A SHOCKINGLY TRUTHFUL SHOW ABOUT THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY

STREET CHILDREN

NOVEMBER 30 – DECEMBER 17

Vertigo Theater Company proudly presents the world premiere of STREET CHILDREN, written by Pia Scala-Zankel and directed by Jenna Worsham. STREET CHILDREN runs from November 30 – December 17, 2016 in a limited engagement at New Ohio Theatre, located at 154 Christopher Street between Greenwich and Washington Streets in New York City. Performances are Tuesdays – Saturdays at 7:30pm. Tickets are $28 and $18 for students.

Set in NYC in the late 80’s, STREET CHILDREN explores the repression, romantic idealism, and high cost of living experienced by the transgender and queer community of the lower Hudson piers. The story follows the intertwining journeys of three young characters who are reeling in the aftermath of their beloved street mother’s cruel murder. Ultimately, they must choose between the thrills and camaraderie of life as they know it, and the safety and stability of a quieter existence—albeit one potentially defined by isolation and ostracism.

Vertigo Theater Company’s Artistic Director Pia Scala-Zankel says, “Our show features an ensemble of transgender, queer and gender fluid actors. We are proud to say that the LGBTQ community is strongly represented in both our cast and creative team.”

The 15-member cast includes Lucille Lortel Award nominee Victor Almanzar (Between Riverside And Crazy at The Atlantic, Second Stage & Steppenwolf, Fox’s “Empire,” HBO’s “High Maintenance”), Camilo Almonacid, Craig muMs Grant (Netflix’s “Luke Cage,” HBO’s “OZ,” A Sucker Emcee), Yadi Guevara-Prip (Amazon’s “Mad Dogs,” Basilica at Cherry Lane), Eve Lindley (USA’s “Mr. Robot,” WGN’s “Outsiders,” All We Had), JP Moraga (Hello, Dolly! at NY’s Signature Theater, My Fair Lady at Actors Theatre of Louisville), Johnny Sibilly (HBO’s “The Deuce,” Starz’s “Power”), Joslyn De Freece, Mariana Genesio, Paige Gilbert, Nicholas Gorham, Summer P. Minerva, MJ Rodriguez (Rent at New World Stages), Cece Suazo and Tamara Williams.

The production team includes Angelica Borrero (Scenic Design), Bernat Buscato (Costume Design), Daniel Melnick (Sound Design), Kate Bashore (Lighting Design), Addison Heeren (Prop Design), MJ Rodriguez and Tamara Williams (Choreography), David Anzuelo (Fight Choreography) and Katherine Barton (Production Stage Manager).

Unlimited by form and convention, Vertigo Theater Company strives to make provocative theater accessible to all walks of life. Vertigo Theater Company was formed to foster a diverse, collaborative community that challenges and nurtures creative artists and to develop and produce new works that expose both the audience and the artists to experiences beyond their comfort zones.

Vertigo Theater Company has partnered with the youth program at The LGBT Community Center and The Ali Forney Center in New York City to offer work readiness internships. Youth who have gone through the LEAP program (Leadership, Education, Advancement, and Placement) will shadow and be mentored by Vertigo’s production team as they gain the professional experience necessary to build their resumes.

Pia Scala-Zankel (Playwright) is the co-founder and Artistic Director of Vertigo Theater Company. She developed Street Children as a 2014 Artist-In-Residence at Space on Ryder Farm, where she is now a trustee. Recently, she created Vertigo’s roundtable salon series, SHOPTALK, moderated by New York Times columnist Ginia Bellafante and presented at BRIC, featuring such leading theater makers as Marsha Norman, Maria Goyanes and Adam Bock. Pia is an alumna of Labyrinth Theater Company’s Ensemble Workshop and a trustee of The Lilly Awards.

Jenna Worsham’s (Director) credits include Broadway’s The Heidi Chronicles (Associate Director) and Picnic (SDCF Observership), Have You Been There by Emily Zemba (Williamstown), The First Immigrant by Martyna Majok (Williamstown), Invincible Ones by Samantha Cooper (Signature Center/Columbia MFA), Balm in Gilead (Lee Strasbourg Institute), and Here to Be Seen (Social Justice project commissioned by the Brooklyn DA, featuring a cast of formerly incarcerated women). Her notable honors include a Jonathan Alper Directing Fellowship (MTC) and two SDC Foundation Observerships. Jenna is a member of the Lincoln Center Directors Lab, Actors Studio directing unit, and an Affiliated Artist of New Georges.

New Ohio Theatre is accessible from the #1 train to Christopher St. or A, B, C, D, E, F or M train to West 4th St. For info visit VertigoTheater.org.