Three Artistic Directors Come Together for Steven Simoncic's BROKEN FENCES at 16th Street, 9/19

16th Street Theater's Artistic Director Ann Filmer collaborates with Ilesa Duncan (Artistic Director, Pegasus Players) and Daniel Bryant (Artistic Director, Congo Square) on BROKEN FENCES written by Steven Simoncic playing September 19 - October 26 at North Berwyn Park District's 16th Street Theater, 6420 16th Street in Berwyn. Co-directed by Filmer and Duncan, and starring Bryant, BROKEN FENCES focuses on two neighboring couples, one black and one white, in Chicago's gentrifying Garfield Park. Named "Best Emerging Theater 2013" in Chicago Magazine, 16th Street concludes its 2013 Season Six: The American Dream with BROKEN FENCES.

Garfield Park, Chicago: where the speed of gentrification accelerates and property taxes rise...Hoody and D have been in the neighborhood for years. Czar and April have saved for years to buy their first home. As Hoody struggles to cover his property tax bill and Czar attempts to join the community, both fight to maintain separate identities and accept the changes surrounding them. BROKEN FENCES examines culture, race and socio-economics in the modern American Village with humor and humanity.

"Neither Ilesa nor I have co-directed before," Filmer states, "but it seems the only right way to tell this story. We need both of our perspectives in the room." Duncan adds, "Co-directing is an exciting way for us to approach this timely work that fearlessly and unapologetically confronts the complexity of co-existing in urban communities."

Actor Daniel Bryant returns to the stage for this 16th Street production. He talks about being drawn to the role of Hoody: "The phenomenon of gentrification is changing communities of color all over the country," he states. "BROKEN FENCES opens an honest dialogue about the issue and its complexities- from both sides of the fence."

The production team for BROKEN FENCES includes: Dustin Pettegrew (scenic design), Barry Bennett (sound design), Mac Vaughey (light design), Samantha C. Jones (costume design), Jesse Gaffney (prop design), and Wendye Clarendon (stage manager).

Showtime is 7:30 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays, 5 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. on Saturdays (no 5 p.m. show on Sept 21). Tickets are $18 with a discounted price of $14 for groups of 8+ and can be purchased in person at North Berwyn Park District, 1619 Wesley Ave., Berwyn

Free parking is available one block west in lot at 16th & Gunderson across from Lincoln School.

North Berwyn Park District's 16th Street Theater is Berwyn's professional equity theater under the leadership of Artistic Director Ann Filmer and Managing Director Eddie Sugarman. Located just 17 minutes from downtown Chicago, 16th Street was recognized by Chicago Magazine as Chicago's Best Emerging Theater 2013. Just west of Ridgeland, the theater is one mile southwest of the Austin exit off the Eisenhower Expressway/290 and the Austin Blue line. Season Six 2013: The American Dream is supported in part by a SMARTGrowth grant from The Chicago Community Trust; with additional support by Illinois Arts Council, a state agency; The Saints, Volunteers for the Performing Arts; Culvers of Berwyn and Lyons; and numerous businesses and individuals.

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