The Theatre School at DePaul University Presents Guare's A FREE MAN OF COLOR, Now thru 2/9

The Theatre School at DePaul University will present A FREE MAN OF COLOR, at the new Theatre School building, located at Racine and Fullerton on the Lincoln Park Campus. The Fullerton Stage Theatre is a 250-seat thrust theatre located on the first floor of the school. John Guare's A FREE MAN OF COLOR is directed by Phyllis E. Griffin, premieres on Friday, January 31, and runs through Sunday, February 9, 2014. Performances are Wednesdays through Saturdays at 7:30 PM and Sundays at 2 PM. Previews are tonight, January 29 and the 30th, at 7:30 PM.

About the production: 1801, in New Orleans. A Pulitzer Prize finalist in 2011, this absurd Restoration comedy features the charismatic womanizer Jacques Cornet, the wealthiest man of color in town. Filled with sexual and racial innuendo, his raucous New Orleans is threatened by a new map of the Louisiana Purchase territory. The city of New Orleans guest-stars (in spirit) in this exacting tale of power, political systems, and inalienable rights. This production is recommended for mature audiences.

Tickets are $15, Preview tickets are $10, and Student tickets are always $5. Subscriptions and group rates (6 or more people) are available at (312)-922-1999. All tickets are reserved seating. Tickets are available by calling the Box Office at (312) 922-1999 or visiting the online Box Office at theatre.depaul.edu.

The Theatre School at DePaul University is located at 2350 N Racine Ave (at Fullerton). The school is easily accessible via the Fullerton CTA Station and the Fullerton (74) bus. Call the Box Office for additional transit suggestions or visit the Chicago Transit Authority for specific routes from your location. Visitors and audience members can park in DePaul University's Clifton Parking Deck, located at 2330 N Clifton Avenue. Please call the Box Office for more information.

Phyllis E. Griffin (Director) is a member of the Performance Faculty at The Theatre School at DePaul University. She is a Certified Feldenkrais Practioner and Certified Lessac Teacher. In addition, she has studied with Richard Armstrong of the Roy HArt Theatre Method, Patsy Rodenburg, Catherine Fitzmaurice, Dudley Knight and Kristin Linklater. She has served as vocal coach for The Goodman Theatre, assisting on GEM OF THE OCEAN, DROWNING CROW, KING HEDLEY II, BLUES FOR AN ALABAMA SKY, and I AM A MAN. She was the vocal coach for Shakespeare on the Green's production of OTHELLO and has previously worked for Disney Productions as the vocal coach to prospective actors for THE LION KING. She was also a dialect coach for Joan Plowright on the feature film DENNIS THE MENACE and has provided vocal instruction to several private business leaders and narrated documentaries for PBS and NPR. In addition to her work as a voice and speech professor, Phyllis has directed several plays for The Theatre School including TWO TRAINS RUNNING, INSURRECTION: HOLDING HISTORY, FLYIN' WEST, STAMPING, SHOUTHING AND SINGING HOME, SLEEP DEPRIVATION CHAMBER, FOR COLORED GIRLS WHO HAVE CONSIDERED SUICIDE/WHEN THE RAINBOW IS ENUF and CURSE OF THE STARVING CLASS.

The cast features Jack Ball (Count Achille Creux/Mercure), Stephanie Barron (Mandragola/Polissena/Livingston), Pauline Critch-Gilfillan (Athene/Calliope), Tyler Esselman (Thomas Jefferson), Sam Haines (Meriwether Lewis), Sabrina Harms (Dona Smeralda/Josephine), Denzel Irby (Alcibiade/Orphee), Kiandra Layne (Leda/Dorilante/Melpomene), Daniel Lewis (Morales/Napoleon), Juwan Lockett (Dr. Toubib), Ashlyn Lozano (Lady Harcourt/Euterpe), Casey Morris (Pythagore/Le Clerc), Daniel Mozurkewich (Lord Harcourt), Awate Serequeberhan (Jacques Cornet), Rejinal Simon (Murmur/Toussaint), Hugh Smith (Jonathan Sparks), Wesley Toledo (Remy Dorilante/Monroe), Peter Varga (Pincepousse/Talleyrand), and Samantha Watzek (Mrs. Sparks/Infanta/Terpsichore).

The production staff includes Phyllis E. Griffin (Director), Linda Buchanan (Scenic Designer), Jessica Vodnik (Costume Designer), Andrew Meyer (Lighting Designer), Jack Hawkins (Sound Designer), Stephanie Swiatek (Dramaturg), and Caroline D'Angelo (Stage Manager).

SPECIAL EVENTS: An Opening Night Reception will be held after the performance on January 31. Post-show discussions will be held on Sunday, February 2 and 6. The performance on Sunday, February 9 (2 PM) will include live audio description services for patrons who are blind or have low vision, as well as a pre-performance touch tour. The performance on Sunday, February 9 (2PM) will also be interpreted in American Sign Language. TTY (773) 325-7975.

Designed by renowned architect César Pelli and his firm Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects, The Theatre School is the venue for presenting the school's contemporary plays and classics, as well as new work. The Theatre School is proud to continue to present Chicago Playworks for Families and Young Audiences at DePaul's historic Merle Reskin Theatre in the South Loop.

The Theatre School at DePaul University educates, trains, and inspires students of theatre in a conservatory setting that is rigorous, disciplined, and culturally diverse. The school and its students strive for the highest level of professional skill and artistry. A commitment to diversity and equality in education is central to its mission. As an integral part of the training, The Theatre School produces public programs and performances from a wide repertoire of classic, contemporary, and original plays that challenge, entertain, and stimulate the imagination. The school seeks to enhance the intellectual and cultural life of the university community, the city, and the profession.

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