Lorraine Hansberry had the audacity to be the first Black woman to claim a space on a Broadway stage. Her words anchored a time period of change as this country began its transition from the period of Jim Crow to the rise of the civil right movement. It began to echo the undercurrent of discontent which created landmark changes in our country.
A Raisin in the Sun belongs in the catalogue of great American plays, like Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller, and Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams. All of these plays contribute to the stories of America and the ordinary people who comprise the families therein.
My introduction to this play was the national tour of the Broadway musical, “Raisin,” with Virginia Capers at the Shubert Theatre in Boston (circa 1975). I was young, and theater was magic.
I understood the voice of Beneatha when I was in college. I grew to appreciate the layers of Ruth as a grown woman. And now it is time to acknowledge that I am closer to Lena and she has my utmost respect. This story resonates across families, decades and generations. It is my honor to share this story with returning and new audiences.
I’d also like to say thank you to this talented team of actors, crew and designers. It has been an honor to work with all of you.
Special thanks to the following individuals for helping us create the world of A Raisin in the Sun: Liv Merryman (Dramaturgy), Katie Cona (Lead Carpenter), Jay Wiltz (Master Electrician & Lighting Assistant), Brenda Dziadzio (Scenic Painter), Kai Thomani Tshikosi (Intimacy & Fight Choreographer), Tim Gregor (Carpenter), Diego Farrell (Technical Director), Louise Potter (Scenic & Props Support), Ailey Rivkin (Scenic Support), and Jack Riter (Scenic Support).
Thanks to Ken Yotsukura Photography for our pre-production and production photos. Check out Ken's work at: www.kbyphotos.com
*AEA Member appearing through an Agreement between New Repertory Theatre and Actors' Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.
**Appearing courtesy of Actors' Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.
Actors' Equity Association (“Equity"), founded in 1913, is the U.S. labor union that represents more than 51,000 professional Actors and Stage Managers. Equity fosters the art of live theatre as an essential component of society and advances the careers of its members by negotiating wages, improving working conditions and providing a wide range of benefits, including health and pension plans. Actors' Equity is a member of the AFL-CIO and is affiliated with FIA, an international organization of performing arts unions. #EquityWorks
THE NORMAL HEART IS PRESENTED BY ARRANGEMENT WITH CONCORD THEATRICALS ON BEHALF OF SAMUEL FRENCH, INC. WWW.CONCORDTHEATRICALS.COM
Angelica Potter (she/her)- Director of Organizational Transition
Maria Hendricks (she/her)- Resident Artistic Director, Fall Props Team
Michael Hisamoto (he/him)- Resident Artistic Director
Lois Roach (she/her)- Resident Artistic Director
Lisa Cerqueira (she/her)- Business Operations Associate
Cal Callahan (any pronouns)- Education & Community Engagement Coordinator, Fall Props Team
Maria Basescu (she/her)- Communications/PR Consultant
Board of Directors
Chris Jones - Chair
Danielle Galligan - Vice-Chair
Sarah O'Neill - Clerk
Michael Zimmer - Treasurer
Lillian Sober Ain
Lisa A. Breit
Shannon Joseph Fairley-Pittman, Ed.D.
Erin Fragola
Don Giller
Jackson Jirard
Stanley Kay, Legal Counsel
Shari Malyn
Chris Noble
Christopher Shearer
Pamela Taylor
Michael Zimmer
