ANTIGONE IN FERGUSON Comes to Brownsville, 7/15

NYC Department of Veteran's Services Public Artist in Residence (PAIR) Bryan Doerries and Theater of War Productions will engage diverse audiences in a meditation on racism, violence, and social justice by bringing together leading actors for a dramatic reading of scenes from Sophocles' Antigone-an ancient Greek tragedy exploring what takes place when personal conviction and the law clash, and violence ensues.

The readings are accompanied by a gospel choir performance of original music by Philip Woodmore performed by an ensemble that includes police officers, local educators, and community members from Ferguson and St. Louis, MO and Brooklyn, NY. Gathering victims of violence, concerned citizens, members of faith communities, and the general public, the event culminates in an open facilitated discussion to create a dialogue between these communities and foster compassion, understanding, and positive action, while helping them heal from their personal experiences with violence in their neighborhoods.

Antigone in Ferguson is one of over 60 performances Bryan Doerries and Theater of War Productions are staging in all five boroughs of New York City as part of Doerries' role as an NYC Public Artist in Residence (PAIR). Announced in March 2017 as a joint appointment with the NYC Department of Veterans' Services and NYC Department of Cultural Affairs, Doerries' PAIR presentation uses performance and dialogue to break down barriers created by violence and trauma and to foster greater understanding among veterans and other communities. This project is made possible by a generous grant from the Stavros Niarchos Foundation.

Theater of War PAIR events are co-produced by Brooklyn Public Library (BPL) as part of its mission to be a community resource and safe haven for public discourse throughout Brooklyn and the City. BPL develops free, thought-provoking programs throughout its 60 branches in Brooklyn that address important issues of our time. BPL offers a range of programs to empower and serve the community oF Brownsville, and neigbhorhoods throughout Brooklyn, expanding the role libraries can play in their communities.

Saturday, July 15, 2017, from 7:00 - 8:45 p.m.. Howard Playground, 60 Glenmore Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11212

Discussion Facilitated by: Bryan Doerries, Public Artist in Residence (PAIR), City of New York

Admission is free, seating is limited. Media should contact the press contacts below to reserve seats.

Theater of War Productions is a social impact company that uses theater as a catalyst for public conversations to help communities address pressing public health and social issues such as combat-related psychological injury, suicide, end-of-life care, prison reform, police/community relations, violence, natural and manmade disasters, domestic violence, substance abuse, and addiction. Theater of War Productions was co-founded in 2009 by Bryan Doerries and Phyllis Kaufman, who served as Producing Director from 2009 to 2016. Doerries currently serves as the company's Artistic Director. For more information, please visit: www.theaterofwar.com

ABOUT PAIR:

Launched by the Department of Cultural Affairs in 2015, New York City's PAIR - Public Artist in Residence - is a municipal artist residency program that embeds artists in city government to propose and implement creative solutions to pressing civic challenges. PAIR artists create lasting impact by working collaboratively and in open-ended processes to build community bonds, open channels for dialogue, and create new possibilities for those who experience and participate in the work.

Doerries' two-year PAIR residency will bring theater projects and community conversations that address critical public health and social issues to all five boroughs. Brooklyn Public Library (BPL) is a co-producer of the project as part of its role as a resource and advocate for civic engagement, education, artistic expression, and fostering public discourse. In partnership with the NYC Department of Veterans' Services and Department of Cultural Affairs, this city-wide project is made possible through a grant from the Stavros Niarchos Foundation.

ABOUT BROOKLYN PUBLIC LIBRARY:

Brooklyn Public Library (BPL) is an independent library system for the 2.5 million residents of Brooklyn. It is the fifth-largest library system in the United States with 60 neighborhood libraries located throughout the borough. BPL offers free programs and services for all ages and stages of life, including a large selection of books in more than 30 languages, author talks, literacy programs, and public computers. BPL's eResources, such as eBooks and eVideos, catalog information, and free homework help, are available to customers of all ages 24 hours a day at the library's website: www.bklynlibrary.org.

ABOUT THE NEW YORK CITY DEPARTMENT OF CULTURAL AFFAIRS (DCLA):

The New York City Department of Cultural Affairs (DCLA) is dedicated to supporting and strengthening New York City's vibrant cultural life. DCLA works to promote and advocate for quality arts programming, and to articulate the contribution made by the cultural community to the City's vitality. The Department represents and serves nonprofit cultural organizations involved in the visual, literary, and performing arts; public-oriented science and humanities institutions including zoos, botanical gardens, and historic and preservation societies; and creative artists at all skill levels who live and work within the City's five boroughs. DCLA also provides donated materials for arts programs offered by the public schools and cultural and social service groups, and commissions permanent works of public art at City-funded construction projects throughout the five boroughs.

ABOUT THE NEW YORK CITY DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS' SERVICES (DVS):

The New York City's Department of Veterans' Services (DVS) strives to improve the lives of all veterans and their families, regardless of discharge status. DVS is not a direct services agency, but rather a centralized hub able to put veterans at the center of all our efforts. We coordinate services with a range of agencies at the city, state, and federal level, as well as through public-private partnerships.

Our mission is straightforward: to foster purpose-driven lives for NYC service members, veterans, and their families through effective connections with the NYC community; targeted advocacy at the local, state, and national level; and compassionate service, ensuring we make it easier to access services and benefits they've earned. We believe veterans are civic assets whose strength and demonstrated commitment to public service help NYC thrive.