Download tony award-nominated ethan mcsweeny directs

CONTACT:
Chelsea Wells, Public Relations Assistant
202.232.7267
[email protected]
DATE: February 17, 2016
TONY AWARD-NOMINATED ETHAN MCSWEENY DIRECTS ACCLAIMED
PLAYWRIGHT DEIRDRE KINAHAN'S FAMILY DRAMA MOMENT AT
STUDIO THEATRE
MOMENT
by Deirdre Kinahan
directed by Ethan McSweeny
begins March 16, 2016
“One of most quietly shattering evenings in the theatre that I have experienced.” –The Independent
Irish writer Deirdre Kinahan’s family drama Moment, directed by DC-native Ethan McSweeny,
will fill out Studio’s winter programming. “Moment is a shattering family drama, a prodigal son
story set in the suburbs of Dublin,” says Artistic Director David Muse. “Ethan and I have been
looking for a project for him for a number of years. Deirdre’s play—with its mix of well-observed
behavior and explosive secrets—is a perfect fit for Ethan’s nuance with actors and Studio’s
intimate spaces. I look forward to welcoming Studio’s audiences to her work, produced in DC for
the first time.” This production marks Tony Award-nominated McSweeny’s first production at
Studio, on the heels of his acclaimed production of The Tempest at Shakespeare Theatre Company
last season, and his Helen Hayes-nominated A Midsummer Night’s Dream in 2013.
ABOUT THE PLAY
In the suburbs of Dublin, a long-absent son returns home to visit his ailing mother. But his
reappearance—and the welcome he receives—ignites his sisters’ long-simmering resentments
and sets the siblings on a collision course over his criminal past. Riveting and insightful, Moment
considers the slippery nature of memory and forgiveness, and how the consequences of one tragic
decision can ripple through an entire family. Directed by Helen Hayes- and Tony-nominated
director Ethan McSweeny in his Studio debut.
ABOUT THE PLAYWRIGHT
Deirdre Kinahan is a Dublin-based playwright and theatre producer who founded and ran Tall
Tales Theatre Company for 15 years and is currently a board member of Theatre Forum Ireland.
Kinahan wrote her first play in 1999 when a group of women at Ruhama Women's Project asked
her to write a play about their lives as prostitutes; Be Carna was widely regarded as a powerful
debut. Her play Moment premiered at the Bush Theatre in London to critical acclaim and sold-out
audiences in 2011 while her latest play These Halcyon Days won a Fringe First Award at the
Edinburgh Festival in 2013. Her new play Spinning opened at the Dublin Theatre Festival in 2014.
Kinahan has also been part of the Open Court season at the Royal Court with a play about the Irish
economic crisis.
THE CREATIVE TEAM
 Ethan McSweeny makes his Studio Theatre directorial debut. A DC native, his work has been
seen extensively in New York City and beyond, including Playwrights Horizons (NYC), the
Guthrie Theater (Minneapolis, MN), the Goodman Theatre (Chicago, IL), the Old Globe (San
Diego, CA), and the Gate Theatre (Dublin, Ireland), among others. McSweeny’s work has been
seen regionally at Shakespeare Theatre Company, Arena Stage, and the Kennedy Center. He
has received a Drama Desk Award, an Outer Critics Circle Award, and a Tony Award
nomination.
 Set Designer Deb Booth is Studio Theatre’s Director of Design. Booth’s recent Studio credits
include Constellations, Jumpers for Goalposts, Belleville, Cock, The Apple Family Cycle, Edgar &
Annabel, and Bachelorette, among others.
 Costume Designer Philip Witcomb has done extensive work on both sides of the Atlantic. His
recent credits include productions at Kilworth House Theatre (Leicester, UK), Two River
Theatre (New Jersey), and Actors Theatre of Louisville. Witcomb was a finalist for The Linbury
Prize and his work has been seen on exhibit in the Royal National Theatre in London.
 Lighting Designer Scott Bolman makes his Studio Theatre debut. Bolman’s work has been
seen extensively at theatre, opera, dance, and concert venues. Recent credits include
productions with Shen Wei Dance Arts, Chautauqua Theatre Company, and The Foundry among
many others. Bolman holds an MFA in Lighting Design from Yale University.
 Sound Designer Palmer Hefferan was named a 2014 Young Designer to Watch by LIVE Design
Magazine. For Studio Theatre, she has designed The Apple Family Cycle, Bad Jews, and Edgar &
Annabel. Recent DC credits include Women Laughing Alone With Salad and Cherokee (Woolly
Mammoth), The Call and Yentl (Theater J), Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike (Arena Stage),
and She Kills Monsters (Rorschach Theatre).
 Dramaturg Lauren Halvorsen is Studio Theatre’s Associate Literary Director. For Studio, she
has dramaturged Between Riverside and Crazy, Chimerica, The Wolfe Twins, Belleville, Water by
the Spoonful, Tribes, The Real Thing, The Motherfucker with the Hat, The Aliens, Bachelorette,
The Big Meal, and Time Stands Still.
 Stage Manager Anthony O. Bullock is the Resident Stage Manager at Studio Theatre. While at
Studio he has worked on Between Riverside and Crazy, Chimerica, Laugh, and Jumpers for
Goalposts. He holds a BFA in Theatrical Design and Production with an emphasis in Stage
Management from Oklahoma City University.
THE CAST
 Dearbhla Molloy (Teresa Lynch) makes her Studio Theatre debut. A Tony Award nominee for
her work in Dancing at Lughnasa on Broadway, Molloy’s recent roles include Juno in Juno and







