December 6, 2021   by Nia Smith, Education & Engagement Fellow

“I took Casebook because I wanted to understand how the New York Theatre Workshop created it’s magic,” said Noel Kiernan, a participant in the 2016 program.

Casebook, a course that launched in the spring of 2012, allows audiences unprecedented access to the artists involved in the creation of a new work from rehearsal to production. Each year, New York Theatre Workshop designates one of its productions as a “case study” and hosts a class designed to provide theatre lovers of all experience levels with a true insider’s view of the life of a theatre artist, and the process of realizing a full professional production.

In previous seasons, Casebook has chronicled the rehearsal processes of New York Theatre Workshop productions such as Sing Street, Hurricane Diane, Hadestown, and The Invisible Hand. This year, the program sets its sights on the world premiere production of On Sugarland.

This new work from Obie Award-winning playwright Aleshea Harris (Is God Is, What to Send Up When It Goes Down) is at once a spectacular pageant and spirited meditation on remarkable people transcending difficult circumstances. On Sugarland brings joyous life to communal healing with a glorious ensemble of 14 performers in a production directed by Obie Award winner, NYTW Usual Suspect & former 2050 Fellow Whitney White (What to Send Up When It Goes Down).

“In our efforts to provide access to the vision and process of the artist, Casebook has been instrumental in helping us make some of the most meaningful connections with our audiences. This year, as we continue to increase access for underrepresented communities in the theatre we are thrilled to partner with Aleshea and Whitney, two magnificent artists redefining what theatre can be, to offer a window into their process at no cost to the very audiences that On Sugarland seeks to engage in conversation,” says Alexander Santiago-Jirau, Director of Education.

And this year, we are particularly excited to offer 15 fully funded scholarships to BIPOC participants who identify as students, artists, and/or theatre lovers of diverse backgrounds. For more information on Casebook and how to apply, click here. To learn more about On Sugarland, click here.

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Categories: 2021/22 Season, Casebook, and Education. Tags: Aleshea Harris, On Sugarland, and Whitney White.