LINES IN THE DUST
The world premiere of a newly commissioned play by Obie Award-winning writer Nikkole Salter
Directed by Reginald L. Douglas
WHEN: previews on Thursday, October 9, and runs Thursdays through Sundays through November 9th. Opening night is Friday, October 17. Select performances are followed by Talkbacks with the Creative Team and special guests from the worlds of Education and Politics.
WHERE: Luna Stage, 555 Valley Road, West Orange
TICKETS: $25-$35.
Group sales and student matinees are available.
$10 Student Rush tickets are available one half-hour before curtain. Individual tickets and Luna Stage 2014-2015 Season Passes can be purchased at www.lunastage.org, by calling 973.395.5551 or in person Tues.-Fri. 10 AM-3 PM.
The theatre is handicapped accessible and offers assistive listening devices.
When Denitra loses the charter school lottery for her daughter, she must find another way to escape from their underperforming neighborhood school. The answer seems like a risk well worth taking but may end up requiring a bigger sacrifice than she ever could have imagined. It's been exactly 60 years since Brown Versus The Board of Education. Lines In The Dust questions how far we've come and more importantly, where we go from here.
The title refers to the famous quote about segregation by 1960s Alabama Governor George Wallace. The play focuses on residential districting in NJ public schools and examines how this controversial and emotional issue has affected the dream promised through the landmark ruling of Brown v. Board of Education 60 years ago.
Luna Stage commissioned Ms. Salter to write a play inspired by the life and work of Justice Robert L. Carter, who spent his youth in East Orange and Newark and was one of the architects of the NAACP's legal strategy behind Brown v. Board of Education. This is the second play Luna Stage has commissioned that centers around history or issues specific to New Jersey.
Ms. Salter chose to look specifically at residential districting in Essex County because "We, as a nation, are losing out." says Ms. Salter. "Collectively, we continue to demonstrate that we believe in our hearts that some people are better than others; some people are inherently more capable than others; some people, based on where they live, are more valuable and more worthy of our investment than others. Nowhere does this make itself more apparent than in our system of public education."
Erin Cherry, a graduate of Rutgers University's Mason Gross School of the Arts, was last seen as Taylor in the Majestic's Theatre production of Stick Fly and recently understudied When We Were Young and Unafraid at Manhattan Theatre Club. She is the founder of With A Cherry on Top Productions.
Rick Delaney, Maplewood, NJ resident, has spent the past 20 years performing in the NY/NJ area. He has played memorable roles in many of NJ's professional theaters, including WhatExit?, The Theater Project, Dreamcatcher Rep, 12 Miles West and the Bickford.
Dorcas Sowunmi, a native Texan, was most recently seen as Lady Capulet in The Classical Theatre of Harlem's production of Romeo and Juliet. Other credits include role in: Mary Stuart & Measure for Measure (The Stratford Shakespeare Festival) Miracle Worker (Indiana Repertory Theater), and Trust (Lookingglass Theatre).
Director Reginald L. Douglas returns to Luna after directing last season's critically acclaimed revival of Master Harold... and the Boys. Douglas' awards and fellowships include the 2013-2014 2050 Directing Fellowship at New York Theater Workshop and the inaugural Van Lier Directing Fellowship at the Lark Play Development Center.
For over two decades, Luna Stage has produced thought-provoking theatre that gives voice to emerging American playwrights and re-examines contemporary and classic plays that speak to our times. As producer, educator and innovator, Luna Stage is committed to collaborating with artists of multiple disciplines and community partners to illuminate the diverse perspectives of society.
Luna Stage, a proud member of Valley Arts, is located at 555 Valley Road, West Orange, NJ 07052.
