Berkeley Rep to Present $6000 in Donations to Save Student Paper

Josie Lawrence, Gay Soper to Join Pippin...

By Dan Bacalzo • Oct 16, 2008 • San Francisco

Adrienne Papp, Alex Curtis and Lance Gardner
in Yellowjackets
(© Kevin Berne)

Berkeley Repertory Theatre -- which is currently presenting Itamar Moses' new play, Yellowjackets, through October 19 -- has announced that it will provide $6000 in audience donations to help save Berkeley High School's student newspaper, The Jacket, which had reported that it was in danger of folding next year due to mounting financial challenges.

The Jacket is prominently featured in Moses' play, set at Berkeley High (the playwright's alma mater), and chronicles what happens when the school paper publishes a racially insensitive story that sparks controversy among students and teachers alike. On Sunday, the cast will present a check to the newspaper staff at a special ceremony on Berkeley Rep's stage after the final performance.

Tony Taccone directs the play, which features Shoresh Alaudini, Jahmela Biggs, Alex Curtis, Ben Freeman, Lance Gardner, Amaya Alonso Hallifax, Kevin Hsieh, Adrienne Papp, Craig Piaget, Brian Rivera, and Erika Salazar. The creative team includes Obadiah Eaves (sound), Meg Neville (costumes), Annie Smart (sets), and Alexander V. Nichols (lights).

For more information, call 510-647-2949 or visit berkeleyrep.org.