University of Washington School of Drama in association with
Seattle Repertory Theatre presents

Lidless

by Frances Ya-Chu Cowhig, directed by Braden Abraham
Professional and UW actors work together on an exciting new play

Who: University of Washington School of Drama, in association with Seattle Repertory Theatre, presents four workshop performances of "Lidless" by Frances Ya-Chu Cowhig.

What: The presentation is part of UW School of Drama's New Play Reading Series and Seattle Rep's New Play Program. Director Braden Abraham (Seattle Rep's associate artistic director) will work with a mix of professional and UW actors on this play from acclaimed up-and-coming Austin, Texas-based playwright Frances Ya-Chu Cowhig.

Where: The Jones Playhouse, 4045 University Way NE.

When: Feb. 4, 5, and 6 at 7:30 p.m. and Feb. 7 at 2 p.m.

How much: Tickets are $6.




Seattle, WA – In a unique collaboration, University of Washington School of Drama in association with Seattle Repertory Theatre will workshop a new play using both professional actors and UW graduate students, under the direction of Seattle Rep Associate Artistic Director Braden Abraham. Part of Seattle Rep's New Play Program and UW School of Drama's New Works Series, four workshop performances of "Lidless" by acclaimed up-and-coming Austin, Texas-based playwright Frances Ya-Chu Cowhig are scheduled for Feb. 4-7, 2010, at the Jones Playhouse.

"This is such an exciting opportunity for us," said Jerry Manning, Seattle Rep producing artistic director and the main force behind the company's renewed New Play Program. "This play is very powerful, and we're proud to help develop a piece from one of the most promising new voices in American theatre. And to do it with the vitality and dedication of the actors in UW's Professional Actor Training Program [MFA, acting] is incredibly special."

Additionally, the UW students will benefit from time in the rehearsal room with seasoned actors, a well-heeled director, and a studied playwright. (Albeit it won't be a stretch for them to relate: Abraham, Cowhig, and the actors are all relatively young).

In the play, a former Guantanamo Bay interrogator has done her best to move on from the brutal relationships she had with detainees at the prison. But when one man shows up in her Minneapolis flower shop, she realizes she can't escape her past. A haunting psychological drama, the play has already earned Cowhig the 2009 David C. Horn Prize in the Yale Drama Series competition for emerging playwrights.

The cast includes Seattle actors John Farrage and Troy Fischnaller and UW students Camille Thornton, Heather Lynn Rash, and Maura Tang.

Performances are Feb. 4, 5, and 6 at 7:30 p.m. and Feb. 7 at 2 p.m. at the Jones Playhouse. Tickets are $6 and are available online through drama.washington.edu or by phone at 206-543-4880 or 1-800-859-5342.