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Asolo Rep IllumiNation Panel for |
| (SARASOTA, April 13, 2017) — The second season of Asolo Rep’s IllumiNation Series concludes on April 18 with a performance and panel discussion event, focusing on the theatre’s current production of THE ELABORATE ENTRANCE OF CHAD DEITY. Kristoffer Diaz’s Pulitzer-Prize nominated play is a no holds barred look at identity and ethnicity, using the wrestling ring as an allegory for the political and cultural arena of America today. IllumiNation is a series of performances and events promoting cross-cultural conversations in the community.
The event begins with a pre-show reception at 6:30pm, continues with the 7:30pm evening performance of THE ELABORATE ENTRANCE OF CHAD DEITY, and concludes with a free post-show panel discussion open to all. The panel will begin immediately following the performance, and will feature Kristin Burnett, of Sarasota Ladies’ Arm Wrestling (SLAW), a local fundraising initiative, and Antoine “Monteasy” Lewis, St. Petersburg-based wrestling theme song writer and hip hop artist. The discussion will focus on the use and performance of characters or stereotypes within a storytelling narrative, and will use THE ELABORATE ENTRANCE OF CHAD DEITY to raise questions about the intersection of identity and racial stereotypes in America. L’Tanya Evans will facilitate. IllumiNation is sponsored by Capstan Financial Consulting Group and Morton’s Gourmet Market and Catering ABOUT THE PANELISTS Kristin B. Burnett is a Jersey Girl living in Sarasota. She’s a member of SLAW (Sarasota Ladies Arm Wrestling), a raucous group of women and men that exist to support and provide fundraising for women, equality, and freedom of expression with semi-theatrical arm wrestling. L’Tanya Evans (facilitator) is the Associate Head of School for Academic Affairs at The Out-of-Door Academy where she teaches a capstone course for seniors entitled Issues in Contemporary Society. She’s also the former Head of the Visual and Performing Arts Department and director of theater who feels theater can be used to enlighten and engage. Antoine “Monteasy” Lewis, aka “The Titan,” is a hip hop artist hailing from St. Petersburg, Florida. Widely known as the “Theme Song King” of wrestling music, Monteasy has created more than fifty theme songs, including more than thirty wrestlers and twenty wrestling promotions. Monteasy’s ultimate goal is to make music and wrestling blend with hip hop. TICKETS Single tickets are available for the play and post-show discussion. Non-series ticket holders may purchase the pre-show cocktail reception for an additional $10. To purchase tickets, call 941.351.8000 or 800.361.8388, visit www.asolorep.org, or visit the Asolo Repertory Theatre Box Office, located in the lobby of the theatre. Asolo Repertory Theatre is located at 5555 North Tamiami Trail in the Florida State University Center for the Performing Arts. The Box Office is open Monday 10am – 5pm, Tuesday – Thursday 10am – 7:30pm, Friday – Saturday 10am – 8pm, and Sunday 10am – 2pm. The box office closes at 5pm when there are no evening performances and phone lines close one hour prior to the start of any performance. Season subscription packages are also available online and by visiting or calling the box office. ABOUT ASOLO REP Now in its 58th 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 15 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 outreach programming engage audiences and ensure its lasting legacy for future generations. ### |
