First Light Fest to Feature NY Premiere of Medley's Relativity, April 14-May15

Ensemble Studio Theatre and the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation will present the eighth annual "First Light Festival," from April 14th –May 15th at E.S.T. (549 West 52nd Street) with events at E.S.T.'s 2nd Floor Mainstage and 6th Floor Studio Theatres as well as in other locations in NYC. "First Light" will be highlighted by the New York premiere of Cassandra Medley's new play Relativity, directed by Talvin Wilks.

"Race and science collide in Cassandra Medley's explosive new drama. Claire is a leading melanin scientist – she believes people of color are genetically superior – physically, mentally, in every way – due to higher concentrations of melanin in their genetic makeup. The research of her daughter Kalima, a molecular geneticist at Johns Hopkins, proves otherwise, and threatens to destroy the relationship that each woman values most. Forced to choose between science and family, between her future and her history, Kalima must decide where her loyalty lies," state press notes.
 
"'First Light Festival 2006' is a presentation of new work commissioned by the EST/Sloan Project, an initiative designed to stimulate artists to create credible and compelling work exploring the worlds of science and technology and to challenge the existing stereotypes of scientists and engineers in the popular imagination." Now in its eighth season, The Ensemble Studio Theatre/Alfred P. Sloan Foundation Science & Technology Project has premiered over 100 plays, dance and performance pieces, selected from proposals and submissions from around the country.

Readings and workshops are free on a first-come/first-served basis. Tickets for Relativity are only $15 during previews (April 25-29); regular tickets are $25 with seniors & student tickets available for $15 for all performances. To purchase tickets, and for more information, call Theatermania.com or at 212-352-3101 or visit E.S.T. at www.ensemblestudiotheatre.org.