People's Light to Present World Premiere of BAYARD RUSTIN INSIDE ASHLAND

People's Light will present Bayard Rustin Inside Ashland, the world premiere of a play with music inspired by the true story of West Chester, PA native Bayard Rustin. Chief organizer of the 1963 March on Washington and openly gay Civil Rights activist, Bayard Rustin was nearly written out of the history books. This world premiere play soars with African-American spirituals and offers a glimpse into a transformative moment for young Rustin-his 1944 prison sentence in Ashland, Kentucky. While incarcerated and targeted for his sexuality, Rustin puts his faith in nonviolent resistance to the test, illuminating what it means to be branded a "troublemaker" within a system stacked against you.

People's Light Resident Director Steve H. Broadnax III (Mud Row, Skeleton Crew, The Mountaintop, Broadway's Thoughts of a Colored Man) and Tony Award winner Jason Michael Webb (Choir Boy) bring audiences the latest work to emerge from our New Play Frontiers residency and commission program. Sponsors for Bayard Rustin Inside Ashland include Production Partner PNC Arts Alive, Individual Sponsors Nicole Sakowitz & Bill Pikounis, the National Endowment for the Arts, and Church Housing Corp. Tickets start at $45, including fees. To purchase, call 610.644.3500 or visit peopleslight.org. People's Light is located at 39 Conestoga Road, Malvern, PA 19355.

As an activist and early champion of nonviolent protest, Bayard Rustin was a crucial yet marginalized figure of the Civil Rights Movement in the United States. Prior to organizing the March on Washington, he was among those who assembled the first Freedom Rides in support of racial integration in 1947 and was arrested for his participation-one of 20 times he would be incarcerated throughout his career as an activist. Inspired by the pacifism and anti-colonial teachings of Mahatma Gandhi and his own Quaker beliefs, Rustin used these principles when serving as an advisor to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who would embrace and make these tenets of nonviolent activism famous. In spite of Rustin's foundational contributions to the movement, he found himself ostracized for being an openly gay man. Though Rustin's efforts during the Civil Rights Era were kept out of the spotlight, President Barack Obama later recognized Rustin's legacy by posthumously awarding him the Medal of Freedom in 2013.

Says writer and director Steve H. Broadnax III: "I am thrilled to be developing and premiering Bayard Rustin Inside Ashland at People's Light, so near to where Rustin grew up and was educated. Giving homage to an iconic gay man of color who paved the way for civil rights is invaluable and exciting. I look forward to sharing this story at People's Light as part of our exploring the breadth and vitality of Pennsylvania's rich cultural heritage."

During the New Play Frontiers development process, Broadnax saw that music would be a powerful narrative device to accompany Rustin's story and would further honor the activist's memory. Rustin himself was an accomplished singer who performed with notable musicians of the time, such as Josh White and Paul Robeson. In an act of reclamation, African-American Spirituals, sung acapella by the ensemble, are embedded into the play to dramatize Rustin's time in prison. Composer and lyricist Jason Michael Webb (Broadway: The Color Purple, Choir Boy) lends his talents as arranger for the spirituals and will also serve as Music Director for the production.

Bayard Rustin Inside Ashland premieres in the midst of a wave of new art celebrating the historical figure. Netflix is currently in production on the film Rustin, which will be produced by Barack and Michelle Obama's company Higher Ground, directed by Tony Award winner George C. Wolfe, and will star Colman Domingo-another artist in the New Play Frontiers program whose play Lights Out: Nat "King" Cole (co-written with Patricia McGregor) had its world premiere during the 2017/2018 Season at People's Light.

"Bayard Rustin Inside Ashland is an ambitious portrait of a man who struggles to reconcile his private life, public purpose, faith, and art," says Producing Artistic Director Zak Berkman. "We are proud that Bayard is a native son of Pennsylvania and are eager to spotlight his numerous contributions to our nation."

