Seattle Repertory Theatre To Provide Opportunities for Public Debate Surrounding Performances of The Breach

January 10 - February 9, 2008 (Opening Night: Wednesday, January 16)

Seattle, WA - Seattle Repertory Theatre will provide numerous opportunities for public debate and discussion using performances of The Breach as a catalyst for dialogue. The phenomenon of a natural calamity like Hurricane Katrina creates chaos, pain and confusion on a mythic scale. In The Breach, playwrights Catherine Filloux, Tarrell McCraney and Joe Sutton weave together three unique and separate stories of those who survived the storm. In its exploration of the impacts of Katrina, this powerful and surreal play taps the conspiracy theories, loss and nascent hope of this devastated American region. The Breach had its world premiere in New Orleans at Southern Rep. Now as it arrives at Seattle Repertory Theatre, which hopes to provide a variety of opportunities for public debate on the broader issues of poverty, patriotism and the responsibility we have to one another. Most importantly, in connection with the playwright's initial impulse, Seattle Rep seeks to "keep the light on New Orleans" by reinvigorating conversations about the devastation, our nation's response, and the long road to recovery that still lies ahead. Unique programs include an appearance by Chris Rose, the Times-Picayune journalist and author of 1 Dead in Attic on January 10 at 6:00 p.m., a reading with Chris Rose and the playwrights of The Breach at Elliott Bay Book Company on January 13 at 2:00 p.m., a discussion with the playwrights about their unique creation of the script on January 15 at 6:00 p.m., Seattle Rep's program entitled Breaking the Fourth Wall, a pre-show interactive workshop on this unique playwriting process will be held on January 26 at 12:00 p.m., post play discussions will take place after the performances on January 27 at 2:00 p.m., January 31 at 7:30 p.m., February 3 at 2:00 p.m., Seattle Rep's program entitled Humanities Forum will be held on February 9, following the 2:00 p.m. performance and will include a panel discussion around making art in response to political and current events, two student matinees will be held, Seattle Rep will be selling artwork before each performance and during intermission from New Orleans artists and proceeds will directly benefit artists and photos by Chris Jordon from In Katrina's Wake: Portraits of Loss from an Unnatural Disaster will be on display in the lobby.