Movement Theatre Co Presents The World Premiere Of WHAT TO SEND UP WHEN IT GOES DOWN

The Movement Theatre Company announce the World Premiere production of WHAT TO SEND UP WHEN IT GOES DOWN by Aleshea Harris (Is God Is), directed by Whitney White (Macbeth in Stride) at the A.R.T./New York Theatres in the Jeffrey and Paula Gural Theatre (502 W 53rd Street) from November 11, 2018 - December 8, 2018. Opening night will be Monday, November 19, 2018.

Playwright Aleshea Harris states "WHAT TO SEND UP WHEN IT GOES DOWN creates a space that honors the inherent value of Black people and centers our unfiltered feelings about anti-blackness. You could call it a celebratory clapback; we have fun but don't play."

The Producing Artistic Leadership Team of The Movement says, "With this piece we are thrilled to continue our commitment to creating work collaboratively that centers the narratives of people of color in a reflective and affirming space."

WHAT TO SEND UP WHEN IT GOES DOWN is a community ritual created in response to the deaths of Black people as a result of racialized violence. As lines between characters and actors, observers and observed blur, a dizzying series of vignettes build to a climactic moment where performance and reality collide, highlighting the absurdity of anti-blackness in our society. Through facilitation and dialogue we must decide how to cope, resist and move forward.

Complete casting will be announced at a later date.

The production will feature sets by Yu-Hsuan Chen (The Homecoming Queen), costumes by Andy Jean (Scraps), lighting by Cha See (Cute Activist), and sound design by Sinan Refik Zafar (And She Would Stand Like This). The production stage manager will be Genevieve Ortiz (Seven Spots on the Sun). Nissy Aya and Melanie Greene will serve as the Community Engagement Team.

The Movement Theatre Company creates an artistic social movement by developing and producing new works by artists of color. Under the leadership of David Mendizábal, Deadria Harrington, Eric Lockley, and Taylor Reynolds, our work engages a multicultural audience in a rich theatrical dialogue, enlightens communities to the important issues affecting our world, and empowers artists to celebrate the many sides of their unique voice. Founded in 2007, The Movement has established itself as an artistic staple in the Harlem community by partnering with many local businesses and creating a home for uptown artists. Past production successes include Harrison David Rivers' And She Would Stand Like This choreographed by Kia LaBeija and Look Upon Our Lowliness, both directed by David Mendizábal, and their breakout NYTimes lauded production of Bintou by Koffi Kwahulé, translated by Chantal Bilodeau, directed by David Mendizábal. Past programming successes included the Ladder Series touring production of Hope Speaks as well as numerous Harlem Nights events, which have featured work by playwrights Dominique Morriseau, Christina Anderson, and Colman Domingo, as well as actors Danielle Brooks, Xosha Roquemore, and Joél Pérez. Follow The Movement on Facebook at "The Movement Theatre Company" and on Twitter and Instagram @TMTCHarlem.

For more information:

www.themovementtheatrecompany.org