Photo Flash: DON'T LOOK BACK/MUST LOOK BACK Makes World Premiere

Pivot Arts is pleased to present the world premiere of DON'T LOOK BACK/MUST LOOK BACK, a site-specific performance experience in Chicago's Uptown neighborhood, directed by Devon de Mayo and devised by an ensemble of actors and designers, written by Tanya Palmer and conceived by Julieanne Ehre. Audience members are taken on an immersive journey inspired by the stories and experiences of Uptown residents, many of whom came to Uptown as refugees.

DON'T LOOK BACK/MUST LOOK BACK will play October 20 - November 19, 2017 in various Uptown locations starting at the Chinese Mutual Aid Association, 1016 W. Argyle St. The intimate performance experience is limited to 16 audience members per show. Tickets, priced at $35, are currently on sale at pivotarts.org/events/. The press openings are Saturday, October 21 at 7:30 pm and Sunday, October 22 at 7:30 pm.

DON'T LOOK BACK/MUST LOOK BACK will feature Christopher Acevedo, Samantha Beach, Lucy Carapetyan, Phyllis Liu, Sarah Lo, Ashlyn Lozano, Edward Mawere and Jin Park.

The performance is inspired by stories of escape and loss from local residents who fled their countries and arrived here to make Uptown their home - and the systems and people that they've encountered along the way. Blending movement, images and storytelling, Don't Look Back/Must Look Back brings audiences into the experience of making a home in a place where everything is unfamiliar and the sands are constantly shifting beneath your feet.

The performance also features images from documentary artist James Bowey's exhibit "When Home Won't Let You Stay," a portrait of refugees in America and their stories of hope and perseverance in the face of violence and loss. For additional information, visit https://jamesbowey.atavist.com/home.

"Don't Look Back/Must Look Back continues Pivot Arts' initiative to create site-specific performances where audiences participate in unique experiences," comments Pivot Arts Director Julieanne Ehre. "Last year's The Memory Tour took audiences on a journey through memory and Don't Look Back/Must Look Back uses a similar format. Audiences will have the opportunity to experience the lives of local residents and refugees while moving through various locations."

The production team includes Patricia Nguyen (associate director), John Blick (production manager), James Bowey (video and photographs), Connor Ciesil (sound designer), kClare McKellaston (costume designer), Justine B. Palmisano (stage manager), Giau Truong (lighting and installation designer), Sammy Ziesel (assistant director) and Adrian Shelton (production assistant).

PRODUCTION DETAILS:

Title: DON'T LOOK BACK/MUST LOOK BACK

Directed by: Devon de Mayo and devised with the ensemble

Written by: Tanya Palmer

Conceived by: Julieanne Ehre

Cast: Christopher Acevedo, Samantha Beach, Lucy Carapetyan, Phyllis Liu, Sarah Lo, Ashlyn Lozano, Edward Mawere and Jin Park.

Location: Begins at Chinese Mutual Aid Association, 1016 W. Argyle St.

Dates: Previews: Friday, October 20 at 7:30 pm

Press openings: Saturday, October 21 at 7:30 pm and Sunday, October 22 at 7:30 pm

Regular run: Friday, October 27 - Sunday, November 19, 2017

Curtain Times: Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays at 7:30 pm.

Tickets: $35.Tickets are currently available at pivotarts.org/events/.

A FREE pre-show event will be held on Sunday, October 29 at 5:30 pm at 1016 W. Argyle St. Artist and performance scholar Patricia Nyugen will moderate a discussion with her father, Vietnamese Activist, Tam Nyugen, artists from the Pivot Arts production and clients and staff from Chinese Mutual Aid Association. For additional information, visit pivotarts.org/events/.

DON'T LOOK BACK/ MUST LOOK BACK is funded in part by an Art Works grant from the National Endowment for the Arts with major in-kind support from Chinese Mutual Aid Association.

Photo Credit: Michael Brosilow

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