TheatreFIRST presents Next World Premiere Development Piece BENEATH THE TALL TREE

Beneath the Tall Tree, written by local artists Adrienne Walters and Jeffrey Lo, and directed by Joy Carlin, continues TheatreFIRST's mission of producing and presenting in-house new works as their means of social justice.

Caught in the anti-Japanese prejudice of WWII, Tetsuo Fujikawa, a teenage Japanese American boy, was forced from his Palo Alto home to an internment camp away from the rest of the country. Before the government imposed relocation, Tetsuo buried the family samurai sword. To this day the sword has not been found. Beneath the Tall Tree is the story of what happens when Tetsuo's archaeologist granddaughter Cass decides to dig up her grandfather's history and look for a connection to her culture that she fears she's lost. Written by Adrienne Walters (based on her family history) and Jeffrey Lo, directed by Joy Carlin with dramaturgy by Oona Hatton, Beneath the Tall Tree stars Bay Area artists Adrienne Walters, Sam Stark, Bonnie Akimoto and Lucas Brandt.

Keeping pace with the changing face of our community, TheatreFIRST seeks to revolutionize how audiences and artists engage with social progress. From development to production, every aspect of our creative team ensures voices are amplified equitably. Making theatre a place where social justice happens means crafting stories that reflect the world around it, letting go of the old to make space for the now.

Beneath the Tall Tree originated in the simplest of ways; last year, when on a rehearsal break, Adrienne told Artistic Director Jon Tracy the tale of her grandfather during WWII. Comparing it with our current political climate, both artists quickly understood the need to amplify the story on stage.

This play marks some sense of "full-circle" for Jon and Joy. Many years ago, Jon started his Bay Area career under the mentorship of Joy, assisting her direction of the musical version of Fanny at Chez Panisse. It was Joy's willingness to mentor Jon that opened doors and allowed him to carve out his own space. Over the years, they've found ways to continue to collaborate. It only made sense that, in Jon's first season as Artistic Director, that Joy direct.

Everyday we reexamine our tenets, looking for better ways to serve new works and new voices. Check-in with the Artistic Director as he bluntly breaks down what works, what doesn't, and what's next. Hear about new initiatives that include community discussions, preshow workshops and a patron's ability to use their ticket as many times as they want to watch the progress of the new work through closing night.

At A Glance:

TheatreFIRST's

Beneath the Tall Tree

By Adrienne Walters and Jeffrey Lo

Dramaturgy by Oona Hatton

Directed by Joy Carlin

Live Oak Theater

1301 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley CA 94709

Opening: Monday, February 27th, 2017, 8pm

Closing: Saturday, March 25th, 2017

Runs Thursday - Saturdays, 8pm - Sundays, 2pm

Tickets:

Opening Night: $35 general, $25 student/senior

Run: $25 general, $20 student/senior

Tickets available through website: www.theatrefirst.com and at the door.

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