Theater News

Waterwell Announces New Dael Orlandersmith Commission

The playwright will present her play at the Professional Performing Arts School this April.

Dael Orlandersmith will present her new commission, Some of the Things Inside, at the Professional Performing Arts School this spring.
Dael Orlandersmith will present her new commission, Some of the Things Inside, at the Professional Performing Arts School this spring.
(© Joan Marcus)

Waterwell continues its annual series of developmental workshop productions with a commission by Dael Orlandersmith (Forever, Yellowman, Beauty’s Daugther) for its senior Drama Class of 2016 at the Professional Performing Arts School (PPAS). The new play, Some of the Things Inside, will be directed by Allison Talis and will premiere at PPAS in April 2016.

Designed to stimulate the creation of high-quality new plays for young actors, Waterwell’s New Works Lab @ PPAS offers emerging and established playwrights the chance to develop their work with the support of professional directors, designers, and a cast of talented young actors.

Previous NWL playwrights include Qui Nguyen (She Kills Monsters), Nick Jones (Orange Is the New Black), A. Rey Pamatmat (Edith Can Shoot Things and Hit Them), Bekah Brunstetter (Oohrah!), and Stephen Karam (The Humans).

"Imbalances of power affect all of us personally, politically and spiritually," says Artistic Director Arian Moayed. "The dynamics between victims and aggressors can be complex, deceptive and contradictory, and the theater is uniquely positioned to be able to explore them in all their ambiguity and universality. In the American theater today no artist has been confronting those demons with more honesty and understanding than Dael Orlandersmith. What an absolute honor it is to have her work with our young artists."

The cast of Some of the Things Inside will be composed entirely of seniors in the Waterwell Drama Program at PPAS. Performances will take place April 13-16 at the Professional Performing Arts School.

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