Photo Flash: First Look at Ayanna Berkshire and More in INTIMATE APPAREL at Artists Rep

Artists Rep is thrilled to kick off its 2014/15 season with the Portland premiere of Intimate Apparel by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Lynn Nottage. Artists Rep Artistic Associate and Resident Artist Michael Mendelson will direct this award-winning, Off-Broadway and regional theatre sensation. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast onstage below!

Intimate Apparel was first commissioned and produced by South Coast Repertory and Center Stage in Costa Mesa, California in 2003. It is the winner of five national awards for Best Play and has been produced by such prominent theatres as Roundabout Theatre in New York, Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles, Southern Repertory Theatre in New Orleans, Steppenwolf Theatre Company in Chicago, City Theatre in Pittsburgh, and Actors Theatre of Louisville.

Set in 1905 NYC, this riveting tale is about the empowerment of Esther, an African American seamstress who creates exquisite lingerie for Fifth Avenue boudoirs and red-light brothels. As she yearns for a different life, she finds unconventional friendships with clients that defy race, religion and class.

CAST:
Ayanna Berkshire* - Esther
Demene E. Hall* - Mrs. Dickson
Sara Hennessy* - Mrs. Van Buren
Chris Harder *^ - Mr. Marks
Dedra D. Woods+ - Mayme
Vin Shambry*^ - George

CREATIVE TEAM:
Michael Mendelson*^ - Director
Jack O'Brien - Scenic Designer
Sarah Gahagan - Costume Designer
Brent J. Sullivan - Lighting Designer
Rodolfo Ortega^ - Composer/Sound Designer
Mary McDonald Lewis^ - Voice & Text Director
Gavin Hales - Stage Manager

* Member of Actors' Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers
^ Artists Rep Resident Artist

Photo Credit: Owen Carey