Download Hana`s Suitcase - Seattle Children`s Theatre

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 12, 2016
Media Contact:
Ariel Bradler
Director of Sales and Marketing
Seattle Children’s Theatre
(206) 859-4054
[email protected]
SCT presents Hana’s Suitcase, a west coast premiere for Toronto’s Young
People’s Theatre
Seattle – Seattle Children’s Theatre (SCT), one of the leading theatres for young audiences in the United States,
will present Hana’s Suitcase, a production from Canada’s largest theatre for young audiences, Young People’s
Theatre (YPT) in Toronto. Hana’s Suitcase opens in SCT’s Charlotte Martin Theatre on January 22 and runs
through February 7, 2016; the show is recommended for ages 10 and up. The play is written by Emil Sher,
directed by Artistic Director of Young People’s Theatre, Allen MacInnis, and based on the book of the same
title by Karen Levine.
The story of Hana’s Suitcase begins when a child’s suitcase arrives from Auschwitz at the tiny Tokyo
Holocaust Education Resource Centre, in the year 2000. Painted on the side are the name Hana Brady, 1931,
and the word “Waisenkind” (orphan). Spurred on by the children at the Centre, curator Fumiko Ishioka embarks
on a relentless search from Tokyo to Prague to Toronto to uncover the story of Hana and her fate.
The Toronto-based cast includes Caroline Toal as Hana, Jennifer Villaverde as Fumiko Ishioka, and Noah
Spitzer as George Brady (Hana’s brother); Thomas Hauff, Lisa Truong, Tracey Ferencz, Jeff Ho, and Jeff
Miller round out the ensemble. The YPT production team includes set and costumes by Teresa Przybylski,
lighting design by Andrea Lundy, and sound design by John Gzowski.
Linda Hartzell, Artistic Director of SCT, explains why this project is so important for audiences to experience;
“For me, the importance of this project lies in nourishing curiosity that both arises from and leads to empathy.
The power of a teacher to encourage this kind of curiosity and investigation is also a key part of the story.”
Hartzell adds, “We are so excited to present this wonderful piece from our friends at YPT and grateful for the
support from The Sheri and Les Biller Family Foundation.”
This production is presented in part by the “Friends of Hana’s Suitcase” committee, a community effort led by
the Biller Family Foundation. With a mission to advance innovative theatre that engages and educates the
community on social issues, the Biller Family Foundation has been the driving force behind fundraising for
both the production’s return to the US and activities surrounding the run. “Unfortunately racism, discrimination,
and hate crimes are still a very real part of our communities,” says Sheri Biller, president of the Biller Family
Foundation. “It is our hope that this play acts as the stimulus for conversations about these issues, guided by the
tenacity, resilience and hope of the characters portrayed in the story.”
A comprehensive community outreach program is integral to the experience of this production. This includes
complimentary tickets for targeted community organizations, show-themed onsite workshops for school groups
and, on January 21, a special event supported by TeenTix, an organization that provides access to the arts and
empowers teens to take an active role in shaping their arts community. The TeenTix performance will feature a
panel discussion hosted by KCTS 9’s Enrique Cerna. The people whose journey inspired this play will be in
attendance during opening week, including Fumiko Ishioka, George Brady (Hana’s brother), and George’s
daughter, Lara Hana Brady.
Hana's Suitcase
Hana’s Suitcase by Emil Sher
Based on the book Hana’s Suitcase by Karen Levine
Published by Second Story Press
Produced by Young People’s Theatre, Toronto, Canada
January 21–February 7, 2016
ASL Interpreted date: February 6, 2:00 p.m.
Seattle Children’s Theatre’s presentation of Hana’s Suitcase is made possible by the generosity of production
sponsors: The Sheri and Les Biller Family Foundation, National Endowment for the Arts, and Wells Fargo;
with support from season sponsors ArtsFund, Microsoft, and The Shubert Foundation; and media partners
Seattle’s Child and KCTS 9.
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The mission of Seattle Children’s Theatre is to provide children of all ages access to professional theatre, with
a focus on new works, and theatre education. SCT performs September through June in the Charlotte Martin
and Eve Alvord Theatres at Seattle Center. Since its inception, SCT has gained acclaim as a leading producer
of professional theatre, educational programs and new scripts for young audiences.
Young People’s Theatre (YPT) is a national producer and presenter of theatre for young audiences – the first
and largest of its kind in Canada. Over the past 50 years YPT has staged many of the important plays that form
the canon of work for youth in our country. The enriched learning experiences of YPT’s Education &
Participation Department also provide young people with opportunities to develop their whole being. YPT
strives to make a positive and lasting impact on the emotional, social and intellectual development of young
people.