Rorschach Theatre Presents ANNIE JUMP & THE LIBRARY OF HEAVEN at Atlas Performing Arts Center

Annie Jump, a small-town teen and science genius, comes face to face with her worst nightmare: a popular girl. When she learns that this girl with great hair might be an intergalactic super computer tasked with bringing humanity to the stars, she must decide what is worth sacrificing to fulfill her destiny. Reina Hardy's play for all audiences is about finding your place in the universe and intelligent life in your neighborhood.

Rorschach produced Hardy's GLASSHEART, an off-beat, mature riff on Beauty & The Beast in 2014. Maryland Theater Guide said "Playwright Hardy's moving, clever dialogue is a delight" and "you'll feel the emotions and existential questions raised by the play for days after. The Washington Post lauded Hardy's "flair for off-key insights". All of which are equally present in the hilarious and heartfelt ANNIE JUMP & THE LIBRARY OF HEAVEN.

Rorschach is a new associate member of the National New Play Network (NNPN) and ANNIE JUMP & THE LIBRARY OF HEAVEN is the company's second NNPN ROLLING WORLD PREMIERE (REYKJAVIK in February 2019 preceded it.) Rorschach is the second of five companies across the country producing their own productions of ANNIE JUMP & THE LIBRARY OF HEAVEN in 2019 and 2020. Collaborators include RENAISSANCE THEATERWORKS (MILWAUKEE), THE VORTEX (AUSTIN), and THROWN STONE (RIDGEFIELD, CT). The playwright is part of each process, seeing the play through the lens of a different team of artists for each production. (The ultimate Rorschach test!)

ABOUT THE PLAYWRIGHT

Reina Hardy's plays, which usually contain magic and sometimes contain science, have been produced in Chicago, NYC, London, Austin and DC. They include GLASSHEART (Rorschach Theatre and the Shrewds), CHANGELINGS (The Vortex), and A MAP TO SOMEWHERE ELSE (Everyday Inferno, NYC). Some of her Honors include the Michener Fellowship, the National New Play Network New Play Showcase, Source Festival, the Kennedy Center MFA Playwrights Workshop, an Interact 20/20 Commission, and the Kennedy Center ACTF TYA PRIZE. Her publications include Best American Short Plays, 2012-2013, Best Scenes for Two Actors, Best Stage Monologues for Men, 60 Seconds to Shine, and the upcoming 105 5-Minute Plays for Study and Performance. Up next are new productions of STARGAZERS in Michigan and Australia, and the rolling world premiere of ANNIE JUMP AND THE LIBRARY OF HEAVEN in Austin, DC, Connecticut and Milwaukee. Hardy received her MFA from the Michener Center at UT Austin and is represented by Susan Gurman.

ABOUT THE PRODUCTION

Led by DC-based director and deviser Medha Marsten, ANNIE JUMP & THE LIBRARY OF HEAVEN features a cast and creative team of both emerging and established local artists. The cast includes Rorschach Company Member Robin Covington along with Zach Brewster-Geisz, Vanessa Chapoy, Aron Spellane, and Emily Whitworth. The design team includes Rorschach Company Members Katie McCreary (Lighting) and Veronica J. Lancaster (Sound), with Kylos Brannon (Video), Julie Cray Leong (Costumes), Alex Wade (Props), and Matt Wolfe (Set).

Medha Marsten is a director, deviser, dramaturg, and champion of putting the voices and stories of young people on stage. As a teaching artist and deviser with Arena Stage's Voices of Now program, she has devised and directed ten student written and performed plays.

As the daughter of a mathematician and engineer, Marsten has a unique set of experiences that, when combined with her experience working with young people, make her the ideal choice to helm ANNIE JUMP & THE LIBRARY OF HEAVEN. Recently, Medha dramaturged Pointless Theatre's RITE OF SPRING and directed short plays in Keegan Theatre's Womxn on Fire Festival 2018 and in Rorschach Theatre's Klecksography: TOIL & TROUBLE. She also directed TAME. at the 2014 Capital Fringe Festival. She has served as the assistant director on The Jungle Book (Adventure Theatre), Erma Bombeck: At Wit's End (Arena Stage), and Neverwhere (Rorschach Theatre).

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