Second Thought Theatre Announces Area Premiere of EMPATHITRAX

Second Thought Theatre continues its 2018 season by reuniting Jenny Ledel and Drew Wall for the area premiere of Empathitrax by Ana Nogueira. Wall and Ledel previously starred opposite each other in Second Thought's 2015 hit Belleville by Amy Herzog. Carson McCain returns to direct after previously directing The Great God Pan (2016) and assistant directing Belleville and Booth. This year she directs "a compassionate, humorous, and unflinchingly honest portrait of a relationship that dares to test the limits of intimacy." Empathitrax begins with previews on Wednesday, April 4 and runs through Saturday, April 28. All performances of Empathitrax will take place at Bryant Hall on the Kalita Humphreys Campus, 3636 Turtle Creek Blvd. Tickets to Empathitrax can be purchased online at secondthoughttheatre.com.

"I think it is so important to see mental health depicted in a real relationship because it's something so many people want to hide from," said McCain. "But more than that, I think this play speaks to the action of empathy. In a world where we can scroll past peoples' thoughts and feelings, empathy is passive. We don't have to engage lovingly or feel anything for more than a moment. It takes so much extra effort to actively empathize."

STT Artistic Director Alex Organ agreed, noting that, "When I read this play, it struck me as the most accurate depiction of depression and mental health struggles that I have ever read in a play before." He continued, "When I thought about who would be the right director to undertake this piece, Carson was the first person that came to mind. She brings intelligence and sensitivity to her work - especially work that deals with the intimacies and complexities of relationships."

What if repairing a broken relationship was as easy as taking a pill? A new drug that users to experience exactly what another person is feeling could be the miracle cure for one couple - but complications arise when medical advice is ignored, secrets are revealed, and one person's struggle with depression threatens to consume them both.

Sharing the stage again for the first time since 2015's Belleville, Second Thought Artistic Associate Jenny Ledel Director of Operations Drew Wall star as HER and HIM, a couple so desperate to salvage what's left of their long-term relationship they opt to remove all barriers between them. Enter Empathitrax - a new pill that allows the user to feel what another being is feeling just by touching. Like any drug, there are unexpected side effects, especially when mixed - or NOT mixed with other drugs - and they must re-examine whether boundaries are necessary to make a relationship work.

Aaron Johansen (Hillary and Clinton, The Necessities, Grounded) will design lights, and Preston Gray returns to design sound after making his Second Thought design debut with Hillary and Clinton. Amanda Capshaw returns to design costumes, having previously designed Martyr. Making her Second Thought debut is scenic designer and SMU graduate student Amelia Bransky.

Empathitrax opens with previews on Wednesday, April 4 and Thursday, April 5 at 7:30pm. Opening and press night is Friday, April 6 at 8:00pm. The PWYC performances of Empathitrax will take place on Wednesday, April 4; Thursday, April 5; Monday, April 9; Monday, April 16; and Monday, April 23 at 7:30p. PWYC tickets are available at the box office one hour prior to the start of the performance and are subject to availability. Empathitrax runs through April 28. Tickets to Empathitrax are on sale now at secondthoughttheatre.com and can be purchased for $25.

Second Thought Theatre (STT) provides an intimate and unique theatrical experience by empowering top local theater artists to take risks, and by showcasing writers who boldly tackle the difficult and demanding questions of our rapidly changing world.

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