Trinity Rep to Partner with RI Blood Center for Blood Drive Tomorrow

Trinity Repertory Company has announced that in tandem with the depression era drama, The Grapes of Wrath, they are partnering with the RI Blood Center for a Blood Drive on Friday, September 13th from 2:30pm-5:30pm at Trinity Repertory Company, 201 Washington St in Providence in order to raise awareness and urge donations. All pre-registered donors will get a free ticket to a performance of The Grapes of Wrath, onstage now through October 6 at Trinity Rep. To register, login to www.ribcdonor.org and follow the steps to Trinity Rep's drive.

"The Grapes of Wrath is a play about the strength of a community when faced with overwhelming hardship. The play's themes including equality and worker's rights, certainly ring true to us today, and organizations such as the RI Blood Center facilitate the community in saving lives no matter who is in need," says Curt Columbus, The Richard L. Bready Artistic Director.

Every day patients in Rhode Island and Southern New England need blood transfusions to recover from illness and injury. RI Blood Center's goal is to collect about 240 pints daily to meet these patient needs. It takes less than an hour to fill out the necessary forms and donate a pint of blood. Trinity Rep and RI Blood Center hope you will join the cause by giving the Gift of Life - a blood donation - and then join fellow donors at The Grapes of Wrath. Donors are advised to bring identification with a photo or signature and eat well and drink fluids before you donate. Juice and cookies are also provided free after donation.

Adapted for the stage by Frank Galati, this evocative and deeply affecting stage version of The Grapes of Wrath lifts Steinbeck's novel to new heights of theatrical urgency, especially when married with director Brian McEleney's visceral storytelling style. Part naturalistic epic, part road novel, part inspirational gospel, The Grapes of Wrath boasts a 17 member cast and original folk-rock music from the show's band, 3pile. Tickets for The Grapes of Wrath are available at the Trinity Rep box office, 201 Washington St.; by phone at (401) 351-4242; and online at www.trinityrep.com.

To donate blood and platelets individuals must be 17 years of age, weight 110 pounds, and be in general good health. Sixteen-year-olds may donate if they weigh 130 pounds, have a parental permission slip (available on the Blood Center's web site), and be in general good health. If you have any questions about donating blood, please contact the Blood Center at (401) 453-8307 or visit their website at www.ribc.org. If you have any questions about the Trinity Rep's "Zombie Prevention" Blood Drive, contact Rebecca Noon at rnoon@trinityrep.com.