Black Tom Island at Art House Productions

Art House Productions has announced their first audio play, Black Tom Island by Martin Casella available starting Monday, JANUARY 18 at 10:00am EST. This free audio play will be available for download on www.arthouseproductions.org and www.youtube.com/arthouseproductions. A free virtual panel discussion about the actual event featuring historians and the play's creative team will take place on Sunday, FEBRUARY 7 at 3:00pm EST on Zoom.

Based on an actual incident that took place in Jersey City in 1916, Black Tom Island explores the first documented terrorist attack on American soil through the lens of a fictionalized Slovak immigrant and his wife who MAY or MAY not be involved in the attack. Funded in part through the Hudson County Historical Partnership Grant, the original project was imagined to include in-person readings on location in Jersey City, however, to adapt the project to the current safety guidelines, Casella's play has been adapted as a radio play directed by Darren Lee with sound design by Megumi Katayama. The cast includes Michael Stewart Allen, Damian Buzzerio, Mason Hensley, and Jenna Krasowski.

Black Tom Island was originally commissioned and produced by Premiere Stages at Kean University in Union, NJ. The original production was presented at the Liberty Hall Museum, which received the 2018 Broadway World New Jersey Audience Award for Best New Play Produced.

"I grew up listening to old radio dramas, which our local Public Radio station (KCRW in Los Angeles) played on weekday afternoons. Shows like THE SHADOW and PAUL TEMPLE, where only the voices and sound effects told the story," says playwright Martin Casella. "When Art House suggested doing a radio version of Black Tom Island, I jumped at the chance! What our brilliant actors, director, and sound designer have come up with is absolutely thrilling."

"We hope this radio play will give our patrons a new way to experience the play and learn about this often overlooked important local historical event," says Producing Director Courtney Little. "This is the first radio play Art House produced and it's proven to be a rewarding challenge. We've translated theater's spirit of collaboration, discovery, and creativity into this new format."

The free historical panel on Sunday, FEBRUARY 7 at 3:00pm EST on Zoom will feature historians Janet Akhtarshenas of Liberty State Park and Timothy R. White of New Jersey City University, along with playwright Martin Casella and director Darren Lee. Moderated by Jim Peskin of Save Ellis Island. Additional panelists MAY be announced at a later date. Admission is free, advance registration is required to receive the Zoom link. To register, please visit www.arthouseproductions.org. For questions about accessibility and patrons services, please email info@arthouseproductions.org