Theater Of War Productions Announces February 2018 Events

Building on the first year of his residency as a NYC Public Artist in Residence with the Department of Veterans Services, in 2018 artistic director of Theater of War Productions, Bryan Doerries, will bring a new roster of free events to theaters, parks, libraries and other venues across all five boroughs.

Theater of War Productions presents projects that use theater as a vehicle for engaging communities in difficult conversations about urgent public health and social issues. The company's diverse projects seek to inspire discussions that promote deeper understanding between communities in hopes of breaking down stigmas, and ultimately catalyzing positive action. Mobilizing a range of plays from ancient Greek tragedy to contemporary works, the dramatic presentations provide the entry point to the heart of the program: a guided audience conversation about issues ranging from domestic violence and mental health to racism, inequality, and social justice.

A calendar of February events follows below. All events are free but seating is limited. The public is encouraged to reserve seats through the below links.

Theater of War Productions Performances - February 2018

February 1

Domestic Violence Project: A Street Car Named Desire

With Adepero Oduye (12 Years a Slave), Ty Jones (Law & Order), Rich Orlow (Law & Order) and Chinasa Ogbuagu (Nurse Jackie). The reading of Streetcar will address the impact of domestic violence on individuals, families, and communities. Presented in partnership with the Mayor's Office to Combat Domestic Violence.

WHERE: Medgar Evers College, Edison O. Jackson Auditorium, 1638 Bedford Ave., Brooklyn, NY

TIME: 5:00-7:00 pm

TICKETS: www.dvpmedgarevers.eventbrite.com

February 3

Antigone in Ferguson (Community and Police Relations)

Paul Giamatti (Cinderella Man) and Samira Wiley (The Handmaid's Tale) read scenes from Sophocles' Antigone accompanied by a live gospel choir with members including police officers, educators, and community members. Developed in response to Michael Brown's 2014 murder, this project is designed to bridge the growing divide between law enforcement and local communities.

WHERE: New York Public Library, Jefferson Market Branch, 425 6th Ave., New York, NY

TIME: 8:00-10:00 pm

TICKETS: http://on.nypl.org/antigoneinferguson

February 4

The Drum Major Instinct (Racism and social justice)

A dramatic reenactment of Martin Luther King's final sermon on its 50th anniversary, featuring Samira Wiley accompanied by a live gospel choir

WHERE: Brooklyn Public Library, Central Library, 10 Grand Army Plaza, Brooklyn, NY

TIME: 2:00-4:30 pm

TICKETS: https://www.bklynlibrary.org/DrumMajor

February 7

Antigone in Parkchester (Gender equality)

Nick Choksi (The Webseries), Sendhil Ramamurthy (Reverie), Nandita Shenoy (Love, Repeat), and Devika Bhise (Elementary) perform scenes from Sophocles' Antigone, a play about a woman who fights to honor her brother and disobey the state. Presented in both English and Bengali, the performance spurs conversation about gender equality, "allyship" and justice.

WHERE: New York Public Library, Parkchester Library, 1985 Westchester Avenue, Bronx, NY

TIME: 11:00 am - 1:00 pm

TICKETS: www.antigoneinparkchester.eventbrite.com

February 15

Hercules in New York (Gun violence)

Drawing from Euripides' Madness of Hercules, which chronicles a gruesome act of violence committed by an angry man with a powerful weapon, this project aims to generate powerful dialogue on the impact of gun violence.

WHERE: The Jerome L. Greene Performance Space at WNYC, 44 Charlton St, New York, NY

TIME: 7:00 - 9:00 pm

TICKETS: www.thegreenespace.org/series/theater-war-productions

February 17

Medea (Mental health)

Medea timelessly depicts how scorned passion can lead to revenge and, sometimes, unthinkable violence. This project delves into under-discussed mental health issues that affect women and their families.

WHERE: Queens Public Library, Cambria Heights, 218-13 Linden Blvd, Cambria Heights, NY

TIME: 1:00 - 3:00 pm

TICKETS: www.theaterofwar.nyc

For a full calendar of events, please see here.