News from the INTIMAN

Lisa Shannon, Founder of “Run for Congo Women”—the Inspiration Behind a Global Effort to Support the Women of the Democratic Republic of Congo —Will Discuss Her New Book, A Thousand Sisters, on Monday, April 12 at 7 pm on Stage at Intiman Theatre, Co-Presented by Intiman, the World Affairs Council and Elliott Bay Books

Intiman will kick off its International Cycle with this new partnership and a one-day sale for Lynn Nottage’s Ruined on Saturday, March 27

SEATTLE— In support of its new International Cycle, Intiman Theatre will partner with the World Affairs Council and Elliott Bay Books to present author and activistLisa Shannon, founder of “Run for Congo Women,” on April 12 at 7 pm, followed by a signing of her new book, A Thousand Sisters, in the Intiman lobby. This is the first in a series of events Intiman will offer in connection with its summer production of Lynn Nottage’s Ruined, the Pulitzer Prize-winning play inspired by the real stories of Congolese women, which will be directed by Artistic Director Kate Whoriskey as a co-production between Intiman Theatre and the Geffen Playhouse and will be presented by Intiman at South Africa’s Market Theatre in the fall.

Lisa Shannon’s “Run for Congo Women,” which began with a solo 30-mile run and has grown into a global movement, has sponsored more than a thousand war-affected Congolese women through Women for Women International. Her book, about her journey to activism and experiences in the Congo , will be available for sale before and after the discussion on April 12.

The cost of the lecture is $10 for Intiman subscribers, World Affairs Council members and students; $15 for the general public. The cost of the lecture plus a reception beginning at 6 pm is $20 for Intiman subscribers, World Affairs Council members, and students; $30 for the general public. Tickets are available from www.world-affairs.org or 206.441.5910.

On Saturday, March 27, Intiman will offer a one-day sale on tickets for Ruined in commemoration of World Theatre Day, which was created in 1961 by the International Theatre Institute, and is celebrated annually by ITI Centers and the international theatre community.

Patrons can purchase adult tickets for any performance during the first two weeks of the run, July 2-July 18, for only $25 using the promo word Congo . Tickets are available from www.intiman.org, 206.269.1900 or in person at Intiman Theatre, 201 Mercer Street at Seattle Center . (Not valid for Opening Night on July 9, previously purchased tickets or combined with other offers.)

“If I were put in charge of arts programming on PBS and had unlimited funds at my disposal,” Terry Teachout wrote in the Wall Street Journal on March 20, 2010, “….I’d fly out to Seattle and tape an Intiman Theatre performance of Kate Whoriskey 's staging of Ruined.”

The most acclaimed play of the 2009 theatre season, Ruined is set in a Congolese bar-and-brothel that provides refuge to young women caught up in the chaos and violence that surrounds them. Infused with music, hope, spirit and wit, Ruined will be produced at Intiman from July 2-August 8 with members of the award-winning original company and then travel to South Africa ’s Market Theatre, where the story will be shared with Congolese refugees in Johannesburg as the first production of Intiman’s International Cycle. The new five-year series will include productions that will be produced both in Seattle and at other theatres around the globe and new theatre pieces collaboratively developed by artists from Intiman and other countries.

For tickets and more information, visit www.intiman.org.

Ruined and the International Cycle are sponsored in part by The Paul G. Allen Family Foundation.

Seasonal support for Intiman Theatre is provided by ArtsFund; Intiman Theatre Foundation; Kreielsheimer Remainder Foundation; The Leading National Theatres Program, a joint initiative of the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation and the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation; The Shubert Foundation; and Washington State Arts Commission.