Teaching Young Artists Presents Area Premiere of HANDS ON A HARDBODY

Drama Learning Center's professional training company for emerging young artists will present the area premiere of new American musical Hands on a Hardbody next month. Inspired by true events and based on the acclaimed 1997 documentary of the same name by S. R. Bindler, Hands on a Hardbody follows 10 hard-luck Texans searching for a new lease on life. Under a scorching sun for days on end, armed with nothing but hope, humor and ambition, each contestant fights to keep at least one hand on a brand-new truck in order to win it. In the hilarious, hard-fought contest that is Hands on a Hardbody, only one winner can drive away with American Dream.

Hands on a Hardbody boasts a book by Tony Award and Pulitzer-Prize winner Doug Wright (I Am My Own Wife, The Little Mermaid, Grey Gardens), music and lyrics by Amanda Green (Brint It On: The Musical) and music by Trey Anastasio (acclaimed for hiw work with rock band Phish). Hands on a Hardbody ran a limited run on Broadway in March and April of 2014. On directing this area premiere, Stephanie Lynn Williams states: "I'm so excited to direct this show. It is a true gem: topical and relevant, yet nostalgic. It's absurdly funny in one moment and gut-wrenchingly poignant in the next."

The focal point of the scenic design is a full-sized Nissan hardbody pickup truck, which Drama Learning Center has acquired from a theatre in Liberal, Kansas. To help offset the expense of this non-traditional set piece, Drama Learning Center is running two fundraising campaigns: a t-shirt campaign through Booster (https://www.booster.com/tyahandson) and a crowdfunding campaign through Indiegogo (https://igg.me/at/TYAHandsOn). Campaign supporters will have the opportunity to get limited edition collectors' items as well as exclusive pre-show photo opportunities and front-row seats based on their level of contribution.

Drama Learning Center's Professional Training Company, TYA (Teaching Young Artists), presents its Fall/Winter production of Hands on a Hardbody from January 13-21, 2017 at Drama Learning Center in Columbia. Available by audition only, the TYA program allows students to work in a professional theatre environment as they learn about all aspects of theatrical work. TYA has a strong history of bringing cutting-edge titles to local audiences. The group has previously mounted area premieres of First Date, Carrie the Musical, GHOST the Musical, 13, Legally Blonde, and High School Musical. This production continues TYA's long-standing tradition of producing professional contemporary musical theatre.

Hands on a Hardbody is presented by permission through special arrangement with Samuel French.

Show Dates & Times:

January 13-14, 19-21 at 7:30 PM
January 15 at 2 PM

Production Staff:

Director: Stephanie Lynn Williams

Music Director: Tiffany Underwood Holmes

Lighting Design: Lynn Joslin

Costume Design: Amy Weimer

Stage Manager: Sarah Luckadoo

Featuring TYA Company Members:

Lauren Alberg, Patrick Campbell, Lila Cooper, Ceoli Jacoby, Daniel Joya-Iglesias, Leah McClelland, Lauren McKenna, Abrien Nelson, Ellie Parks, Austin Pearsall, Alicia Philadelphia, Ava Pirie, Jason Quackenbush, Mark Quackenbush, Shannon Taylor, Julia Totis, Dumar Valencia, Eli Vogel, Luka Yetter

Tickets:

On sale now at www.dramalearningcenter.com or by calling 410-997-9392.

$18 in advance

$20 at the door

Location:

Drama Learning Center

9130-I Red Branch Rd.

Columbia, MD 2104