RoaN Productions Presents Bloodrite: a Modern Urban Tragedy in Two Acts

RoaN Productions announced today its participation in the debut stage reading of Bloodrite: a Modern Urban Tragedy in Two Acts, written by Owa (winner: 2011 NAACP August Wilson Theatrical Playwrights Award ). Directed by Noël Neeb, Co-founder of RoaN Productions, this reading will take place on Tuesday, November 15, 2011, at 7:00 PM at The Dwyer Cultural Center at 258 Saint Nicholas Avenue, no. 2 (between 123rd and 124th Streets), in New York City. There is no cost to attend, but reservations are highly recommended.

"In his brand new, never-before-produced play, Bloodrite, Owa echoes the long-established
themes of Hamlet, while providing a particularly insightful reexamination of its narrative motifs,"
said Noël Neeb, Co-founder of and Director at RoaN Productions. "The dialogue fluctuates
seamlessly between contemporary, urban slang and the more traditional, heightened prose that
typically surrounds this particular subject matter. It's through his striking use of language that
Owa elevates and evolves its themes while simultaneously making the fundamental spirit of the
play much more accessible. This is but one reason why we at RoaN Productions feel privileged to
be involved in the development process of this significant new work."

Neeb continued, "Set in modern day Harlem, with an equally modern twist, Owa portrays a young
gangbanger who confronts the truth about himself and about his father's death, through the
course of madness, betrayal, and murder. Making for a richer experience, Owa layers his text
with clear yet compelling back stories and parallels to Christian mythology and ritual."
Produced by Voza Rivers / New Heritage Theatre Group, in association with The Dwyer Cultural
Center, this reading features an outstanding cast, including Christoph Abiel, James Edward
Becton, Aja Naomi King, Marcus Lorenzo, Celli Pitt, Erwin E. A. Thomas, and Outer Critic Circle-,
Ossie Davis-, and Obie-award winner Russell G. Jones. For additional details, images and
seating reservations call +1 212 926 2550.

RoaN Productions' history includes the European Premiere production of GRASMERE at the
Edinburgh Festival Fringe to international critical acclaim.

Anna Millar from The Scotsman gave GRASMERE a four-star review and wrote "flawless" &
"RoaN Productions does exceptionally well." William McEvoy from The Stage called the
production "...beautifully paced, with frequent glimpses of humour and some stylish directorial
choices, this is a strong ensemble performance of a sensitive piece of writing." Louise Hill from
The British Theatre Guide gave the production four stars and raved, "If their Edinburgh debut is
anything to go by, there are great things to come from Kristina Leach and RoaN Productions."

About RoaN Productions^TM
New York City-based RoaN Productions^TM was founded in 2007 by Rachel McKinney & Noël
Neeb with a primary focus of producing works that challenge, inspire and entertain audiences 
through its reverence for language, spirit of adventure and the staging of unique and unparalleled
new works, as well as classic plays.

Noël Neeb began her career as a director and producer at Capitol Repertory Theatre in
Albany, NY. She has launched new works and classics Off-Off Broadway, nationally &
internationally, garnering critical acclaim for directing the European Premiere of Grasmere at
the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Tough Guys Don't Shoot Blanks at the Fringe NYC, and
Disillusioned at the Midtown International Theater Festival, which was named Winner, Top 3
Short Subject Plays - 2009. Neeb is an Associate Member of Society of Stage Directors and
Choreographers, a Lincoln Center Director's Lab Alumna, and has studied with Jean-Guy Lacat
and Mary Overlie.

Rachel McKinney has performed in nearly 20 productions on stage and in film. She holds a BA in
Theatre from Arizona State University and has studied at the Southwest Shakespeare
Conservatory and the Shakespeare Sedona Institute. Throughout her career McKinney has
worked with numerous directors and producers, including Ross Meyerson, Heidi Marshall, Peter
Frechette, Mimi Lieber, and Randi Klein.

For more information, please visit us at http://www.roanproductions.com, or "Like Us" on
Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/roanproductions. To be added to RoaN Production's email
list, please write to rachel@roanproductions.com, or call us on +1 646 415 8206.

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