New Conservatory Theatre Center Presents World Premiere of STILL AT RISK

In January, New Conservatory Theatre Center is proud to offer audiences the world premiere of Tim Pinckney's Still at Risk directed by Dennis Lickteig. This takes a new look at the personal and political effects of HIV/AIDS on the LGBT community decades after the crisis through the play's main character Kevin, a surviving activist from the front lines of the AIDS crisis who is struggling to find purpose in a modern age of greater gay rights. When an unexpected event threatens to erase the history he was part of creating, his anger and passion are renewed. Deeply moving and possessing sharp humor, Still at Risk is a powerful look at the hazards of rewriting the past, and one man's attempt to move forward.

Still at Risk marks the return of Pinckney's work to the NCTC stage after a long hiatus. Almost twenty years ago, NCTC presented his first play Message to Michael that had its original premiere at Rattlestick Playwrights Theatre in New York City. In addition to Rattlestick, Pinckney's plays have been developed or produced at The Hangar Theatre, Gerald Lynch Theatre and Primary Stages in New York City. Still at Risk is presented as part of NCTC's New Play Development Lab and recently had a 29-hour development workshop at Primary Stages, directed by Carl Andress.

Playing January 19 - February 25, 2018 in NCTC's Walker Theatre with performances running Wednesdays to Saturdays at 8pm and Sundays at 2pm. Opening Night is Saturday, January 27, at 8pm. Tickets are $20-$45 and are available at nctcsf.org or by calling (415) 861-8972.

Still at Risk Special Events:

Opening Night will take place on Saturday, January 27 at 8pm. The performance will be followed by a reception catered by 17-18 Season Restaurant Sponsor, Minas Brazilian.

Post-show Talkbacks with playwright, director and cast on Jan 24, 25 and 26 post-show

Post-show Talkback with director and cast on February 4 at 2pm

Live Music Thursdays: Free live music pre-show from pianist Alexander Goodhart on Thursday nights

Still At Risk: Moving Forward: Feb 11th post-show panel about the face of AIDS activism today featuring: Brett Andrews (Positive Resource Center, CEO), Ernest Hopkins (San Francisco AIDS Foundation, Director of Legislative Affairs) and Nicole Men?ez (NCTC, YouthAware Program Manager)

Playwright Tim Pinckney began writing plays after ten years as a working actor. His first play, Message to Michael, was produced by Rattlestick Playwrights Theatre in New York City and has enjoyed several subsequent regional productions. His play Ever So Humble had its premiere at The Hangar Theatre starring Andre?a Burns and Eric T. Miller, directed by Peter Flynn. Other plays include A Perfect Blendship (Workshopped at the Hangar Theatre) and First Refusal (Workshopped at Rattlestick Theatre). Tim's latest play, A Prehistoric Ritual, was recently completed and he is currently working on the screenplay adaptation of Message to Michael. Tim recently wrote the stage adaptation for the world premiere of Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol at the Gerald Lynch Theatre in New York City, starring Douglas Sills, Joshua Henry and Betsy Wolfe. He has also adapted four classic musicals - Hair, On the Twentieth Century, Chess, and Funny Girl - for The Actors Fund's concert series. In addition to creating events for The Actors Fund, Vineyard Theatre, Lincoln Center, WNYC, The Jacob Burns Film Center, and The Drama League, Tim has traveled all over the map as a contributing writer to Passport Magazine. He was personally selected by Fred Ebb to write the liner notes for the triple platinum Special Limited Edition CD/DVD soundtrack recording of the 2003 Oscar®-winning motion picture Chicago. Tim proudly serves on the advisory board of The Fred Ebb Foundation and the Board of Directors of Mark Stuart Dance Theatre. Originally from Auburn, New York, Tim is a member of The Ensemble Studio Theatre's Playwrights Unit, Actors' Equity as well as The Dramatists Guild.

The Still at Risk cast includes Scott Cox (Kevin), Will Giammona (Marcus), J. Conrad Frank (Byron), Desiree Rogers (Susan), and Matt Weimer (Christopher). Still at Risk will feature scenic design by Devin Kasper, costume design by Jorge R. Hernandez, lighting design by Maxx Kurzunski, sound design by Theodore Hulsker, prop design by Daniel Yelen, and stage management by Emilio Racinez.

NCTC's New Play Development was created in 2002 to commission and develop new work to expand the canon of LGBT-themed plays, give voice to new and diverse playwrights, and add to the list of over 40 World Premieres NCTC has produced since 1981. Past commissions include plays by Terrence McNally, JC Lee, and Jewelle Gomez. The Lab is currently developing a new play by Ryan Fogarty.

New Conservatory Theatre Center has been San Francisco's premier LGBTQIA and allied performing arts institution and progressive arts education conservatory since 1981. NCTC is renowned for its diverse range of innovative, high-quality productions, touring productions and shows for young audiences; its foundational anti-bullying work with youth and educators through YouthAware; and its commitment to developing new plays to continue expanding the canon of queer and allied dramatic work.