First Stage's Amplify - BIPOC Short Play Series Continues This Fall With STEP KIDS

The second play in First Stage's fall 2021 Amplify -BIPOC Short Play Series will be STEP KIDS, a new one-act musical by Tyrone L. Robinson and Postell Pringle with orchestrations by Wilkie Ferguson and drums by Deonte Malique Ellis. The production will be directed and choreographed by Christopher Gilbert, a popular Milwaukee dancer, choreographer and First Stage Theater Academy Teaching Artist. Christopher will be making his directorial debut with this production. In STEP KIDS, a group of seemingly unconnected high school students find common ground in the most unlikely of places - the audition for their school's competitive step dance team. As the students become unified through the power of rhythm and dance, they experience the joy of finding their tribe in this energetic performance. The Amplify series is sponsored by Children's Wisconsin. This project is also supported in part by a grant from the Milwaukee Arts Board and the Wisconsin Arts Board with funds from the State of Wisconsin. Suggested for families with young people ages 10+.

Director/Choreographer Christopher Gilbert had this to say about the Amplify production he is directing: "STEP KIDS is about a group of kids who represent different pockets of the city, but in general society - some LGBT, some disabled. It's their moment to be seen - they've always felt that they have been stepped over, so now it's their time to step up and be seen. It's about highlighting their greatness, which is just as unique as anyone else's. Nobody can be you on their best day and even you on your worst day!"

STEP KIDS is free to stream on demand on First Stage's YouTube channel and premieres on Monday, October 11 at 7 p.m. It will stream October 11 - December 5, 2021. For more information about STEP KIDS, please go to: firststage.org/events-tickets/2021-22-season/amplify-bipoc-short-play-series/

STEP KIDS will also be performed in-person for free for a limited number of performances with limited seating. Limited capacity live performances at the Milwaukee Youth Arts Center will be held on Saturday, October 2 at 4 p.m. & 7 p.m.and Sunday, October 3 at 1 p.m. & 4 p.m. (Please note: The performance on Saturday, October 2 at 4 p.m. is sold out.) To reserve tickets to the in-person performances, please visit: firststage.org/events-tickets/2021-22-season/amplify-bipoc-short-play-series/

The Amplify series first launched in the spring of 2021 and begins its second season this fall. In this new series, three short plays have been created by Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) playwrights that center on the young person's point of view, amplifying the voices of these artists and young people throughout the Milwaukee community.

First Stage has had a long history of age-appropriate casting and of centering its work on the young person's point of view. Understanding the power of connection that young people feel when they see themselves and their stories on stage, the organization is excited to continue this series featuring newly commissioned work from noted BIPOC playwrights and directors. First Stage's commitment to commissioning work by Black, Indigenous and People of Color whose voices offer the organization an opportunity to expand its artistic horizons and develop its audience's perspective.

Artistic Director Jeff Frank commented on the next installment of the Amplify series: "I am thrilled that First Stage is able to offer the second season of our Amplify series. Each of these productions features the work of a national playwright using their voice to lift those of the young people of Milwaukee. Connecting these remarkable writers with our amazing young people and witnessing them all working together to create powerful plays that speak with authenticity has been an amazing experience. We can't wait to share their work with First Stage audiences."

STEP KIDS

A one-act musical by Tyrone L. Robinson and Postell Pringle

Directed by Christopher Gilbert

Limited capacity live performances at the Milwaukee Youth Arts Center:

Saturday, October 2 at 4 p.m. (SOLD OUT) & 7 p.m. and Sunday, October 3 at 1 p.m. & 4 p.m.

Streaming October 11 - December 5, 2021

A group of seemingly unconnected high school students find common ground in the most unlikely of places - the audition for their school's competitive step dance team. As the students become unified through the power of rhythm and dance, experience the joy of finding your tribe in this energetic performance. Suggested for families with young people ages 10+.

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Additional productions in the 2021/22 Amplify - BIPOC Short Play Series are:

HOW TO ACTUALLY GRADUATE IN A VIRTUAL WORLD

By Nikkole Salter

Directed by Samantha D. Montgomery

Streaming now - December 5, 2021

When Milwaukee High announces that graduation will be virtual, TT gathers friends to come up with a way to make the ceremony special. As they weigh their options - and battle invisibility, hopelessness and indifference - we learn how the pandemic affected them all. Is an achievement an achievement if it goes unacknowledged? Tune in and consider this question in this provocative short play. Suggested for families with young people ages 12+. The production can be viewed here: youtube.com/watch?v=kJTSDnxCROA&t=117s

THE TALE OF LA LLRONA AS TOLD BY CONSUELO CHAVEZ

By José Casas

Directed by David Flores

Limited capacity live performances at the Marcus Center's Todd Wehr Theater:

Saturday, October 23 at 4 p.m. & 7 p.m. and Sunday, October 24 at 1 p.m. & 4 p.m.

Streaming October 30 - December 5, 2021

Disappointed that a thunderstorm has stopped them from their traditional trick or treating, six middle-schoolers huddle together in a basement on what might be the last time they are together to celebrate All Hallow's Eve. To pass the time, they share some of their favorite ghost stories . . . but are they just stories? Suggested for families with young people ages 12+. Warning - the performance includes blackouts, loud noises and scary moments.

To reserve tickets for in-person performances or for additional information, please go to: firststage.org/events-tickets/2021-22-season/amplify-bipoc-short-play-series/ or call (414) 267-2961.