The Bridge Initiative to Host the Premiere of THE REVOLUTIONISTS By Lauren Gunderson

The Bridge Initiative: Women in Theatre, advocates for gender equity across theatrical disciplines, confirms the Southwest premiere of The Revolutionists by Lauren Gunderson, the most-produced living playwright in America, second only to Shakespeare. This will be their inaugural full production run and is an important landmark in their residency with co-producer Tempe Center for the Arts (TCA).

In The Revolutionists, France's fight for equality propels itself into modern times. Featuring an all-female cast of historical icons, this daring, delightfully droll new play riffs on feminism, legacy, standing up for one's beliefs, and finding a voice. "I'm so excited to participate in the hatching of Bridge Initiative's inaugural production. This company's voice is vital to our region and fits in perfectly with TCA's mission to embrace art in all forms and all voices," says Ralph Remington, TCA producing artistic director. "The Revolutionists is perfectly suited to our mission, and is just a good night in the theatre," says Bridge Initiative producing artistic director Brenda Jean Foley. "I believe our audiences will laugh, cry, feel frustrated and challenged, and also empowered. It's accessible, smart work and I am thrilled to be bringing it to the Valley."

Director Debra K. Stevens will helm the production. Freelance director Stevens is also an associate artist at Childsplay and theatre adjunct at Mesa Community College. She most recently directed Southwest Shakespeare Company's The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged). Her other directing credits include Three No Trump at Theatreworks, Romeo and Juliet at Greasepaint, Living Out at Arizona Women's Theatre, and three world premieres at Childsplay: Girls Who Wear Glasses, The Smartest Girl in the World, and Junie B Jones is Not a Crook. Auditions and further artistic team announcements to follow.

The Revolutionists will be presented December 6-15 at the Tempe Center for the Arts, 700 W. Rio Salado, Tempe, AZ 85281. To purchase tickets, please call (480) 350-2822 or visit https://www.tempecenterforthearts.com/events/tca-box-office.

The Bridge Initiative: Women in Theatre The Bridge Initiative: Women in Theatre incubates and celebrates professional female theatre artists, promoting gender parity across all theatrical disciplines. www.bridgeinit.org