Ars Nova presents, as part of the Out Loud series, a FREE reading of THE BIGGEST VALLEY by A. Zell Williams, directed by Jesse Jou. The cast includes McKinley Belcher, Kaliswa Brewster, Ronald Peet and Sarah Steele.
In California's Central Valley, an over-worked single mother struggles to referee the growing conflict between her pregnant teenage daughter and her rebellious, smart-mouthed son. Though faced with starkly different choices as they enter adulthood, each one grapples with their own search for a place to belong.
A. Zell Williams is the recipient of The
Terrence McNally New Play Award, NYU's Goldberg Playwriting Award, The National New Play Network's Smith Prize and the David C. Calicchio Award. He is a member of
Ars Nova's Play Group. His plays include The Urban Retreat, Down Past Passyunk, The Audacity, Carroll Gardens and The Biggest Valley.
Jesse Jou is a freelance theater director, primarily of new plays. He was a Fellow of the Drama League's Directors Project, a member of the
Soho Rep Writer/Director Lab, and a member of
The Civilians' R&D Group. MFA, Yale School of Drama. Upcoming: How I Learned to Drive (Asolo Rep/FSU Conservatory).
THE BIGGEST VALLEY will be read on Friday, January 17 at 3:30pm in the
Ars Nova Loft. The OUT LOUD Series is FREE and open to the public. Reservations are required.
Ars Nova is located at 511 West 54th Street. For more information and to reserve tickets, visit
www.arsnovanyc.com.
Ars Nova is committed to developing and producing theater, comedy and music artists in the
Early Stages of their professional careers. Its unique development programs are designed to support outside-the-box thinking and encourage innovative, genre-bending work. By providing a safe environment where risk-taking and collaboration are paramount,
Ars Nova gives voice to a new generation of artists and audiences, pushing the boundaries of live entertainment by nurturing creative ideas into smart, surprising new work. For more information on
Ars Nova's programs, visit
www.arsnovanyc.com.
Ars Nova was founded in memory of Gabe Wiener.
Producing credits include: Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812 by
Dave Malloy, directed by
Rachel Chavkin (now in an Off-Broadway transfer production at Kazino); Eager to Lose, created by
Matthew-Lee Erlbach,
Wes Grantom,
Portia Krieger and Tansy; ANT Fest; Core Values by
Steven Levenson, directed by
Carolyn Cantor; The Lapsburgh Layover by The Berserker Residents, directed by
Oliver Butler; Be a Good Little Widow by
Bekah Brunstetter, directed by
Stephen Brackett; Now Circa Then by
Carly Mensch, directed by
Jason Eagan; Bloodsong of Love by
Joe Iconis, directed by
John Simpkins; Sax & Dixon: We Thee Wed by
John Dixon, Peter McNerney and
Matt Sax, directed by Peter McNerney; Mel & El: Show & Tell by
Melanie Adelman and
Ellie Dvorkin, directed by
Moritz von Stuelpnagel; Two Girls for Five Bucks and the Ten Dollar Heartbreakers by Cathleen Carr and
Daiva Deupree, directed by
Andy Donald; Jollyship the Whiz-Bang by
Nick Jones and Raja Azar, directed by
Sam Gold; boom by Peter Sinn Nachtrieb, directed by
Alex Timbers; From Up Here by
Liz Flahive, directed by
Leigh Silverman; Dixie's Tupperware Party by
Kris Andersson, directed by
Alex Timbers; At Least It's Pink by
Bridget Everett and
Kenny Mellman, directed by
Michael Patrick King; 25 Questions for a Jewish Mother by
Kate Moira Ryan with
Judy Gold, directed by
Karen Kohlhaas; Holy Cross Sucks! by Rob Nash, directed by
Jeff Calhoun; Freestyle Love Supreme by
Anthony Veneziale and
Lin-Manuel Miranda, directed by
Thomas Kail; and The Wau Wau Sisters, by Tanya Gagné and Adrienne Truscott, directed by
Trip Cullman.
