Annabelle
Gurwitch
By Michelle Kholos Brooks
Directed by Sarah Norris
With Annabelle Gurwitch, Thyme Briscoe, Ben Hirschhorn, Kleo Mitrokostas, Andrea Negrete, and Alessandro Yokoyama
Inspired by real interviews with a history teacher who experienced the 2018 tragedy at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School firsthand, this stirring memory play, by the playwright of the critically acclaimed H*tler’s Tasters, follows as she returns to the school to teach one final lesson, asking what if you could rewrite history?
She reunites with her students as they were – playful, funny, and full of life and potential – real kids with bright futures. Equal part memorial and essential history, Room 1214 overflows with truths both uncomfortable and necessary, offering a moving reminder that the best way to honor the past is to learn from it.
In order to prepare our audience, we’re sharing details about this production that may be sensitive for certain patrons. The following information may reveal plot points.
Please note that Room 1214 contains a prop gun, loud noises, bright lights, gunshot sound effects, depictions of child death, and strong language, as well as discussion of gun violence, school shootings, and the Holocaust.
Post-performance talkbacks with guests will be held after the following shows:
Saturday, November 23 at 2:15 PM moderated by Ken Cerniglia
Ivy Schamis, the history teacher whose interviews inspired this play.
Sunday, December 1 at 2:15 PM
Josh Koskoff, first attorney to win lawsuit against gun company (Remington) for families of Sandy Hook Elementary School and successfully sued Alex Jones for calling the Sandy Hook tragedy a hoax
Po Murray, co-founder and chairwoman of the Newtown Action Alliance (NAA) and the Newtown Action Alliance Foundation
Friday, December 6 at 7:15 PM moderated by Max Brooks
David Hogg, March for Our Lives Co-Founder, Student Survivor, and Activist
New Light Theater Project (NLTP) nurtures a collective of artist-practitioners through the presentation of compelling stories across theatrical genres. NLTP believes in the strength of ensemble-work and is committed to fostering our collective composed of writers, actors, directors, stage managers, designers, and other artist-practitioners from diverse backgrounds. At least 50% of an NLTP production engages our collective while the rest of the production team consists of innovative artists with whom we hope to cultivate deeper relationships. NLTP is a Co-Op Resident Company at 59E59 Theaters.
Read more at: www.NewLightTheaterProject.com
"Powerful... littered with pearls of wisdom"
"A meaningful, touching tribue to the victims in Parkland" — Pages on Stages
"Michelle Kholos Brooks writes powerful dramas about salient issues. Together with director Sarah Norris, she has created a viscerally, emotionally gripping tableau of remembrance." — OffOffOnline
"Annabelle Gurwitch gives a remarkable performance." — Hi!Drama