Opening May 3 at Waterloo Arts: “Thiz Girlz Lyfe”

PLAYWRIGHTS LOCAL &
POWERFUL LONG LADDER ENSEMBLE PRESENT
“THIZ GIRLZ LYFE"

Powerful new domestic drama set in Cleveland by emerging playwright Ernesta Jefferson. Directed by Terrence Spivey, the co-production runs May 3 through 18 at the Creative Space at Waterloo Arts.

Cleveland, OH; March 26, 2019

Playwrights Local and Powerful Long Ladder Ensemble announce a co-production of “Thiz Girlz Lyfe,” a stark, compelling new play by Cleveland-based writer Ernesta Jefferson. Featuring direction by Terrence Spivey, this powerful domestic drama runs May 3 through 18 at the Creative Space at Waterloo Arts in Cleveland.

“Thiz Girlz Lyfe” tells the story of Nasheema Morgan, an exotic dancer in present-day Cleveland, Ohio. Nasheema appears to have everything she needs: a house, a handsome man, and a loving daughter. But beneath that facade, things are spiraling out of control. Nasheema’s husband expresses his anger with violence and belittling. The party scene that she turns to puts her daughter at greater risk. Nasheema can only deal with so much before she must find a way out.

“We’re proud to present this gritty, authentic piece by Ernesta Jefferson, an up-and-coming writer we have a lot of faith in,” said David Todd, Artistic Director of Playwrights Local. “There were a couple of smaller presentations of ‘Thiz Girlz Lyfe’ before, but Ernesta has reworked the script in our Play Lab program this year. We think this will be an extremely compelling show, one enhanced by our partner, the Powerful Long Ladder Ensemble. This is a real story about life in Northeast Ohio -- the type of thing we at Playwrights Local want to bring to local audiences.”

The cast of “Thiz Girlz Lyfe” features Lorraina Worthern and Martin Rawls IV and includes Samone Cummings, Sean Dubois Day, Rochelle Jones, Irma R. McQueen, Shante Smith, and Nyrie Stallworth. Design for the production is by Harold Crawford (costumes), Marcus Dana (lights), Beau Reinker (sound), Prophet Seay (set), and Lisa L. Wiley (props). The staff includes stage manager Geraldine Harris, board operator Calvin Lane, and carpenter Tom Hayes.

“Thiz Girlz Lyfe”runs May 3 through 18, 2019, with performances Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2:30 p.m. All shows will be at the Creative Space at Waterloo Arts (397 E. 156th Street, Cleveland, OH 44110). Tickets are $18 for adults, $15 for seniors and groups, and $12 for students. Group packages can be arranged by contacting Tom Hayes at hayes@playwrightslocal.org or (216) 302-8856. For complete information, visit http://playwrightslocal.org/.

About Playwrights Local

Playwrights Local is a theater company based in Cleveland. As a playwrights’ center, our goal is to provide a home for dramatic writing in Northeast Ohio. We offer classes and workshops, produce original plays, provide networking opportunities, and engage the community through outreach projects. Tax-deductible contributions to our 501(c)(3) group can be made at http://www.playwrightslocal.org/donate/.

Contact

Tom Hayes, Managing Director
Playwrights Local
(216) 302-8856
hayes@playwrightslocal.org
http://playwrightslocal.org/

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