InterAct Theatre to StageWE ARE PROUD TO PRESENT..., 10/18-11/10

Kicking off InterAct Theatre's 2013/14 season with a bang, comes the marathon-titled and Obie Award (Best Direction) winningWe Are Proud to Present a Presentation about the Herero of Namibia, formerly known as Southwest Africa, from the German Sudwestafrika, between the years 1884-1915 by Jackie Sibblies Drury. In the play, Drury, called a "playwright of the moment" by The New York Times, brings us inside the theatre-making process where six diverse actors try to create a work about a forgotten moment in history.

These six actors come together to devise a theatrical presentation about an obscure 20th century genocide in Africa. What begins as an amicable workshop unravels into a storm of competing egos and conflicting agendas. From these tensions, rise hidden hatred and dormant violence forcing these "post-race" Millennials to confront their true nature. Drury's work is both chilling and fiercely funny. Hailed by The New York Times as "an inventive new play...[which] impressively navigates the tricky boundaries that separate art and life," We Are Proud to Present... is being produced by multiple theatres this year, but makes its Philadelphia-debut with InterAct Theatre.

"I am thrilled to return to Philadelphia to direct this production of We Are Proud To Present... at Interact Theatre Company," says director Pirronne Yousefzadeh, "Drury's play couldn't be more relevant or timely; though some assert that we are living in a post-racial age, the play makes us confront the realities of our country's lingering racial tensions. It also challenges us to consider how these tensions permeate our global history, and how we as artists can seek to make work that gives voice to those underrepresented in history with both courage and authenticity."

A dynamic group of Philadelphia actors comes together to play the six ensemble members of We Are Proud to Present... InterAct welcomes Philadelphia actors Aime Kelly, JaBen Early, Jamison Foreman, James Ijames, Kevin Meehan, and Miriam White. The design team includes Set Designer Carolyn Mraz, Lighting Designer Cecilia Durbin, Sound Designer Elizabeth Atkinson, and Costume Designer Katherine Fritz, along with Properties Designer Avista Custom Theatrical Services.

InterAct is also introducing a new program this season presented by PNC Arts Alive called "InterAct with Us." InterAct with Us invites a young, community leader that is relevant to a theme in each of InterAct's four shows to "host" a viewing of the play. In order to make this special event more accessible to younger audiences, $10 tickets will be available for those attending the special event and the post-show reception with each host. The first event is on November 1 and is hosted by the University of Pennsylvania's ArtsEdge Resident, A. Naomi Jackson. For more information and $10 tickets, please call 215-568-8079.

We Are Proud to Present... runs at InterAct Theatre Company from October 18 - November 10, 2013 with previews from October 18 - 22. Press opening is October 23 at 7p.m. InterAct Theatre Company is located at 2030 Sansom Street. Performances will be held Tuesday - Sunday. Tickets start at just $22 and may be purchased by phone 215-568-8079, on-line at www.interacttheatre.org or in-person at the InterAct Theatre Company Box Office (M-F 10-6).

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