NOW THAT WE'RE MEN to Play Two Performances at Dixon Place

THE ARTS EFFECT and has announced the addition of two performances of the new play NOW THAT WE'RE MEN, a companion piece to the previously-scheduled production of SLUT The Play at Dixon Place (161A Chrystie Street) from January 28 through February 27. While SLUT The Play from the All-Girl Theater Company deals with rape culture through the lives of teenage girls, NOW THAT WE'RE MEN serves as a thematic prequel from the male perspective. The second play, written and directed by Katie Cappiello and developed in collaboration with 15 to 18 year-old high school students, will be performed Saturday, February 6 at 1:00 PM and Tuesday, February 9 at 7:00 PM.

SLUT The Play - which is having its first major New York for this run - was called "important" by The Daily Beast, a "riveting drama" by New York Magazine, and "hard-hitting" by The New York Post. The piece has been performed worldwide from Mexico City, Mexico and Sydney, Australia; to Boston, MA; Missoula, MT; and Fargo, ND since its acclaimed debut in New York in 2013. Following a recent performance at The Warner Theatre in Washington, DC, the creative team was invited to The White House and U.S. Department of State. SLUT The Play is written by Katie Cappiello, and directed by Katie Cappiello and Meg McInerney. Daniel Melnick serves as technical director.

NOW THAT WE'RE MEN is a new play exploring the impact of rape culture on the lives of young men, following five guys in the weeks leading up to prom. Friendships are being put to the test...because Andrew must be gay, Marcus knocked-up his girl, Nick's a little too addicted to porn, Derek's falling in love with Kelsey, and Evan downed a handful of pills and pushed a hook-up too far. Hey, it's high school. Time to "man-up," right? The cast features Jordan Eliot, Caleb Grandoit, Fred Hechinger, Alphonso Jones and Rayshawn Richardson.

Inspired by the lives of its 14-18 year-old cast members, SLUT The Play follows the journey of Joey Del Marco, a 16-year-old girl who is sexually assaulted by three friends during a night out. Through Joey's story and those of young people in her community, witness the impact of rape culture and the importance of being heard.

"We've watched communities be transformed after experiencing this play because they finally had the space to safely contemplate and engage in discussion around the issues of sexuality, shame and rape," say Katie Cappiello and Meg McInerney. "While we're inspired by the national attention being paid to sexual assault and the importance of consent education at the college level, the conversation needs to start earlier. Continuing to stage this play opens a door to dialogue with middle school and high school students - and that is the key."

The cast includes Brittney Adebumola, Zora Casabere, Willa Cuthrell, Lexa Krebs, Amari Rose Leigh, Mary Miller, Casey Odesser, Katie Prael, Eliza Price, Darci Siegel, and Alice Stewart.

THE ARTS EFFECT is an award-winning youth activist arts program dedicated to the development of theatrical projects that explore the challenges facing young people worldwide. Founded in 2007 by Katie Cappiello and Meg McInerney, The Arts Effect has created and produced four critically-acclaimed original plays: Keep Your Eyes Open, Facebook Me, SLUT, and A Day in the Life. Their work has been hailed by Hillary Clinton, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, Eve Ensler, Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney, Tina Fey, and Amy Poehler, and has been honored by The National Women's Hall of Fame and the United States Congress. www.TheArtsEffectNYC.com

Response to SLUT prompted the publishing of Slut: A Play & Guidebook for Combating Sexism and Sexual Violence in February 2015 by the Feminist Press, and the launch of StopSlut- a youth-focused movement that utilizes creative expression and storytelling to transform rape culture into a culture of CARE- communication, accountability, respect and empathy. StopSlut.org

NOW THAT WE'RE MEN will be performed Sunday, February 6 at 1:00 PM and Tuesday, February 9 at 7:00 PM. SLUT The Play will be performed January 28 through February 27 on Thursdays (January 28; February 4, 11, 18 and 25) at 7:00 PM and Saturdays (January 30; February 6, 13, 20 and 27) at 2:00 PM. Tickets for all shows are $15 for Middle and High School students, $20 for College Students, $30 General Admission, and $40 for VIP seats. Each performance is followed by a Q&A with the cast and creators. All performances are at Dixon Place (161A Chrystie Street, New York City 10002).