Part 3 of the series, ‘Industrial Valley,’ opens May 11 -- The Devil’s Milk trilogy is the industrial story of Akron, circa 1910s to 1930s. This is Akron’s story as much as it is the story of the particular neighborhoods outlined therein. It might as well be the story of Akron today, right down to the constant destruction and construction. If only today’s orange cones could … [Read more...]
Ma’Sue reboots performance about urban black male experience
'...Or Does It Explode?' drawn from real stories, appears at Balch Street Theatre Feb. 3 -- While originally created in 2014, the message behind “…Or Does It Explode?” is still as relevant today, with explorations of the urban black male experience, their place in the community, and how self perception oftentimes conflicts with media portrayals and stereotypes. An … [Read more...]
Knight Arts finalist New World Performance Lab previews performance based on 1930s labor novel
New World Performance Laboratory (NWPL) presents preview performances of its work-in-progress, “Industrial Valley” the third part of "The Devil’s Milk Trilogy," a long-term project based on Akron’s relationship with rubber and the rubber industry on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Monday October 20, 21 22, 24 2016 at 8:00 pm and Sunday, Oct. 23 at 2 p.m. in The Balch … [Read more...]
New World Performance Lab delves into Akron’s rubber history with ‘Devil’s Milk’ trilogy
Center for Applied Theatre and Active Culture (CATAC) and New World Performance Laboratory (NWPL) present “Death of a Man,” the first part of the company’s Devil’s Milk Trilogy, a long-term project based on Akron’s relationship with rubber. Preview performances will take place Thursday, Friday and Saturday (Feb. 4, 5 and 6) at 8 p.m. and Sunday, Feb. 7 at 2 p.m. in The Balch … [Read more...]
Seattle-based group brings noir drama to Balch Street Theatre
Seattle-based Akropolis Performance Lab will bring its production of "The Glas Nocturne" on Friday, Nov. 20, at 8 p.m., and again Saturday, Nov. 21 at 2 and 8 p.m., at the Balch Street Theatre, 220 Balch Street in Akron. The Glas Nocturne is Joseph Lavy’s adaptation of Hjalmar Söderberg’s scandalous novel, Doktor Glas. Lavy describes the piece as, "a noir-style monodrama of … [Read more...]
Ma’Sue production celebrates Billie Holiday, ‘archetype of black genius’
'BLUE, Miss Billie' opens Sept. 3 -- Sometimes, when I cover a community event or a community leader, I have a clear idea in my head of what the story will turn out be. You would think I would have learned better by now… What does it take to be a strong voice for your generation? What are the qualifications for that? I spend a lot of time surrounded by creative people … [Read more...]
Akron’s ghosts come to light in ‘Devil’s Milk’ open rehearsal (Review)
'Goosetown; The Devil’s Milk, Part Two' at Balch Street Theatre offers unique audience experience Ghosts of every shade lined the walls of the theater as we walked in. The lighting was centered on the angled seating where the audience would eventually sit, casting long shadows and effectively giving us a glimpse of characters that are now long gone, or dead. A quick … [Read more...]
‘Trail Magic’ explores life of extreme hiker, trail pioneer (Article and Video)
Wandering Aesthetics hits the Appalachian Trail for biographical performance -In 1955, Emma Gatewood grabbed an army blanket, raincoat, plastic shower curtain and a pair of Keds, and became the first woman to hike the 2,000-mile Appalachian Trail when she was 67. The mother of 11 and grandmother of 24 was a farmer’s wife who lived in an abusive marriage, and she started … [Read more...]
Ma’ Sue production explores black male urban experience
". . .Or Does It Explode?" provides poetic, thought-provoking and frequently confrontational language in its journey though the psychic and social conditions and contradictions of the contemporary black urban male experience. Directed by John Dayo Aliya, this show includes dramatic vignettes using music, poetry and traditional theatrical forms. The play relays stories … [Read more...]
New World Performance Lab challenges gender roles in Woolf’s ‘Orlando’ (Article and Video)
Nestled in the cozy Balch Street Theatre of the Balch Street Community Center, New World Performance Lab is rehearsing for its upcoming performance of “Orlando.” Adapted for the stage by award-winning playwright Sarah Ruhl, the play is based on Virginia Woolf’s 1928 novel“Orlando: A Biography.” Performances of Orlando will begin Aug. 6 and run during the upcoming Gay Games – … [Read more...]
