Ensemble Studio Theatre/Going to the River Presents 9 Short Plays

The Ensemble Studio Theatre and Going to the River have lined up some of the most gifted women playwrights of color - some new, some established - for a three-week presentation of nine short, under 10-minute plays in return of the series The River Crosses Rivers, a three-week festival of short plays by women of color, previewing September 14 for an opening September 17 (runs through October 2) at the Ensemble Studio Theatre, 549 West 52nd Street.

In Post Black by Regina Taylor, Ruby Dee and Carmen DeLavallade will each perform on different evenings the role of a 110-year-old woman who is forced to confront a "post black" generation.

"The goal, simply put, is to give women playwrights of color the kind of exposure that is provided by the Ensemble Studio Theatre, whose goal is to nurture individual theatre artists and to develop new American plays," said Ensemble Studio Theatre (EST) Artistic Director William Carden.

Elizabeth Van Dyke and Jamie Richards, Artistic Directors of River Crosses Rivers II, have organized a stellar lineup of playwrights whose voices add richness and texture to the American Canon.

The River Crosses Rivers II mixes established playwrights like Pearl Cleage and Regina Taylor with emerging playwrights France-Luce Benson, Christine Jean Chambers, Naveen Bahar Choudhury, Philana Omorotionmwan, Desi Moreno-Penson, Bridgette Wimberly and Cori Thomas.

"The River Crosses Rivers II, the second of a series of short plays that originated in 2009, is a program of Going to the River," said Elizabeth Van Dyke, Producing Artistic Director of Going to the River who started the program ten years ago with the late Curt Dempster. "For the last decade, Going to the River has provided a forum through EST in which professional African-American women playwrights may develop, refine and present their work. The River Crosses Rivers crosses the river to other cultures to give voice to all women of color.

Going to the River has presented staged readings of full-length plays, a solo program entitled Down By the River All By Yo'Self, a River Poetry Slam Jam, RiverFest of ten-minute pieces, a writer's unit, panels and distinguished guest speakers.

The plays (directors TBA except where noted):

Learning to Swim by France-Luce Benson, directed by Elizabeth Van Dyke
A woman grappling with loss discovers the only way to rise above her grief is to swim through it.

One Quarter by Christine Jean Chambers, directed by Talvin Wilks
A multiracial woman ponders the future of her progeny after suffering a miscarriage. How will her child inherit a culture she's always felt alienated from?

One for the Brothers by Pearl Cleage, directed by Woodie King, Jr.
A love story set during the turbulent 60's & 70's when revolution was the norm.

Skin by Naveen Bahar Choudhury, directed by Jamie Richards
A classic tale of Hip Hop Wannabe Boy meets Disenchanted Poet Girl.

The Settlement by Philana Omorotionmwan, directed by Dean Irby
Isaac and Rebecca are new homeowners who find their domestic bliss permanently disrupted by the late-night arrival of Shirley, who insists that the land the couple's home sits on belonged to her ancestors and is rightfully hers.

Comida de Puta (F@$king Lousy Food) by Desi Moreno-Penson, directed by José Zayas
In this short adaptation of Phaedra, a Bronx bodega owner's wife is madly in love with her husband's son, the lunch-counter boy, while her friend, the neighborhood ‘spiritual' woman, offers advice and counsel.

Post Black by Regina Taylor, directed by Regina Taylo
Ruby Dee and Carmen DeLavallade will each, on different evenings, play a 110 year old woman who encounters a group of young people in an airport and is forced to confront a "post black" generation.

Waking up by Cori Thomas, directed by Tea Alagic
Two women on different continents face breast cancer. A play about what separates us and what makes us the same.

Modern Romance by Bridgette Wimberly, directed by Chuck Patterson
Tanya has been lonely for a long time. Lately she has found something exciting to do with her afternoons...........but is he for real?

The entire evening will run approximately 2 1/2 hours, including intermission.

The Ensemble Studio Theatre < www.ensemblestudiotheatre.org> is a not-for-profit developmental theatre incorporated in 1972 with two primary goals: to nurture individual theatre artists and to develop new American plays. Under the guidance of the late founder Curt Dempster, the theatre's membership grew from a core of 20 artists to a flourishing community of over 500 theatre artists of the highest caliber. Among them are winners of accolades and higher awards including Pulitzer Prizes, Oscars, Tonys, Emmys, and Obies. The Ensemble Studio Theatre is a lifelong artistic home for its member playwrights, directors, actors, designers, technical personnel and administrators. Each year, The Ensemble Studio Theatre produces over 300 projects, including readings, workshops and fully produced mainstage full-lengths.

Performances are Wednesday through Saturday at 7:00pm, with one Saturday matinee, September 17, at 2:00pm and three Sunday matinees at 3:00pm on September 18, September 25 and October 2.

The Ensemble Studio Theatre is located at 549 West 52nd Street, west of Tenth Avenue. River Crosses Rivers performs September 14 through October 2. Tickets are $10 during previews and $18 from September 17 on. To order tickets call 866.811.4111 or click < www.ovationtix.com/trs/cal/134>.

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