Fathers and sons, downsizing, and imposter syndrome? Right at home in Jake Lockwood’s world premiere Dad’s Place – A Farce starting the 40th Season at The Human Race Theatre Company.
Paul briefly steps away from a lucrative writing career in LA to help his father, Karl, go through an apartment that’s overrun with “stuff”. Paul seeks to use this time away from corporate clients to write something more meaningful, but the distractions of Karl’s life prove to be more than Paul’s creative inspiration can overcome. In the end, Paul finds he has just as much “stuff” to work through.
This new work by Jake Lockwood is a two-actor farce that dives into complex parent-adult child relationships, an artist wrestling with his creativity, and wraps them into a love letter to the artistic process.
“Jake started writing this play in 2022 as a 5-minute scene in The Playwright’s Race, one of our new play initiatives,” notes Emily N. Wells, Artistic Director of The Human Race Theatre Company. “A farce that is so full of heart, family connection, and local talent feels like a great way to start our 40th Season.”
Resident Artist Joe Deer directs area favorites Jason Podplesky (Incident at Our Lady of Perpetual Help) as Paul and resident artist Bruce Cromer (Shipwrecked: An Entertainment) in a quick change extravaganza as Terry, Karl, Mortimer, and others.
The full production team: Richard Block, Scenic Design; Matthew P. Benjamin, Lighting Design; Molly Walz, Costume Design; Kaitlin Barnett Proctor, Sound Design; Sarah Gomes, Props; Ruth E. Kramer, Production Stage Manager; Isabella Myers, Assistant Stage Manager.
Dad’s Place – A Farce will play in the Loft Theatre in downtown Dayton, September 3-14, 2025. Tickets are on sale through the Dayton Live box office, 937-228-3630, or online at www.humanracetheatre.org
For press ticket requests, please contact Tiffany Countryman, Engagement and Learning Coordinator, at tiffany@humanracetheatre.org
The Human Race Theatre Company continues its commitment to high quality theatre with access points for all with two special ticket initiatives: two sections of $20 seats available at any time through the box office, and ten $10 rush seats available 60 minutes before any performance.
Special Nights at The Loft:
- Pay What You CAN
Tuesday, September 2, 2025 7:30 pm to benefit the Dayton Food Bank - Inside Track Thursday, September 4, 2025 6:45 pm – Pre-show Discussion
- While We’re On The Subject
Sunday, September 7, 2025 2 pm – Post Show Discussion - $10/Sawbuck Sunday Sunday, September 7, 2025 7:30 pm – $10 tix starting at 6:00 pm
- While We’re On The Subject
Sunday, September 14, 2025 2 pm – Post Show Discussion - Parent’s Day Out
Sunday, September 14, 2025 2 pm – Kids Activities (5-12yo)
The Human Race Theatre Company expresses gratitude for the public and private support which makes these productions possible: Loft Season Sponsor: Jack W. and Sally D. Eichelberger Foundation. Sustainability Sponsors: Steve and Lou Mason, The Toulmin Fund at The Dayton Foundation. Additional Season support: Erma R. Catterton Trust, Funds at The Dayton Foundation, Virginia F. Kettering Foundation, The Shubert Foundation, Sam Levin Foundation. Organizational support: Culture Works, Montgomery County, Ohio Arts Council. Media Sponsor: WDPR Discover Classical. Pay What You Can Sponsor: Enterprise Holdings Foundation. Capital Support: The Schiewetz Foundation, The Dayton Foundation, The Toulmin Fund at the The Dayton Foundation.
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