New Images Released;
Exploration of the Death of Theatre Runs July 12 - August 6, 2023
Chicago, Illinois (July 11, 2023) – Haven Chicago continues its 2022-23 season with the World Premiere of Nathan Alan Davis’s THE ART OF BOWING, directed by Ian Damont Martin, Artistic Director of Haven. The meta play, which explores the story of the death of theatre, runs July 12 - August 6, 2023 at Haven’s resident home, The Den Theatre’s Janet Bookspan Theatre, 1331 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Chicago’s Wicker Park neighborhood. Tickets ($36 - $46) are on sale now at havenchi.org or by calling (773) 697-3830.
THE ART OF BOWING, written by Nathan Alan Davis, is a mystical, metatheatrical, and effervescent journey spanning multiple eras, places, and dimensions. This story of humanity tackles the strength of the artistic soul and what it means to be an “actor.” With the help of three characters, the audience is launched into a play with no fourth wall, no hand holding, and no holds barred.
The play explores the death of theatre and the characters’ search for meaning and identity. As they navigate different scenes and time periods, they confront themes of loss, self-discovery, and the power of storytelling, ultimately finding solace in human connection and the pursuit of physical freedom.
The cast includes David Goodloe (“Akwasi”), Bryanna Colón (“Farah”), and Beck Nolan (“Enoch”).
The production team includes Sydney Lynne (Scenic Design), Lily Walls (Costume Design), Vianey Salazar (Lighting Design), Michael Huey (Sound Design), Michael Corrie (Props), Julia Farrell Diefenbach (Dramaturg), Hunter Cole (Technical Director), Kyle Anderson (Master Electrician), Mark Berry (Assistant Production Manager), Amy Rappa (Stage Manager), Katie Nowak (Assistant Stage Manager), and Skylar Grieco (Production Manager).
THE ART OF BOWING runs July 12 - August 6, 2023 at The Den Theatre, 1331 N. Milwaukee Ave. with performances Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. Open-captioned performances will be held Thursday August 3 - Sunday August 6. Tickets are $36, with reserved seating at $46. Student tickets are $21, and Industry tickets are $31. Tickets are available online at havenchi.org or by calling the Box Office at (773) 697-3830.
ABOUT THE CAST AND CREATIVE TEAM
Nathan Alan Davis’s (Playwright, he/him) plays include Nat Turner in Jerusalem (New York Theatre Workshop; Stavis Playwright Award), Dontrell Who Kissed the Sea (NNPN Rolling World Premiere; Steinberg/ATCA New Play Citation), and The Wind and the Breeze (Cygnet Theatre; Blue Ink Award, Lorraine Hansberry Award). In addition to The Art of Bowling, three more of his plays will receive world premieres in 2023: The High Ground (Arena Stage), Eternal Life Part 1 (Wilma Theatre), and Origin Story(Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park). In recognition of his body of work, Nathan has received a Windham-Campbell Prize (2021), a Steinberg Playwright Award (2020), and a Whiting Award in Drama (2018). His commissions include Seattle Rep, Audible, True Love Productions, and BMG Music. He is a Playwrights’ Center Venturous Fellow and an NYTW Usual Suspect. As a screenwriter, he has worked on TV and feature projects for HBO Max, Netflix, AMC, and Paramount. Nathan is an alumnus of the University of Illinois, Indiana University, and the Juilliard School. He currently serves as Director of MFA Playwriting at Boston University.
