STREAMING ON DEMAND April 19-May 2, 2021
(Cincinnati, OH) Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati (ETC) is thrilled to announce the commission of I Shall Not Be Moved, the riveting new script-in-development by Cincinnati native and emerging young playwright Isaiah Reaves. This one-woman play thrillingly recounts the story of Reave’s grandmother, nationally recognized Civil Rights pioneer Betty Daniels Rosemond and her beautiful, horrifying, and trailblazing journey through the American South as one of the first Freedom Riders during the 1960s. Audiences far and wide will experience the internal conflicts and joys of a dark-skinned Black woman’s fearless battle for equity and equality by streaming a reading of the show’s first draft, available on demand April 19-May 2, 2021.
As described by Woody Keown, Jr. of the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, “Rosemond’s life is one of courage, clarity, and action,” which will inspire cross-generational audiences in our region and beyond. Directed by Torie Wiggins.
ETC will host a live discussion with playwright Isaiah Reaves on February 25, 2021 at 7:00 pm as part of its free livestream series Meet the Artists, and will be available through the theatre’s social media channels and website.
“It is an honor to bring I Shall Not Be Moved to life and what an extraordinary joy to have two generations together crafting this remarkable story,” says Producing Artistic Director D. Lynn Meyers. “This honest, direct story demands to be told and we are thrilled make that possible. We look forward to presenting its world premiere on our stage when it’s complete and when we are once again able to welcome audiences in person. We anticipate collaborations with community partners as well as extensive, accompanying educational programs that will further bring this vital story to life.”
About the Playwright
Isaiah Reaves (Playwright) is an emerging young playwright whose work explores a spectrum of Black and Queer experiences. A native of Cincinnati, he graduated cum laude from Northern Kentucky University in 2020. His plays have been staged and read by The Classical Theatre of Harlem at Lincoln Center, Vintage Soul Productions of Connecticut, Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati, and many others. Isaiah is a semi-finalist for the Ucross and The Blank Theatre Future of Playwriting Prize, a 2020 finalist of the Jackie Demaline Regional Collegiate Playwriting Competition, an Iowa Arts Fellow, and a recipient of Cincinnati CityBeat Critic’s Pick. He is currently in pursuit of an MFA at the historic University of Iowa Playwrights Workshop.
Performance Information
This virtual reading can be rented through ETC on Demand, the theatre’s new digital streaming platform. Tickets are $10 for one 48-hour rental or $60 for a subscription to all upcoming virtual content (excluding benefit readings) through June 2021. ETC On Demand will be able to be accessed through the theatre’s main website. Subscribers can contact the box office Monday through Friday, 9:00 am until 5:00 pm for more information.
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2020-2021 Season Presenting Sponsor is the Otto M. Budig Family Foundation.
Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati is supported, in part, by the generosity of community contributions to the ArtsWave Campaign.
The Ohio Arts Council helps fund Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati with state tax dollars to encourage economic growth, educational excellence and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans. Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati also receives funding from the Shubert Foundation and the National Endowment for the Arts.
Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati is a professional theatre dedicated to producing world and regional premieres of works that often explore compelling social issues. We fulfill our mission through our stage productions and educational outreach programs that enlighten, enliven, enrich and inspire our audiences.
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