ELIMINATING VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN

As part of the 16 Days of Activism for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, which starts on White Ribbon Day (November 25th) and goes through December 10th (Human Rights Day), NPTC's Women's Work Project will present two short plays by Joanna Pickering, The Endgame and Don’t Harm The Animals.

“I am delighted to be able to raise funds for the Women's Work LAB that supported my plays and gave me a voice when I needed it most. The LAB gives space to women to develop female narrative stories that are usually silenced. My plays directly break down myths for women who have been assaulted and address the impact when you hold others accountable." --Joanna Pickering

--The plays carry a strong trigger warning for the agenda addresed--

The Endgame, which tackles acquaintance rape and still unspoken issues on stage, takes place over a game of chess. It has been described as “brutally, honest and intense.” It was first developed and produced in the Women's Work Short Play LAB at NPTC in 2022, and went on to sell out black box theaters in London and Paris in 2023.

Don’t Harm The Animals is based on the character’s experience a year later and deals with issues of PTSD. It centers on the lack of support and understanding given to victims by peers and addresses the impact of secondary re-victimization. It premiered at The Chain Theater in 2023, performed by Pickering as her debut one-woman play, directed by Melody Brooks. It was described as "scorching writing and a power house of a performance" by The Chain Theater.

The same cast will be returning for the benefit evening. The Endgame will be performed by William Franke and Marie Eléna O’Brien, directed once more by award-winning Illana Stein. Don’t Harm The Animals will be performed by Joanna Pickering and directed by Melody Brooks, founder of NPTC and award-winning director and producer.

Since 1994, NPTC’s Women’s Work Project has had the goal of not only helping to develop specific plays, but to support residents’ growth as accomplished and skilled playwrights—to provide added tools in the practice of their craft and to strengthen individual voices. Work is created in two, dramaturgically-driven LABs: one for short plays and one for full-lengths.

New works are presented in various public forums. The Short Play Festival each August features original 20-30 minute plays developed each spring around an assigned theme in a 6-month period. Since 2008, 86 plays have been developed and produced. For writers who move to the Full-length LAB, invited and staged readings garner public feedback and our “Off the Page” component allows for workshop productions that get plays on their feet without script in hand. This is a critical but painfully rare step in the process. Full productions occur when feasible.

Artistic Director Melody Brooks leads the Women's Work Project with a team of Resident Director/Dramaturgs. All participate as active collaborators with the writers. Jennie Contuzzi is the Program Manager for the Full-length LAB.

Info: Running time for the readings will be 60 minutes, followed by a brief talk-back.

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Host or Publisher New Perspectives Theatre Company