NextStop Theatre to Open 2014-15 Season with GIDION'S KNOT

At the forefront of the minds of parents this time of year is back-to-school, with newly fallen leaves, fresh clothes, and packed lunches being a top priority for families. In its 2014/2015 season premiere, NextStop Theatre and Forum Theatre address an issue many parents fear when putting their loved ones on the school bus in a new co-produced play surrounding the harsh realities of bullying, suicide, self-expression, academic standards, the parent-teacher relationship, and school violence.

Gidion's Knot, running from August 28 to September 14, is a powerful 80-minute work, cited in 2013 by the Steinberg/American Theatre Critics Association. Gidion's Knot depicts a parent/teacher conference with a grieving mother and an emotionally overwhelmed primary school teacher's conversation about the tragic suicide of the mother's son, Gidion. As the story of Gidion's suicide is slowly uncovered, the women try to reconstruct a satisfying explanation for Gidion's act and come to terms with excruciating feelings of guilt.

"We are so proud to be bringing this important play to the Dulles Corridor," said Evan Hoffman, Producing Artistic Director for the NextStop Theatre Company. "This play offers a stark examination of some of the most difficult issues that face the students, parents and teachers in our community everyday."

The cast will be led by 2007 Helen Hayes Award winner Caroline Stefanie Clay (Broadway and National Tour: Doubt) as Corryn and Katy Carkuff (Forum Theatre: 9 Circles and Marat/Sade) as Heather Clark. The creative team behind the production includes Johnna Adams (Playwright), Christina Alicea (Director), Scott Hengen (Scenic Design), Paul Frydrychowski and Annmarie Castringo (Lighting Design), Brittany Graham (Costume Design), Michael Dove (Sound Design), Deb Crerie (Properties Design), Keta Newborn (Stage Manager), Laura Moody (Assistant Stage Manager), Jon Harvey (Technical Director), and Amy Kellet (Scenic Artist).