the Paycock (Guthrie Theater), The Cripple of Inismann (Atlantic Theater Company), and Mrs.
Gogan in The Plough and the Stars (Young Vic in London, dir. Sam Mendes).
Emily Landham (Niamh Lynch) has appeared in productions across the US including Nashville
Shakespeare Festival, Tennessee Rep, and the Atlantic Theater Company. Landham holds a
BFA from NYU.
Peter Albrink (Niall Lynch) has appeared at the Williamstown Theatre Festival, The Alliance
Theatre, and most recently Long Wharf Theatre. In addition to his theatrical experience, Albrink
has appeared in television series including Gotham, Elementary, and Orange is the New Black.
Albrink holds a BFA from Carnegie Mellon University.
Hannah Yelland (Ruth Pigeon) has appeared in productions on both sides of the Atlantic. Her
credits include Kneehigh Theatre Company’s Brief Encounter on Broadway, as well as
appearances at the Abbey Theatre (Dublin), the Gate Theatre (Dublin), The Barbican Centre
(London), and the McCarter Theatre (New Jersey).
Caroline Bootle Pendergast (Ciara Blake) returns to Studio after playing Charlotte in The Real
Thing (2013). A graduate of the Julliard School, Bootle was seen in King Lear and Proof on
Broadway. She has appeared in both classical and contemporary work in the DC area, as well
as at the Guthrie Theater and Colorado Shakes.
Ciaran Byrne (Dave Blake) makes his Studio Theatre debut. Byrnes recently finished filming
TNT’s Public Morals and has been seen in productions at the City Theatre (Miami, FL) and the
Irish Classical Theatre (Buffalo, NY).
Avery Clark (Fin White) was most recently seen in Shakespeare Theatre Company’s
productions of The Tempest and A Midsummer Night's Dream. Clark’s extensive classical
credits include Hamlet at Orlando Shakespeare Theatre and Romeo and Juliet at the Alabama
Shakespeare Festival.
Mira Cohen (Hilary Kelly) makes her professional theatre debut. Cohen has performed at
Birdland in New York City and is in her third year at Adventure Theatre Musical Theatre Center’s
pre-professional program.
INFORMATION
Where: Studio Theatre’s Milton Theatre, 1501 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20005
Dates: March 16 - April 24, 2016
Performances: Tuesday-Saturday, 8pm; Sunday, 7pm
Matinees: Saturday and Sunday, 2pm
Ticket Prices: Tickets begin at $54
Press Performance: Sunday, March 20, 2pm
EVENTS
After-Show Discussions: March 27, 2016 after 2pm matinee; April 9, 2016 after 2pm matinee
Sign-Interpreted Performance: Tuesday, April 19 at 8pm
Captioned Performance: Saturday, April 16 at 2pm and Wednesday, April 20 at 8pm
Audio-Described Performance: Sunday, April 24 at 2pm
SUPPORT
Moment is generously underwritten by Mark Epstein and Amoretta Hoeber.
STUDIO THEATRE
Now in its sixth season under the leadership of Artistic Director David Muse, Studio Theatre is
Washington’s premier venue for contemporary theatre, “where local audiences will find today’s
edgiest playwrights” (Variety). One of the most respected midsized theatres in the country, Studio
Theatre produces the work of today’s greatest writers, augmented by occasional productions of
modern classics, performed by acclaimed actors in intimate spaces. Throughout the Theatre’s 37year history, the quality of its work has been recognized by sustained community support as well
as with 341 nominations and 63 Helen Hayes Awards for excellence in professional theatre.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Accessibility: Studio’s theatres are all wheelchair accessible; seats are available by reservation.
Assistive listening devices are available for all shows at concessions. Call the Box Office at
202.332.3300 for more information.
Location: 1501 14th Street NW (northeast corner of 14th and P Streets).
Parking:


Studio has a parking partnership with Washington Plaza Hotel at 10 Thomas Circle NW,
three blocks south of Studio; patrons who park at the hotel’s parking garage can purchase a
$13 voucher at concessions.
Street parking is limited; arrive early to increase your options.
Metro Stops: Red Line: Dupont Circle, Orange/Blue Lines: McPherson Square, and Green/Yellow
Lines: U Street/Cardozo.
Contact Information:
Tickets: 202.332.3300
Administration: 202.232.7267
Website: studiotheatre.org
E-mail: [email protected]
###