Julia Jarcho's THE TERRIFYING to Hit Abrons Arts Center This Spring

Abrons Arts Center presents the world premiere of The Terrifying by Obie award-winning playwright Julia Jarcho, who also directs. Running March 12-April 2, The Terrifying is performed by Jess Barbagallo, Kim Gainer, Kristine Haruna Lee, Hanna Novak, and Pete Simpson for an audience of 60 who are seated onstage at The Playhouse, close enough to hear a faint whisper. An immersive, live sound design by Obie-winner Ben Williams adds tension to the rich and intimate experience.

In a creepy Little Village on the cusp of modernity, teenagers and their families are stalked by a ravening monster. How can people live with forces that want to destroy them? Perhaps by cultivating some dark appetites of their own...

The Terrifying marks the debut of Minor Theater, a new New York City-based theater company that presents playful, experimental work written and directed by Jarcho. Members include celebrated downtown theater veterans Jenny Seastone, Williams (Elevator Repair Service), and Obie-winner Ásta Bennie Hostetter (Target Margin Theater, Men on Boats). Prior collaborations have included Grimly Handsome (2013 Obie Award for Best New American Play), American Treasure (through 13P), Nomads (at Incubator Arts) and Dreamless Land (with New York City Players).

The creative team for The Terrifying includes Williams (live sound design), Hostetter (costumes), Jason Simms (sets), Barbara Samuels (lights), John Del Gaudio (producer) and Gillian Fallon (associate producer).

Performances of The Terrifying will take place March 12 - April 2 (see schedule above) at Abrons Arts Center (466 Grand St, Manhattan). Critics are welcome as of March 17 for an official opening on Sunday, March 19 at 7pm. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased at abronsartscenter.org or by calling 212.352.3101.

Julia Jarcho is the playwright and director of Minor Theater. Her play Grimly Handsome (Incubator Arts Project 2013 / JACK 2015) won an for Best New American Play (2013), and she received a Doris Duke Impact Award in 2014. Shows with members of Minor Theater include Every Angel Is Brutal (Clubbed Thumb Summerworks 2016), Nomads (Incubator, 2014), Grimly Handsome, Dreamless Land (New York City Players, Abrons Arts Center, 2011), and American Treasure (13P, 2009). She has received a Doris Duke Impact Award (2014), a MacDowell fellowship (2016) and the Sarah Verdone Writing Award (2016) and is an LCT New Writer in Residence at Lincoln Center. She teaches and writes about modern drama in the English Department at NYU.

The Abrons Arts Center is the Obie Award-winning performing and visual arts program of Henry Street Settlement. The Abrons supports the creation and presentation of innovative, multi-disciplinary work; cultivates artists in all stages of their practice with educational programs, mentorships, residencies and commissions; and serves as an intersection of engagement for local, national and international audiences and arts-workers.

Each year the Abrons offers over 250 performances, 12 gallery exhibitions and 30 residencies for performing and studio artists, and 100 different classes in dance, music, theater, and visual art. The Abrons also provides New York City public schools with teaching artists, introducing more than 3,000 students to the arts.