Reading Theater Project to Present FIGHT OR FLIGHT: NEW PLAYS ON FEAR

Building on its reputation for creating new and exciting theater that is relevant to the Berks County community, the Reading Theater Project announces its upcoming production, Fight or Flight: New Plays on Fear from September 29th to October 8th, 2017 at the WCR Center for the Arts, 140 North 5th Street, Reading, PA.

Directed by Vicki Haller Graff and George Hatza, RTP's new production will consist of eight original plays by local writers: Charles J. Adams III, ElizabetH Clark, Matt Fotis, George Hatza, Joel Richard Gori, Sue Lange, Santo D. Marabella, and David Nice.

The production boasts a wide array of the company's talent of theatrical artists. Co-director Graff, a member of RTP's creative team says, "Fight or Flight hits all the points of our mission: it taps the creative community we have built over the years, showcasing the work of eight local playwrights, plus the actors, directors, and designers. These new plays are all connected to our community through the themes that run through and connect them, and us, all."

The cast is composed of regional actors; Jeanette Fotis, Kath Godwin, Emily Hannon, Joel Lesher, Chris Paolini, and Christopher David Roché. In addition to Graff, Hatza, and their cast, the production team includes: Margot Adams (Assistant Director), Rebeka Birch (Costume Designer), Craig Dodge (Lighting Designer and Technical Director), Chris Heslop (Composer), Kathie Kustudich (Props Designer), Emily Rothermel (Assistant Stage Manager), and Sean Sassaman (Production Stage Manager) with Roché also serving as the Scenic Designer.

"It makes sense, living in a time of confusion and insecurity, to explore a theme such as fear," says co-director Hatza. "Fight or Flight: New Plays on Fear attempts to explore how fear creeps into our lives, sometimes without our even recognizing it. The approaches assumed by the eight playwrights who created these short theatrical pieces are varied, ranging from horror to humor. In the case of the latter, comedy often emerges from our shared recognition of human behavior. The character can be suffering, but we laugh because we've all experienced the same thing: the hilarity of familiarity, if you will. The darkest pieces deal with danger, or at least presumed danger, exploring the notion that the scariest things dwell in our imaginations."

"It is an exciting time here at RTP!" says Roché, who serves as the company's Managing Director. "We have remained dedicated to our mission: working as a collective and creating new theatre inspired by our region and this production is the fruit of those labors. From the playwrights to the production team and cast we have hired all local, professional, theatre artists who have an investment in our home. That is so exciting and is only made possible by the risk-taking of Berks and their embracing of our artistic home and identity! Without their support and investment we couldn't take the creative risks we have and will continue doing."

Performances of Fight or Flight: New Plays on Fear take place at the WCR Center for the Arts, 140 North 5th Street, Reading, PA. Showtimes: Friday, September 29th @ 8pm; Saturday, September 29th @ 8pm; Sunday, October 1st @ 2pm; Friday, October 6th @ 8pm; Saturday, October 7th @ 8pm; and Sunday, October 8th @ 2pm.

Advanced tickets are available online at readingtheaterproject.com or by calling the box office. Ticket rates are: $20 adults ($25 at the door), $10 student discounts with industry and group rates available at info@readingtheaterproject.com. This production does contain some adult themes. Use discount code FFNEWSPRINT and receive two dollars off your adult ticket with advance purchases.

The Reading Theater Project is multigenerational collective of performing artists who create new theater in Reading, PA. Since 2003, RTP has given local professional performing artists an artistic home, with opportunities for collaboration and development.