Mission To (dit)Mars presents THE AMERICAN TRADITION

Mission to (dit)Mars, a theatre arts collective serving Queens artists, is thrilled to continue the Launch Pad reading series with THE AMERICAN TRADITION, a new play by Ray Yamanouchi. This free play reading will be performed on Monday, November 6th at 7pm at The Broom Tree Theatre located at 23-35 Broadway in Astoria, NY.

THE AMERICAN TRADITION is a play set in Antebellum America. Eleanor-cross-dressing as a white planter-and her husband, Bill-pretending to be her loyal servant-attempt to escape to the free state of Pennsylvania. In hot pursuit of them is Walsh, a drunk planter and member of the Not All Slavers movement. The play is directed by Axel Avin Jr.

The evening is presented by Mission to (dit)Mars co-founders Kari Bentley-Quinn, Don Nguyen, Meredith Packer, and Laura Pestronk.

Commenting on the play, co-founder Kari Bentley-Quinn says "With The American Tradition, Ray boldly examines the delicate and painful history of slavery in America while seamlessly connecting it to current political rhetoric. The play is at once horrifying, thought provoking, and laugh out loud absurd."

Meredith Packer adds "Ray's ability to make his audience look at the harsh truths of slavery in the 1800's and it's legacy of systemic racism today without preaching or pretense is proof of his deft writing ability."

"The dialogue zips along while the tension sizzles in Ray's American Tradition, and ridiculously funny moments still hit hard as this play fearlessly takes on the horrendous history of slavery and racism in our country." says Laura Pestronk.

This free reading is made possible (in part) by the Queens Council on the Arts with public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council.

To attend, please make a reservation on our website:

http://missiontoditmars.com/reservations/

The Broom Tree Theater at

Astoria First Presbyterian

23-35 Broadway,

Astoria, NY 11106

Directions: Take the N/Q to Broadway.

About the Launch Pad Reading Series

The Launch Pad is a free reading series of new plays by Queens playwrights. The mission objective of The Launch Pad is to serve as a testing ground for Queens based playwrights who need to hear their plays out loud. Because Mission to (dit)Mars was co-founded by playwrights and directors, we understand implicitly how to answer those needs. Through this program, the utmost care is taken to foster a safe and productive environment in order to propel the play forward.