Bayard Rustin Inside Ashland features Reggie D. White (People's Light: The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane, Broadway: The Inheritance) in the titular role. Helen White (Spiritual Uprising) also returns to People's Light as a member of the ensemble. Making their People's Light acting debuts are Eunice Woods as Florence/Minister, Erik Raymond Johnson as Hagerman, Price Waldman as AJ Muste, David Watkins as Tennessee, and Jesse Corbin in the ensemble.

Returning designers include Intimacy and Fight Director Erik Raymond Johnson (Mud Row), Scenic Designer Michael Carnahan (Mud Row), Lighting Designer Alan C. Edwards (Lights Out: Nat "King" Cole), Projection Designer Katherine Freer (The Mountaintop), and Sound Designer Curtis Craig (Mud Row, Skeleton Crew). Costume Designer Leigh Paradise makes her People's Light design debut, but has been with the costume department as Cutter/Draper since 2014, and served as Assistant Dramaturg for Nina Simone: Four Women. Deborah Teller (The Children, Dot) Stage Manages. Developed in partnership with Penn State University, Penn State professor and new works dramaturg Jeanmarie Higgins joins the artistic team as production dramaturg in her People's Light debut.

Steve H. Broadnax III Writer and Director

(He/him) People's Light: Associate Artistic Director. Director: America 2am, 20/20 Vision (Writer and Director, digital short film), Mud Row, Skeleton Crew, The Mountaintop. Theatre Includes: Thoughts of a Colored Man (Broadway), Katori Hall's 2021 Pulitzer Prize Première The Hot Wing King at The Signature Theatre, Lee Edward Colston's The First Deep Breath at Chicago's Victory Garden Theatre (Premiere and Winner of Jeff Awards Best New Work), Dominique Morisseau's Blood at the Root at the National Black Theatre (Winner of Kennedy Center's Hip Hop Theater Creator Award), and William Jackson Harper's Premiere Travisville at NYC Ensemble Studio. Ensemble Studio Theatre member and a Professor of Theatre at Penn State University; Co-Head of MFA Directing.

Jason Michael Webb Music Director and Arranger

(He/him) People's Light debut. Theatre Includes: Special Tony Award recipient and Drama Desk Award winner for outstanding vocal arrangements in Choir Boy (MTC). Music and Lyrics/Music Supervisor, Much Ado About Nothing (Shakespeare in the Park, The Public Theatre); Musical Director, The Color Purple (2016 Broadway Revival); Associate Musical Director, Broadway shows including Motown: The Musical, Leap of Faith, and Violet; Musical Director and Arranger/Adaptor, Disney's Frozen: Live at the Hyperion (Anaheim, CA). Other credits include: Music Director/Arranger for Tony Award winner Cynthia Erivo; Musical Director of six-time Grammy Award winners Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir. His arrangement of BTC's "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" was featured at the 2013 inauguration of President Barack Obama. Film/Television Includes: Empire (Fox), Juanita (Netflix), The Greatest Showman (20th Century Fox). Onstage pianist for artists including Dame Shirley Bassey, Michael Bolton, Cece Winans, and Chaka Khan.

HEALTH AND SAFETY

Ticket holders must show proof of full vaccination or a negative COVID test, along with a valid ID, for entry into the theatre. Valid ID includes any government photo ID, or two identifying documents, such as a W-2 form, pay stub, utility bill, or other documented evidence of name and address. To be considered fully vaccinated, your performance date must be at least 14 days after your second dose of a two-dose COVID-19 vaccine or at least 14 days after a single-dose vaccine. Unvaccinated audience members must provide proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours of the performance start time, or a negative COVID-19 antigen test taken within 6 hours of the performance start time. Home tests will be accepted. For more information on policies at People's Light, including new seating arrangements, audience capacity, and artist and staff safety, visit the Health and Safety page. Recommended protocols may shift with evolving local and national guidelines, so please continue to check this page for the most up-to-date information when planning your visit to People's Light.

