EST/Going to the River presents
The River Crosses Rivers II
A Festival of Short Plays by Women of Color
Started in 1999, EST/Going to the River addresses the critical lack of opportunity for women playwrights of color. The goal, simply put, is to give these women the kind of exposure that is provided by EST, whose goal is to nurture individual theatre artists and to develop new American plays. The River Crosses Rivers II is a stellar lineup of playwrights whose voices add richness and texture to the American Canon.
Special thanks to Jann Leeming, The Little Family Foundation, The Harold & Mimi Steinberg Trust, and Bloomberg Philanthropies for their support of new play productions at EST.
COMIDA DE PUTA (F#@king Lousy Food)
by Desi Moreno-Penson
Directed by José Zayas*
With Maggie Bofill+, Gilbert Cruz+, Ismael Cruz Cordova, Susanna Guzmán+
Stage Managed by Kevin Clutz
Phaedra in the Bronx. A bodega-owner's wife, is madly in love with her husband's son, the lunch-counter boy, even her friend, the neighborhood 'spiritual' woman, Rosalia, can't save her.
LEARNING TO SWIM
by France-Luce Benson*
directed by Elizabeth Van Dyke*
with Stephanie Berry*+, Lincoln Brown+, Ashley Bryant+, & Paulo Quiros
Stage Managed by Daniel Melnick
A woman grappling with loss discovers the only way to rise above her grief is to swim through it.
MODERN ROMANCE
by Bridgette Wimberly*
Directed by Chuck Patterson*
With Chike Johnson, Trish McCall+ & Harvey Gardner Moore
Stage Managed by B'Jai Pierce-Astwood
Tanya has been lonely for a long time. Lately she has found something exciting to do with her afternoons ' but is he for real?
ONE QUARTER
by Christine Jean Chambers
Directed by Talvin Wilks*
With William Jackson Harper*+& Amelia Workman+
Stage Managed by Jonathan McCrory
A multi-racial woman ponders the future of her progeny- How will her child inherit a culture she's always felt alienated from.
ONE FOR THE BROTHERS, A LOVE STORY
by Pearl Cleage
Directed by Woodie King, Jr.
With Reggie Burch, Denise Burse+, & Morocco Omari+
Stage Managed by Mutiyat Ade-Salu+
A love story set during the turbulent 60's & 70's when revolution was the norm.
POST BLACK
written & directed by Regina Taylor+
With Carmen DeLavallade+ performing September 14 - 18, Micki Grant+ performing September 21 - 25, & Ruby Dee+ performing September 28 - October 2
Stage Managed by B'Jai Pierce-Astwood+
In an airport, a 110 year-old woman encounters the post black generation, much to their surprise.
THE SETTLEMENT
by Philana Omorotionmwan
Directed by A. Dean Irby
With Denny Dale Bess*+, Teresa Stephenson+, & Marie Thomas+
Stage Managed by Chiara Di Lello
New homeowners find their domestic bliss disrupted by the late-night arrival of a stranger who insists that the couple's home is rightfully hers.
SKIN
by Naveen Bahar Choudhury
Directed by Jamie Richards*
With Vandit Bhatt+ & Nitya Vidyasagar*+
Stage Managed by Joshua Hernandez
A classic tale of Hip Hop Wannabe Boy meets Disenchanted Poet Girl.
WAKING UP
by Cori Thomas*
Directed by Tea Alagic+
With Lynnette Freeman+ & Amy Staats*+
Stage Managed by Kevin Clutz
Two women on different continents face breast cancer. A play about what separates us and what makes us the same.
*denotes member of EST +denotes member of Equity
Equity Approved Showcase
REVIEWS
"Carmen DeLavallade delivers a powerful performance." - Back Stage NY, Critic's Pick!
"Lots of Brava's to spread around here. Each piece comes close to exploding off the page. If I could split myself into a million people I would personally kidnap you and get you over to Ensemble Studio Theatre to see this festival." - Ushernonsense