RIOT ACT, INC. announces its 2013-2014 Season
Riot Act, Inc. is thrilled to announce its 2013/2014 production schedule which brings drama, comedy and our annual series of shorts back to Jackson stages for the theater company’s 11th season.
The season kicks off in the autumn of 2013 with Grace by Craig Wright. Grace is the story of four people whose lives are connected by an apartment complex. Steve and Sara are recent arrivals who moved from the Midwest to Florida so Steve can follow his plan to open a chain of gospel-themed hotels. Their neighbor Sam is a scientifically minded man recovering from a horrible accident. The cast of characters is rounded out by Karl, the apartment complex’s exterminator. Their stories collide as they struggle with questions of faith, suffering and redemption. Local stage favorite, Andrew Munz will take the lead as director of this intense drama. Munz previous directing credits include work while a student at Jackson Hole High School and during Riot Act’s annual series of shorts. Performances of Grace will run Nov. 7- Nov. 9 and Nov. 14- Nov. 16.
Next up, Riot Act brings some laughs to some of the coldest months of the year with the classic Oscar Wilde play, The Importance of Being Earnest. Jackson theater veteran Cynthia Huyffer directs this satire of Victorian culture with plenty of mistaken identities and slapstick romance. Algernon and John—both well-to-do members of society—wind up pretending to be the fictional Ernest in order to win the hearts of their beloveds, Gwendolen and Cecily. But thanks to their deception, the hole they dug themselves only gets deeper and they have to find a way back to the truth. The Importance of Being Earnest is scheduled to run Feb. 27-28, 2014 and March 1, March 6-8, 2014.
Distracted by Lisa Loomer, finds its way on stage for the spring 2014 production running May 1-3 and 8-10. This contemporary serio-comedic play explores the issues of A.D.H.D. and other mental disorders, delving into the continual influx of information and technology. While the number of children diagnosed with these disorders is increasing, some argue that they may not actually have medical conditions, but that they are just inundated with too much information. The issue is sure to inspire some passionate discussion at our talk back sessions. Riot Act founding member Macey Mott will direct this thought-provoking drama, which was postponed from the spring 2013 schedule.
Finally, Riot Act will close the season with its longstanding and popular series of Short Plays. Always a community favorite, Shorts offers a sort of theatrical hors d’oeuvre for artists and audiences with multiple one-act plays sharing the bill. In the past, Riot Act has produced not only well known plays, but several original works by local playwrights, all while providing new actors and directors a chance to stretch their creative legs. Shorts is scheduled for June 12-14, 2014.
Riot Act was founded in 2002 to provide opportunities for local actors, directors, designers and playwrights to bring innovative, thought-provoking, challenging theater to the Jackson stage. Riot Act will continue to collaborate with dancers, musicians, videographers, visual artists, and other local non-profits to create great stories for our adventurous audience.
Please join us at the performances! For more information, contact us at riotactinc@earthlink.net, 307-203-9067 or www.riotactinc.org