Fidelis and Ping Pong Join the the Public Theater's Public Studio Season Series

The Public Theater has announced the return of Public Studio, a performance series dedicated exclusively to developing the work of emerging writers, with the addition of two new plays to its spring season. The productions will run in repertory from February 20-March 1 in the Public’s Shiva Theater and will be presented as pared-down productions with the low ticket price of only $10.

One of the offerings will be Fidelis, written by Christina Gorman and directed by Leah C. Gardiner. Set in 1966, the play follows 21-year-old Nick Edwards, who enters the Marine Corps with only the barest notion of who he is or what he’s worth. The Corps trains him, shapes him, makes him, and sends him to Vietnam. It’s only when Nick returns stateside that he meets his most insidious enemy: the Marine Corps itself. The cast will feature McKinley Belcher III, Dan Domingues, Katie Flahive, Nick Lehane, Nikiya Mathis, Seth D. Moore, and Chris Stack.

Fidelis will run in repertory with Ping Pong, written by Rogelio Martinez and directed by Kate Whoriskey. Based on the true events surrounding the groundbreaking table-tennis tournament that marked a decisive new chapter in U.S.-China relations, the play follows the extraordinary young man who played the game that changed the world and the political actors who were playing him. The cast will feature Clea Alsip (Aubrey), Erin Gann (Glenn Cowan), Jennifer Ikeda (Jia), Steve Mellor (Richard Nixon), Ron Nakahara (Chairman Mao), Daniel Pearce (Henry Kissinger), Hansel Tan (Zhuang Zedong), and James Yaegashi (Zhau Enlai).

Public Studio features scenic design by Raul Abrego, costume design for Fidelis by Arnulfo Maldonado, costume design for Ping Pong by Amanda Seymour, lighting design by Amith Chandrashaker, sound design by Nicholas Pope, and movement director for Ping Pong by Warren Adams.

"In our second year of Public Studio, we are delighted to welcome two thrilling writers, Christina Gorman and Rogelio Martinez," said Associate Artistic Director Mandy Hackett. "Both writers are turning to history to spin challenging tales of power and justice. The writers are daring and bold and we are galvanized to see the writers grapple with our history and larger political landscape in such ambitious and theatrical ways."

For tickets to Fidelis, click here.

For tickets to Ping Pong, click here.