Tennessee Repertory Theatre to Present 5th Annual Professional Intern Showcase with THE UNSEEN, 4/27-28

Tennessee Repertory Theatre will present its fifth annual professional intern showcase, a production fully staged by the five professionalinterns on staff. This year's show, The Unseen by Craig Wright will take place on April 27 - 28 at 7:00 pm at Tennessee Rep's Rehearsal Hall (NPT Studio A, 161 Rains Avenue).

Imprisoned by a totalitarian regime and mercilessly tortured for unknown crimes, Wallace and Valdez live without hope of escape or release. When an enigmatic new prisoner arrives and begins communicating in code, both men develop new relationships to each other, their captors, and themselves. A darkly humorous examination of faith in an uncertain world, The Unseen premiered as part of The Humana Festival of New Plays at Actors Theatre of Louisville in 2007. With shades of Samuel Beckett, Tom Stoppard, and David Mamet, The Unseen is a stirring exploration of issues both timely and timeless.

Professional Marketing Intern Kimberly Shepherd says: "The Unseen is an amazing examination of humanity's response to confinement, confusion, and loss of control. It addresses the irrepressible nature of empathy and hope that comes with being human and leaves us wondering who the victim is in a system built on enforced ignorance. We were struck by the power and relevancy of this play from the very beginning. As interns we learn a great deal from the experience of producing the showcase, but with The Unseen we have been given the opportunity to offer a kind of learning experience to our audiences as well. The US currently has the largest documented prison population in the world and more than once in recent years our attention has been drawn to issues related to our corrections system. While we actively chose to maintain the ambiguity the script presents regarding the country and political entities of The Unseen, our production team hopes its design choices in creating a 'captive audience' will combine with the striking dialogue to stimulate thoughts and conversation about life behind bars. Being closely involved with an inmate theatre program, I am personally very excited that my Tennessee Rep internship is allowing me to help produce a project that shines a light on a world I have a great personal and professional interest in."

The production stars Nashville actors Richard Daniel as Wallace, Kevin Bohleber as Valdez, and Kenneth Brown as their guard Smash and was directed by John Mauldin. The show features set design and construction by Professional Scenic Production Intern Jonesia Smith, costume design and construction by Professional Costume Production Intern Maria Mignone, and props designed and constructed by Professional Properties Intern Katherine Gering. Professional Stage Management Intern Jaclyn Shaull serves as Stage Manager and Sound Designer and Professional Marketing Intern Kimberly Shepherd is the production's Marketing Director.

Tennessee Repertory Theatre's Professional Internship Program is designed to offer hands-on experience to post-graduate and early career theatre artists as a bridge into their professional careers. Interns are offered the opportunity to gain practical knowledge in their chosen area while working with experienced professionals in theatre production and arts administration throughout an entire season. Tennessee Rep staff members mentor each interntowards his or her career goals, while allowing them to observe and participate in the general day-to-day workings of a professional regional theatre. TheShowcase is an opportunity provided by Tennessee Rep as a culmination of the season's learning experience, and is a project chosen by and produced by the Professional Intern class. This year's showcase marks the fifth anniversary of the project as part of Tennessee Rep's Professional InternshipProgram.

Since 1985, Tennessee Repertory Theatre has been a critically acclaimed regional theatre, creating the highest quality professional productions and serving as a prime cultural, educational, and economic resource within the Nashville and Middle Tennessee communities. Tennessee Rep produces work that is designed, built, and rehearsed in Nashville by highly skilled actors, designers, directors, and technicians. A non-profit organization, Tennessee Rep is committed to consistently delivering thought-provoking theatre each year. For more information on Tennessee Repertory Theatre, visit www.tennesseerep.org.

Schedule:
Tennessee Repertory Theatre Intern Showcase: The Unseen by Craig Wright
April 27 - 28, Tennessee Rep Rehearsal Hall (NPT's Studio A, 161 Rains Avenue)
Sunday, April 27 at 7:00 pm
Monday, April 28 at 7:00 pm
Tickets: $10. Reserve seats by calling 615/244-4878 or by visiting tennesseerep.org. Appropriate audience: high school and above.

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