Dirt Dogs Theatre Co. Presents THE EXONERATED

If it could happen to them, could it happen to you? Six everyday people-some simply in the wrong place at the wrong time-each tried, found guilty and sentenced to death. These are the stories of The Exonerated. Artistic Director of Dirt Dogs Theatre Co. (DDTCo.), Malinda L. Beckham, brings to life this critically acclaimed play, running for only three weeks at MATCH.

Culled from interviews, letters, transcripts, case files, and public record, The Exonerated is based on the true stories of six criminally convicted survivors of death row. Moving between first-person narrative and scenes set in courtrooms, bars, and prisons, these six interwoven stories reflect upon the American criminal justice system and the inspiration that helped them survive, and eventually escape death row.

ABOUT THE PLAYWRIGHTS

Jessica Blank & Erik Jensen co-authored The Exonerated after interviewing 40 former death row inmates who had been freed after having served as much as 22 years in prison. The original production debuted in 2002 and won the 2003 Lucille Lortel Award for Unique Theatrical Experience, the 2003 Drama Desk Award for Unique Theatrical Experience, and the 2003 Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Off-Broadway Play. It has also won the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers' Champion of Justice Award and Court TV's Scales of Justice Award.

ABOUT THE DIRECTOR

Director Malinda L. Beckham-who also serves as the scenic and costume designer-describes The Exonerated as compelling. "These are stories of creativity, inventiveness, spirituality, internal strength, meditation, connectivity, and other innermost qualities the survivors cultivated to not only survive death row, but then recover in the outside world."

Beckham has recently directed the world premiere of The Boundary, as well as Glengarry Glen Ross and A Steady Rain for DDTCo. and has been at the helm of several local productions including Extremities, The Philadelphia Story, Laura, Critic's Choice, and The Columnist. In addition to directing, Beckham is also one of the founding members of DDTCo.

The remaining founding members also serve on the production. Executive Director Trevor B. Cone is the play's production manager, and the award-winning John Baker is the lighting designer. The remaining crew includes Alli Partin Villines (music director), Melissa J. Mayo (assistant director), John Patterson (composer/musician), Blake Smith (stage manager), and Erin Newsom (lighting and sound operator).

BOX OFFICE

713-521-4533 | https://matchouston.org/events/exonerated

TICKETS

Single tickets, $22

Matinees and Industry Mondays are "Pay What You Can"