Photo Flash: First Look at TRIBES at Artists Rep

Sweeping the nation at luminary theatre companies like Steppenwolf, Barrow Street Theatre and La Jolla Playhouse after originating at London's Royal Court Theatre, Tribes by Nina Raine opened on Artists Rep's Alder Stage starting yesterday, February 3. Scroll down for a first look at the cast in action!

The Northwest Premiere of this tense and compelling play, directed by Artists Rep's Artistic Director Dámaso Rodriguez and features a stellar cast of Artists Rep Resident Artists and favorites alongside Hard-of-Hearing actor Stephen Drabicki, who has played the role of Billy three times before to critical acclaim.

Tribes is a scintillating contemporary drama centered around Billy, the only deaf member of his family, whose search for family acceptance sparks often funny, but fierce, tensions at home. He was raised inside an idiosyncratic and politically incorrect cocoon where his family did not allow him to learn sign language or be involved in the Deaf Community. It is not until he meets a young woman, Sylvia, who is on the brink of deafness, that he finally understands what it means to be understood. Grappling with the significance of language and the urge to belong, this Portland debut follows triumphant productions Off-Broadway, at London's Royal Court and Chicago's Steppenwolf Theatre. 2012 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Play.

The cast features Stephen Drabicki* as Billy, Linda Alper*^ as Beth, Amy Newman*^ as Sylvia, Michael Mendelson*^ as Christopher, Joshua J. Weinstein*^ as Daniel and Kayla Lian+ as Ruth.

On the creative team are: Dámaso Rodriguez - Director; Tal Sanders - Scenic Designer; Gregory Pulver - Costume Designer; Kristeen Willis Crosser^ - Lighting Designer; Sharath Patel^ - Composer/Sound Designer; Natalie Rae Heikkinen - Props Designer; Mary McDonald Lewis^ - Voice & Text Director; Michelle Jazuk* - Production Stage Manager; Assistant Directors - Jessica Evans Irvine, Val Landrum^; Production Assistant - Jory Bowers; ASL Dialogue Coaches - Justin Coleman, Dot Hearn; and ASL Interpreters - Richard Hall, Dot Hearn.

(* Member of Actors' Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers; ^ Artists Rep Resident Artist; +Equity Membership Candidate)

For tickets and more information, visit www.artistsrep.org.