TheatreLAB & Triangle Players Partner with VA Anti-Violence Project for 'NERVE' This Week

With the guidance and support of the Virginia Anti-Violence Project, members of the LGBTQ community were able to share their stories of resilience and rising above hate motivated violence through online submissions and group story circles. Those collected stories are being crafted into an original piece of theatre by an ensemble of actors and writers, and will be presented as a benefit for the Virginia Anti-Violence Project. The piece, NERVE: Stories of Queer Resilience, is led in concept and creation by Melissa Rayford, and will be performed on May 26th and 27th at Richmond Triangle Players.

From Stacie Vecchietti, Program Director of Virginia Anti-Violence Project: "I think it is safe to say that anyone who identifies on the LGBTQ spectrum has, at some point in their lives, felt fear for their physical, emotional, and/or spiritual safety. Whether that fear comes from direct past-experiences of discrimination or violence in our own lives or from hearing about the experiences of other community members, we all know that because of cultural oppressions that continue to exist, there is still very real risk that comes along with living fully into our authentic lives. It's more important than ever that we come together as a community to talk about how we can address and prevent violence within and against our vibrantly diverse LGBTQ communities. NERVE is an amazing collaborative example of how we can start those conversations."

From Deejay Gray, Artistic Director of TheatreLAB: "After the successful launch of SPECTRUM, our LGBTQ youth outreach program with Richmond Triangle Players, we are pleased to work on another piece of storytelling-based theatre that puts the underrepresented in the spotlight. Under the direction of TheatreLAB CompanyArtist Melissa Rayford, NERVE: Stories of Queer Resilience will take real stories from members of our community to create a devised piece of theatre that aims to empower and enlighten."

NERVE will be presented for a special two-performance engagement at Richmond Triangle Players (1300 Altamont Avenue). General admission tickets are $20 and are available at rtriangle.org. There are a limited number of discounted tickets available on a first-come, first-served basis. If the $20 cost is prohibitive, email director@virginiaavp.org for assistance.

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