The Theatre Company & Matrix Theatre Company to Stage Midwest Premiere of LOW HANGING FRUIT
By: Tyler Peterson Feb. 17, 2016
"Low Hanging Fruit" tells the story of four ex-military women, broken and damaged by their experiences, who find ways to survive and cope on the streets through their friendship.
Director Lisa Hodge Kander says, "For me, the real story is not only the shameful abandonment of the women who have served our country, but also the power of friendship to support and sometimes heal us, even when we are badly broken."
San Francisco based playwright Robin Bradford wrote "Low Hanging Fruit" after being inspired by articles in reference to the dramatic rise in homelessness amongst military women who have served in Iraq or Afghanistan. Through her research, she spoke to many people: active and retired military personnel, government employees, volunteers in the private sector, and homeless people living on the street. Bradford says, "It is my intention to shed light on what can happen after we say, "Thank you for your service."
The Low Hanging Fruit Project is being supported through a grant from the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs with support from the National Endowment for the Arts.
"The Low Hanging Fruit Project is designed to engage our community through four initiatives" states Project Manager and Theatre Company Managing Director Greg Grobis. More information on these initiatives can be found at www.TheTheatreCo.com.
Audience Enrichment Events:
The project will feature five different post-show audience enrichment events. Matrix Theatre Company will be leading these events, which will center on topics around female homeless veterans.
Sunday, March 6: A panel discussion following the show entitled "Same War, Different Battle: Women Soldiers, Women Veterans, and Homeless." Sponsored by UDM's Women's and Gender Studies Program.
Saturday, March 10: A Story Booth event before and after the show. Volunteers will have their responses recorded for an archival collection. Sponsored by Matrix Theatre Company
Sunday, March 13: A panel discussion following the show entitled "Healing Through Art." Supported by the Detroit Public Theatre's Shakespeare in Prison program and Matrix Theatre Company.
Thursday, March 17: Pub Trivia Night following the show at The Detroit Beer Co. Teams will compete to earn prizes as they test their knowledge on homelessness and facts pertaining to female veterans.
Sunday, March 20: A panel discussion following the show entitled "Mother, Daughter, Sister, Soldier: Family Matters." Sponsored by the UDM Psychology Clinic.
Clothing and Goods Drive:
The clothing and goods drive for local female homeless veterans will launch on March 3, 2016. Drop off locations will be at University of Detroit Mercy, the Boll Family YMCA during performances, Matrix Theatre Company, and at each Alliance Catholic Credit Union with locations throughout Metro Detroit.
When dropping off items donors will receive a $5 off ticket voucher good for any performance of "Low Hanging Fruit." The drive will conclude on March 20 with all items being donated to the Homeless Action Network of Detroit for female homeless veterans.
Restaurant Partnerships:
The project is partnering with downtown Detroit restaurants as an added perk for audience members of "Low Hanging Fruit." Audience members who show a ticket or program from the day of the performance will receive up to 50% off food and beverages. Offers vary by restaurant.
Some restaurants will be donating a portion of their sales to support female homeless veterans during the run of the show. A list of participating restaurants can be found at www.TheTheatreCo.com.
Live Theatre Performances:
"Low Hanging Fruit" opens on March 3 and runs twelve performances through March 20 at The Marlene Boll Theatre inside the Boll Family YMCA located at 1401 Broadway St, Detroit 48226. Performances are at 7:30 pm on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, and 3:00 pm on Sundays.
"Low Hanging Fruit" contains adult themes, strong language, and is not recommended for young children.
The cast of "Low Hanging Fruit" is comprised of local professional associate guest artists Angeles Vara Pichetter as Maya, Denise Graham as Alice, and Theatre Company Alumni Karen Kron as Cory and Travis Reiff as Tito. Rounding out the cast are UDM Theatre students Autumn Russell as Yolanda, Sidney Mains as Canyon, Avera Smith and Alexander Kendzuiuk as Police Presence.
The production team includes Scenic and Costume Designer Melinda Pacha, Lighting Designer and Technical Director Alan Delvin, and Sound Designer Avera Smith. Other members of the production team are professional associate guest artist Stage Manager Holly Garverick, Assistant Stage Manager Savanah Wright, Matrix Theatre Company Artistic Director Megan Buckley-Ball, Theatre Company Photographer Evans Tasiopoulos, and Theatre Company Ticket Manager Lisa Rybak.
Tickets prices are $25 for General Admission, $22 for Senior Citizens, $15 for Veterans and $10 for Students. Group rates are available.
Thursday evenings are Theatre Industry Performances Nights where tickets are $10 for anyone in the performing arts industry. Industry tickets can only be purchased over the phone or at the theatre on the night of the performance.
Patrons can order tickets over the phone by calling 313-993-3270. Individual tickets can be purchased and printed online by visiting www.UDMarts.com. Ticket Office hours are Tuesday through Friday, Noon through 5:00 pm. The Ticket Office will open 45 minutes prior to curtain at The Marlene Boll Theatre.
Media partners for "Low Hanging Fruit" are MetroTimes, Between The Lines, The New Monitor, C and G Newspapers, EncoreMichigan.com, and Ferndale Friends. Radio partners are WDET, WWJ, WNIC, and WJR and television partner WXYZ. Special thanks to Alliance Catholic Credit Union for their support of the clothing and goods drive.
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