JUDSON ARTS WEDNESDAYS In Association with Carreon Productions, will present the very first New York reading of EYES CLOSED| EARS COVERED by Alex Gwyther. Directed by George Drance SJ, this One-Night-Only special reading will take place on Wednesday, August 29, in the The Assembly Hall at Judson Memorial Church, 239 Thompson Street, Washington Square South. Doors open at 7:30 and the presentation begins promptly at 8 pm. RSVP here.
EYES CLOSED |EARS COVERED, which opened Sept. 6, 2017 at the Bunker Theatre, London, explores the effects that domestic violence can have on a young person's mental health. Two teenage boys, Seb and Aaron, are seemingly caught up in a harmless quest to Brighton. Yet as their story progresses, a series of entwining police interviews reveal the dark truth of a hidden past that lies behind this innocent adventure.
This is the play that brought Alex Gwyther to the attention of The Off West End Theatre Awards committee, earned him a 2018 Most Promising New Playwright nomination, and garnered him three "Offie Award" nominations.
One murder.
One interrogation.
Shattering consequences.
Directed by George Drance SJ, EYES CLOSED | EARS COVERED will make its American debut in a One-Night-Only special reading to launch the inaugural season of "JAWAiR," a fourth offering each month in the popular Wednesday series at Judson Arts. "Judson Arts Wednesdays" (JAW) is the completely free, completely uncensored creative arm of Judson Memorial Church, an artistic ministry that has nurtured artists and their work for decades. Established in 2009, shortly after several U.S. banks were bailed out by our Federal Government, Judson Arts Wednesdays was created to serve those in need of a human bailout, whether that be in the form of free food, free art, or just free company in a free space. Every evening offers all three.
BAILOUT THEATER, DEAD DARLINGS, and MAGIC TIME, on the first, second, and third Wednesday of every month, offer short-form lineups of dance, theatre, music and poetry, featuring artists surrounded by a supportive audience, some who they know, and others they have yet to meet, all striving for the best. What's presented is often very preliminary and in the very early stages of development. The environment is all-inclusive and constructively critical.
ALEX GWYTHER (Playwright/Actor) is a published writer and spoken word artist. His poetical prose can weave threads of down-to-earth tales of life in Britain with history, as in the poignant re-telling of the 1914 Christmas Truce during the First World War, to create a unique theatrical storytelling tapestry. His unique delivery and "tumbling urbane style" has seen him perform across the UK at venues, festivals and events including Oxford University, the Royal Festival Hall, Latitude Festival and The Mayor of London's Week of Peace in Trafalgar Square. Alex has been specially commissioned to write for a number of organisations, businesses and charities. His first one man play, OUR FRIENDS, THE ENEMY was selected as part of the New Wimbledon Theatre's 'Fresh Ideas' season and premiered in its studio space in 2013. It went on to enjoy a successful run at The Edinburgh Festival before embarking on two UK tours. In December 2015 it transferred to New York's Theater Row where it was warmly received by the New York press. THE COST OF A PLAYER, his second play, was commissioned by The Premier League to raise awareness of mental health in footballers. EYES CLOSED, EARS COVERED had its world premiere at The Bunker Theatre, London, in September 2017 starring Danny-Boy Hatchard, Joe Idris Roberts and Phoebe Thomas. It went on to enjoy 3 Offie Nominations including Most Promising New Playwright. He is currently developing his next shows RIPPED, and ANIMAL INSTINCT. Alex is represented by United Agents, UK.
"Magic Time" is Judson Arts' playwright development program. Monthly, a writer or writing team is provided 15 hours of free rehearsal time and space, culminating in a performance with drinks, food, and all the excitement of hearing a spanking-new play for the very first time.
JAWAIR (Judson Arts Wednesdays Artist In Residence), JAW's newest initiative, will be dedicated to the development of new playwrights, emerging artists, and longer-form work that is currently in progress and it will occupy the fourth Wednesday of every month. The inaugural season kicks off on Wednesday, August 29, 2018 with a special one-night only reading of Alex Gwyther's EYES CLOSED | EARS COVERED directed by George Drance SJ. The Official Fall 2018 Season will begin on Wednesday, September 26, 2018.
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