The 2nd Act Players are scheduling special performances for veterans and for area high school students of its new play, The Institute, Coming of Age during the Vietnam War, which opens Oct. 21 in Evanston.
“We have always been about using our plays to start wider discussion on important issues,” explains John N. Frank, 2nd Act co-founder and artistic director. “The Institute deals with the choices young people face about military service, so we felt reaching out to both veterans and students made sense this year.”
Veterans are invited to attend the Saturday, Oct. 22 performance free-of-charge and to stay after the show ends for a discussion of military service and veteran issues. A second veterans’ night also is planned for Saturday, Nov. 12, Veterans’ Day weekend.
High school students are invited to attend for half-price at the Sunday, Nov. 6 matinee. That show will be followed by a discussion of issues high school students face today.
The 2nd Act Players’ world premiere of The Institute, Coming of Age during the Vietnam War, opens Friday, Oct. 21 at the 2nd Act Players’ new theater-home at Northminster Presbyterian Church, Evanston.
“This play looks back at the turbulent Vietnam era and decisions four high school boys must make about the war and what role they will play in it,” explains Frank. “The country is commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War this year, making it the ideal time for us to stage The Institute and to invite veterans to see it and share their thoughts and experiences,” he says.
Veterans can obtain their tickets at http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/2559601 and entering the code VIP for either the Oct. 22 or Nov. 12 performances. High school students should use the code HS for the Nov. 6 show.
The four-year-old 2nd Act Players this year were nominated for an Evanston Mayor’s Award for the Arts.
Details:
What: The Institute, a world premiere play looks at the moral choices and the bonding that four high school boys experience during the height of Vietnam.
When: Oct: 21-Nov. 13: Performances, Friday, Saturday evening shows start at 7:30; Sunday matinees start at 3:30
Where: The 2nd Act Players Theater at Northminster Church, 2515 Central Park Ave., Evanston
Directed By: Ryan Bruce
Written By: John N. Frank
Cost: $22. Tickets available at brownpapertickets.com