Photo Flash: First Look at THE JOHNS at Mildred's Umbrella Theatre Company

Mildred's Umbrella Theatre Company continues its 2016-2017 season with the regional premiere of THE JOHNS by Mary Bonnett, producing artistic director for Chicago's Her Story Theater.

Produced in collaboration with the National Council of Jewish Women, Greater Houston Section, and United Against Human Trafficking, the play is an eye-opening look at human trafficking and its continuing prevalence in today's society.

Sex trafficking seems like someone else's problem, until an upper middle-class family in a prominent Houston area suburb finds itself ensnared. This unflinching drama explores our values raising boys to men, instant sexual gratification and its impact on women, the family and those purchased.

Bonnett originally wrote and produced THE JOHNS in 2014 for Her Story Theater, conducting hundreds of interviews with people involved in sex trafficking in the Chicagoland area. For the Mildred's Umbrella production, Bonnett has updated the script to set the action in The Woodlands, Texas.

See images from the Houston-based staging below.

THE JOHNS runs January 19 through February 4 at Studio 101 at Spring Street Studios in the heart of the Washington Avenue Arts District. Tickets are on sale now at mildredsumbrella.com.

Photo credit: Pin Lim

Shelby Blocker and Miranda Herbert

Shelby Blocker and Miranda Herbert

Bobby Haworth, Benjamin McLaughlin, Haley Hussey

Miranda Herbert , Sean Patrick Judge and Shelby Blocker

Sara Gaston and Sean Patrick Judge