AGNES UNDER THE BIG TOP, GIDION'S KNOT and More Set for Forum Theatre's 10th Anniversary Season

Forum Theatre's 10th Anniversary Season has begun! The 2013-2014 season will features two world premieres, two regional premieres, and the return of an acclaimed Forum production. For the fifth year in a row, Forum will be in residence at Round House Theatre Silver Spring.

"It's a chance to look back, sure, but also to make a statement about what we believe in, what we are about." says Artistic Director Michael Dove about the anniversary season. "It's a season of multi-faceted and highly entertaining stories that focus on contemporary issues (including immigration and school violence), as well as eternal themes of faith, forgiveness, and growing up."

"The season also continues our mission to create theatre that reflects the rich diversity of our community and that promotes the value of inclusion."

In September, the season will open with the Washington area premiere of Agnes Under the Big Top by Aditi Brennan Kapil. Agnes Under the Big Topwill feature ensemble members Nora Achrati and Annie Houston, Edward Christian, Jason Glass, Jon Jon Johnson, and Joy Jones. In an American city, to the sound of the subway, six lives intersect in this comic adventure about immigrant life in America. A Liberian nurse, a Bulgarian one-time ringmaster and his wife, an Indian subway driver trainee, a nomadic busker, and a bedridden woman pursue dreams, peace, and a place in this strange new world.

In January, Forum will present solo performer Anu Yadav's world premiere of Meena's Dream. Meena's Dream will also feature music performed and written by Anjna Swaminathan, Rajna Swaminathan, and Sam McCormally. During the day, seven-year-old Meena wishes that her mother could get well; and by night, the Hindu God Lord Krishna appears, entreating Meena's help in his war against the Worry Machine. Meena's Dream creates a fantastical world through storytelling and live music, from South Indian classical to indie rock.

In February and March will produce Pluto by Steve Yockey. Pluto will be a National New Play Network Rolling World Premiere with three different productions at Actor's Express Theatre (GA), Orlando Shakespeare Theatre (FL), and Forum. Pluto will be presented with support from the Continued Life of New Plays Fund. Pluto will feature ensemble member Kimberly Gilbert, Alex Mandell, Jennifer Mendenhal, Brynn Tucker, and David Zimmerman.The morning after a local school tragedy, a single mother attempts to reconnect with her son. But strange forces keep interfering: the new family dog has three heads, an angry mob has gathered outside, and a chilling figure has occupied the refrigerator. Michael Dove will direct.

In May and June, Forum will present a brand new production of The Last Days of Judas Iscariot by Stephen Adly Guirgis. A Helen Hayes Award nominee for Best Ensemble in 2008, Judas was one of the most important productions in Forum's history and we are thrilled to revisit this play to celebrate our tenth season, along with many members of the original cast. Judas will feature many of the original cast members. In purgatory, Judas is on trial, yet so overwhelmed by guilt that he cannot speak in his own defense. So lawyers, witnesses, saints, and even the Devil try the case without him, debating punishment, redemption, and the nature of free will. John Vreeke returns to Forum to direct.

"When thinking about how we wanted to properly celebrate our 10th season," says Dove, "we decided that we wanted to go back to the show that helped define our aesthetic. Judas was that show and set the course for the type of theatre we wanted to make for the future. We are thrilled to have John Vreeke back and have the chance to build on the previous production."

Recently announced, the final show of the 2013-2014 season will be the DC Premiere of Gidion's Knot by Johnna Adams in July 2014. This will be a co-production with NextStop Theatre Company - where it will be produced in August/September 2014. Over the course of an unexpected parent/teacher conference in a 5th grade classroom, a mother and her son's teacher have a volatile conversation about the tragic circumstances that led to Gidion's suspension from school. Was he a bully? A victim? A protector? Or, was his imagination too powerful a tool for the adults around him? Christina Alicea, the Producing Artistic Director of Vermont Stage Company, will direct.

