FROM THE MOUTHS OF MONSTERS Premiere to Put Teenage Twist on Frankenstein at Kennedy Center

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts presents From the Mouths of Monsters, a contemporary, highly theatrical world premiere commission that plunges audiences headfirst into the complex world of adolescence, where speaking out can have astounding consequences.

A new and inspired riff on Mary Shelley's writing of the classic monster tale Frankenstein, From the Mouths of Monsters is presented as a part of the Kennedy Center's Theater for Young Audiences 2016-2017 season. The production will run at the Kennedy Center Family Theater March 10-12, and is most appropriate for patrons age 12 and up.

In this powerful two-actor play starring Shannon Dorsey (2017 Helen Hayes Award nominee for An Octoroon at Woolly Mammoth) and Tia Shearer (Second City's Twist Your Dickens at the Kennedy Center), teenager Michelle's shyness hides intense thoughts that pace in her mind and flow from her pen. She wishes she could say her truth aloud, but can't seem to set free what's waiting to burst out. That dream comes true with some supernatural help, but it soon descends into nightmare in a frightening journey of self-discovery that transforms her from a timid teen to a poet with the power to overthrow her foes and even raise the dead.

In celebration of the 200th anniversary of Mary Shelley's enduring classic, Frankenstein, award-winning playwright and BreakBeat poet Idris Goodwin along with acclaimed director Douglas Irvine (the Kennedy Center's Jason and the Argonauts and The Adventures of Robin Hood) use the novel as a jumping-off point to examine the monstrous power of words and those who wield them.

From the Mouths of Monsters features set design by Luciana Stecconni, lighting design by C.C. Gould, costume design by Debra Kim Sivigny, sound design by Christopher Baine, and properties by Jacy Barber.

From the Mouths of Monsters will be performed on Friday, March 10, 2017 at 7:00 p.m., Saturday, March 11, 2017 at 1:30 p.m. and 4:00 p.m., and Sunday, March 12, 2017 at 1:30 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. Tickets for the performance are $20 and are currently on sale. For more information, visit the Kennedy Center website, in-person at the Kennedy Center box office, or call (202) 467-4600 or (800) 444-1324.

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts is the national champion for arts learning and creativity. Committed to increasing opportunities for all people to participate in, learn about, and understand the arts, Education at the Kennedy Center offers programs and events that strive to reflect the nation and communities and that are accessible and inclusive for all. From performances and exhibits on the Center's stages and in the community, to classroom and community partnerships, including the recent addition of the President's Committee on the Arts and Humanities Turnaround Arts initiative, to online resources accessible nearly anywhere, the Center serves the burgeoning artist, the exploring student of any age, the teacher and teaching artist, and even the local and national infrastructure-any person interested in arts learning and utilizing the arts for positive change. As an essential component of the living memorial to President Kennedy, the Center's Education utilizes the arts to embrace the ideals of service, justice, freedom, courage, and gratitude, and to activate and support the Citizen Artists in all our audiences. For more information, visit kennedy-center.org/education.

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