Signature in the Schools to Celebrate 20th Anniversary with VENI, VIDI, VICI World Premiere This Month

Signature in the Schools, Signature Theatre's flagship education program, presents the world premiere production of Veni, Vidi, Vici, written by writer/director and Signature Theatre's Resident Director of New Works Joe Calarco and directed by Education Director David Zobell. Students from Arlington high schools join professional actor Erin Weaver (The Last Five Years, Xanadu) for this thought-provoking and funny new play, which the students perform in Signature's MAX Theatre. Veni, Vidi, Vici is conceived and written to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of Signature in the Schools and explores the impacts of imperialism.

Nearly 1,400 public school students are involved in Signature in the Schools programs each year, up to 20 of those students (chosen from open auditions) are working side by side with Signature's professional team to create their own production as actors and stage managers. They also work on design elements including props, sound, lights and costumes. The show features student performers and crew from Wakefield High School, Washington-Lee High School, and Yorktown High School in Arlington.

Public performances of Veni, Vidi, Vici will take place on March 9 and 16 at 8:00pm in the MAX Theatre. The event is FREE, but tickets are required. Contact the Box Office at 703-820-9771 or tickets@signature-theatre.org to reserve your seats! The run also includes student matinees for invited audiences on the mornings of March 6, 9, 11, 13 & 16 at 10:15 AM.

"I can honestly say that there's never been a Signature in the Schools production like this one," says director David Zobell. "The unusual structure and style, telling a story that manages to cover the history of the world and yet take place in real time, has been a delightful challenge for everyone involved. For twenty years, Signature in the Schools has pushed audiences with difficult subject matter and pushed young theater artists with an expectation for excellence. With Veni, Vidi, Vici, a new bar has been set for audience and artist alike."

When a group of students putting on a play about Imperialism are suddenly left in front of an audience without a script, they have to figure out a way to make up the play as they go, causing rifts in the cast and crew that mirror the history they're trying to dramatize. This world premiere weaves through the history of Imperialism around the globe.

"Writing for Signature in the Schools is not only a joyful experience every year but it always challenges me as a writer," says playwright Joe Calarco. "The subject matter is always so ambitious, and tackling imperialism this year has probably been the most challenging so far. Being a full time staff member now allows me to be around rehearsal more this year which is so exciting. Watching David Zobell and these young actors handle the material with such care and craftsmanship is inspiring and teaches me so much about my own work."

Watch a promo for the show below!

On the production team are: Assistant Director/Dramaturg: Matthew Taylor Strote; Scenic Designer: Clint Ramos; Costume Designer: Alison Johnson; Lighting Designer: Andrew Cissna; Sound Designer: James Bigbee Garver; Prop Designer: Pam Weiner; Stage Manager: Mason Hemphill; Assistant Stage Manager: Jackson Hambridge; Wardrobe and Make-Up: Madeline Buchanan, Aubrey Hensley; Light Board Operators: Marwa Awadbahr, Jacob Smith; Assistant Sound Designer/Sound Technician: Jake Bucks; Props: Adrian Cardenas, Adam Voight; Backstage Assistant: Rebecca Matos; and Deck Chief: Alex Hunter.

The cast features: Sean Balick*, Nicholas Cadby-Spicer, Max Carruth, Karl Green*, Kerry Hackes, Abby Hendricks*, Brandi Moore*, Julia Watson* and Erin Weaver**.

* Members of The Apprentice at Signature program.
** Members of Actors' Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.

Veni, Vidi, Vici, written by Joe Calarco and directed by David Zobell with musical staging by Matthew Gardiner, will be presented by Signature in the Schools in the MAX Theatre. Public Performances: March 9 and March 16 at 8:00pm. Free, but tickets are required. Call (703) 820-9771 for tickets.

Now celebrating its 20th anniversary season, Signature in the Schools uses theater to open the minds and broaden the viewpoints of local teens while engaging them in a positive creative experience. A recipient of The Washington Post's prestigious Community Service Award, Signature in the Schools reaches nearly 1,400 students annually through theater workshops, in-class discussions, an after-school program and the production of an original play.

For an entire overview of the Signature in the Schools program and its history visit www.signature-theatre.org/signature-in-the-schools.

Pictured: Erin Weaver in Signature Theatre's COMPANY in 2013. Photo by Scott Suchman.