Asolo Rep Announces 2017-18 IllumiNation Series;
Kicks off with Spanish Supertitled EVITA on December 6
(SARASOTA, November 20, 2017) — Asolo Rep proudly announces its 2017-18 IllumiNation Series, promoting cross-cultural conversations in the community. Held during select Wednesday and Saturday performances throughout the 2017-18 season, IllumiNation events begin one hour prior to curtain with a reception on the mezzanine, continue with the performance, and conclude with a free and open-to-the-public community conversation where audience members can further explore the topical and social issues that they have just seen played out on stage. Five-play and three-play ticket packages are available for the series.
The first event of the season kicks off on December 6 at 6:30pm with Evita and features pre-show tango lessons and dancing, and Argentinean light bites. The 7:30pm performance features Spanish supertitles. Following the performance, audience members will have the opportunity to reflect upon and discuss the topical and social issues in Evita in a community conversation facilitated by Maria Schaedler-Luera. Maria Schaedler-Luera is the Program Manager for Arts Integration with Any Given Child Sarasota at the Sarasota County Schools and the Managing Director of Atomica Arts. She is a Brazilian-born educator administrator, and performing artist with extensive work experience and knowledge in theater, music, arts and literacy, cross-cultural engagement, ESOL, interpreting, and immigrant communities.
“In addition to producing great stories brilliantly told, Asolo Rep believes theatre can be a critical part of building social capital. Every show is an opportunity to create connectivity, enhance mutual understanding and, most vitally, develop true empathy,” said Asolo Rep Producing Artistic Director Michael Donald Edwards. “Our IllumiNation Series is at the heart of this mission. Along with our other community programming, we aim to deepen the experience for all who come to see the work, as well as to reach new audiences.”
This season’s IllumiNation events also include Morning After Grace, Roe, Gloria and Ragtime. In order to effectively reach these audiences, Asolo Rep is working closely with an IllumiNation Advisory Committee, comprised of community pillars who are committed to broadening the diversity of the theatre.
The committee is headed this season by Mary Braxton-Joseph, an Emmy Award-winning journalist and media consultant. An Asolo Rep Board member, Mary Braxton-Joseph is Immediate Past Chair of the Lillian’s List Action Fund of North Carolina.
“The IllumiNation Series provides an opportunity for a public conversation about race, identity and cultural intersection,” said committee chair Mary Braxton-Joseph. “I got involved because I wanted to participate in the dialogue and move the conversation forward. I have been amazed and uplifted by the quality of the conversations that take place after the performances.”
2017-18 IllumiNation Series Schedule
Lyrics by TIM RICE
Music by ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER
Directed and Choreographed by JOSH RHODES
Wednesday, December 6, 7:30pm performance
MORNING AFTER GRACE
By CAREY CRIM
Directed by PETER AMSTER
Saturday, February 17, 2:00pm performance
By LISA LOOMER
Directed by LAVINA JADHWANI
Based on the original production directed by BILL RAUCH
Wednesday March 21, 7:30pm performance
By BRANDEN JACOBS-JENKINS
Directed by GREG LEAMING
Saturday, April 21, 2:00pm performance
Book by TERRENCE MCNALLY
Music by STEPHEN FLAHERTY
Lyrics by LYNN AHRENS
Based on the novel “Ragtime” by E.L. DOCTOROW
Directed by PETER ROTHSTEIN
A collaboration with Seattle’s 5th Avenue Theatre
Wednesday, May 16, 7:30pm performance
Section A: $320 ($64 per ticket)
Section B: $245 ($49 per ticket)
Section C: $150 ($30 per ticket)
Section D: $100 ($20 per ticket)
Section A: $195 ($65 per ticket)
Section B: $150 ($50 per ticket)
Section C: $90 ($30 per ticket)
Section D: $63 ($21 per ticket)
2017-18 IllumiNation Committee
Peggy Abt
Judy Amores
Dr. Brenda B. Brown
Rosenda Calloway
Audrey Coleman
Caroline Taylor Ellerson
Charlie Huisking
Charlayne Hunter-Gault
Tomeika Hunter-Koski
Kelly Kirschner
Melanie Natarajan
Audrey Robbins
Mary Lou Winnick
About Asolo Repertory Theatre
Now in its 59th season, Asolo Repertory Theatre is recognized as one of the premier professional theatres in America and one of the largest in the Southeastern United States. One of the few select theatres in the nation that performs in true rotating repertory, Asolo Rep’s highly skilled acting company and extensive craftsmanship bring to life this unique performance method that gives audiences the opportunity to see multiple productions in the span of a few days. Asolo Rep presents up to 10 productions each season including contemporary and classic works and provocative musical theatre experiences. A theatre district in and of itself, Asolo Rep is committed to expanding its reach into the community, furthering its collaboration with the best theatre artists working in the industry today and cultivating new artists through its affiliation with the FSU/Asolo Conservatory for Actor Training. Under the leadership of Producing Artistic Director Michael Donald Edwards and Managing Director Linda DiGabriele, Asolo Rep’s ambitious theatrical offerings and ground-breaking education and community programming engage audiences and ensure its lasting legacy for future generations.
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