Ars Nova to Host Reading of THE BIGGEST VALLEY, 1/17

Ars Nova presents, as part of the Out Loud series, a FREE reading of THE BIGGEST VALLEY by A. Zell Williams, directed by Jesse Jou. The cast includes McKinley Belcher, Kaliswa Brewster, Ronald Peet and Sarah Steele.

In California's Central Valley, an over-worked single mother struggles to referee the growing conflict between her pregnant teenage daughter and her rebellious, smart-mouthed son. Though faced with starkly different choices as they enter adulthood, each one grapples with their own search for a place to belong.

A. Zell Williams is the recipient of The Terrence McNally New Play Award, NYU's Goldberg Playwriting Award, The National New Play Network's Smith Prize and the David C. Calicchio Award. He is a member of Ars Nova's Play Group. His plays include The Urban Retreat, Down Past Passyunk, The Audacity, Carroll Gardens and The Biggest Valley.

Jesse Jou is a freelance theater director, primarily of new plays. He was a Fellow of the Drama League's Directors Project, a member of the Soho Rep Writer/Director Lab, and a member of The Civilians' R&D Group. MFA, Yale School of Drama. Upcoming: How I Learned to Drive (Asolo Rep/FSU Conservatory).

THE BIGGEST VALLEY will be read on Friday, January 17 at 3:30pm in the Ars Nova Loft. The OUT LOUD Series is FREE and open to the public. Reservations are required. Ars Nova is located at 511 West 54th Street. For more information and to reserve tickets, visit www.arsnovanyc.com.

Ars Nova is committed to developing and producing theater, comedy and music artists in the Early Stages of their professional careers. Its unique development programs are designed to support outside-the-box thinking and encourage innovative, genre-bending work. By providing a safe environment where risk-taking and collaboration are paramount, Ars Nova gives voice to a new generation of artists and audiences, pushing the boundaries of live entertainment by nurturing creative ideas into smart, surprising new work. For more information on Ars Nova's programs, visit www.arsnovanyc.com. Ars Nova was founded in memory of Gabe Wiener.

Producing credits include: Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812 by Dave Malloy, directed by Rachel Chavkin (now in an Off-Broadway transfer production at Kazino); Eager to Lose, created by Matthew-Lee Erlbach, Wes Grantom, Portia Krieger and Tansy; ANT Fest; Core Values by Steven Levenson, directed by Carolyn Cantor; The Lapsburgh Layover by The Berserker Residents, directed by Oliver Butler; Be a Good Little Widow by Bekah Brunstetter, directed by Stephen Brackett; Now Circa Then by Carly Mensch, directed by Jason Eagan; Bloodsong of Love by Joe Iconis, directed by John Simpkins; Sax & Dixon: We Thee Wed by John Dixon, Peter McNerney and Matt Sax, directed by Peter McNerney; Mel & El: Show & Tell by Melanie Adelman and Ellie Dvorkin, directed by Moritz von Stuelpnagel; Two Girls for Five Bucks and the Ten Dollar Heartbreakers by Cathleen Carr and Daiva Deupree, directed by Andy Donald; Jollyship the Whiz-Bang by Nick Jones and Raja Azar, directed by Sam Gold; boom by Peter Sinn Nachtrieb, directed by Alex Timbers; From Up Here by Liz Flahive, directed by Leigh Silverman; Dixie's Tupperware Party by Kris Andersson, directed by Alex Timbers; At Least It's Pink by Bridget Everett and Kenny Mellman, directed by Michael Patrick King; 25 Questions for a Jewish Mother by Kate Moira Ryan with Judy Gold, directed by Karen Kohlhaas; Holy Cross Sucks! by Rob Nash, directed by Jeff Calhoun; Freestyle Love Supreme by Anthony Veneziale and Lin-Manuel Miranda, directed by Thomas Kail; and The Wau Wau Sisters, by Tanya Gagné and Adrienne Truscott, directed by Trip Cullman.