Detroit Repertory Theatre Proves the Power of Diversity

Michigan's longest running, nonprofit, professional theatre, the Detroit Repertory Theatre will hold its Annual Black Tie Awards Night and Homecoming Celebration and Performance on Saturday, November 18, 2017 at 6:30 pm. The Black Tie is the Annual Major Fundraiser for the Theatre. Funds raised help keep the Detroit Repertory Theatre producing its diversity centered productions and support its many outreach programs that provide cultural enrichment opportunities for the uninitiated and the physically, mentally, economically and socially challenged, proving the power of diversity acting in unity.

The Detroit Repertory Theatre's artistic commitment and accomplishments help keep Detroit's rebirth active and alive. The Annual Black Tie Homecoming unites past Detroit Repertory Theatre artists and actors, ??loyal patrons of the Theatre and civic minded Citizens who value the Detroit Rep's contributions to the cultural life of Metropolitan Detroit in an effort to bring hope to the community, vitality to the city and a promise of a future for the City of Detroit and the Detroit Repertory Theatre.

The Detroit Repertory Theatre is excited to announce The Skillman Foundation's President and CEO, Tonya Allen, will be Keynote Speaker for the Annual Black Tie Awards Night and Homecoming Celebration.

Individual tickets are $75 and include a champagne and hors d'oeuvres reception followed by a ceremony hosted by Master of Ceremonies, UAW International Representative and TV producer, writer and actor, Michael Joseph. Ms. Allen will give a keynote speech about the importance of the arts and legacy of the Detroit Repertory Theatre, followed by the annual presentation of awards to the Best Artists of the 16/17 Season as

The evening will feature a presentation of the first play of the Rep's 61st Season, the World Premiere comedy Swimming Upstream by Rich Rubin. The night winds down with a Champagne and Dessert Afterglow in the Lobby Gallery with the Detroit Rep's Artists of the past, present and future. Black Tie is Optional. Tickets for the special evening may be purchased by calling the Box Office at (313) 868-1347 with a Visa or MasterCard, with no surcharge, or by visiting the Rep website at detroitreptheatre.com

The Detroit Repertory Theatre is located in the geographical heart of Detroit at 13103 Woodrow Wilson, Detroit MI 48238. Parking is attended, adjacent, fenced-in and free. More information may be found at www.detroitreptheatre.com

About the Play Climate change is affecting the world's salmon, but Jen's boss won't let her report her findings. Her new love interest, a superhero aficionado, and her mother, a Ronald Reagan fan, question what they call (and Jen agrees that it is) a salmon obsession.

As Jen encounters the zigs and zags of both her professional and personal relationships, she discovers that going with the flow is sometimes not a viable option and that swimming upstream is the only way to proceed.
Swimming Upstream is directed by resident company member Harry Wetzel

Last season Mr. Wetzel directed the acclaimed production The Realization of Emily Linder. He is also a Rep company actor, appearing last season as Karl Marx in Capital, and resident set designer for the Detroit Rep. His cast for Swimming Upstream features Repertory veteran Sandra Love Aldridge (DETROIT), who portrays the feisty widowed mother of Jen. The rest of Harry's cast will bring four new actors to the attention of Repertory audiences.

Raymond Jordan (DETROIT), portrays James, the boss of the University Biology Research Lab. Audrey Lovy (ROYAL OAK) portrays Jen. Stefanie Sambrano (CLINTON TOWNSHIP) is Val, Jen's friend and fellow worker. Yianni Papadimos (SYLVANIA, OH) plays Matt, the superhero aficionado.

About the Keynote Speaker and Master of Ceremonies
Tonya Allen, a serial "idea-preneur," serves as the Foundation's president & chief executive officer. Her two-decade long career has centered on pursuing, executing and investing in ideas that improve her hometown of Detroit and reduce the plight of underserved people, especially children. Allen has been instrumental in many successful philanthropic, government and community initiatives and has a comprehensive understanding of philanthropic governance and strategy. Allen was named to Crain's Detroit Business 40 under 40 list, received the national Brick Award given to activists under age 30 by Rolling Stone Magazine, and was one of the first Detroiters to receive the prestigious Marshall Memorial Fellowship. She was named a Detroit News Michiganian of the Year in 2015, a Crain's Detroit Business Newsmaker of the Year in 2015, and one of the Chronicle of Philanthropy's "5 nonprofit innovators to watch"in 2013. She holds a bachelor's degree in sociology and masters' degrees in social work and public health, all from the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor. She serves on numerous boards, both local and national, including Oakland University, Council on Foundations, Council of Michigan Foundations, United Way for Southeastern Michigan and Campaign for Black Male Achievement. Michael Joseph, producer/host of the UAW-Ford talk show, "It's On the Table", is a Community Magazine magazine staff writer and photographer and podcast host. His years of community service include communications director for Save Our Sons and Daughters (SOSAD) and organizing Detroit city wide marches. He has coordinated the Martin Luther King Legacy March at Martin Luther King Jr. Senior High School for the last eight years. Selected to the national "Who's Who of Business Professionals", "Who's Who in Black Detroit", and as an Ebony Magazine "Super Bachelor". The City of Southfield, presented him the Key to the City for his work with the survivors of the Katrina disaster. Michigan's "Renaissance Man" is an award winning actor, singer, director, dancer, poet, photographer, producer and writer. He produced the syndicated television talk show, "The Michael Joseph Show". Mr. Joseph has been working on the Rep stage and backstage for over 30 years. Sponsors of the Black Tie are MGM Grand Detroit, UAW Region 1A, Greektown Casino, St. John Providence Health System, and Domino's Pizza. Media Sponsor is Between the Lines Newspaper. For tickets, fundraisers and information call or visit the Rep Box office, (313) 868-1347. Tickets can be purchased by phone using Visa or MasterCard or online at detroitreptheatre.com. There is no surcharge. About the Rep
The oldest professional (Union) non-profit theatre in the State of Michigan, the Detroit Repertory Theatre's mission is guided by the belief that the sense of community is stronger than the forces that splinter and that efforts to preserve unity deserve the same attention and support as the justly cultivated efforts to retain diversity. The implicit goal in all the theatre's efforts is to produce the best possible professional theatre while fostering cultural democratization of the arts, and fighting, by example, the disturbing level of racism that still exists.

Detroit Repertory Theatre is located in the geographical heart of the city at 13103 Woodrow Wilson, Detroit, MI 48238 Parking is Attended, Lighted, Fenced-In and Free. (313) 868-1347 www.detroitreptheatre.com.