her personality shattered by toxic levels of racism, Betty must confront her new selves Beheeeya and Harvard and rediscover herself.
THE ARRIVAL
Playwright Winter Miller's compelling new drama chronicles the story of elderly former revolutionary haunted by her past mistakes. One evening a boy claiming to be her grandson arrives and propels her to see how she can truly atone for what she has done.
THE FLITCH
Using ancient marriage rituals as foundation, playwright Polly Pen brings us the new musical about courtship and love. Two modern couples seeking answers about their love lives fall back on near-forgotten rite of “The Dumb Cake” to find the truth. Once completed, the musical propels us into the future to confront the consequences of that old rite with another: “The Flitch Trial”. Ms. Pen will be joined at the Retreat by director Daniel Fish.
PHANTOM BAND
Krista Knight, playwright, brings us the story of a motley crew of teenagers joined by the power of music. The group is empowered to start a marching band for their school despite the lack of a football team to root for and a severe shortage of musical talent. Their adventure together leads to friendship, love and darkness and ends with percussive perfection.
THE WATER PLAY
Rivendell Theatre Ensemble presents, in co-production with Voice & Vision, The Water Play. Written by Sarah Gubbins, the play follows the re-election of a corrupt Water Commissioner and explores the relationship between Chicago and its Great Lake. Directed and choreographed by Mikhael Tara Garver and produced by Rivendell's Tara Mallen, The Water Play is a provoking piece about our society's disregard for an essential element.
WANTED
Playwright Shontina Vernon describes Wanted as a “living theatrical score about forgery, fear, and juvenile justice.” It is the coming of age story of 10-year-old Texan and aspiring singer Tina who is sent to juvie after forging eight thousand dollars in bad checks. Told in poetic language and song, the show takes its audience through a child's desperate act that leads to consequences for its adult incarnation. Voice & Vision welcomes Kamilah Forbes back to the Retreat to direct.
