Alumnae Theatre to Ring in New Year with STEPPING OUT

Alumnae Theatre rings in the New Year on our MainStage Theatre with music and dance. Our 2015-2016 season's retrospective piece (originally produced at Alumnae Theatre in our 1989/90 season), Stepping Out by Richard Harris, directed by Brenda Darling, runs January 22-February 6, 2016. At a weekly tap dance class with a vivacious ex-pro and her vegetarian pianist, eight mismatched strangers joyfully exchange their hum-drum lives for "tap, step, ball change, cramp roll... pick up your feet". Secrets tumble out. Conflicts arise. Friendships grow. Everyone is changed. And they dance.

Director Brenda Darling has gathered a talented ensemble cast for this character-driven play. "The characters in Stepping Out do not have perfect lives, but they inspire me with their perseverance." Darling says. "Life hasn't been easy for any of them, but in spite of that, they take on an impossible dream that terrifies them - a public dance presentation - and are victorious." The cast features: Jeanette Dagger, Linette Doherty, Rebecca Grenier, Lisa Kovack, Alyssa Quart, Kay Randewich, Felicia Simone, Mish Tam, Scott Turner, and Jessica Westermann.

Stepping Out also highlights the talents of a stellar design and artistic team that includes Alyssa Martin (choreographer), Bill Scott (lighting design), Gabrielle d'Angelo (sound design), Doug Payne (set design), Bec Brownstone (costume design), and Elizabeth Verwey (producer).

Special event shows during the run include a pre-show panel discussion "Stepping Out Through the Arts" on January 24th, January 30th is "Audience 80s dress up night", and the Director and Cast talkback after the January 31st show.