The 2nd Act Players has received an Honorable Mention for the 2016 Mayor’s Award for the Arts in its home city of Evanston, Il. The award came “for exceptional contribution to the arts in Evanston, Il.,” according to the award certificate.
“We were overjoyed to be recognized, and to join so many of the other wonderful arts groups in Evanston for the awards ceremony,” says John N. Frank, 2nd Act cofounder and artistic director. “It is always wonderful to be noticed.”
Now in its fourth year of existence, the 2nd Act Players features works from emerging playwrights performed by a diverse cast of actors who have ranged in age from 16 to 63.”Young actors start theaters all the time, we provide parts for mature actors in stories that look at the complexities of life from a mature point of view,” Frank explains.
The Institute, coming fo age during the Vietnam War, which the Players open Oct. 21 is a good example of such a story, he notes. It looks at the lives of four men from their turbulent days in a military high school during the height of the Vietnam War, to their 45th high school reunion and examines friendships can stand that test of time.
“The Institute already is generating buzz here and as far away as New York,” says Frank. “We always wants our plays to be the start of discussions on larger issues.”
This year, that means inviting veterans to a performance on Saturday evening, Oct. 22 which will be followed by a talk-back with the audience about what veterans face. It will also mean performances for high school students to be followed by discussion on the high school experience.
This is a very special play about a very special place, buy your tickets today and see why. Tickets for The Institute, with performances weekends from Oct. 21 through Nov. 13 are available by simply clicking this link.