Photo Flash: First Look at About Face Youth Theatre's 15 BREATHS

About Face Theatre presents the world premiere of 15 BREATHS, written by and featuring members of the the About Face Youth Theatre Ensemble and directed by AFT Education and Outreach Director Ali Hoefnagel. 15 BREATHS will play tonight, July 23, through July 26, 2015 at the Greenhouse Center, 2257 N. Lincoln Ave. in Chicago. Additionally, audiences can enjoy four FREE performances as part of the Chicago Park District's Night Out in The Parks initiative on July 30-31, 2015 at Humbolt Park (1440 N. Humboldt Dr., Chicago) and August 6-7, 2015 at Chase Park (4701 N. Ashland Ave. Chicago). The press opening is tomorrow, July 24 at 7:30 pm at the Greenhouse Theater Center. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

In this original production, the About Face Youth Theatre Ensemble explores connection and disconnection across generations within the Queer community. Through in-depth interviews with community members and AFYT alumni, 15 BREATHS sets out to answer the questions: What are we fighting for? What did others fight for before us? And how can we bridge the gap?

"We are very excited to be partnering with the Chicago Park District again this year to make our work accessible to our communities," comments AFT Education and Outreach Director Ali Hoefnagel. "When we came together last summer to brainstorm this year's topic, our youth wanted to dive head-first into queer history; learning and reflecting on our past and the revolutions that got us to where we are today. We were honored to interview so many people of different ages and backgrounds within the LGBTQIA community in order to create a play exploring the intergenerational relationship among queer folks. Our youth ensemble has written a funny, poignant and relevant tale surrounding two strangers, both isolated within their community, who must unite to forge a space they can call their own."

The Greenhouse Theater Center, Downstairs Mainstage, is located at 2257 N. Lincoln Ave. Chicago. Preview: Pay-what-you-can. Regular run: $15. Students: $10. Tickets are available at www.aboutfacetheatre.org, by calling (773) 404-7336 or in person at the Greenhouse Theater Center Box Office. Night Out in the Parks: Humboldt Park Boathouse is located at 1301 N. Sacramento Ave., Chicago, and Chase Park is located at 4701 N. Ashland Ave., Chicago. For additional information, go to www.nightoutintheparks.com.

Photos by Emily Schwartz