Ian Damont Martin (Director, they/he) is a writer/director by passion and a creative executive by trade, who is pleased to serve Haven Chicago as Artistic Director. Ian is also the Executive Director of Inclusion & Belonging of the Art Institute of Chicago. Before Haven, Ian worked with Goodman Theatre, where he completed an Artistic Producing Apprenticeship funded by the Joyce Foundation. They have also worked with Enrich Chicago, The Theatre School at DePaul University, Middle Coast Film Festival, Sideshow Theatre Company, the Gift Theatre, Jackalope Theatre, the DuSable Museum, the National Society of Arts and Letters, Indiana University, Ivy Tech Community College, Midsommer Flight, Bloomington Playwrights Project, Youth Theatre Journal, and the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Cincinnati. Ian received his BA in theatre and drama from Indiana University and a diploma in drama from the School for Creative and Performing Arts in Cincinnati, OH. @iandamont
David Goodloe (Akwasi, he/him) David is an actor, teaching artist, and storyteller born and raised in Chicago; who has been acting professionally for over a decade. He has appeared on Chicago Fire, Chicago Med & Chicago PD (Wolf Films/Universal Television), Proven Innocent (20th Century Fox), D.I.N.K’s (Sole Productions), Thanks Mom (Breakwall Pictures LLC), Perceptions & Morning After (Acestroke Productions). Theater credits include Fairview (Definition Theatre), Ironbound (The Artistic Home), Mlima’s Tale (Griffin Theatre), Rastus and Hattie (16th Street Theater), Defiance (Buffalo Theatre Ensemble), Skin for Skin (The Agency Collective Theater), for my brothers...whenever I may find them (Step Up Productions), An Improv Play (InFusion Theatre), A Fool Such As I (eta Creative Arts), The Last Saint on Sugar Hill ( MPAACT Theatre), and Between Legs & Open Ears (Black Ensemble Theater). He has worked with various production companies such as August Jackson Agency, Draft/FCB, Twist, T2 Studios, Back Ally Films, Crossroads Films, One at Optimus, Mothlight Productions, and Elkhorn Entertainment. @thereeldavidgoodloe | davidgoodloe.com
Beck Nolan (Enoch, he/him) Beck Nolan is making his professional theatre debut at Haven Chicago. He is currently training at The Theatre School at DePaul University and is set to graduate in the spring of 2024. Film: Good Guy with a Gun. Television: Resignation. Theatre: After Juliet, Straight White Men, Henry IV, Newsies, Big Fish. While at DePaul, he originated the role of William Marcellus Perry in Gloria Bond Clunie’s The Poppy.
Bryanna Colón (Farah, she/her) Bryanna Ciera Colón makes her Haven Chicago debut in The Art of Bowing. The Chicago-based performer made her national tour debut in the hit holiday musical The Elf On The Shelf: A Christmas Musical (Ella: Mills Entertainment) fresh out of high school. Soon after, In The Heights (Yolanda, Nina u/s, Ensemble: Arts Center of Coastal Carolina). Alma (Angel: American Blues Theater). A Chorus Line (Vickie, Diana u/s: Drury Lane Theater). Some of her other credits include episodes in the critically acclaimed NBC TV series Chicago Fire (Seasons 8-11) and the FOX TV series The Big Leap. @bryannacieracolon
FACT SHEET:
THE ART OF BOWING
Title: THE ART OF BOWING
Written By: Nathan Alan Davis
Directed By: Ian Damont Martin
Cast: David Goodloe (Akwasi); Beck Nolan (Enoch); Bryanna Colón (Farah)
Production Team: Sydney Lynne (Scenic Design); Lily Walls (Costume Design); Vianey Salazar (Lighting Design); Michael Huey (Sound Design); Michael Corrie(Props); Julia Farrell Diefenbach (Dramaturg); Hunter Cole (Technical Director); Kyle Anderson (Master Electrician); Mark Berry (Assistant Production Manager); Amy Rappa (Stage Manager); Katie Nowak (Assistant Stage Manager); and Skylar Grieco(Production Manager).
Dates: July 12 - August 6, 2023
Schedule: Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 8 p.m., Sundays at 3 p.m.
Venue: The Den Theatre, 1331 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago
Tickets: Single tickets $36; reserved seating $46. Student tickets $21; Industry tickets $31.
Box Office: www.havenchi.org or by calling (773) 697-3830
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