TheatreLAB presents DRY LAND by Ruby Rae Spiegel

TheatreLAB, Richmond's home for unexpected and evocative performance, is proud to present Ruby Rae Spiegel's new play DRY LAND. Directed by Dr. Tawnya Pettiford-Wates, the show will run from April 21st to May 6th at TheatreLAB's venue, The Basement (300 East Broad Street).

About DRY LAND -
Ester is a swimmer trying to stay afloat. Amy is curled up on the locker room floor. DRY LAND is a play about abortion, female friendship, resiliency, and what happens in one high school locker room after everybody's left. Playwright Ruby Rae Spiegel was only 21 years old when DRY LAND premiered Off-Broadway to rave reviews in 2014. With DRY LAND, Spiegel has written a brazen, no-holds-barred play about that time in your life when no one else can possibly understand what you're going through. DRY LAND, a New York Times critics' pick, is a brave portrayal of the contemporary American teenager.

From Director, Dr. Tawnya Pettiford-Wates: "Women and girls are important... what we think, what we feel, what we want, and especially what we do NOT want. In the context of current events, we are STILL fighting to be paid, to be recognized, to have the right to self-determination and autonomy over our own bodies. STILL in the 21st century. This play makes the audience think about that... and hopefully decide to move from complacency to action."

From TheatreLAB Managing Director, Annie Colpitts: "I haven't stopped thinking about this script since my younger sister participated in a workshop production over two years ago at Kenyon College and immediately passed it along to me, saying 'this show is perfect for TheatreLAB.' It is one of the most genuine reflections of how young people actually communicate these days, written by a playwright who truly understands her subjects. So many discussions around women's health these days, especially young women's health, are about the 'others' - the men, the parents, the teachers, the doctors, or the politicians. Rarely do we see the story focus solely on the 'her.' This show fits so well within our season because it is a visceral depiction of a young woman at war with herself."

The ensemble cast features Aiden Orr, Jessie Kraemer, Sarah Velasco-Kent, and Dixon Cashwell. The production team includes Set Design by David Melton; Technical Direction by Mark Caudle; Lighting Design by Erin Barclay; Costume Design by Amber Martinez; Sound Design by Lucian Restivo; Properties Design by Rachel Hindman; with Stage Management by Morgan Howard.

DRY LAND will open on April 21st and run through May 6th. There will be a special low-priced preview performance on April 20th (tickets - $15) and an industry night on Tuesday, April 25th (tickets - $20). For a full performance schedule, please visit TheatreLABrva.org.

Seating is limited and ticket prices range from $10-30. Tickets are on sale now at TheatreLABrva.org. Reviewing members of the press are invited to attend opening weekend free of charge. Please schedule tickets, media coverage, and interview requests with TheatreLAB Artistic Director, Deejay Gray at Deejay@TheatreLABrva.org. TheatreLAB is Richmond's home for unexpected and evocative performance. The Basement is located at 300 East Broad Street in Richmond's Arts District.