The Highwood Theatre to Stage New Play RIOT

Your Theatre, the professional division of The Highwood Theatre, is thrilled to present the world premiere of RIOT, a new, original play devised entirely by the cast and creative team. This groundbreaking production is part of Highwood's 3rd annual Open Source Theatre Project, which focuses on collaboration to explore non-traditional theatre experiences. This engaging, audience-immersive performance centers around an event which residents of the DC area are all too familiar with: a protest. Dealing with relevant issues such as race, discrimination and class inequality, RIOT gives the audience a chance to voice their opinions throughout the show to guide the choices characters make and steer the direction of the plot.

Set in Sam's Coffee Shop, an "everybody knows your name" kind of place on the campus of fictional Whitney University, a diverse group of characters from very different backgrounds get caught up in a nearby protest-turned-riot. Chris, the friendly barista and Whitney alum, shares all the gossip around campus with his customers, specifically complaining about the frequent protests held by local activist Nicole, whose passion for picketing sometimes borders on the absurd. False information spread via social media fans the flames of dissent causing the coffee house patrons to turn against one another as the heated debate becomes violent.

Through an innovative marriage of technology and art, RIOT examines the role of the media to obscure the truth, shift blame and sway public opinion. "The show is a study of how we use our surface-level judgments of character to make assumptions and how society is influenced by social media and the consequences associated with that rush to judgment." explains Director Sue Schaffel. Highwood's unique approach to this production allows the audience to make their own judgments as they become part of the story and help drive the plot. Using interactive social media, the play moves to a different thrilling climax in each performance. Schaffel further describes the experience, "The audience has the opportunity to decide what happens to these characters. They will be immersed in the show; not only figuring out plot lines, but actually sitting in the coffee shop - in the scene."

RIOT features the talents of Jennifer Berry (Stacy), Smitty Chai (Ryan), Mollie Goff (Andrea), Nerissa Hart (Nicole), Christopher Holbert (Officer Frank), and Andrew Quilpa (Chris). It is directed by Sue Schaffel and Assistant Directed by Garrett Schaffel. Fight Choreographer: Claudia Rosales, Stage Manager: Kelsey Murphy, Set and Lighting Design: Toly Yarup and Kevin Kearney, Sound Design: Orion Stekoll.

RIOT is part of Highwood's 2015-2016 Mainstage Season "Underground Expression" and is the season's second production by its Your Theatre division, which is dedicated to producing high-quality professional theatre productions with teams of talented adult actors.

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