Court Theatre Continues Spotlight Reading Series with DAY OF ABSENCE

Court Theatre, under the leadership of Marilyn F. Vitale Artistic Director Charles Newell and Executive Director Stephen J. Albert, continues its Spotlight Reading Series, with a free, public performance of Day of Absence by Douglas Turner Ward and directed by Ron OJ Parson, at the South Shore Cultural Center, 7059 S South Shore Dr., on Saturday, November 19 at 3:00 p.m.

All Spotlight Reading Series performances are free and open to the public, but space is extremely limited. Complimentary tickets may be reserved in advance at tickets.courttheatre.org.

A classic satire about an imaginary Southern town where the white residents, to their shock and horror, wake to find that the town's black residents have vanished.

The Spotlight Reading Series is a multi-year community outreach initiative that aims to expose communities beyond Hyde Park to theatre arts, focusing specifically on works from outside of the traditional theatrical canon. Over the course of three years, award-winning director and Court Resident Artist Ron OJ Parson will host five readings per year throughout the city. Readings will feature Chicago leading artists and will highlight the works of playwrights of color.

"It is, and has always been, important to me during my years at Court Theatre to reach out to the surrounding communities and expand the envelope of 'classic' theatre," said Resident Artist Ron OJ Parson. "People will get to explore theatre from a diverse lens, learning the rich history of theatre from the African diaspora. I'm excited to finally see it come to fruition."

The Spotlight Reading Series is made possible with support from the Joyce Foundation. The "Spotlight Grant" is designed to help arts and cultural organizations achieve greater racial equity and long-term operating success. Court Theatre was one of ten institutions who received the three-year grant.

For more information on the Spotlight Reading Series or to obtain tickets, visit www.courttheatre.org.

About Court Theatre

Now in its 62nd season, Court Theatre is guided by its mission to discover the power of classic theatre. Court endeavors to make a lasting contribution to American theatre by expanding the canon of translations, adaptations, and classic texts. Court revives lost masterpieces, illuminates familiar texts, and distinguishes fresh, modern classics. Court engages and inspires its audience by providing artistically distinguished productions, audience enrichment activities, and student educational experiences.

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