Clubbed Thumb Announces SUMMERWORKS Line-up

Clubbed Thumb, the Obie Award-winning New York Theatre Company that commissions, develops and produces funny, strange, and provocative news plays, presents SUMMERWORKS 2011, its 16th annual festival of original works by American Playwrights, from June 5-25 at HERE Arts Center (145 6th Avenue) in Manhattan, it has been announced by Maria Striar, Clubbed Thumb's Producing Artistic Director.

SUMMERWORKS 2011 features three new plays: Tanya Saracho's ENFRASCADA, directed by Jerry Ruiz, June 5-11; Kristin Newbom and W. David Hancock's OUR LOT, directed by May Adrales, June 12-18; and Jason Grote's CIVILIZATION (ALL YOU CAN EAT), directed by Seth Bockley, June 19-25.

A testament to the significance of Clubbed Thumb's SUMMERWORKS as a launching pad for emerging writers are the celebrated playwrights who have had their early works - in some cases, their first professional production in New York - at SUMMERWORKS: Sarah Ruhl, Adam Bock, Gina Gionfriddo, Jordan Harrison, Anne Washburn, Rinne Groff, Sheila Callaghan, Lisa D'Amour, and Rachel Sheinkin among them.

This production is part of HEREstay, HERE's curated rental program, which provides artists with subsidized space and equipment, as well as technical and administrative support.

ABOUT SUMMERWORKS 2011

ENFRASCADA (June 5, 6, 7, 9. 10 & 11)
Written by Tanya Saracho, directed by Jerry Ruiz.

In ENFRASCADA, when Alicia's world is turned upside down, she and her friends mine the underworlds of Brujeria, Santeria, and Hoodoo searching for that thing that will put it all back, the way it used to be.

The cast of ENFRASCADA includes Flora Diaz, Annie Henk, Anna Lamadrid, Jessica Pimentel and Christina Pumariega. The production has set design by Steven C. Kemp, lighting design by Christian DeAngelis and sound design by Jana Hoglund.

Playwright Tanya Saracho's EL NOGALAR, an adaptation of THE CHERRY ORCHARD commissioned by Teatro Vista, is currently at the Goodman Theater in Chicago. Her plays include an adaptation of THE HOUSE ON MANGO STREET for Steppenwolf SYA; OUR LADY OF THE UNDERPASS; SURFACE DAY; KITA Y FERNANDA; QUITA MITOS; and the upcoming THE GOOD PRIVATE. She is a recipient of the Ofner Prize given by the Goodman Theater as well as a 3Arts Artists Award.

Director Jerry Ruiz's recent credits include 26 MILES by Quiara Hudes, SANGRE by Mando Alvarado, THE KING IS DEAD by Caroline V. McGraw, ELECTION DAY by Josh Tobiessen, THE NEAR EAST by Alex Lewin, and RATTLERS by Johnna Adams. Regional credits include WAITING FOR THE HEARSE at Mixed Blood in Minneapolis, TWELFTH NIGHT for Chalk Rep in Los Angeles and BLOOD WEDDING. Jerry has developed work at Second Stage, Soho Rep, The Public, Playwrights Horizons, The Atlantic, Oregon Shakespeare Festival and the Playwrights Realm.

OUR LOT (June 12, 13, 14, 16, 17 & 18)
Written by Kristin Newbom and W. David Hancock, directed by May Adrales.