People's Light will be offering socially-distanced performances of Bayard Rustin Inside Ashland, limited to 50% capacity, on the following dates: May 20th, May 27th, May 31st, June 3rd, June 5th (Relaxed Performance), June 7th, and June 10th. The Relaxed Performance on June 5th is at 2pm; all other socially distanced performances are at 7:30pm.

TICKET INFORMATION

Bayard Rustin Inside Ashland previews Wednesday, May 18; Thursday, May 19; Friday, May 20 at 7:30pm; and Saturday, May 21 at 8pm. The play opens Sunday, May 22 at 2pm and runs through Sunday, June 12. Standard tickets start at $45, including fees. People's Light also offers a range of ticket discounts, like a 50%-off Access Night on Tuesday, June 7th at 7:30pm, 25% off for educators and military, and discounted student and instrustry rush tickets. Learn more about available ticket discounts here.

Special rates are available for groups of 10 or more. For more information, or to purchase group tickets, call Kelly Benedict at 610.647.1900, x111, or email benedict@peopleslight.org .

Bayard Rustin Inside Ashland is recommended for ages 17+ due to explicit sexual language, brief nudity, and adult themes.

3 and 4-Play subscription packages are still available for the 2021/2022 Season at People's Light. Productions include Hold These Truths (April 6 - May 1); Bayard Rustin Inside Ashland (May 18 - June 12); The Vinegar Tree (June 29 - July 24); and Grand Horizons (August 3 - 28).

To order single tickets or subscriptions, visit peopleslight.org or call the Box Office at 610.644.3500.

Actors, prices, productions, performance dates and times are subject to change. Additional service charges may apply.

ACCESSIBILITY

Beginning with the 7:30pm performance of Bayard Rustin Inside Ashland on May 31st, People's Light will offer Smart Caption Glasses, which provide customizable, in-line captioning of the play's text within smart glasses. In partnership with the Institute on Disabilities at Temple University and The National Theatre of Great Britain, People's Light is the first theatre in the United States to offer Smart Caption Glasses to theatre audiences.

Bayard Rustin Inside Ashland Open Caption (OC) performances run June 7-June 12 and feature an LED screen near the stage that displays text simultaneously with live speech and action, for individuals with hearing impairment and English language learners. No other elements of the performance change.

People's Light offers a Relaxed Performance of Bayard Rustin Inside Ashland on Sunday, June 5th at 2pm. Relaxed Performances offer a judgment-free environment that invites individuals with autism, ADD, ADHD, dementia, and other sensory sensitivities to enjoy theatre in a relaxed, "shush-free" zone-a great option for parents with young children, too. This performance features ASL interpretation by Hands UP Productions, and audio description provided by Nicole Sardella is available upon request. Tickets to Relaxed Performances are $30, including fees. For more information, contact the Box Office at 610.644.3500.

Service animals are welcome at all performances at People's Light. The Theatre offers a designated relief area and water bowl for their comfort.

More Access

People's Light offers a range of Audio and Visual Aids freely available to patrons, including audio headsets, T-Coil "induction" loops, large sensory supports like fidgets, noise-canceling headphones, and more. These supports are available on a first come, first served basis, no reservations required. Please pick them up from the House Manager in the theatre lobbies. Learn more about Accessibility at People's Light here.

THE FERN & FABLE AT PEOPLE'S LIGHT

Scratch cooking and theatrical sensibilities meet in the laid-back atmosphere of The Fern & Fable, just steps away from the Leonard C. Haas Stage. The Theatre's newly renovated on-site restaurant occupies three rooms of a 1700s farmhouse, complete with two working fireplaces and plenty of historic quirks. During warmer months, guests dine al fresco among lush gardens. Make a reservation on OpenTable. More information at TheFernandFable.com.

ABOUT PEOPLE'S LIGHT

Founded in 1974, People's Light serves as one of Pennsylvania's largest professional non-profit theatres, known for its resident company of artists, wide array of productions, and innovative work with young people.