Announcing Chicago Neighborhood Tour Of SYA's WE ARE PROUD TO PRESENT A PRESENTATION...

Rehearsals are underway for Steppenwolf for Young Adults (SYA) second play of the 2018-19 season, which asks, When you feel lost, how do you find your way? Steppenwolf for Young Adults Artistic Director Hallie Gordon and Gabrielle Randle co-direct We Are Proud to Present A Presentation About the Herero of Namibia, Formerly Known as South West Africa, From the German S dwestafrika, Between the Years 1884 - 1915, which will include a tour to six Chicago neighborhoods in partnership with Steppenwolf Education City Connections partners, BUILD, Inc, the Chicago Park District and Chicago Public Library. Each stop on the tour is open to the public and will include a community workshop, a performance of the play and a post-show discussion.

Public performances at Steppenwolf for We Are Proud to Present a Presentation will take place March 2 at 3pm & 7:30pm; March 8 at 7:30pm; March 9 at 3pm & 7:30pm; March 15 at 7:30pm; and March 16 at 3pm & 7:30pm in the Upstairs Theatre, 1650 N Halsted St. Press Opening is Saturday, March 2 at 3pm. Single tickets to public performances ($15-20) are on sale now through Audience Services at 312-335-1650 or steppenwolf.org. Weekday performances are reserved for school groups only; more than 15,000 Chicago Public School students will see SYA productions each year. More info at steppenwolf.org/education. See show page for content advisory and details. *Recommended for ages 14+

We Are Proud to Present a Presentation features Will Allan (Actor 3/Another White Man), Terry Bell (Actor 2/Black Man), Taylor Blim (Actor 5/Sarah), Jeffrey Owen Freelon Jr. (Actor 4/Another Black Man), Michael Holding (Actor 1/White Man) and Jennifer Latimore (Actor 6/Black Woman). Previously announced Daniel Kyri is no longer in the cast due to a scheduling conflict.

There's more to history than what's in the books. We Are Proud to Present a Presentation tells the story of what happens when a group of actors explore the long-forgotten or possibly never remembered history of German colonization of Namibia and its devastating effects. This gut-wrenching, intelligent, often funny until it's not play asks us, what happens when we only have one side of the story?

SYA is dedicated to creating work that is both provocative and drives us to think harder and deeper about who we are and the choices we make. We are so excited to be producing We Are Proud to Present a Presentation a powerful story that explores themes of race, representation, storytelling and the power group-thinking can have on an individual. Our season theme is When you feel lost, how do you find your way? a question that every character in this play must ask themselves. SYA hasn't yet produced a play structured like this one, and we are thrilled that we have the opportunity to share it with our audiences, shares co-director Hallie Gordon.

Working in collaboration with Steppenwolf Education's City Connections partners, BUILD, Inc, the Chicago Park District, and Chicago Public Library, We Are Proud to Present a Presentation will tour to six Chicago neighborhoods. At each stop on this week-long tour, the City Connections partner will host Steppenwolf Education teaching artists as they present a community workshop, a performance of the play and a post-show discussion. All workshops and performances are free and open to the public.

The tour schedule is as follows:

Mandrake Park Fieldhouse Chicago Park District: 3858 S Cottage Grove

Monday, March 18: 4:30pm workshop; 6pm performance

Tuley Cultural Center/Fieldhouse Chicago Park District: 501 E 90th Pl

Tuesday, March 19: 5pm workshop; 6:30pm performance

South Chicago Branch Chicago Public Library: 9055 S Houston Ave
Wednesday, March 20: 4:30 workshop; 6:30pm performance

Albany Park Branch Chicago Public Library: 3401 W Foster Ave

Thursday, March 21: 4: 30pm workshop; 6pm performance

Austin Town Hall Cultural Center/Fieldhouse Chicago Park District: 5610 W Lake St

Friday, March 22: 5pm workshop; 6:30pm performance

Hamilton Park Cultural Center/Fieldhouse Chicago Park District: 513 W 72nd St

Saturday, March 23: 1pm workshop; 2:30pm performance

Steppenwolf is pleased to present a Relaxed/Sensory-Friendly performance for We Are Proud to Present a Presentation on Saturday, March 16 at 1pm Lobby and 3pm curtain. Relaxed/Sensory-Friendly performances feature a relaxed performance environment and minor adjustments to sensory effects such as lighting and sound cues. House lights will be left up at a low level, and it's okay for audience members to make noise, move, and leave the theater. Social narratives and character guides will be shared in advance of guests' visit, and a quiet area will be designated in a section of the lobby. For more information, please email access@steppenwolf.org.

We Are Proud to Present a Presentation production team includes Arnel Sancianco (Scenic Design); Izumi Inaba (Costume Design); Heather Sparling (Lighting Design); Cooper Forsman (Sound Design); Breon Arzell (Movement Consultant); Michelle Medvin (Stage Manager); and JC Clementz (Casting Director).

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