Azuka Theatre's Philadelphia Premiere of MOTH to Open in May

One night can change everything. Azuka Theatre's 16th season concludes with the Philadelphia Premiere of Declan Greene's Moth. Preview performances begin Wednesday, May 4th, with Opening Night on Saturday, May 7th at 7:00pm. The show runs for a total of 16 performances, closing on Sunday, May 22nd. All performances take place in the Louis Bluver Theatre at The Drake, 302 S. Hicks Street. Tickets are available online at www.azukatheatre.org or by phone at (215) 563-1100. Ticket pricing ranges from Pay-What-You Decide to $35, with special rates for students, seniors and industry professionals. For more information regarding Pay-What-You-Decide ticketing, please visit www.azukatheatre.org/pay-what-you-decide.

Moth introduces audiences to Anime-obsessed Sebastian and emo-Wiccan Claryssa. They have the kind of connection that can only be found on the bottom rung of the social ladder. One night, a terrible act of bullying leaves their friendship in ruins. As they separately struggle with the fallout, an ecstatic vision leads Sebastian on an apocalyptic mission accompanied by a mysterious moth in a jar he found next to his bed. An explosive exploration of friendship, betrayal, and loss, this darkly funny and moving Philadelphia premiere by Australian playwright Declan Greene is Azuka's fifth New Professionals Production.

The New Professionals Production exclusively features the talents of emerging theatre artists, often recent college graduates, allowing them to gain professional experience and a chance to have their work seen by the larger theatre community.

Moth is directed by Michael Osinski. Osinski returns to Philadelphia from Chicago where he recently received his MFA at The Theatre School at DePaul University. Osinski was a co-founder and former Producing Artistic Director of Flashpoint Theatre Company, where he directed several Philadelphia premieres. Recent University of the Arts graduates Hannah Parke and Nicholas Scheppard star in the show. Parke has been on tour with TheatreWorksUSA and Scheppard has appeared at Philadelphia Shakespeare Theatre and both The New York and Philadelphia Fringe Festivals.

"MOTH is a story about the ultimate underdogs and outcasts. It tackles an important issue without feeling like an after-school special. It's a smart funny play that ultimately breaks my heart. And I can think of no better home for this play than Azuka," said Osinski. "I've enjoyed every minute of working with this company of courageous and compassionate artists."

Apollo Mark Weaver is the Scenic Designer. He is an MFA Candidate at Temple University. He has previously worked as a professional scenic artist, holding charge artists positions for Geva Theatre Center, the Hangar Theatre, and Utah Shakespeare Festival. Alyssandra Docherty is the Lighting Designer. She recently designed the lighting for Theatre Horizon's Black Nativity. Kayla Speedy is the Costume Designer. She is a graduate of Walnut Street Theatre's Professional Apprentice Program and she has a B.S. in Fashion Design from Drexel University. The Sound Designer is Damien Figueras. He was an Assistant Designer for Passion at Arden Theatre Company. He was recently awarded the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival Regional Award for Sound Design and a scholarship to study at the Stagecraft Institute of Las Vegas. Terry Mittelman is the Stage Manager. Lena Barnard is the Dramaturg and Lauren Tracy is Production Manager.

About The Playwright
Declan Greene is a theatre-maker based in Melbourne, Australia. As a writer, his plays include Moth, Pompeii, L.A., and Eight Gigabytes of Hardcore Pornography, and have been produced at the Malthouse Theatre, Sydney Opera House, the Bush Theatre (London), and Studio Theatre (Washington, DC). As a playwright, awards include the Malcolm Robertson Prize, the Max Afford Playwright's Award, the AWGIE for Theatre for Young Audiences, and the Green Room Award for Best Original Writing. Current commissions include Melbourne Theatre Company, Griffin Theatre, and the Australian Writers Foundation. He co-runs independent theatre company Sisters Grimm with Ash Flanders, and has directed and co-created all their shows to date, including The Sovereign Wife (MTC Neon), Little Mercy (Sydney Theatre Company), Summertime in the Garden of Eden (Theatreworks/Griffin Independent), as well as numerous shows in non-traditional spaces.

Harmelin Media is the Production Sponsor for Moth.