Pegasus Players and MPAACT present "Ten Square"

Contact: Eric Eatherly/Laura Silverman

The Silverman Group, Inc.

312-932-9950

Eric@silvermangroupchicago.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MPAACT & PEGASUS PLAYERS

KICK OFF THEIR 2009 SEASONS TOGETHER

WITH THE WORLD PREMIERE OF

TEN SQUARE

at pegasus players, September 25 – NOVEMBER 22, 2009

CHICAGO – September 8, 2009 – MPAACT and Pegasus Players, two acclaimed Chicago theater companies, are proud to collaborate to present the World Premiere of Ten Square, written by Shepsu Aakhu and directed by Mignon McPherson Nance. Ten Square will be performed at Pegasus Players, 1145 W. Wilson Avenue in the O'Rourke Center at Truman College, September 25 – November 22, 2009. The official press opening will be Tuesday, October 6 at 8 p.m.

The fictional Ten Square tells a tale of what America could be, and much of what America has already become, in the not-too-distant future. On the heels of the government’s apology to African-Americans for slavery, the Reparations Movement was born. The movement was successful, checks were written to the descendants of slaves, and the seeds for a new America were sown. Ten Square is one of the cities that emerged in "New America" and the life of the African-American community has been forever altered. Roosevelt, a resident of Ten Square and a soldier duty-bound to protect the new world order, must negotiate between his obligations to his lover, his family and his government. The cast of Ten Square includes Leonard House (Roosevelt), Daryl Charisse (Mama), Earl Fox (Sandman), Eddie Jordan III (Drexel), Nambi E. Kelley (Talia), Carla Stillwell (Lieutenant Truth), Austin Talley (Colonel), Andre Teamer (Leviticus) and Sati Word (Clyde). Live music will be performed by Red Clay.

"Though American society has come a long way in terms of civil and human rights, there is always more progress that needs to be made.  The issue of race is still affecting our society on many different levels, involving and impacting everyone," said Stillwell, MPAACT Artistic Associate.   "We [MPAACT] embraced this piece because it challenges audiences to keep talking about what factors influence us today, and what 'freedom' and 'loyalty' mean to individuals—all individuals.  This is a great opportunity to collaborate with Pegasus Players and hopefully reach a wider, more diverse audience to keep that dialogue going."

"Both MPAACT and Pegasus Players have always held a common interest in producing theater that is as socially relevant and provocative as it is entertaining, inviting the audience into an active conversation about the issues that shape us today," said Pegasus Players Executive/Artistic Director Christopher Schram. "Ten Square focuses on the African-American community as a vehicle for exploring issues that matter to everyone, regardless of race, nationality or culture. The concerns in the play are human concerns, and we're thrilled to partner with MPAACT to present this powerful work of theater."

The design team for Ten Square includes Jessica Kuehnau (set), Casey Diers (lighting), Evelyn Danner (costume), Shepsu Aakhu and Theodore Berry (sound) and Andre Teamer (props). Dramaturgy is by Lenora Inez Brown, George Blaise is the Music Director, Christina Pretsch is the Stage Manager and Marcus D. Petrella is the Production Manager.

Shepsu Aakhu, playwright-in-residence with MPAACT, has developed several critically acclaimed works in the Playwright's Laboratory. In 2004, Aakhu was awarded the prestigious Artistic Fellowship in Scriptworks by the Illinois Arts Council. He is a two-time recipient of the Theodore Ward Prize for Playwrighting, for Ten Square (2008-9) and Kiwi Black (2001-2002). He is a six-time nominee for best Original Stage play (Aldridge Award) by the Black Theater Alliance Awards (BTAA) of Chicago. Aakhu received the Ira Aldridge Award in 1999 for The Abesha Conspiracy and in 2007 for Trouble the Water. Aakhu is also a three-time nominee for the Joseph Jefferson citation in multiple categories. He received two Joseph Jefferson citations for original music in 2002 and 2003.

Mignon McPherson Nance has directed and developed many new works for MPAACT, including Nambi E. Kelley’s MiLK and Shepsu Aakhu’s Glow of Reflected Light, Fascia, Kiwi Black, Sost, Softly Blue and Trouble the Water, which won the BTAA for Best Production. Other directing credits include Gloria Bond Clunie’s Sweet Water Taste (Columbia College and the Goodman Theatre’s New Stages Series); Lynn Nottage’s Crumbs from the Table of Joy (Loyola University); Creola Thomas’ Sisters from Belzoni (eta Creative Arts Foundation); and plays for Pegasus Players, Duncan YMCA Chernin Center for the Arts, and Healthworks Theater, among others. In 2003 she was selected as Goodman Theatre Michael Maggio Directing Fellow. As such, she served as assistant director for Henry Godinez on the Goodman's production Electricidad. McPherson Nance received her B.A. in Theatre from Loyola and her M.F.A. in Directing from Roosevelt University.

Christopher Schram joined Pegasus Players in 2009 after serving as Executive Director of Redmoon Theater in 2007 and 2008. Previously, he spent ten years with the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts (NFAA) in Miami, Florida, where he served as Vice President. At NFAA, he managed the Development, Programs, Communications, Events, and Volunteer departments, created the youngARTS Educators Conference, served as direct liaison with the admissions departments of the nation’s most prestigious colleges, universities and conservatories, traveled extensively nationwide making presentations at high schools and after-school programs, significantly expanded the organizations partnerships with educational organizations, and tripled the foundation’s grant income.

Ticket Information

Ten Square will be held September 25 to November 22. Previews will be Friday, September 25 through Sunday, October 4. Opening night will be Thursday, October 8 at 8 p.m. Performances will be Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. at Pegasus Players, 1145 W. Wilson Avenue in the O'Rourke Center at Truman College, Chicago. Tickets for the preview performances are $15. Tickets for the regular run are $17 for Thursdays; $25 for Fridays and Saturdays; $20 for Sundays. Senior, student and group discounts are available. Tickets may be purchased by calling Pegasus Players Box Office at 773-878-9761 or online at www.pegasusplayers.org.

About MPAACT

Ma’at Production Association of Afrikan Centered Theatre (MPAACT) was founded in 1991 by a group of like-minded individuals who shared an artistic vision and who wanted to develop, nurture, and sustain Afrikan Centered Theatre, which is grounded in the many cultures and traditions of the African continent and its Diaspora. With a vision focused on creating new work and collaborative art, MPAACT produces and educates with the goal of increasing understanding and appreciation of Afrikan Centered Theatre and its interrelated disciplines, including not only main stage and standing productions but also a playwright's laboratory, original music, a publishing company (Sakhu Publications), an arts education program, and many workshops and master classes. For more information on MPAACT, please visit www.mpaact.org.

About Pegasus Players

For 30 years Pegasus Players has been committed to providing high quality, socially-conscious theatrical programming to the people of Chicago, especially those who have limited access to the arts. Pegasus Players is committed to presenting new and contemporary work that crosses cultural, social, and geographical boundaries and brings communities together by presenting works that provoke conversation. Through programs such as its annual Young Playwrights Festival and international tours of its productions, Pegasus Players has touched the hearts, minds and futures of thousands of people throughout Chicago and around the world. Pegasus Players has received 79 Joseph Jefferson Citations, more than any other theater. For more information on Pegasus Players, please visit www.pegasusplayers.org.

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