Performances begin February 15 at JACK in Brooklyn for the world premiere of Athena by Relentless Award winner Gracie Gardner. The limited Off-Broadway engagement is presented by female-driven company The Hearth, whose mission is to hire, support, and tell the stories of women and non-binary artists.
Athena is about two adolescent fencers training for the Junior Olympics. They practice together, compete against each other, and spend their lives together. They also wish they were friends.
The production stars The Hearth's co-artistic director Julia Greer, alongside Abby Awe and Eva Ravenal. Co-artistic director Emma Miller directs the run at JACK through March 3.
The production features set design by Emmie Finckel, costume design by Dara Affholter, sound design by Z Worthington, and lighting design by Victoria Bain. Production stage manager is Wesley Yount.
Read: GRACIE GARDNER NAMED WINNER OF RELENTLESS AWARD, INCLUDING $45,000 PRIZE
Gardner was awarded the 2017 Relentless Award, established in honor of the late Philip Seymour Hoffman, for her play Pussy Sludge, the story of a young woman who is also an oil well. Her work as a playwright has been developed and seen at the Bridge Residency, Naked Angels, Tripeg Lobo, SubCulture, the Kraine Theater, Mason Holdings, the Flea, Hearth Gods, Adaptive Arts, Tiny Rhino, the Secret Theater, 24 Hour Plays: Nationals, YES NOISE, Collaborative Arts Mobility Project, the Queens Theater, and Core Artist Ensemble.
JACK is located at 505 1/2 Waverly Avenue between Fulton and Atlantic Ave, Brooklyn. For tickets and more information on Athena visit TheHearthTheater.com.
