Unframed At New Stage presents BUILDING THE WALL

The Unframed at New Stage Theatre Series presents Building the Wall, the newest play by Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning playwright Robert Schenkkan (The Kentucky Cycle, All the Way, Hacksaw Ridge) November 10, 11, 12 18, & 19 at 7:30 p.m. Ticket price is $10.00 and tickets can only be purchased at the door, cash or check only. The performances are staged at New Stage Theatre's Warehouse Theatre, which is located at 1000 Monroe Street in the Belhaven Heights neighborhood. Unframed at New Stage Theatre is sponsored by Jackson Free Press. Building the Wall contains strong language and is recommended for mature audiences only.

Building the Wall lays out in a harrowing drama the consequences of President Trump's anti-immigration campaign rhetoric turned in federal policy. Two years from now, that policy has resulted in the mass round-up of millions of illegal aliens, with their incarceration overflowing into private prisons and camps reminiscent of another century. The former warden for one facility is awaiting sentencing for what happened under his watch. In a riveting interview with an historian who has come seeking the truth, he gradually reveals how the unthinkable became the inevitable, and the faceless illegals under his charge became the face of tragedy.

Robert Schenkkan is a Pulitzer-prize winning, Tony Award winning, Writer's Guild Award winning, three-time Emmy nominated writer of Stage, Television, and Film. He is the author of fourteen original full-length plays, two musicals, and a collection of one-act plays. He co-wrote the feature film, Hacksaw Ridge (six Academy Award nominations) and The Quiet American, and his television credits include: All The Way, The Pacific, The Andromeda Strain and Spartacus.

"Building the Wall has been a challenging and exciting play to work on" says director Jessica Debolt. "The material is so layered and intelligently written that it has been an absolute joy to dissect with the actors. It has been a great experience diving into these highly politicized subjects to get to the core of the issues. Building the Wall effectively helps to open a dialogue about topics that can be difficult to discuss and in our current political climate which is so important."

"I was fortunate enough to see a production of this powerful brand new play this past summer and I thought it an excellent choice for our Unframed Series. Building the Wall imagines the unimaginable happening and explores how darkness can overtake a nation." says Francine Reynolds, New Stage Artistic Director. "Schenkkan wrote this politically charged dystopian drama it in a "white-hot fury" on the eve of the 2016 election and it couldn't be more timely. Building a Wall is a stunning new play and it is creating a nationwide sensation."

The cast features Michael Kinslow (Edwards) as Rick and Deshadrian Hopkins (Jackson) as Gloria.

Building the Wall kicks off the 11th season of Unframed productions. Other selections in the season include Steal Away by Ramona King (January 26. 27, 28 & February 3, 4, 2018), Boy by Anna Ziegler (March 22, 23, 24 & 25, 2018) and Find Me by Olwen Wymark (May 4, 5 & 6, 2018).

"We created The Unframed Series at New Stage Theatre series in 2006 to provide an alternative theatre experience to the community", said Reynolds. "The goal of the Series is to attract theatre audiences that are interested in contemporary theatre. I am very proud of the shows that the Series has produced in the last ten years."

The series has produced current, often provocative fare such as Neil LaBute's The Shape of Things and How I Learned to Drive by Paula Vogel. During the 2016-2017, the Unframed season included Vigils by Noah Haidle, White Rabbit, Red Rabbit by Nassim Soleimanpour and Smart People by Lydia Diamond. Unframed also produced a variety of plays including The Pillowman by Martin McDonagh, Dublin Carol by Conor McPherson, Betrayal by Harold Pinter, Musical of Musicals by Joanne Bogart and Eric Rockwell, Race by David Mamet and Stick Fly by Lydia Diamond.

Building the Wall opens Friday, November 10 at 7:30 pm. Additional performances are Saturday, November 9, Sunday, November 10 Saturday, November 18 and Sunday, November 19 at 7:30pm. Ticket price is $10 and tickets can only be purchased at the door, cash or check only. Building the Wall contains strong language and is recommended for mature audiences only. The performances are staged at New Stage Theatre's Warehouse Theatre. The theatre is located at 1000 Monroe Street in the Belhaven Heights neighborhood. Unframed at New Stage Theatre is sponsored by Jackson Free Press.

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