WRITING OUR WORLD Writes Women Into Center Stage

Writing Our World, a 10 minute play reading series devoted entirely to works by women of color and directed by women of color, is having its inaugural show on Sunday, April 29th at 7pm at Rec Room. The reading series is the brainchild of two women, Marissa Castillo and Candice D'Meza, who met as castmates in Main Street Theater's production "Men on Boats". The reading series is produced in partnership with Rec Room Arts Artist Residency Program.

This work was spurred by a 2015 ongoing study by The Count that found that only 22% of works produced by American non-profit theaters were by women, and of that number less than 4% were by women of color. In speaking about the necessity to highlight women of color in theater, D'Meza says "Houston has made such large strides in positioning itself as a growing giant in the national theater scene. I am excited to contribute towards assisting Houston in becoming a national model for how to achieve purposeful and sustainable inclusivity in our dynamic theater scene." Candice D'Meza is a mainstay in the Houston theater scene, being called "one of the best theatrical performances of 2016 and 2017" in the Houston Chronicle and being featured in a Houston Press cover story "Seven Talented Young Houston Actors To Watch" in October of 2017. Marissa Castillo, a theater artist from Lubbock, Texas moved to Houston after earning a BFA in theater from Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle, Washington. Castillo, a Hispanic American, explains her artistic influence: "My family members have wonderful, complex stories of triumph and heartache from a Latinx perspective. Yet each story is capable of being relatable to any audience. These are the stories I want to bring to Houston audiences."

Four plays have been selected for the event, two from local playwrights and two from decorated playwrights outside Houston: DINKYTOWN by Taeyin ChoGlueck, ELECTION DAY by Marissa Castillo, WELCOME TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD by Candice D'Meza and GROUNDING by Tracy Held Potter. The shows are directed by Marissa Castillo, Candice D'Meza, Mekeva McNeil, and Christine Vinh Weems. A moderated discussion about the future of women in color in theater will be held immediately following the readings.

SCHEDULE

The event is Sunday, April 29th from 7pm - 8:30 pm at REC ROOM, 100 Jackson Street, Houston TX 77002.

Parking is expected to be difficult, so early arrival is suggested.

The Rec Room Bar opens for happy hour at 6 pm and stays open post-show until 12:00 am.

TICKETS

Tickets ($10) can be purchased at the door or online at https://www.recroomarts.org/calendar/2018/4/29/writing-our-world

ABOUT REC ROOM ARTS

From established artists to emerging, fringe and up-and-coming artists, Rec Room Arts is interested in supporting individuals who work to bend and break the rules of conventional performance. We support the development of new work by inviting artists to propose, create, and present works of theatre, dance, music, opera, performance art, film and more.

How? Artists are encouraged to apply to the Artist Residency program, open to individuals or groups of artists who are not part of an established company or professional organization. This year's RESIDENCY FESTIVAL runs through March 25 and is funded in part by the Houston Arts Alliance and the City of Houston.

Rec Room Arts also produces a season of multi-disciplinary live performance. The current season included productions of RITE OF SPRING, DEAD ROCKSTAR SING-A-LONG CLUB, SENDER, HANSEL & GRETEL.

The Board of Directors includes Abby Koenig (President), Ryan Leach (VP) and Chelsea Viles Cutler. Stephanie Wittels Wachs serves as Executive Director and Matt Hune serves as Artistic Director. Tasha Gorel is House Manager, Gregory Starbird is Technical Director and Angela Eleuterius is Director of Operations.

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