UC San Diego Presents A BEAUTIFUL DAY IN NOVEMBER ON THE BANKS OF THE GREATEST OF THE GREAT LAKES

The UC San Diego Department of Theatre and Dance presents A Great Day in November on the Banks of the Greatest of the Great Lakes by Kate Benson, directed by Vanessa Stalling.

About the play: At the heart of A Beautiful Day in November on the Banks of the Greatest of the Great Lakes, is the idea that even in the face of competition, conflicting points of view, and the ultimate divider, death, ritual still has the power to gather us together. The urge to be together and gather is more powerful than what divides us.

The preview for A Beautiful Day in November on the Banks of the Greatest of the Great Lakes will be November 28 at 7 pm. The show runs November 30 and December 1, 7, and 8 at 7:30 pm with additional 2 pm matinee performances on December 1 and 8.

Tickets are $20 for regular performances. Subscriptions and group rates are available. Student tickets are $10 for regular performances. Faculty, staff, alumni and senior citizens discounts available as well. Tickets can be purchased online or by calling the box office at (858) 534-4574.

The cast features Assata Hefner (Cheesecake), Danielle E. B. Wineman (Cherry Pie), Christine Penn (Trifle), Nicole Javier (SnapDragon), Amara Granderson (Gumbo), Allyn Moriyon (@), David Price (Grandada, Twins, Runnerman), Serina Estrada (Everywoman #1), Mariah Tobin (Everywoman #2), Evelyn Lopez (Everywoman #3), Ben Little (Everyman #1), Austin Harper (Everyman #2), and Stephen Lightfoot (Everyman #3).

The production staff includes Vanessa Stalling (Director), Hsi-An Chen (Scenic Designer), Mextly Almeda (Lighting Designer), Christopher Flagstad (Costume Designer), MaeAnn Ross (Sound Designer), Willie Mae Michiels (Production Stage Manager), Daniella Toscano (Assistant Costume Designer), Amber Dettmers (Assistant Stage Manager), and Andrew Gutierrez (Assistant Stage Manager).

About the playwright: Kate Benson is a writer and actor living in Brooklyn. Her plays include A Beautiful Day in November on the Banks of the Greatest of the Great Lakes, [PORTO], Lee Miller, and Radium Now. She is a member of the Jam at New Georges, and she is a graduate of the Brooklyn College MFA Playwriting program. She has had readings and showings of her work at Dixon Place, 13th St. Theater, Jimmy's No. 43, and the Room at New Georges. As an actor, she has appeared at the Public, NYTW, the Flea, PS 122, the Incubator, and LaMama.

About the director: Vanessa Stalling received her MFA from Illinois State University. She is a professional theatre director. Upcoming workshops and productions include a new play by Isaac Gomez, PerKup Elkhorn, at Northlight Theatre, and Sarah DeLappe's The Wolves at The Goodman Theatre. Her most recent productions include Lauren Yee's Hookman for Steep Theatre and United Flight 232 for The House Theatre. Vanessa adapted United Flight 232 from Laurence Gonzales' Flight 232: A Story of Disaster and Survival. The production received six Jeff Award nominations, winning for Best Production Midsize and for Best Ensemble.

For ten years, Vanessa was a primary artist at Redmoon Theatre, an internationally recognized maker of large-scale outdoor spectacles. While at Redmoon, she developed all original works of theater as an actor, director, and ultimately as associate artistic director. Memorable experiences at Redmoon include directing Mickle Maher's The Cabinet, which toured Brazil as part of the FILO Festival, and directing ephemeral performances for President Obama's initial Halloween Celebration at the White House.

Professor Stalling has held teaching positions at Roosevelt University, Columbia College, and the University of Chicago. She is a company member of The House Theatre of Chicago, was The Goodman Theatre's 2016 Michael Maggio Directing Fellow, and has received two 3Arts Award nominations. At UC San Diego, she will advise and instruct graduate directing students, teach undergraduate directing courses, and direct productions.