American Stage Presents The Tampa Bay Premiere Of Dominique Morisseau's PIPELINE

American Stage continues its 2018-2019 Season 'LIFE. OUT LOUD' with the Tampa Bay Premiere of PIPELINE written by Dominique Morisseau (co-producer on the Showtime series SHAMELESS) and directed by L. Peter Callender (Director of recent American Stage hits A RAISIN IN THE SUN, JOE TURNER'S COME & GONE and JITNEY).

"Dominique Morisseau is one of the most exciting playwrights in American theatre today. She brings a strong voice to our national conversations and does this with an incredible humanity that make her characters and their lives feel entirely relatable. PIPELINE explores the big topics of education, race and class while also honestly depicting the intense hopes and fears felt by parents as they try to help their children navigate a sometimes unjust world." -Stephanie Gularte, Producing Artistic Director

This Tampa Bay Area premiere features 6 cast members - 4 making their American Stage mainstage debut, Gillian Glasco*, Andrew Montgomery Coleman, Aaron Morton*, and Cynthia Beckert* plus the return of Kiara Hines (A RAISIN IN THE SUN) and Cranstan Cumberbatch (A RAISIN IN THE SUN, TWO TRAINS RUNNING & RENT).

"There comes a time in every nation's history to put an end to a scourge that plagues its populations: polio and aids, poverty and homelessness, racisism and gun violence. Young black and brown youths are targeted from 3rd grade to enter the pipeline leading to incarceration by the the time they are seniors in high school. Bringing more public awareness to this horror makes Dominique Morisseau's work, PIPELINE, even more necessary especially since it speaks of the vulnerable youth of our nation" -L. Peter Callender, Director

TEACH. OUT LOUD. Nya, a single mother teaching at an inner-city public school, wants what's best for her teenage son, Omari-even if it means sending him to a private school far from their neighborhood. But when an explosive classroom incident threatens Omari's future, Nya must reevaluate the choices she's made as a parent and educator. In this lyrical and timely drama, acclaimed playwright Dominique Morisseau brings an urgent conversation powerfully to the fore, compassionately probing the limits of our education system and a mother's fight to give her son a future - without turning her back on the community that made him who he is.

Audience Advisory: Contains mature content and strong language.
Age Recommendation: 14+

The following includes information on the cast, production, performance dates, and ticketing information, as well as a listing of special events associated with the production.

CAST
Gillian Glasco* (Nya)
Andrew Montgomery Coleman (Omari)
Kiara Hines (Jasmine)
Cranstan Cumberbatch (Dun)
Aaron Morton* (Xavier)
Cynthia Beckert* (Laurie)

CREATIVE
L. Peter Callender (Director)
Jerid Fox (Set Designer, Properties Master)
Chris Baldwin (Lighting Designer)
Jaye A. Sheldon (Costume Designer)
Rachel Harrison* (Sound Designer, Production Stage Manager)
Allison Davis (Scenic Artist)
Shelby Smotherman (Production Assistant)
Rose Hahn (Directing Apprentice)
Season Wong (Assistant Stage Manager)