 | Nikkole Salter appears as a Los Angeles teen who -- like an African mother, played by Danai Gurira -- learns she is pregnant and has been infected with AIDS in the play "In the Continuum" at the Yale Rep. The two women co-wrote the acclaimed drama. |
Two black women at opposite sides of the world find themselves on separate yet similar journeys when each discovers she is pregnant and has been infected with HIV in "In the Continuum," the next production at the Yale Repertory Theatre.
The drama is written and performed by Danai Gurira and Nikkole Salter in the Primary Stages and Perry Street Theatre production, which is directed by Robert O'Hara. The show will run Jan. 12-Feb. 10.
Gurira plays the role of Abigail, a successful news reader for the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation. Pregnant with her second child, she hopes the arrival of a baby will breathe new life into her marriage. Nia (played by Salter) is a teenage girl with a blossoming talent in poetry living in south central Los Angeles. Estranged from her own family, she dreams of a future with her new baby and boyfriend, a promising high school basketball player with college scholarships and a shot at the NBA. Over the course of one weekend, they encounter the realities and cultural biases surrounding AIDS in their communities, and must come to terms with the life-changing revelations of their diagnoses. Audiences are advised that this production contains strong language.
Gurira and Salter were graduate students together at New York University in 2003, each working on monologues about HIV and AIDS for an acting project. A professor suggested they combine their efforts.
Of their creative process they write, "'In the Continuum' was born of our profound concern for the experience of black women in the present fight against HIV/AIDS. Black women currently represent the highest rate of new infections both in the U.S. and Africa, and this is a story told from that perspective. ... It is a representation of the humanity behind the statistics and an invitation for more unheard stories to be brought 'In(to) the Continuum.'"
The drama received its world premiere in September 2005 at Primary Stages in New York City. It subsequently moved to the Perry Street Theatre in November of that same year. The show received critical acclaim during its initial run. It was described as "a drama that teaches without preaching and a heartbreaker that stirs without schmaltz" by Variety and as "a subtle, smartly staged piece" by The Village Voice. The New York Times listed it as one of the 10 best plays of 2005. "In the Continuum" is currently enjoying a sold-out international tour (including stops in Chicago, Washington, Los Angeles, Zimbabwe and South Africa). The Yale Rep engagement of "In the Continuum" is sponsored by Bank of America.
Director O'Hara wrote "Insurrection: Holding History" at New York Stage and Film, which went on to win the Oppenheimer Award for Best New American Play. His other credits include his plays "American Ma(u)l" for Act/ Magic Theater and Culture Project, and "Brave Brood" and "Point of Revue" for the Mixed Blood Theatre Company in Minneapolis. Other members of the production team include Peter R. Feuchtwanger (set designer), Sarah Hilliard (costume designer), Colin D. Young (lighting designer), Lindsay Jones (sound designer) and Jay Duckworth (properties designer).
"In the Continuum" will be performed at the Yale Repertory Theatre, 1120 Chapel St. Evening performances are Tuesday-Saturday at 8 p.m. with matinee performances on Saturday at 2 p.m. There will also be a Monday preview at 8 p.m. on Jan. 15 and a Wednesday matinee at 2 p.m. on Jan. 24.
The following special programs will be offered in conjunction with the show: "Talk Backs," conversations with members of the cast and creative team, after the
Tickets to "In the Continuum" are on sale now. Prices are $35-$55. Discounts are available for students, seniors and groups of 10 or more. Low-priced previews are Jan. 12-17. Tickets can be ordered by calling (203) 432-1234 or by visiting www.yalerep.org. Teletype orders can be directed to (203) 432-1521.
"In the Continuum" is Yale Rep's "Will Power!" production for 2007. "Will Power!" is an educational initiative featuring specially-priced tickets, study guides and post-performance discussions with the cast. The play is recommended for high school groups, and the Yale Rep is offering five 11 a.m. school matinees Feb. 5-9 (the Feb. 8 matinee is already sold out). For more information or to book a school group, contact Ruth M. Feldman, manager of education and accessibility services, at (203) 432-8425 or via e-mail at rm.feldman@yale.edu. Funding for "Will Power!" is provided by Anna Fitch Ardenghi Charitable Trust, Jane Marcher Foundation, NewAlliance Foundation, The United Illuminating Company and Claire's Corner Copia/Basta Trattoria.
T H I S
Play shows 'humanity behind
the statistics' of AIDS epidemic
2 p.m. matinees on Saturday, Jan. 20 and 27, and after the 8 p.m. performance on Tuesday, Jan. 23; a pre-show reception for seniors at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 24, featuring a conversation with a member of the creative team and complimentary dessert items from Atticus Café; and "Before & After," an event for young professionals and students on Thursday, Jan. 25, that includes a 6 p.m. pre-show pizza party at BAR, the 8 p.m. performance and a "Talk Back" with the cast after the play. In addition, there will be an open-captioned performance, offering patrons a digital display of the play's dialogue as it is spoken (provided by c2inc), on Saturday, Jan. 27, at 2 p.m.; and an audio-described performance for blind or low-vision patrons on Saturday, Feb. 3, at 2 p.m. (pre-show description begins at 1:45 p.m.) For a full schedule, visit www.yalerep.org or call (203) 432-1234.
W E E K ' SS T O R I E S
Study reveals more effective approach to curbing HIV spread
DeVane Lectures to ask: Are sustainability and capitalism compatible?
Celebrating the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr.
Former deputy secretary of U.N. to be visiting fellow this spring
ENDOWED PROFESSORSHIPS
Elefteriades is named as Glenn Professor
Salem will hold the Lampman Professorship
Tsai is designated as Robert Young Professor
Udelsman appointed to William Carmalt Chair
Streamlined office . . . aims to enhance postdoctoral experience
Global Village Shelters to be on exhibit at the Divinity School
Play shows 'humanity behind the statistics' of AIDS epidemic
Beinecke Library exhibit explores impact of world fairs
SCHOOL OF MEDICINE NEWS
Team maps gene for nicotine dependence to chromosome 5
Expanded Medicare benefit increased early diagnosis . . .
Grant supports work to eliminate disparities in . . .
Study: Estrogen curbs appetite in same way as the hormone leptin
Research shows impact of racial discrimination in . . .
'Graying' of group health insurance demographic may strain . . .
Report: Swedish massage helps osteoarthritis of knee
Coca-Prados gets inside-view of pharmaceutical industry at Pfizer
'Marat/Sade' offers audiences 'a full-scale theatrical assault . . .'
Rudd Center awards Golden Apples for innovative ideas to battle obesity
New exhibit at Jonathan Edwards College features portraits, drawings . . .
Memorial in honor of Ellen Hudson Graham
Conductor to present series on 'Reflections on Bach'
Yale trustee's Vietnam memorial wins award
Yale Books in Brief
Campus Notes
Bulletin Home|Visiting on Campus|Calendar of Events|In the News
Bulletin Board|Classified Ads|Search Archives|Deadlines
Bulletin Staff|Public Affairs|News Releases|
E-Mail Us|Yale Home