Our 10th season will also feature the return of Forum (Re)Acts. A community-minded event, (Re)Acts brings together local artists from an array of disciplines and challenges them to create a short piece of theatre based around a particular theme. Next season's (Re)Acts evenings will be announced at a later date.

2013-14 will mark the second year of the Forum Ensemble. Comprised of directors, actors, designers, dramaturgs, and writers, the Ensemble is focused on training, artistic development, and further development of the Forum aesthetic. The initiative's mission is to develop the next generation of theatre-makers charged with developing not just what Forum produces, but how it is produced. Ensemble members serve one-year terms to coincide with the production season. This past year, we featured work by ensemble playwrights Steve Spotswood and Natsu Onoda Power. This season's team will include Nora Achrati, Patrick Bussink, Michael Dove, Maboud Ebrahimzadeh, Kimberly Gilbert, Hannah Hessel, Annie Houston, Jess Jung, Patricia Kalil, Frank Labovitz, Rose McConnell, Natsu Onoda Power, Thomas Sowers, Stephen Spotswood, Alexander Strain, and Anu Yadav.

Since 2009, Forum Theatre has been in residence at Round House Theatre Silver Spring and 2013-2014 will be the last year of that partnership. As of June 30, 2014, Round House will no longer be the managers of the Black Box space in Silver Spring. Forum hopes to continue producing in the space but negotiations are ongoing. Forum looks forward to producing a full season of shows and programs in Silver Spring.

Again this season, Forum will offer its popular and innovative Membership program. Members receive an "all-access pass" to Forum's season, which includes open rehearsals, special events, and admission to any performance at any time -- no limits. By opening up the artistic process, Forum seeks to build a great connection between art and audience.

Forum Theatre welcomes Tim Conley as the new Managing Director. With eighteen years of experience in theatre management and production, Tim is excited to join the exceptional team of collaborators at Forum Theatre. Tim spent a large portion of his professional career in Atlanta on the staff of Georgia Shakespeare. He currently serves as a member of the audition staff for the Southeastern Theatre Conference, and has served as a guest speaker for Emory University, Oglethorpe University, The Gainesville Theatre Alliance, The Lovett School and others. Tim is a proud graduate of Carnegie Mellon University's directing program. He is also currently employed as the Business Manager for Round House Theatre. Former Managing Director, Julia Cain, is looking forward to continuing her relationship with Forum Theatre on the Board of Directors.

SEASON 10 DETAILS

AGNES UNDER THE BIG TOP

by Aditi Brennan Kapil

directed by Michael Dove

* Regional Premiere

September 5-28, 2014

MEENA'S DREAM

by Anu Yadav

directed by Paige Hernandez

January 8-19, 2013

PLUTO

by Steve Yockey

directed by Michael Dove

* NNPN Rolling World Premiere

February 20-March 15, 2014

THE LAST DAYS OF JUDAS ISCARIOT

by Stephen Adly Guirgis

directed by John Vreeke

May 22-June 14, 2014

GIDION'S KNOT

by Johnna Adams

directed by Cristina Alicea

*Regional Premiere

July 2014

Forum Theatre is in residence at Round House Theatre Silver Spring, 8641 Colesville Road, Silver Spring, MD 20910. Metro: Silver Spring (red line). To purchase a membership, visit www.forum-theatre.org or call us at 240-644-1390.

Other exciting #Forum10 initiatives:

Forum For All - Forum for All is our philosophy that theatre should be and has to be accessible and affordable to everyone. An hour before every show, a majority of our tickets will be available at whatever price you want to pay, first-come, first-serve. YOU set the price. YOU decide what a fair price is in exchange for good theatre. You determine what you can pay.

http://forum-theatre.com/forum-for-all

#Forum4All

Diversity Town Hall - On September 21st, we will convene a Town Hall on diversity and inclusion in theatre. The purpose of this Town Hall will be to gather our stakeholders--artists, audience members, and neighbors--around the idea of making diversity and inclusion essential core values of Forum Theatre.

http://forum-theatre.com/diversity-town-hall

#ForumTH

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