Photo Flash: Denise Burse, Harriet D. Foy and More Rehearse Powerhouse Theater's THE HOUSE THAT WILL NOT STAND

Denise Burse (Peace Love and Understanding, Brother to Brother, "House of Payne"), Harriett D. Foy (Mamma Mia!, The American Plan, Once On This Island), Lynda Gravatt (Cat On A Hot Tin Roof, Doubt), Nikiya Mathis (Milk Like Sugar), Dennis Parlato (Salome, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Chess), Saycon Sengbloh (Fela!, Hair), and Tracie Thoms (Rent, Stick Fly) join Vassar & New York Stage and Film's 28th Powerhouse Theater season in the workshop of award-winning playwright Marcus Gardley's The House That Will Not Stand, directed by Marion McClinton (July 20-22). Check out photos of the cast in rehearsal below!

THE HOUSE THAT WILL NOT STAND by Marcus Gardley will be directed by Marion McClinton.

After the mysterious death of her lover, Beartrice Albans imposes a period of mourning on her household, keeping her three daughters locked in the house to embroider linens. But when the summer heat intensifies, a handsome bachelor comes calling, and a familial secret is revealed, the foundation of Beartrice's house is rocked to its core. Set in New Orleans in 1836, this loose adaptation of Lorca's The House of Bernarda Alba examines the complex system of plaçage – common-law marriages of white men and black Creole women. These free women of color became wealthy and powerful activists who fought against racial oppression pre-Civil War.

Each summer Vassar & New York Stage and Film's Powerhouse Theater presents new plays and musicals in development, many of which go on to reach wider audiences, including Stephen Karam's Sons of the Prophet (Roundabout Theater); Michael Mayer and Peter Parnell's re-imagining of Lerner & Lowe's On A Clear Day You Can See Forever (St James Theater); Seminar by Theresa Rebeck (Golden Theater); Gabriel Kahane & Seth Bockley's new musical February House (The Public Theater); and Storefront Church, John Patrick Shanley's final installment to his "Church and State" trilogy that began with Doubt (Atlantic Theatre Company). Other projects developed at the Powerhouse include the Tony Award-winning Side Man and Tru; the multi-award-winning Doubt; the groundbreaking Broadway musical American Idiot, and A Steady Rain, produced on Broadway in 2009 with Hugh Jackman and Daniel Craig.

For tickets, scheduling, cast biographies and further information, visit powerhouse.vassar.edu.