The Chinese Lady

by Lloyd Suh

Directed by Michelle Talgarow
Sacramento Premiere
2020 Horton Foote Prize Winner
Live Theatre & Virtually On Demand
January 25 – February 26, 2023

Inspired by the true story of the first Chinese woman to step foot in America, Lloyd Suh’s critically acclaimed play is a tale of dark poetic whimsy and a unique portrait of the United States as seen through the eyes of a young Chinese girl. In 1834, 16-year-old Afong Moy sailed into New York Harbor and was immediately put on display for a paying public who were mesmerized by her exotic ways and horrified by her tiny bound feet. As audiences follow Moy’s travels through America as a living exhibit for decades, THE CHINESE LADY shares her impressions of a young country struggling with how to define itself.

The Wickhams: Christmas at Pemberley

by Lauren Gunderson & Margot Melcon

Directed by Peter Mohrmann
Live Theatre & Virtually On Demand
November 30 – December 24, 2022

It’s Christmas at Pemberley again! This new companion piece to Gunderson & Melcon’s holiday hit MISS BENNET, THE WICKHAMS takes us downstairs where servants are bustling with the arrival of holiday guests. In the warmth of the Darcy kitchen, family secrets are revealed and loyalties are tested. A bright new holiday tale full of mirth, wit, and the power of giving back to others.

The Royale

by Marco Ramirez

Directed by Anthony D’Juan
Sacramento Premiere
Obie, Outer Critics Circle & Drama Desk Awards Winner
August 24 – September 25, 2022

Jay “The Sport” Jackson dreams of being the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world. But it’s 1905 and in the racially segregated world of boxing, his chances are as good as knocked out. When a crooked boxing promoter hatches a plan for “the fight of the century,” “The Sport” just might land a place in the ring with the reigning white heavyweight champion.

Gloria

by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins

Directed by Michael Stevenson
Sacramento Premiere
2016 Pulitzer Finalist
Obie, Outer Critics Circle & Lucille Lortel Awards Winner
October 12 – November 13, 2022

An ambitious group of editorial assistants at a prestigious Manhattan-based literary magazine are each chasing the same dream: a life as successful writers—and to get out of their cubicles before they turn thirty. When a regular day at the office suddenly becomes anything but, the stakes for who will get to tell the career-making story are higher than ever.

PASS OVER

by Antoinette Nwandu

Directed by Anthony D’Juan
2018 New York Times Critic’s Pick
Sacramento Premiere
Live Performances & Virtually On Demand
March 16-April 17, 2022

Moses and Kitch talk smack, pass the time, and hope that maybe today will be different. As they dream of their promised land, a stranger wanders into their space and disrupts their plans. Evoking heartbreak, hope, and joy, PASS OVER crafts everyday profanities into poetic and humorous riffs, illuminating the unquestionable human spirit of young men looking for a way out.

A noted photographer sets out to explore the topography of “scars.” Her journey lands her in the mysterious realm of an undiscovered folk artist hiding away on a small farm in North Alabama. This intimate portrait explores the meaning and purpose of art and the struggle of the lost and tortured souls that seek to create it.

A noted photographer sets out to explore the topography of “scars.” Her journey lands her in the mysterious realm of an undiscovered folk artist hiding away on a small farm in North Alabama. This intimate portrait explores the meaning and purpose of art and the struggle of the lost and tortured souls that seek to create it.

 

by: Kendall Moffett

Since she was a child, Nicole McKeever has been intrigued by Irish dance. From the influence of Irish music played by her parents, to taking part in dance with her childhood friends, Nicole has been drawn to the energy and community of Irish dance for as long as she can remember. After many years of practice and competition in New Jersey, Nicole was given the opportunity to be a 2012 participant of River Dance. When she finished touring, Nicole settled down in Sacramento where she decided to follow her dream of opening her own dance school. Bouncing back and forth between studios was not ideal – it made it harder for the school to grow. With this in mind, Nicole began searching for a dance space. A few weeks into the search, she came across CLARA. Soon after, Nicole met with CLARA’s property owners over coffee and the next thing she knew she was signing papers for a lease. At CLARA, Nicole has a feeling of safety as a business owner; in her first year at CLARA her class sizes doubled.

Nicole has it taken upon herself to host a feis, an Irish folk festival featuring competitions and traditional Irish music and dancing, after considering both Sacramento’s competitive dance environment and the importance that performance plays in student’s learning. From firsthand experience, Nicole knows that student’s skills improve quickly when they have a goal to work toward. By hosting a feis, the McKeever School of Irish Dance is hoping to nourish the community of Irish dance and help it flourish. With judges that are a part CLRG – the oldest and largest governing body for competitive Irish step – McKeever’s commitment to building a fair environment for local dancers and students is clear. With judges from CLRG, only the best dancers will become champions.

With dancers actively searching for competitions to take part in, the feis will surely be a success. To encourage people from outside the Sacramento region to participate, the feis will be advertised across media focusing on Irish dancing culture. Local businesses can also benefit from the feis, with sponsorships available for organizations to purchase. Each level of sponsorship is associated with a level of exposure for the feis audience. As the levels increase, each sponsoring organization’s visibility at the feis is enhanced for Sacramento, and visiting, audiences.