The 2nd Act Players is proud to announce that it will be staging its 2016-2017 season in its new theater home in Evanston’s Northminster Presbyterian Church.
“Northminster for many years had its own theater troupe and so has a long tradition of supporting the arts,” says 2nd Act co-founder John N. Frank. “We are thrilled to be able to call a theater with such a great tradition our new home.”
“Our new relationship with 2nd Act Players fits perfectly into Northminster’s commitment to be an engaged, provocative and welcoming gathering space for our neighbors on the North Shore,” said Rev. Michael Kirby, Northminster’s Senior Pastor. “Theatre provides a distilled version of life, a unique opportunity for empathy and seeking understanding, tasks the actor shares with the community of faith. I’m looking forward to the ways we can learn with and from one another.”
The 2nd Act Players began life in 2013 as a pop-up theater, renting space from the Piven Theatre Workshop to stage its productions. Having a permanent home will allow it to stage more productions with longer runs each season than it has in the past. It will also provide a home for the 2nd Act Players’ Improv wing, allowing that to expand as well, notes Frank.
The 2nd Act Players plans a dynamic 2016-2017 season at Northminster beginning this October as it stages the new drama, The Institute, coming of age during the Vietnam War, a poignant look back as four young men attending military school during the height of the war and the moral choices they faced.
The play will serve as a jumping-off point for a larger conversation about the Vietnam era, the fate of Vietnam Veterans and the issues they and other vets face today.
“We’ve already reached out to local art galleries, film makers and artists to plan coordinated exhibits, discussions and other elements during October and November and expect to be announcing several partners shortly,” says Frank. “The late 1960s were some of the most turbulent years in American history and, in many ways, raise questions and parallels to what we face today. We want to showcase art that deals with the era as well as sponsor discussions that will focus on the ongoing needs of Vietnam-era and other American veterans.”
The 2nd Act Players also is in the midst of accepting entries for its first One-Act Play Competition. Two winning scripts will be chosen for staging in early 2017 as the second half of the season.
“Entries have been pouring in and we expect a lot more before out May 1 deadline. This competition is in keeping with our mission to showcase new talent, I can’t wait to get started on these new plays,” says Frank.
The 2nd Act Players, the North Shore’s showcase for emerging stage talent, also is in the midst of a major fund-raising campaign, seeking sponsors to further its mission. To date, Dale Bradley and the Bradley Investment Center, First Bank & Trust, Creative Coworking and Rich Haskell and Wells Fargo Advisers are among the 2nd Act’s sponsors.
To read more about the company, go to http://evanston2ndactplayers.com
For further information contact:
John N. Frank
847-571-0235
JohnNFrank@evanston2ndactplayers.com