Signature in the Schools Presents REVOLUTION World Premiere, Beginning Today

Signature in the Schools, the education program at Signature Theatre, presents the world-premiere production of Revolution, written by acclaimed writer/director Joe Calarco and directed by Education Director David Zobell. Students from Arlington high schools join Signature actor Evan Casey (Really Really, The Boy Detective Fails) and a professional design team for this thought-provoking new drama, which explores far-reaching questions of identity and community.

Public performances of Revolution will take place tonight, February 18 and 25 at 7:30 pm in the MAX Theater. The event is FREE, but tickets are required. Contact the Box Office at 703-820-9771 or tickets@signature-theatre.org to reserve your seats. The run also includes invited Student Matinees on the mornings of February 19, 20, 22 and 25.

"Our initial plan was to do a show about the French Revolution," said Zobell about his partnership with Calarco. "But the more we discussed the issues, the more parallels we saw between then and now, and the more excited we both became. What started off as a piece about the French Revolution has evolved into something much more complex: a piece covering multiple revolutions and discussing some pretty heavy issues - the Arab Spring, economic issues in the US, the Occupy movement, and how history is recorded and transmitted."

Calarco sets Revolution in 2011. The events that would come to be known as the Arab Spring are underway. The Occupy Movement is in its infancy. With the world changing at a rapid pace, a group of young students find themselves grappling to understand the surrounding revolutionary fervor. One student, Patrick, struggles in quiet desperation with secrets and changes that could prove to be more than he can handle. Using moments as varied as The French Revolution and Arab Spring, this vibrant new play explores the origins of revolutions and the consequences of upheaval.

The show features student performers and crew from Wakefield High School, Washington-Lee High School, and H-B Woodlawn Secondary Program in Arlington.

"As always, Joe has treated the issues with the same maturity and responsibility he would in a piece for adults," said Zobell. "And the pay-off has been beautiful. I think people are going to be shocked by the piece and by the sophisticated performances from such young actors. We had the highest turnout for auditions we've had in the program's history, and the quality of every facet of Signature in the Schools has risen with the increased interest."

Now in its eighteenth year, Signature in the Schools uses theatre to open the minds and broaden the viewpoints of local teens while engaging them in a positive creative experience. A recipient of The Washington Post's prestigious Community Service Award, Signature in the Schools reaches over 1,000 students annually through theatre workshops, in-class discussions, an after-school program and the production of an original play.

Revolution, written by Joe Calarco and directed by David Zobell will be presented by Signature in the Schools in the MAX Theatre. Public Performances: February 18 and February 25 at 7:30 PM. Invited Student Matinees: February 19, 20, 22 and 25 at 10:15 AM.

CREATIVE TEAM
Assistant Director/Dramaturg: Joan Cummins
Directing Assistant: Marcella Toronto
Scenic Designer: James Kronzer
Costume Designer: Collin Ranney
Lighting Designer: Ariel Benjamin
Sound Designer: Matt Rowe
Prop Designer: Aly Geisler
Stage Manager: Max Rosenberg
Assistant Stage Manager: Emily Hambridge

CAST
*members of The Apprentice at Signature program.

Karl Green (Wakefield High School): Zerah Foster
*Brandi Moore (Washington Lee High School): Basma Bouazizi
Max Carruth (Wakefield High School): Patrick Stevens
*Amanda Smith (Wakefield High School): Larissa Bryer
*Sean Balick (Wakefield High School): Marcus Bennington
*Zak Gordon (H.B. Woodlawn Secondary Program): Andy Cranston
Evan Casey (Equity Actor): Mr. Stieper
*Morgan Shotwell (H.B. Woodlawn Secondary Program): Maddy Preston
*Carla Astudillo (Wakefield High School): Caryna Ruiz
*Ariel Cadby-Spicer (Wakefield High School): Caroline Barrett