THEATER PRODUCTION TO BE DIRECTED BY LOCAL HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT

BY WRITING A LETTER, A YOUTH’S DREAM COMES TRUE: THE ACTORS SHAKESPEARE COMPANY AT NEW JERSEY CITY UNIVERSITY ANNOUNCES THE LEAR PROJECT, TO BE DIRECTED BY LOCAL HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT

Actors Shakespeare Company at New Jersey City University, a professional theater company in residence at the University, will present The Lear Project, an adaptation of William Shakespeare’s King Lear that will be directed by Jessica Perez, a senior at McNair Academic High School.

THE LEAR PROJECT
By William Shakespeare
Directed by Jessica Perez
WHEN: Friday, April 8, through Sunday, April 10. Performances will be held at 7:30 PM on Friday and Saturday and at 3:00 PM on Sunday.
WHERE: NJCU’s West Side Theatre, 285 West Side Avenue in Jersey City. TICKETS: free and open to the community.

The Lear Project marks the first time in ASC at NJCU’s 11-year history that a production has been directed by a high school student. Ms. Perez will be mentored by Colette Rice, ASC at NJCU producing artistic director, and other ASC at NJCU members. Although ASC at NJCU is known for its outstanding workshops and educational programs throughout Hudson County, this will be the first time that the Company will teach a student how to direct Shakespeare.

Inspired by the late award-winning teacher Sara Solberg, who introduced her to King Lear as a sophomore at McNair, Ms. Perez wrote a letter to ASC at NJCU. In her letter she explained the origin of her passion and expressed her dream of directing the play.

“When Jessica wrote to me and asked for help in realizing her dream—to direct King Lear—I knew that ASC at NJCU could help her. This is a ‘made for our mission’ opportunity for the Company to help a bright, enthusiastic young person explore the wealth of experiences that the play and work in the theatre have to offer,” said Ms. Rice.

“Jessica has strong ideas, and has already done a great deal of editing work, and is determined to complete her project before she graduates and goes to college.”

As with its main stage productions, ASC at NJCU will invite local schools to a matinee presentation of The Lear Project. Students can attend on Thursday, April 7, 2011 at 10:00 AM. Schools should call 551.200.2931 for more information and to make reservations. Donations for the theatre company are accepted at all performances.

The final months of ASC at NJCU’s 2010-211 season will include three Lab Projects. ASC at NJCU Lab Projects enable artists to explore new material, take a fresh look at Shakespeare’s canon, hone new skills, and test new forms. A question-and-answer session is held with the actors following each performance.

The Lab Projects will include: George Bernard Shaw’s The Millionairess, May 13-15; Israel Zangwill’s The Melting Pot, June 5; and Tom Stoppard’s Arcadia, June 22-26.

ASC at NJCU officially became the University’s theatrical company-in-residence in 2008, making NJCU only the fourth institution of higher education in New Jersey to be affiliated with a professional theatre company. The collaboration between the company, which is in its eleventh season, and NJCU began in 2005. Since that time, NJCU and ASC at NJCU have partnered to present professional classical theatre to both the NJCU and wider Jersey City communities and NJCU faculty and students have been regularly involved in ASC productions and workshops.

ASC at NJCU works through the NJCU Foundation, a non-profit, tax-exempt organization, and is supported in part by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, New Jersey City University, and contributions from individuals, corporations, and foundations.

For further information or to make reservations call 201.200.2390 or visit www.ascnj.org.

The West Side Theatre is wheelchair accessible. Large print programs and assisted listening devices are available. Some performances are audio described. Call 201.200.2390 for more information and requests.